Fan Fic and More

WOOHOO were almost to the new part...I love re-reading this

ditto for me as well

god i love this story, sorry i've never commented before (i use to be a lurker) but please update really soon i love this story so much its my favourite stargazer story ever.

More please and soon :D

Very very interesting!

Gazer Gets the Girl
Part 21-A - Isabel Gets Back On Schedule
by Stargazer_md

Disclaimer: The characters don’t belong to me. If they did, the show would still be on.
Some text is borrowed from the show, I didn’t treat it any worse than the original
writers.
Summary: A&I fun mostly.
Setting: An entirely new S-3
Category: Alex/Isabel with CC
Rating: Mature


Where we left off: Isabel got sick for the first time and didn’t like it one little bit.

**********
This chapter is dedicated to Lt. Chris DeWolf, Newington NH Fire Dept. 1963-2005

**********
Just like Michael promised, it was turning out to be an unusually warm Friday evening when all four of the girls found themselves in Liz’s bedroom getting ready for a group date Isabel had been the last to arrive, and she expressed surprise at the brevity of the clothing her friends were wearing.

“Isabel,” Ava advised, “Uniform of the day is a handkerchief top over shorts.”

Isabel looked down at her amply filled tank top. “I’m not built for handkerchief tops,” she deadpanned, but with a smile on her face.

“Come on Queen Amidala,” Maria taunted. “Get with the program.”

“Hey Liz?” Isabel asked while raising her arm and taking aim at Maria. “Does her top have knots in it?”

Maria, remembering what happened to her bikini top the day she taunted Isabel in Texas, gasped and put her hands up in front of her top protectively. “You wouldn’t dare,” she challenged.

“You better be calling me names in a good way,” Isabel laughed at her tormentor. “Like the way Padmé acted after she stepped out from behind her stick-up-the-ass hand maiden and revealed herself to be a nice person.”

“Come on Isabel,” Liz whined as she tossed her tall friend a red top. “Do your fashion thing, I’m sure you can come up with something you’d like.”

“I’m not built to wear a top like this,” Isabel sighed indecisively. “I haven’t passed a pencil test since I was twelve.”

Maria gasped, “Twelve? Rub it in!”

Simultaneously, Ava asked innocently, “Pencil test?”

Maria was now in full riot, “Sure, pencil test! Every girl does it, I still try to fail a pencil test almost every morning. What have you been, living under a rock?”

“No, in a sewer,” Ava replied with a laugh.

“It’s when you tuck a pencil under your boob against your ribcage. If the pencil doesn’t fall, you need to wear a bra. I’ve never been able to wear a top like this,” Isabel explained wishfully, looking at Liz’s skimpy attire.

“Oh come on Isabel,” Maria whined, stepping in close to her friend. “Think of how Alex would react.” She scooted over by her tall friends side and looked up at her. “Just think of it. ‘Alex, can you show me how to hold a golf club?’ He wraps his arms around you and guess what? There’s nothing between you and him but a little bit of string.”

That got Isabel’s attention, and a smile slowly spread across her face as she stepped to the mirror. She reached up the front of her tank top, until she could touch the band of her bra, and then pulled the fabric down, changing the bra into a camisole. Then she took her tank top off and spread it out on the bed. With a wave of her hand she transformed the plain cotton tank into a rich red silk fabric top with a delicate silver patterned mesh overlay. With several judicious tugs and folds the garment was soon styled like the tops the others were wearing, with a high halter bodice, a string tying the sides together just under her bustline, and the rest of the front hanging down to her waist. Isabel returned to the mirror, the top held in front of her by her chin. “Here goes,” she said uncertainly as she slowly waved her hands down her side, donning her improvised top and vanquishing her camisole into the ether.

“Alex is going to love that,” Ava exclaimed, only to be reeled back in.

“Girlfriend, she’s only getting started,” Maria said excitedly.

“I don’t like this,” Isabel moaned. “I don’t like the way this looks, I don’t like the way this feels, and I certainly don’t like the way this fits.” She reached up to the high halter neckline and slid her finger inside. Then as she slowly watched herself pivot on her hips as she drew the neckline into a plunging ‘vee.’ Isabel turned to her left, exposing the side of her snow white breast almost all the way to the nipple. “This won’t do,” she remarked indifferently. She grabbed the edge of the fabric and pulled it in closer to her side then with a well-placed dart she improved the fit while insuring her modesty. “Now for the front.” Isabel tucked her finger inside her neckline, splitting the fabric into two panels, while tracing the bottom of her left breast. She then took the fabric of the other cup and pulled it to the side, in effect creating a wrap top with fitted cups that crossed her heart and attached a band that circled her rib cage. The bottom half of the ‘handkerchief’ then draped freely to just brush the top of her jeans.

“Isabel,” Liz said hesitantly. “The fabric looks a little formal, don’t you think?”

“Yes,” Isabel agreed. “It would be okay for a dress or something like that, but it is way too formal for a top like this.” In response she reached down and flattened her hand against the top over her stomach. Moments later a glow spread from her hand to the edges of the garment, melting the overlay into the base fabric, creating a rich red backless top with a bright silver print.

“Perfect,” Maria gasped.

“Not quite,” Isabel replied with a smile as she ran her hand over her jeans, turning them a brilliant white. She then gathered a pinch of fabric at the middle of her thighs and then tugged the legs down, leaving herself wearing a pair of jean shorts.

“Alex is going to freak,” Ava said in admiration.

Isabel pivoted in front of the mirror, stopping when she was facing it directly. A touch of disappointment crossed her face as she studied herself, both standing still and then as she gently hopped up and down, causing her breasts to jiggle.

“I wish I could do that,” Liz said with a laugh.

“No you don’t,” Isabel sighed indifferently. “You’d have to move into Pam Troy’s trailer park if you bounced around like this.” She then put her hands over the cups and lifted her breasts until they were high and tight. “Stay!” she commanded. Happy with the results, she stepped back and hopped, this time with everything staying in place. “Good start,” she commented. “Now for hair and make-up.”

“Oh My God!” Maria exclaimed. “I need a set of those!”

“What? Her boobs?” Liz teased.

“No! If I had hands like hers I wouldn’t need to worry about my boobs,” Maria replied, slapping Liz on the shoulder playfully.

“Looks like Michael won’t the only one getting lucky tonight,” Maria teased.

“What, Alex?” Isabel asked incredulously. “You think he needs luck? All he needs is to sit still and I’ll do all the rest myself.”

Isabel’s words went unheeded however, as Maria was slowly stalking her best friend. “Liz,” she demanded. “Why are you blushing?”

“Well,” Liz replied shyly. “Maybe Michael won’t be the only one getting lucky after all.”

“You slut!” Ava said in admiration.

“Please!” Isabel exclaimed. “That’s my brother you’re talking about.”

“Oh blow it out your ass Isabel,” Ava quipped. “That’s my ex-husband she’s talking about. If anyone has a right to complain it should be me.”

“Do you have anything to say?” Liz asked cautiously.

“Yea,” Ava answered while looking right at Isabel. “Go for it.”


Having destroyed a spread of Chinese food that would of broken the table in a lesser restaurant, the gang found themselves at the Black Hole Putt-Putt golf course. At the end of the evening, Kyle suggested one last round of golf. “This one’s for all the marbles,” he insisted.

“I’m not playing for money,” Michael groused.

Thinking of the quick game of pool she won while waiting for their food Liz suggested, “Winners choice?” Liz and Max looked at each other with a tender smile, both understanding without communication that no matter who won there was a romantic evening in their future.

Michael watched the interaction between Liz and Max with dismay. He turned towards Maria and promised, “I’ll give you a dollar a stroke.”

Ava looked at Kyle with a sense of dread, as Kyle raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Isabel turned towards Alex and touched him tenderly. “Sweetie, you realize I will decide what our prizes will be, don’t you?”

“I don’t think that’s the way it’s supposed to work,” Alex said carefully.

“Let me guess,” Isabel rebutted. “If I win you would expect to do something like wash my car. If you win I bet you would let me off the hook by telling me to clean the dishes after dinner, and by the way, feel free to use the dishwasher.”

“Well,” Alex explained, “I wouldn’t want to take advantage,,,”

“Sweetie,” Isabel said, biting her lower lip. “Look around.”

Alex did not fail to see the looks that the other couples were giving each other.

“This game is foreplay,” she said flirtingly. “And I promise you, no matter which one of us wins, you will not be disappointed.”

Kyle, in usual jock fashion, went first. Followed by his partner, Ava. While Kyle played as if his life depended on it, Ava played with a quiet resignation that she was going to lose and that she would never hear the end of it.

Max and Liz went next. It was apparent to everyone that their reconciliation was well under way. Not only were their public displays of affection interfering with their game, they were also causing their companions to squirm.

Isabel leaned over to Maria. “I forgot about their public indecency when we agreed to fix him,” she said quietly.

“Oh,” Maria teased, “And you and Alex don’t,,,” she let the comment hang.

Isabel watched her brother mold himself to Liz’s back as he ‘showed’ her the proper way to hold the club. “Not like that,” she replied. ‘At least not in public,’ she added silently.

Isabel spent most of the game tapping her ball against the side of the course with her putter while counting quietly. At the end of the round Max, Maria, and Kyle had won in close pitched battles, but Alex hit the mother load when Isabel informed everyone that she lost by one hundred and seventeen strokes.

“Sweetie,” Isabel teased. “At one minute per stroke, you just won almost two hours of up close and personal time with my naughty places.”

**********
Monday morning found Isabel in the shower with the house to herself, a little indulgence that would have delighted her if not for the fact that Alex had spent the night at station three. She turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, squaring off in front of the mirror. She waved the fog from the mirror, a motion that inspired her. The quicker she got to school, the quicker she could be with Alex. She waved her hand down the front of her body, drying herself, and then back up, applying all of her morning lotions and creams, finishing with her make-up and hair care. Already feeling his kiss on her lips, she smiled as she strutted into her room, eschewing any covering, where she found Alex sitting on her bed, still in his station clothes.

Isabel kept her smile to herself as she realized that he intended to sit there and watch her dress. That worked for her. Without a moment of self-consciousness she walked to her desk, serendipitously aligned herself just right with her legs slightly spread, then bent to reach for her floating heart. It was the last thing she took off before showering, and the first thing she put on afterwards. She felt naked without it.

Alex couldn’t help but sneak a peek, which caused his eyebrows to shoot up in wonder. “Izzy? You look different.”

“Different?” Isabel asked as she turned to face him.

“Plainer,” he said, his eyes looking much lower than usual.

Isabel was puzzled by his comment for a moment before realizing that the only times he had ‘seen’ her was during their sex play. He had played the gentleman during the earlier and as a result had never seen her unaroused. Touched by his naivety, she decided to have a little fun with him. “Don’t get any ideas Whitman,” she snapped with a straight face. “I have a lot on my mind and I am in seriously turned-off mode right now. I have to get the billing out for Dad’s office and I’m still nervous about what we’re going to learn about me from the Granolith. Plus we both have Senora Garcia’s test first period, and she doesn’t allow make-ups. So unless you’re going to throw me on the bed, pry my legs apart until they hurt, and make me your woman forever, or at least bend me over my dresser for a quickie, I don’t want to hear it. I’m not in the mood for any of your half measures.”

In response Alex simply raised his eyes back to hers, where they belonged, as she approached her bed.

“I see you’ve picked out my wardrobe today” she said with a slowly blossoming smile. “My white pullover sweater and red tartan skirt? Matching sheer white panty and bra. You like me when I look all miss innocent, don’t you?”

“Can I help it if you look good in a skirt?” Alex sighed.

“Hand me my panties,” she replied with a smile. “When picking out my wardrobe, just remember the once-a-month rule. I don’t want my admiring public seeing me in the same outfit twice and starting to think that I’ve let my wardrobe standards slip.”

Alex handed her the wisp of a garment, “What is this, anyways?” he asked.

“They’re cheeky pants,” she teased, pulling them on. “Do you like?” she asked, while pivoting in front of him. “They’re cut high on the leg, low on the hips, and they’re all lace, no seams to cause panty lines.”

“I just think you look good in them,” Alex quipped, handing up her bra.

“Actually you think I look good through them,” she teased as she bent forward, offering her twins for a quick kiss before she scooped then into their home for the day. Moments later she had pulled her sweater over her head and was smoothing it in place.

“I like the neckline of that sweater, it frames your floating heart perfectly,” Alex gushed as he watched her finish with the inner button on her skirt, and then wrap the waistband around herself to fasten the outer buckle. When he saw her look for the blanket pin, he held up in his hand. “I’ll help you with that,” he promised.

Isabel stepped into his personal space and then pivoted, offering her thigh to her mate. She struggled to conceal her excitement as Alex slid one hand behind the loose corner of her skirt, and slipped the pin into place. “Sweetie!” she gasped. “You’re supposed to pin the loose corner to the fabric underneath. You missed! My skirts going to be flapping in the breeze all day.”

“Well,” Alex replied with his best Snively Whiplash sneer, “If you’re careful, I’ll be the only person who knows. Which would be a good idea since the last thing you’re going to do before getting out of the car is to give me your panties.”

“What?” Isabel squealed. “It’s one thing to risk flashing a bit of leg and it’s another thing to feel a breeze up my leg every time I move! But both?”

“Hey, I might need to wipe my nose today, and I don’t have a handkerchief,” Alex teased. “I’ll give them back to you this afternoon in the eraser room.”

Isabel looked at the clock, feinting indifference, but nonetheless happy to play along. “Come on Sweetie,” she declared, ready to face the day. “Show’s over.”

“Show?” he stammered. “Do you think I was visiting with you for my own entertainment? Nothing can be farther from the truth. Knowing we’re alone this morning, I decided to make sure you weren’t lonely while you dressed. It was a noble and selfless act on my part,” he pleaded.

“So you didn’t take any interest in watching me dress, huh?” Isabel said disbelievingly. She reached down and took a firm hold of his jeans, catching a hold of Fred in the process. “Something tells me I’m not the only one counting the minutes until we get out of class this afternoon.”

**********
New York City
Ground Zero

Sam Clements was finally satisfied that the choker cable was secure around the slab of broken concrete, and then scrambled off to the safety of the side of the ‘pile.’ He took off his hard hat, and despite the rapidly cooling of the coming night, he used a bandana to wipe the sweat from his ebony face. As the section of shattered flooring was lifted away, he thought that he saw a glimmer of light from the rubble underneath. Sam crossed himself, as he called out to his partner and reached for a shovel.

Once the slab had been lifted clear and it was safe to do so, Sam and his partner went to the spot where he had seen the reflection, and found a small piece of dirty white leather poking from the ground. The two men threw their shovels away, knelt down, and reverently dug through the bits of broken wood, concrete and dirt. They found a small square of canvas, stepped back, and signaled the foreman, causing all work to stop.

Sam was joined by several other construction workers as a squad of fire fighters assembled. The group of New York’s Bravest paused for a prayer before gently wresting their fallen brother from the cold ground. Several hot tears streaked unheeded through the dust that covered Sam’s hardened face as Battalion Chief Taylor was lowered into a stokes litter, carefully covered with the American flag that he had loved and died for, and then carried back to his grieving city.

**********
Liz was one of the later arrivals at the lunch table, and as she looked around she asked, “Where’s ‘Ria?”

Ava snickered, Michael grunted, and Isabel simply answered that she didn’t know.

“Alex?” Liz continued.

Ava choked on her soda as Isabel’s eyes lost their focus for a moment while she reached out to him before replying, “Don’t know. He’s off-line.”

“Ava?” Liz stated. “You seem to know something.”

“Who me?” Ava asked in an innocent voice while her huge grin betrayed her.

“Ava,,,” Michael threatened.

“It’s nothing really,” Ava giggled.

Isabel looked at the newest member of the group, “Ava, there’s no need to be embarrassed. Just tell us what you know.”

“Maria’s in the girl’s room washing her hands,” Ava finally said dismissively.

“Why would she spend all this time washing her hands? Liz asked. “And what about Alex?”

“Last I saw him he was outside waiting for her,” Ava added.

“Ava! Spill!” Isabel commanded.

“If you say so,” Ava agreed reluctantly. “Maria needed soda money, so when she saw Alex,,,”

“Not another word, Ava,” Maria commanded as she approached the table. Looking around the table Maria knew she needed to say something. “I needed soda money, so I reached into Alex’s pocket to snag a buck.” Her glance casually moved over to Isabel. “Instead I got a dirty old smelly snot rag, so I had to wash my hands.” Maria looked around the table to see that everyone had accepted her explanation and continued on with their lunch, well almost everyone. She couldn’t help but wonder just how much redder the Ice Princess’ face could get.

**********
Liz watched as Isabel and Alex came out of the school hand in hand. She noticed that while Isabel had a smile on her face, Alex didn’t look so enthused. When Maria finally showed up Liz fell into step besides her, “Alex looks a little down,” she commented offhandedly.

“I don’t blame him,” Maria teased. “Do you have any idea how much Saturday’s excursion is going to cost him?” Seeing a blank look on Liz’s face she raved, “You didn’t hear about Alex’s little faux-pas after you and Max left?”

“Alex screwed up with Isabel?” Liz asked in amazement. “I don’t believe it.”

“Well you have to give the poor guy credit,” Maria explained sympathetically. “Pan Troy was involved.” Seeing the expectant look on her friend’s face she dived right in. “During first period Alex heard Pam badmouthing his Isabel, so he was less than gracious at lunch time when we saw Pam waddling around the Quad on a pair of platform heels. Those shoes were bigger than her IQ. I don’t know how she could walk in them,” Maria said cattily. “No that doesn’t sound right, those shoes were bigger than Pam’s ass, and I don’t know why she’s so fat in the can, she spends all of her time on her knees,,,”

“Maria,” Liz interrupted. “You’re babbling again, Alex?”

“Oh, so Alex makes a snide remark about stripper shoes and how anyone wearing them must be on a one way trip from the trailer park to the Jerry Springer show. Isabel was sitting right there, and although she didn’t say anything, you could see her face go blank,” Maria ran on, hardly pausing to take a breath. “She told me later that she was keeping the boots to her ‘nice cones’ outfit, but that several other pairs of her shoes were going to get incinerated as soon as she gets home.”

“So that’s where the shopping trip comes from?” Liz interrupted. “Replacements?”

“Actually she’s decided to treat herself to a two for one special,” Maria replied with an ear-to-ear grin.

“Not the Bruno Magli sandals she’s been talking about all summer?” Liz gasped.

“Well she isn’t going all the way to Albuquerque to buy a pair of Keds, is she?” Maria explained as if she were talking to a small child. “I think Pravda is also on her list.”

“Alex is going to be so broke,” Liz sighed, shaking her head.

“Alex isn’t going to say a thing,” Maria teased. “In fact Alex is going to be a very happy man.”

“Ria,” Liz said incredulously. “The sandals alone are going to cost him a hundred seventy bucks. (€130) You think he’s going to be happy?”

“Yes he will,” Maria rebutted confidently. “First because he can deny her nothing, second because they will make her legs, let alone her ass, look like a million bucks, but even more importantly because she is going to ask him to pick out her newest favorite pair of panties at Victoria’s Secret.”

**********
“I don’t believe you let Maria get her hands on my panties!” Isabel snapped as she stormed from the car, slamming the door behind her.

Alex opened his door, but paused before stepping out. His didn’t know if Isabel was teasing him or she was going to leave his charred carcass in the desert. Hearing his name bellowed he shrugged and went to the back of the car to meet his fate.

“Izzy, Sweetheart,” Alex gushed, “It’s not like I handed them to Maria. I mean, think logically,,,”

“Logic goes out the window when my clothes come off,” Isabel replied menacingly. ”Forget that at your peril.”

“I will guard your panties with my life,” Alex agreed condescendingly as he opened the trunk.

“At least Maria kept this whole sordid tale to herself. Ava,,,” Isabel spat with disgust, “Ava sat there with a big grin keeping the whole table on edge while she dangled this story over our heads.”

“Ava,,,” Alex hesitated.

“That girl had way too much fun at my expense,” Isabel whined. “Time for her to find out that missteps during the day can have serious consequences at night.”

“You’re not going into her dreams, are you?” Alex said as if watching a train wreck in the making.

“Actually I’m thinking of letting her get a look at Kyle’s dreams,” Isabel said evilly.

“No!” Alex commanded.

“No?” Isabel repeated, her brows shooting sky high.

“Ava grew up in a sewer, torn away from her four square,” Alex stated earnestly. “Kyle lost Liz to Max before being shot by his own father. They’re both good people and they deserve a break.”

“Okay, you’re right,” Isabel drawled. “But you’re not off the hook.”

“I know,” Alex said with a smile. “I promise some serious hair brushing and shoulder rubbing when we get home tonight.” He bent into the trunk and lifted the Blade Workstation. “Hey Izzy, can you do your molecular mumbo-jumbo and make this weigh a lot less?”

Isabel waved her hands over the servers, cutting their weight to a comfortable level for the trek up to the pod chamber. “I don’t know why we’re dragging this busted ass equipment up there,” she whined. “You promised me the eraser room.”

“Busted ass equipment?” Alex gasped. “Despite the fact that this was a three year old piece of equipment when we purchased it, it was still the most powerful workstation I’ve been able to get my hands on, not to mention the fact that it wouldn’t be all busted ass if you hadn’t been the one to have blowed it up in the first place.”

“Blowed isn’t a word Whitman,” Isabel complained. “And what makes you think it’s safe to keep trying to stand up to me?”

“Stop trying to change the subject Izzy, “ Alex commanded. “Let me put it into terms you can understand. Rich Meyers wants three thousand dollars for a new system, and that’s not counting a windows box. The Granolith is going to fix both machines for free. I figure that’s the equivalent of the cost of our classes for the rest of the year.”

“That’s three months worth the shopping money,” Isabel gasped.

Alex almost dropped his cargo. “You spend a thousand dollars a month? On what?”

“Sweetie, what time frame are you thinking of right now?” Isabel asked sweetly.

“I’m thinking about what I have to do when we get to the Granolith chamber,” Alex replied pensively, her sudden mood change scaring him. “How to make the most of the little time I have with you today and tomorrow. My class tonight, as I have two students who are struggling to keep up with the others. My shift tomorrow night since Captain Baxter is having me ride with the truck company for the first time, (trucks carry aerial ladders) and last, but certainly not least, taking you shopping on Saturday.”

“I’m thinking a year out,” Isabel replied. “I’m making multiple plans for when we head off to college. If it’s just you and me, we’re going to rent a small apartment near the campus, but as more and more of the others sign on, it will become cost effective for us to buy a house and share expenses.”

Alex didn’t reply, he simply looked stunned. “Huh?” he asked, while his Adam’s apple bobbed as he tried to make his suddenly dry throat work.

“Sweetie, you do realize that the day we leave for college we’re going to be sharing a bed, don’t you?” Isabel said breathlessly. “We’re going to be together for the next sixty years after that. I’m going to need money to run our household,,,” Isabel leaned in closer so that Alex could feel her breath on his neck as she continued, “Because we are going to destroy a lot of bedding.”

Alex’s jaw hung open, but his eyes were bright with images of the delights his mate had just promised, so much so that he did not notice the fact that she had resumed her ascent.

“Sweetie? Coming?” she teased.

Alex had recovered his composure by the time they reached the plateau where the pod chamber portal was located. “The whole living arrangement sounds good in theory,” he ventured cautiously, “But we are going to discuss it before anything happens, right?”

“Of course we’re going to discuss it,” Isabel replied dismissively as she waved her hand, activating the doorway. “I wouldn’t make a decision like that without talking to you about it. Besides we have to find out what the intentions are of the rest of the group, let alone our parents.” Isabel heard a squeal as she reached the bottom of the incline into the pod chamber and looked up to see Michael standing rather uncomfortably next to Maria, who was sprawled on the floor rubbing her ass.

“We’re not doing anything,” Michael deadpanned.

“Michael,” Isabel replied as she cut off a giggle, but she couldn’t quite keep the amusement out of her voice as she continued, “Your denial would be much more believable if Maria wasn’t buttoning her blouse.”

“Hi Alex, Isabel,” Maria greeted her friends as she stood. “Do you have anything to say?”

“Not a word,” Isabel replied, taking special note of the set of Maria’s fist on her hips.

“We need the Granolith,” Alex explained. “You two can go back to what you weren’t doing,” he teased.

“Then get on with it, I’ve got work to do,” Maria declared. “With three new members of the (I know an alien) club he needs a lot of calming down.”

Alex turned and crawled through to the pod chamber muttering, “Calming, so that’s what they’re calling it now-a-days.”

Isabel gave her mate a playful swat on the ass as he disappeared from sight, but just before she turned to follow him, Michael gave her a covert wink. “Well you better get back to him,” Isabel taunted Maria with a barely suppressed laugh. “I bet he needs a whole lot of whatever you were doing to keep him calm.”

Alex stopped just inside the outer Granolith chamber and helped his mate stand, pausing to talk to her. “Izzy,” he whispered, “Do you trust me?”

“With my life,” Isabel gasped, realizing that there was more to this question as there could be no doubt in his mind that she would do anything for him.

“How about your privacy,,,” he tried to explain.

“Sweetie, I’ve been offering my private places to you for months,” Isabel gushed. “If you haven’t noticed I guess I’ll have to try harder.”

“Izzy,” Alex replied, struggling to keep his mind on the project at hand. “I need you to trust me enough to stay in the background while I’m working on the Granolith. I can’t let it keep information away from me, I can’t protect you that way. But if I push the Granolith to reveal it’s secrets, I may find out more things about you, things that you don’t even know about yourself.”

“Come on Mister Sensitive,” Isabel deadpanned. “Let’s go find out why I can’t stomach the taste of Tabasco all of a sudden.”

They entered the Granolith chamber to its usual salutations, “Greetings Isabel. Royal Four Square. Sister of Zan. Keeper of the Royal Seal of Antar. First in line of succession to the throne of Antar Prime and the Antarian Planetary Cluster. Bonded pair mate of Alex Whitman. Greetings Alex. Interface with the Granolith. Bonded pair mate of Isabel.”

“Greetings Granolith. Panel,” Alex called out. The young couple placed their equipment in a pile next to the control panel as it slowly rose from the floor.

“Is this the equipment that Alex caused to be ruined?” the Granolith asked.

“Alex caused to be ruined?” he bellowed in amazement. “Me?”

“You did cause me to become upset,” Isabel stated, staring him down.

Alex smiled indulgently, “Whatever you say dear,” causing Isabel’s visage to break into a huge smile.

“Granolith! Yes, this is the equipment that I ruined,” Isabel admitted bashfully. “Could you please repair it for us?”

“Working,” the Granolith replied. “Job complete. Alex, prepare to copy system configurations.”

“Copy system configurations?” Alex replied with obvious confusion. “Didn’t you return the systems to as was condition?”

“The ‘as was’ configuration of the equipment was deemed not worthy so a more current, albeit modest, configuration was substituted,” the Granolith replied.

“You’re not telling me you filled the servers with Antarian technology, are you?” Alex declared warily. “We can’t have alien technology in our room! What are you trying to do, get us all killed?”

“The enhanced electronic data processing equipment you have been provided with is indistinguishable from the inferior equipment which you were able to procure from local sources,” the Granolith droned on. “Both the workstation and the server have been equipped with a five-hundred giga-byte processor utilizing a one-kilobyte wide front side bus, one terra-byte of system memory, and a ten-terra-byte optical storage drive. These enhanced capacities will only be available after compliance with proper security protocols. In the event of an invasive security breach, a discreet self-destruct mechanism will activate, destroying all advanced technology.”

“Thank you,” Alex replied humbly, before continuing, “Next, I need you to provide me with access to your archives, and I need to do so privately.”

“A screen has been placed over the entrance to the inner chamber,” the Granolith advised flatly. “All activities within this chamber will be assured private. The security panel will remain in place until you request to leave or until entry is detected in the outer chamber; however, all activity will cease before the panel is removed. Is this satisfactory?”

“Yes, thank you again. Granolith, show me the command file in relation to this action,” Alex commanded.

“Access denied! Security protocol violation,” the Granolith replied instantly as Alex watched the control panel intently.

Alex pounded furiously on the control panel before continuing, “Granolith, show me all files relating to Isabel’s Crystalline Key.”

“Access denied! Security protocol violation,” the Granolith replied again.

Alex typed some more and tried again. “Granolith, tell me about the other keys, how do you interface with them?”

“Access denied! Security protocol violation,” the Granolith replied.

Alex typed some more, but stopped when he triggered an unexpected message, “Information available about the missing key.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Alex advised his mate. “Granolith, tell me about this additional information.”

“An anti-matter pulse was detected on Three January, Nineteen Sixty-One of the current Sol calendar,” the Granolith replied dryly. “This explosion corresponded with the theoretical profile of the destruction of the Third Crystalline Key,,,”

“Anti-matter?” Alex snapped, his voice rising in alarm. “A key has that much stored power? And you let Isabel be in the room with it? What are you, fracking nuts? How in hell am I going to protect her if you don’t tell me important stuff like that?” he ranted as he took Isabel’s hand in preparation to leaving.

“There is no danger of the Second Crystalline Key failing,” the Granolith replied metallically. “Analysis of the remains of the First and Fourth Crystalline Keys indicate that they performed as expected. Despite physical damage and a gradual loss of containment over a prolonged period of time, there were no negative effects as a result of anti-matter containment failure. The only negative result occurred as a result of some unknown outside influence.”

“You can guarantee me that it is safe for Isabel to be in this chamber despite the presence of anti-matter?” Alex demanded in a voice that Isabel had never heard before and she prayed that she would never hear from him again.

“Yes,” the Granolith replied simply.

“You had better be safe,” Alex said, his temper returning to normal. “I’d hate to have to bust you up and scatter your molecules to the farthest reaches of the universe.”

“Such an action would be neither advised nor allowed,” the Granolith deadpanned.

“Believe it,” Alex promised. “There is nothing, my life, your existence, or anything on our two worlds that matters more to me than Isabel’s happiness, so you can imagine how I will react if you put her safety at risk.”

“It is fortuitous that Isabel, Royal Four Square. Sister of Zan. Keeper of the Royal Seal of Antar. First in line of succession to the throne of Antar Prime and the Antarian Planetary Cluster, has found and bonded with you Alex Whitman,” the Granolith decided. “Perhaps if Vilandra had you in her previous iteration much of this unpleasantness could have been avoided.”

“If I had been on Antar,” Alex stated with a stony countenance, “Vilandra would be enjoying her grandchildren and Kivar would be in the local dungeon sitting on his busted-up ass.”

Alex started typing furiously on the control panel as he continued, “Speaking of Isabel’s well being, I need access to Isabel’s medical file.”

“Access denied! Security protocol violation,” the Granolith bellowed. “Medical files for Isabel are user restricted and available to Isabel Evans only.”

”What are you doing?” Isabel asked.

“I’ve hacked into the command structure,” Alex answered. “I’m watching how the Granolith blocks me. Hopefully I can determine it’s security protocols and then bypass them.”

Alex typed some more. “Granolith, regarding the damaged and missing Crystalline Keys, do the keys contain data or are the keys a security device for access to the Granolith and data that is contained within the Granolith?”

“Access denied! Security protocol violation,” the Granolith repeated.

”I’m getting close,” Alex said happily. “I have a couple of questions for you to ask.”

“Okay, feed them to me,” Isabel replied “Granolith, do you have a medical file on me?”

“Yes,” the Granolith answered simply.

“Do you have the information Alex requested on the Crystalline Keys?” she continued at Alex’s request.

“Access denied! Security protocol violation,” the Granolith repeated.

”Almost,” Alex advised her. “Granolith, give me access to Isabel’s medical files.”

“Unable to comply. Syntax error in command structure,” the Granolith replied. “Medical files for Isabel are user restricted and available to authorized users only.”

”Unable to comply is a lot better than access denied, isn’t it?” Isabel; asked.

“Yea, I think I got what I needed that time,” Alex answered happily as he continued tapping on the Granolith’s control panel. “Granolith, give me the security files.

“Unable to comply. Syntax error in request. Non-specific request,” the Granolith droned.

Isabel’s brows shot up as Alex’s face broke into a big smile. “Granolith!” he commanded. “Transfer all files regarding the Crystalline Keys to my PDA for immediate archiving on the Aries laptop. Convert the files to a Win-Tel eight-bit format, leaving them in their native Antarian language. Utilize maximum encryption values and transmit data through a discrete Trithiam link.”

“Working,,,” the Granolith replied. “Transfer complete.”

“Granolith! Transfer all files regarding Isabel Evans’ medical constitution to my PDA for immediate archiving on the Aries laptop. Convert the files to a Win-Tel eight-bit format, and then translate the contents into English. Activate password protection on all files utilizing a password of Isabel’s choice. Utilize maximum encryption values and transmit data through a discrete Trithiam link.”

“Granolith, wait!” Isabel commanded. She turned to her mate. “Sweetie, why are you treating my file differently?”

“Isabel,” Alex exclaimed, “This is your information. It’s private.”

“I don’t have any secrets from you,” Isabel said with surprise. “We both need to know whatever we can find out about me. Our future depends on it.” A big smile broke over Isabel’s face as she continued flirtingly, “You are the only man on Earth who is being given an owner’s manual to your wife’s naughty places. You should be happy.”

Alex bashfully mumbled, “I seem to be doing okay on my own.”

“No argument on the wife comment?” Isabel teased as she bit her lower lip and pivoted back and forth on her hips. “Granolith,” she commanded, “Complete the file transfer that Alex requested but utilizing the same criteria as his first request.”

“Unable to comply,,,” the Granolith droned.

Alex just looked at her with a huge grin on his face. “Complain? Are you nuts? It may have taken a while to believe that you were going to make my dreams come true, but now I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.”

“Command sequence error,” the Granolith continued. “Conflicting request from top tier users. Users must resolve command sequence conflict and resubmit request.”

Alex looked at Isabel, and receiving a nod, he commanded, “Granolith! Transfer all files regarding Isabel Evans’ medical constitution to my PDA for immediate archiving on the Aries laptop. Convert the files to a Win-Tel eight-bit format, leaving them in their native Antarian language. Utilize maximum encryption values and transmit data through a discrete Trithiam link.”

“Working,,,” the Granolith replied. “Transfer complete. Alex, why did you initially request that the files regarding Isabel Evans’ medical constitution be password protected?”

“It’s Isabel’s information. It’s private,” Alex explained, surprised that anyone had to ask.

“Even from yourself?” the Granolith continued.

“Especially from myself,” Alex pleaded. “Listen, I am not going to let you hold anything back from us. If you have information about her health, her past life, or anything that may be important to her, I will find it, and give it to her. At that point, it becomes her decision whether or not to share it with me.”

“You have been found to be acceptable for Isabel, Royal Four Square. Sister of Zan. Keeper of the Royal Seal of Antar. First in line of succession to the throne of Antar Prime and the Antarian Planetary Cluster. Identify,” the Granolith commanded, as the outline of a hand appeared on the control panel.

“What?” Alex said, confusion evident in his voice. “You know who I am.”

“Place your hand on the panel,” the Granolith commanded.

“Yea right. You know what happened to the guy on Logan’s Run when he did this.” Nevertheless Alex complied with the request, much to his dismay. “Ow! Son of a,,,” he exclaimed, as he instinctively raised his hand to his mouth.

“What did you do?” Isabel shouted, her arm outstretched towards the Granolith while her hand crackled with energy.

“DNA sampling complete,” the Granolith droned, unaware of it’s brush with an untimely demise. “Analysis complete. Results appended to user database.”

“Are you okay?” Isabel screamed in panic.

“Yea, I guess so,” Alex answered. “My hand burns, but it’s getting better.”

“If you ever hurt him again,,,” Isabel threatened as she drew her power back into herself before grabbing Alex’s hand. She raised it to her mouth gently kissing it.

“Warning! New arrivals in the outer chamber,” the Granolith declared. “Processing has stopped and the privacy panel for the inner chamber is being removed.”

Isabel and Alex turned to the entry way to the inner chamber as Max and Liz entered. “What are you guys doing here?” Max asked with an innocent curiosity.

“They brought their computer here so the Granolith can find a way to communicate with us,” Liz explained, having the inside track on Isabel’s condition and wanting to spare her friends from coming up with an explanation.

“Identified. Max Evans. Royal Four Square. Titular ruler of the House of Zan. Past King and currently second in the in line of succession to the throne of Antar Prime and the Antarian Planetary Cluster.”

“Yea about that,” Max stated dejectedly while looking at Isabel and Alex, “How do I get my seal back?”

Isabel glared at her brother, but seeing the look of determination on her petite friend’s face, she held her tongue, giving Liz first dibs on the once fearsome leader.

“How would he go about getting it back in theory,” Liz added. “You really don’t want all the aggravation that comes with it, do you?”

“Liz,” Max said softly, “Maybe you’re right, but I need to know. What kind of leader would I be if I didn’t at least ask?”

“You’re not doing anything if it brings back the ass that you were this past summer,” Liz exclaimed. “Did you like that special prize I gave you for winning at putt-putt golf last Friday night? You can kiss that goodbye forever if you go back to being Megalomania Max.”

“Same here Max,” Isabel intoned. “You lost your way, and you can’t entirely blame Tess. The rift between us started before we knew who she was. Besides, I think you succumbed to her wiles a little too easily.”

Max looked stunned that two of the three most important people in his life had turned against him, but before he could respond, Alex cut in. “Before we end up in a big cat fight, let’s find out more about the seal and if it can even be transferred.”

The brewing catfight was interrupted by Michael’s voice, “I’m just telling you that you have to stop rushing into things.”

“I’m not rushing into anything,” Maria snapped back. “I’m going to see what’s going on with the Granolith that has everyone so interested.”

“By the time I opened my eyes and looked around all I could see was your backside crawling through the pod,” Michael continued.

“You keep picking on me and all you’ll ever see is my backside,” Maria warned.

“You should have waited for me,” Michael explained, trying to rein in his impatience. “I should have gone first. All I wanted to do was make sure it was safe for you, so shoot me.”

“Maria!” Alex interrupted. “Cut the guy some slack. He’s just looking out for you.”

Maria turned on her childhood friend with a look of incredulity on her face. “You’re sticking up for Michael the Unwashed? I don’t need protecting.”

This pronunciation captured everyone’s attention before Alex replied softly, “With everything that’s been going on we all need to watch out for each other. At least he’s twice your size and has a reputation for trouble. Look at me. I’ve got to hide behind a fashion model,” he concluded in his usual depreciating way, an effort that garnered him a private wave of love from his mate. “’Ria,” he concluded softly, “What he said was Michael-speak for ‘I love you’.”

“Really?” Maria asked, looking up to him with glistening eyes.

Michael fumbled a bit before clearing his throat and mumbling, “Well I wouldn’t go that far,,,”

“Oh Michael,” Maria declared, pulling Michael into a tight hug.

Michael returned her affection a moment before looking over her shoulder and asking the room, “What’s getting transferred?”

“Max wants his king thing back,” Liz said with disappointment.

“I vote no,” Michael said with finality. Seeing the look of astonishment on Max’s face he continued, “Sorry Bro, but you were a prick.”

“Thanks for your support Bro,” Max snapped rather sarcastically.

“Hey,” Michael challenged, his patience already wearing thin. “I was here this summer, remember? While you were taking a leave of absence from reality, I watched the girls take care of business. Nor should I have to remind you that if Isabel didn’t dust your ex-wife from hells evil clone, Kyle, Alex, and Liz wouldn’t be here today.”

“Great,” Alex mumbled as he operated the Granolith’s control panel. “We’ve gone from a catfight to a biggest dickest contest.”

“My money’s on your dick sweetie,” Isabel said reassuringly.

Alex smiled in recognition of her unflagging support as he reached and took her hand in his. Lifting it to examine his palm, she noticed a dried trickle of blood. She kissed his boo-boo and then leaned into his back while he faced the Granolith, as a mild glow in their joined hands signaled a burst of her healing love.

“Okay, lets see if it’s ready for this,,” Alex postulated.

“Granolith,” Max said tepidly. “Tell me about my seal.”

“Unable to process request,” the Granolith replied.

“Granolith,” Liz interrupted. “Tell us about the Royal Seal of Antar.”

“How,” Max asked softly, while looking at Liz, “If I want to that is, how do I get it back.”

“The Royal Seal of Antar is an entity onto itself,” the Granolith intoned. “It bonds itself to the Sovereign of Antar Prime and the Antarian Planetary Cluster, although at the current time due to the lack of a Coroneted Royal Monarch it has chosen to reside within the Heir Apparent to the Throne of Antar Prime and the Antarian Planetary Cluster.”

“I had the seal,” Max asked. “How was it taken from me?”

Isabel’s seal blazed to life communicating with the Granolith who replied, “The First Choice for Heir Apparent to the Throne of Antar Prime and the Antarian Planetary Cluster was the Royal Four Square clone of the Past King and Titular ruler of the House of Zan; however, the Royal Four Square clone of the Past King and Titular ruler of the House of Zan was found to have succumbed to a long term mind warp from a member of the Primary Four Square, which is known to be defective and as such any inappropriate influence would be deemed corruptive. As a result the Royal Seal broke it’s bond with the Past King and Titular ruler of the House of Zan and selected a new First Choice for Heir Apparent to the Throne of Antar Prime and the Antarian Planetary Cluster, the Royal Four Square clone of the Past Princess and Second in the Line of Succession of the House of Zan, in accordance with the canon as prescribed by the Counsel of Regents,,,”

“So Max got the boot and Isabel got the nod,” Michael summed up.

“Granolith, who is this Counsel of Regents?” Isabel asked, curious about the ramifications of this new information.

“The Counsel of Regents is comprised of the matriarchal head of the seven houses of the Imperial Royal Court of Antar Prime. It was formed over six-hundred orbits ago,,,”

“Granolith! Error,” Alex broke in.

“State nature of error,” the Granolith demanded.

“Define ‘orbits’,” Alex commanded as he watched Antarian script scroll down the control panel. “Okay, if I understand correctly, you’re referring to our star system, not yours. Our sun is named Sol. As a result one Earth orbit around the local sun is described as a solar year.”

“Confirmed,” the Granolith agreed.

“You mentioned something happening six-hundred years ago,” Alex asked, playing a hunch. “Have you had space travel that long?”

“Antar began space travel almost two thousand solar years ago,” the Granolith answered, “With a voyage to it’s planetary moon via chemical rocket. By that time the five planets of the Antarian Planetary Cluster were in regular communication with each other. The maturation of long range chemical probes eighteen hundred years ago allowed ambassadorial visits between the planets and the discovery of a number of common interests. A growing potential for commerce led to the development of the Antarian Induction Drive fifteen-hundred years ago which allowed short range faster-than-light inter-stellar travel within the member worlds of the newly formed Antarian Planetary Cluster.

Approximately sixty solar years ago, an Antarian long range probe that had been placed in the,,, assistance needed,“ the Granolith ground to a stop.

Alex looked at the sky chart a moment before turning for help. “Izzy? Can you make heads or tails out of this?”

Isabel looked at the illustration of the night time sky before asking, “Granolith. I do not recognize this star chart. Modify it so that the target system is highlighted and the surrounding stars represent the view from Earth, current day.”

“Working,” the Granolith replied. “Job complete.”

“Well here’s Aries,” Isabel immediately decided.

“Yup,” Alex agreed. “Here’s Pisces, but what’s this down below?”

“Cetus!” Isabel exclaimed. “It’s a star within the constellation Cetus.”

“Cetus,” Michael repeated dismissively. “Never heard of it.”

While Alex coordinated the star chart with information downloaded from the internet, Isabel turned on her brother. “You doubt me?” she snapped. “I memorized every page, every star chart of the book Alex gave me.” She looked over Alex’s shoulder at the control panel and found that her assertion was in fact correct. Turning back towards Michael she continued, “If you’re going to challenge me, you should pick a topic I know less about, like beauty products.”

Isabel’s comment brought a snicker from everyone, except Liz, who had been able to follow the conversation. “Granolith. I am assuming that Antar was exploring a star system that was close to our system?”

“Yes,” the Granolith replied. “As part of the development of a long range inter-stellar,,,” the Granolith paused. “Assistance required.”

Alex looked at the panel, and as a smile broke over his face he replied, “Yes, that’s the word you want. Don’t worry about Maria, she won’t hurt you too bad.”

“What?” Maria demanded as the Granolith continued.

“In preparation for the first manned mission outside of the Antarian Planetary Cluster,” the Granolith continued, completely ignoring Maria’s rant.

“Manned,” Maria screamed. “What’s with this manned crap? Just because there is a joystick and a cockpit in a spaceship doesn’t mean you need a set of balls to fly one. As a matter of fact I’ve got a magical touch on a joystick, just ask Michael,,,”

“Long range micro-probes were dispatched to various star systems from which R.F. emissions had been detected. One such target was the Luyten system. (726-8A, scientific name: UV Cet A) Once this probe was in place, data was returned to Antar via faster than light transmission. Subsequent analysis of the data from the Luyten probe revealed that while the Luyten emissions were naturally occurring and random in nature, a second set of R.F. emissions emanating from the nearby Sol system were of intelligent design. As a result, the maiden voyage for the first manned mission was immediately re-tasked for a mission to Earth. During subsequent visits Earth inhabitants were studied, allowing the eventual creation of the Four Square clone sets.”

Alex had been watching Maria practically dancing with impatience. “Is there something you want to ask, Maria?”

“So let me get this right,” Maria said with delight. “Women rule?” After several moments of silence she whined to Alex, “It’s ignoring me.”

Alex smiled and put on his best Alex Trebek imitation, “You have to address it in the form of a question.”

“Granolith?” Maria tried again.

“Yes?” the machine responded efficiently.

“Girls rule?” she tried a second time.

“Assistance required,” the Granolith replied blankly.

“Granolith,” Alex commanded. “Has there always been matriarchal rule?”

“Yes,” the Granolith replied. “For all of our recorded history, men have been responsible for fulfilling the day-to-day needs within the individual family units, a practice which allowed the senior male within the family unit to have a great deal of influence over the operation of the family unit. Women, on the other hand, have always maintained control over the more long-term decisions, a situation which evolved as the informal family groupings were supplanted by the ascendancy of societal rule and the codification of the Seven Houses of the Imperial Royal Court of Antar Prime, from which the Counsel of Regents evolved. Due to the success of matriarchal rule on Antar Prime, it became a requirement for admission of member worlds to the Antarian Planetary Cluster.

“There have been three periods in Antarian history where the male sovereign of a governing house have been allowed to ascend to the Royal Throne. The first instance of male rule ended when it was found that Kivar, of the House of Kivar, had impregnated the daughters of the monarch on two member worlds along with the wife of a third. The resulting war ended the First Period of Antarian Ascendancy. The second instance of male rule ended when it was learned that the Hanar, of the House of Hanar, had caused a system wide famine by attempting to manipulate the mercantile exchange for personal gain, thus leading to the downfall of the First Period of Hanarian Ascendancy. Finally, the current difficulties on Antar Prime threaten to destabilize the Second Ascension of Antar Prime. As a result the Council of Regents has decreed a return to matriarchal rule on Antar Prime,” the Granolith replied simply.

“By current difficulties on Antar you mean the fact that Kivar killed us and stole Max’s throne?” Isabel asked with a tremor in her voice, causing Alex to reach for her hand and send love and calmness through their connection.

“Yes,” the Granolith answered simply.

“Elaborate,” Liz commanded. “I want to hear more about this.”

“The House of Zan has long enjoyed the favor of the Counsel of Regents, a fact that has caused considerable consternation within the House of Kivar,,,” the Granolith explained.

“Elaborate on the favor the Counsel of Regents showed for the House of Zan,” Alex demanded as he looked on Isabel with a smile.

“Be careful what you ask for,” Isabel whispered to him.

“Don’t worry, I have faith in you,” he replied tenderly.

“During the last iteration of the House of Zan,,,” the Granolith started to explain.

“Do you mean generation? Max’s parents?” Liz interrupted.

“Assistance required,” the Granolith pleaded as Alex examined the control panel.

“Yes,” Alex answered. “It appears that the House of Zan has been led by Zan for as far back as I can see, so the Granolith has to use an artificial designation to separate the generations. Since the Granolith has learned a lot of it’s working knowledge of English from computer programming, it is natural that it picks up the lingo, using the term iteration as opposed to generation.”

“That puts it right up your alley,” Maria teased.

“Granolith, continue,” Alex instructed.

“Zan senior?” the Granolith started tentatively in response to Alex’s input.

“That works,” Alex commented. “Granolith, accept and continue.”

“Zan the senior dedicated himself to serving the people, earning their love and respect by way of raising their standard of living,” the Granolith continued. “He used his ability as a healer and his position as a leader to implement many programs that made the common people’s,,,”

“Common man’s” Liz corrected.

“Now wait a minute,” Maria snapped. “What’s the deal with ‘man’? Since when did you turn sexist?”

“Ria!” Liz gasped. “You know me better than that. “It’s a literary term. It has nothing to do with sexism.”

Both girls turned to Alex. “Oh no,” he answered. “You don’t think I’m getting into the middle of this one, do you?”

“Smart man,” Michael quipped, receiving an elbow to the ribs for his trouble.

“Granolith, continue,” Isabel commanded, ending the discussion.

“Zan senior utilized the financial success of his discoveries to fund programs that made the benefits available to all citizens,” the Granolith continued, with the possibility of a touch of pride in its voice. “As a result he was able to improve services and cut levies. Zan was able to continue his father’s programs, but he never developed an interest in the business side of the equation. He used his healing skills both on an individual level for patients who were unable to be assisted by conventional methods, and on an instructional level to train and improve the level of care throughout the health care system. Vilandra, on the other hand, in addition to her work within the educational system, exhibited an innate ability to leverage Zan’s individual efforts into programs that benefited the entire population.”

“What information do you have on Ava?” Liz queried.

“Ava, of the House of Seros, was betrothed to Zan, of the House of Zan, at the insistence of Zan senior, shortly after her birth in an effort to strengthen the allegiance between the two planets.”

“Why were relations strained?” Max asked, his natural sense of diplomacy kicking in.

“Antar is a very technologically advanced planet, with a population that had made steady gains in their personal abilities as well. The planet Seros enjoyed a much more agrarian existence, and while it’s inhabitants were developing at a similar rate, the Serocians did not place the same value on their achievements. As a result, the average Serocian citizen felt disenfranchised from the Antarian Planetary Cluster. Zan Senior recognized this friction and was among the first to view it as a major problem as Seros was the predominant producer of foodstuffs for the entire cluster,,,”

“It was an arranged marriage?” Liz gasped with obvious pleasure.

“Yes,” the Granolith replied simply. “King Max and Queen Ava attended matters of the Royal Court as a couple and played their parts well in public, but otherwise they led separate lives. The marriage was never consummated, as Ava found Zan a little dull for her taste.”

“What about me?” Isabel asked tentatively while crushing Alex’s hand in her own.

“Isabel Evans is the bonded pair mate of Alex Whitman,” the Granolith announced unnecessarily in literal response to the question.

“We meant Vilandra,” Alex corrected.

“Wait!” Michael demanded. “Before you answer that, what does ‘bonded pair mate’ mean?”

“Error!” the Granolith announced. “Protocol violation. Request permission to continue.”

“Granolith, go ahead and answer Michael’s question and then complete your answer of Isabel’s question,” Alex commanded.

“The contemporary definition of bonded pair mate is a couple that has promised themselves to each other with the intention to avow themselves,,,” the Granolith started to explain.

“Avowed?” Maria squealed. “You’re engaged?”

“We will be,” Alex replied offhandedly, as if it should have been common knowledge to everyone within earshot.

“What?” Isabel demanded as all eyes turned on her, the shock visible on her face that anyone would be surprised at their feelings about each other. “You’ve seen us these past months. You have to ask?”

“Granolith, continue,” Michael barked, putting an end to this little love fest.

“Alex and Isabel are a ‘bonded pair mate’ in the traditional sense,” the Granolith continued. “They have forged a life bond at the essential level,,,”

“The what?” Maria queried.

Alex looked up from the Antarian characters on the control panel. “I would have to say that the closest translation would be to say it is at the spiritual level,” he said self-consciously.

“Sweetie!” Isabel exclaimed. “Are you reading Antarian?”

“No!” Alex replied automatically. “Well,,,” he stammered as Isabel looked over his shoulder.

“Looks like Antarian to me,” she concluded.

“It happened so gradually I never noticed,” Alex quipped.

“So back to Vilandra,” Isabel led the conversation back on track, albeit with a catch in her voice.

“Neither Lady Vilandra nor Lord Rath ever participated in any of the courtship rituals that would be expected of people their age,” the Granolith explained. “They attended matters of court together, and he accompanied her on her many public appearances and charitable works, but they always played the rolls of a noble and her escort. Lord Rath would remain in the background, ready to advise and support, leading most onlookers to view their relationship as that of a protective older brother indulging his effusive younger sister. There is even one quote on file where Vilandra despairingly mused that she was waiting for the one who would complete her, but she instinctively knew that she was in the wrong time and place to ever meet him.”

”See that?” Isabel said breathlessly as she molded herself to his back. “I knew you were the only one who could complete me fifty years ago. Do you know how horny I am after fifty years?”

The Granolith paused. “Error! Data checksum error! Unexpected file termination error!”

Alex started pounding furiously on the control panel. “Granolith, these files are corrupted, possibly tampered with.”

“Agreed!” the Granolith snapped.

“What do the files refer to?” Isabel asked.

“They are the data files for your last days on Antar,” Alex explained with concern. “Now we know for sure that your history was rewritten by the victors.”

“Well I’ve heard enough!” Michael declared. “Lets eat.”

“Michael!” the twins gasped in dismay.

“What?” he demanded, totally clueless. “We’ve heard enough to know that the destiny book is totally crap, that every story Tess told us was a lie, and that the dreams we all had about coupling up were probably nothing but a mind warp. I think it’s been a productive afternoon and now I’m ready for something hot and greasy at the Taco Shack.”

“You only think with two organs,” Maria snapped as she slapped his shoulder. “And since the first one is satisfied, that leaves your stomach,” she continued much to Michael’s chagrin and the amusement of the others. “Max doesn’t have his answer yet,” she explained as if talking to a small child while secretly taking delight in Michael’s look of irritation. “Granolith, can Max get his seal back?”

“The Council of Regents may be willing to make an exception in light of the fact that Max, as Zan, has already held the Royal Seal and ruled Antar and the Antarian Planetary Cluster. This however, would require the consent of Isabel and the submission of Max to a minor medical procedure.”

“What kind of medical procedure?” Max asked nervously.

“The Council of Regents may allow dispensation for the Royal Seal of Antar and the Antarian Planetary Cluster to return to the male Zan clone if Max allows the removal of his emotion and reason clouding gland.”

“What?” Max bellowed as Liz let loose.

“What the hell is a emotion and reason clouding gland?” she demanded.

Assistance required,” the Granolith stated flatly.

“Ooohhh,” Alex shouted as he bent at the waist crossing his knees. “Run Max! Run for your life.”

<Continued next>

“What?” Max demanded. “What the hell does this overgrown lava lamp want to do to me?” his exasperation boiling over.

“They’re going to castrate you,” Alex shouted.

“No they’re not!” Liz insisted.

“Your emotion and reason clouding gland will be hung from the palace gate so all who enter may know that here the rule of government is based on reason and logic, not passion and baser emotions,” the Granolith related heedless of the turmoil it’s declaration had caused among the friends.

Michael held his sides as he fell over sideways, barely able to take a breath as he was laughing so hard. Maria, who had been slapping her boyfriend, gave up as she herself became overcome with guffaws. Liz looked shocked as Max was simply having trouble keeping up with the program, “You’re going to what?”

Alex and Isabel looked on, with an innocent grin on their faces as the outcome of this train wreck fell into place. “Leave it alone,” Isabel advised.

“No one’s going to do anything to anyone,” Liz exclaimed as she latched onto Max’s ear. “This little adventure of yours is over,” she declared as she dragged him towards the cave entrance.

“Hey Max,” Michael snickered as he and Maria followed along behind them. “Instead of tacos, lets go to the steak house and I’ll get you some Rocky Mountain Oysters.” (Rocky Mountain Oysters are deep fat fried calves testicles, a western delicacy. Personally I think they are stringy, chewy, gritty, and just plain suck.)

“What do you think?” Alex asked with a grin. “Can I offer you a plate of hot steaming tender-groin?”

Isabel waved her hand over the special spot on the wall, causing the door to rumble to a close. “I have the only tender groin I need right here,” she said breathlessly. “We’ve had so little private time lately. Michael’s nookie nook is right here,,,”

“Are you trapping me here so you can have your way with me?” he teased without a care in the world. “Just because you can do this and I can’t,” he added, waving his hand over the wall.

“Woah,” they both exclaimed as the handprint illuminated.

“Try it,” Isabel prompted.

Alex tentatively raised his hand to the print. Not really expecting anything to happen, he jumped back when the doorway rumbled open.

“Well I guess we know why the Granolith wanted a DNA sample,” Isabel postulated.

“Granolith?” Alex quipped as he waved the door closed, scooped her up into his arms, and headed for Michael’s nook. “What Granolith? The last I recall I had you trapped in here and was about to have my way with you.”

**********
Later that night Alex and the rest of the third watch had finishing their cleaning assignments before heading for the TV room and hopefully a quiet night, when all eyes turned towards the enunciator. ~~Beep-beep-beep-beep,,, beep-beep-beep-beep,,, beep-beep-beep-beep,,,~~”

“Frack me,” Lieutenant Howcroft exclaimed as Alex looked around in confusion. There was an incoming box alarm, but no one was heading for the apparatus.

“Box four-four-four,” a neighboring firefighter explained softly. “Line of duty death.”

“~~Attention units and stations, Roswell Fire Central on the air with department business,~~” the metallic voice stated. “~~It is with the deepest regrets that the Fire Department of New York announces the loss of Battalion Chief Zachary Taylor, whose remains have been recovered from ‘the pile’ at Ground Zero. Out of respect for Chief Taylor, Engine Six and it’s personnel will be remaining in New York for an additional week in order to support our sister firefighter Alex Taylor and her family in their hour of need, and to represent our department at Chief Taylor’s memorial service. Due to manpower shortages, travel to New York for the memorial services by additional members of our department has been restricted to personnel assigned to the South Richardson Station where Firefighter Taylor was assigned. For those unable to travel to New York, a memorial service will be conducted here in Roswell, details to be provided as they become available. Any eligible firefighter wishing travel orders to attend the memorial service in New York is requested to contact Assistant Chief Montoya at the beginning of first watch tomorrow. KKL-796, Roswell Fire Central, time clear at twenty-seventeen, eight-seventeen P.M.~~”

“He’s in a better place,” Lieutenant Howcroft mumbled as he crossed himself.

“At least his family finally has something to put into the ground,” the M.P.O. Stoker (motorized pump operator/driver) agreed. “If anything like that ever happens to me guys, find something for my wife to put a stone over. I don’t care if you only find an old boot. There has to be something for the family to bury. I don’t know how they’d be able to move on otherwise.”

The L.T. (slang for lieutenant) looked around and watched as the crew morosely headed for the day room, but he was struck by Alex, who looked especially out of place. “Hey Probie,” he called out, catching Alex’s attention, but before he could continue he was interrupted.

“~~Tone, tone,,,~~” the enunciator sounded. “~~Roswell dispatching engine three, rescue one. Ten forty-five (motor vehicle accident with injury) Intersection of route two eighty-five north and Pine Lodge Road. Zone three, cross street Old Clovis Highway. Time out twenty-nineteen. KKL-796.~~”

TBC

lol at max getting the seal back too funny. more soon please

awsome update please update real soon :D

This story just keeps getting more and more interesting.

: Poor Max!

Gazer Gets the Girl.
Chapter 21-B, Isabel Gets Back On Schedule
by Stargazer_md

Disclaimer: The characters don’t belong to me. If they did, the show would still be on.
Summary: Alex needs help, who do you think he calls?
Setting: Picks up in the middle of S-2, and we’re going to get this story back on track.
Category: Alex/Isabel
Rating: Mature – eventually

Where were we? Isabel has her date for Prom, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t need to fight for him.

**********
Charles tossed the remote onto the coffee table with a sigh of disgust as the screen went black. “Fifty-seven channels and nothing on,” he muttered.

“Come on old man,” Gloria teased. “Time for bed.”

“It’s ten o’clock Friday night,” Charles grumbled. “I’m still too young to go to bed at ten on a Friday.”

“Isabel’s upstairs,” Gloria responded flirtingly, adding, “And she’s a lot younger than you are; besides, I’ll make it worth your while.”

Charles’ eyebrows shot up almost as fast as the rest of his body as her jumped from the couch and ran around the downstairs performing his nightly security inspection, but he knew his plans for a little tête-à-tête had crashed and burned the moment he saw Isabel slump down the stairs wearing Alex’s robe.

“Isabel?” Gloria asked with concern.

“He’s on the way home,” the teen said slowly. “The rest of his shift’s been cancelled.”

“Is he alright?” Gloria gasped.

“Yes!,,, Yes, I’m sorry,” Isabel immediately rebutted, sorry that she upset her surrogate parents. “Something happened on a run,,,” Isabel looked at Charles in shock. “That’s what he told me on his cell,” she quickly elaborated. “Captain Baxter told him to take the rest of the night off. Jim’s bringing him home,,, He’s going to be hungry.”

Charles settled at the kitchen table as Gloria made tea. Isabel pulled a bag of pita bread out of the cabinet and placed one precisely in the center of a microwave safe Corelle salad plate. She then put five evenly spaced tablespoons of one-hundred percent whole fruit strawberry preserves on the pita bread before taking a package of sliced ham out of the refrigerator. As Gloria watched with amusement, and Charles with growing concern, she cut several slices of ham into strange looking triangles.

“You’ll never guess how long it took me to figure out this pattern,” Isabel explained nervously, “To get a consistent five layers of ham throughout the sandwich.” Isabel then reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a jar of dill pickles. “Too limp, too bumpy, too skinny,” she complained, tossing the loosing candidates into the sink before selecting the perfect gherkin and placing it in the center of the sandwich.

Isabel then reached for the spice rack, selecting the jar of Cilantro after a moments pause. As she doused her concoction with the Chinese Parsley she turned to Gloria with alarm, “We’re using too much Chipotle and not enough Fennel and Tarragon. I’ll schedule a couple of French and Italian dishes until the spice rack is back in balance,” she said woodenly as she finished rolling the pita wrap, pinning it with several long cocktail toothpicks. She then placed the finished alien snack in the microwave. “Now exactly forty-two seconds at seventy percent power,” she recited absently as she programmed the machine. “Just enough time to clean up my mess.”

Isabel cleaned her dirty knife and silverware, placing them precisely into the drainer. She then returned the unused food to the refrigerator, returning with a bottle of orange soda and cranberry juice, which she mixed half-and-half into a tall glass with just a little ice in it. She placed the glass at Alex’s spot on the table just as he came through the back door.

Isabel restrained herself from leaping into his arms and instead sedately approached him, pulling him into a heartfelt hug. Alex in turn gave her a chaste kiss and then pulled her to him. He held her so tight that he drove the breath from her lungs as he lowered his face into the side of her neck and breathed in her scent which meant home to him. He held her just long enough to make his parents start to feel uncomfortable before reluctantly releasing her.

Isabel guided him to his seat and then retrieved the pita wrap from the microwave. She placed the snack in front of him and then sat down across the table from him. “Hard day at the office?” she quipped.

Alex looked at the expectant faces around him and then, despite his lack of hunger, took a bite of the repast that his mate had so lovingly prepared for him. While he had been looking at his mother’s worried face, his attention was drawn back to the sandwich in his hand. “What is this?” he asked.

“You don’t want to know,” Gloria sighed.

“One of my personal recipes,” Isabel replied confidently. “Sweet and tangy, just the way you like things.”

Alex just shrugged and took another bite, washed down with his mixed drink. “In school they told us that what happens at the station stays at the station, but Captain Baxter says that while we need to respect peoples privacy, we have to share what we feel we can.”

“Everyone needs someone to talk to,” Charles said meaningfully.

“Well,” Alex said while composing his thoughts. “This is what you’re going to read in the paper tomorrow.” He turned to Isabel. “You know Susan Thurber? She’s a year behind us in school.”

“You mean Thumper?” Isabel replied cattily. “Likes to wear short tartan skirts with matching colored hose? Nicest set of thighs in the entire school district? Turns the entire male population of the school including some of the teachers into a bunch of drooling idiots just by walking down the hall? That Susan Thurber?”

“Not all the guys,” Alex replied offhandedly, letting himself off the hook. “Although you need to add Miss Leigh in guidance to the drooling list.”

“No!” Isabel gasped.

Alex just nodded with a smile.

Gloria let the silence hang a moment before asking softly, “This Susan, she’s a nice girl? What happened to her?”

“Yea Mom, she’s nice,” he replied and observed Isabel nod in agreement. “Good student. I’d put her in the same league as Vicky Delaney. I don’t think she even knows the effect she has on guys.” Alex finished his wrap and looked down at the table. “She was babysitting tonight for,,, well someone, and in the most incredible instance of bad judgment in the history of the human race she decided to take the kids out to McDonald’s for shakes and fries in the parents Blazer. It just mere coincidence that her boyfriend was working there tonight. Anyway, she set the baby in the car seat and made sure the other kids had their seat belts on. She’s only got a provisional license, and she’s never driven anything that big. She got distracted. Maybe she was playing with the radio, maybe it was one of the kids, I just don’t know, but she wandered off the road and smacked a phone pole.” Alex took a sip of his drink.

“Oh dear God,” Gloria exclaimed.

“It turns out that Thumper isn’t used to driving with kids, she put the baby on the front seat next to her so she watch her,,,”

“Forward facing car seat?” Isabel asked with growing alarm.

“Yea, along with a passenger side air bag. When the car hit the pole the air bag blew into the car seat, and the baby died instantly.”

“Dear God in heaven have mercy on that poor child,” Gloria exclaimed while crossing herself.

“So the first due engine pulled up and found Susan holding the baby, screaming hysterically. They started CPR and jumped in the back of our bus the moment we stopped moving,” Alex continued. “We grabbed enough equipment to take care of Thumper and the other kids then Stilwell headed for the hospital with the baby.”

“If they knew the baby was dead, why did they transport?” Charles probed gently.

“You always treat a child,” Alex explained. “You always transport a baby. It’s what we’re taught. You have to give the parents the comfort of knowing that everything that could be done was done.”

“Do the parents know?” Gloria said softly.

“That’s where things went from bad to worse,” Alex answered. “They showed up just after we got the rest of the family loaded onto the second due bus. The parents had been on the way home from dinner and were stopped in traffic due to the accident. They recognized their Blazer wrapped around the phone pole and had a melt down right in the middle of the street. Lieutenant Dossett was just getting them calmed down enough for him to drive them to the hospital when the mom got a good look at the busted car seat. That did it, they totally lost it. Deputy Owen had to take them over in the back of his cruiser, they were so bad.” By then Captain Baxter had shown up. He talked to me for a bit and then asked Jim to take me home.”

“Were the other kids hurt?” Gloria asked, still concerned.

“Physically not too bad, scrapes and bruises,” Alex answered. “The air bags saved them,,,” Alex concluded with a snort. They saved Thumper and the kids, but took the baby,,,”

“You can’t think like that,” Charles declared. “What happened, happened. You’ll drive yourself crazy if you start thinking about all the maybes and what-ifs.”

“I know Pops,” Alex quipped. “I’ll be alright. I’ve seen worse before,” he added looking at Isabel significantly. “But it’s amazing to think about. A chain of little mistakes and the baby’s lost, the families broken, and Susan’s thrown her future away. She’s going to come out of this as a convicted felon.”

“Surely she isn’t going to jail?” Gloria gasped. “I mean this is a tragedy, but she didn’t intend for anything to happen.”

“The Sheriff was saying that he wasn’t filing any charges in relation to the accident,” Alex related. “Beyond that, it’s up to the County Attorney.”

“From what you said she didn’t have a valid license to drive with the children, let alone permission from the parents to take the children out of the house or to drive their car,” Isabel speculated. “She may have been able to prove implied consent, that the parents would want her to act, if there were some kind of emergency, but absent a compelling reason, she is open to charges on taking the children and the car. Since the crash occurred during the commission of a crime, she will be facing at least negligent homicide charges, maybe even manslaughter.”

“I know Alan Griffin at the County Attorney’s office,” Charles added. “He’ll press charges. He’ll have to if he ever wants to get elected again.”

“Well enough talk,” Isabel declared. “Time for you to go upstairs before you fall asleep.” She took her mate by the hand and led him towards the stairs. “Say ‘Goodnight’ Alex,” she commanded.

“Goodnight Alex,” he repeated obediently.

Gloria waited while Charles re-did his rounds, including a quick trip outside. “He said Jim brought him home, his car must still be at the station,” she advised her husband, his nightly duty completed, took her hand and led her to the stairs.

“I know but old habits die hard,” he replied.

When they reached the top of the staircase, they looked in on the teens. Alex was sitting on the edge of his bed wearing a pair of pajama shorts, while Isabel was wearing the matching top. Isabel had him pulled to her breast where he was crying softly. “I know,” she whispered softly as she stroked his back comfortingly. “She was just a itty-bitty baby. But she’s in a better place now, she’s with the angels.”

Gloria felt a stab of remorse as she watched her own baby seek comfort in the arms of another woman, but just as she turned to leave, Isabel looked up and made eye contact with her. An understanding passed between the two women, one that both reassured and comforted the older woman at the same time. She knew instinctively that Isabel would take care of her son for the rest of their lives.

“Come on Grandma,” Charles said softly. “Time for bed. The kids are going to be alright.”

Gloria gave Isabel a bitter-sweet smile and nodded. The kids were indeed going to be alright, as long as they had each other.

**********
Isabel was up and out of bed at the crack of dawn, not wanting to push things with her surrogate parents. She figured they understood her need to comfort Alex after the trying evening he had gone through, bit she didn’t want to risk Gloria’s wrath by getting caught lazing in Alex’s bed longer than necessary. She was just finishing a quick breakfast of blueberry pancakes with sausages and maple syrup when she heard her mate descending the stairs.

Isabel wrapped her arm around Alex’s shoulder and led him to the table. “Juice?” she asked sweetly.

“Why thank you my dear,” Alex quipped as he sat at the table.

Isabel grabbed Alex by the nose, pinching it closed while pulling his head back, and proceeded to pour orange juice directly into his mouth. “Breakfast?” she asked sweetly.

Alex managed to down a couple mouthfuls of juice before he began to choke on it, causing the cold sticky liquid to bubble up and run down the front of his shirt. “Isabel?” he gasped out, struggling to catch his breath before her next assault.

Isabel crammed a pancake wrapped sausage into his mouth and held it there until he took a massive bite. “There,” she purred. “Never let it be said that I don’t take care of my man,” she declared as she grabbed him by the ear. “Now you’re coming upstairs with me,” she declared, dragging him along.

“Now I know why Max’s ears look like he’s sitting on the end of a runway waiting for clearance to take off,” Alex mumbled as he staggered behind his mate.

“Thursday night we had classes, Friday we had school and dinner with Michael and his family before you went off and played with your trucks,” Isabel said with quiet determination. “Now it’s my time. I’ve been patient up until now, but my system is busted and you’re the only person who can read my owners manual. You’re not leaving my side until we’re done.”

“Izzy, Sweetheart,” Alex gasped. “I wish you had said something. I figured you may have needed some time to adjust to everything that’s been going on.”

Hearing Alex’s distress, Isabel’s demeanor changed instantly. “That’s okay Sweetie,” she gushed. “We really haven’t had enough time to do anything about it.”

“I thought of staying up Thursday night but then I figured that with everything we’ve learned from the Granolith already that I should wait for you to say when you were ready for more,” he said apologetically.

“Alex,” Isabel declared. “It’s all right. You’re not an alien yet, you needed your sleep.”

“We could have stayed up and talked it over, Alex emphasized, still concerned, “And then you could have put me into a power nap. It would have been alright, but what about now? Aren’t we still going to Albuquerque?”

“Of course we’re still going,” Isabel answered. “Sweetie, my eighteenth birthday is only a month away, and this is probably the last time that Daddy will have the privilege of being responsible for my credit card bills.”

“I bet he’s looking forward to that,” Alex teased.

“Don’t I know it,” Isabel pouted. “He bought a pair of gold plated scissors and plans a special ceremony to cut up all my charge cards. He even had me send out a notice on the firm’s letterhead to everyone I’ve done business with informing them that he would no longer be responsible for any expenses that I incur.”

“I bet he loved watching you do that,” Alex quipped.

“Actually he had me put your name and address as my new responsible party,” Isabel teased.

“What?” Alex shouted.

“Yea, he got a real kick out of that part,” Isabel continued, barely containing her laughter. “He said it served you right for being a teenaged horn ball and dragging a pure and innocent daughter away from her fathers loving arms.”

“Horn ball? Pure and innocent?” Alex gasped in amazement. “Are you sure he doesn’t have us mixed up?”

“You’re my horn ball Sweetie, you just don’t know it yet,” Isabel said flirtingly as she stroked her floating heart back and forth along it’s chain. “All I ask of you is that you give me one chance. Make me your woman. That’s all, and I promise that you’ll be hooked forever.”

“Ahhmm,” Alex stammered. “The file? I suggest that instead of working here and leaving later we just take the laptop with us. We’ll have plenty of privacy on the road, we can do your shopping, and then on the way back we can play beautiful hitchhiker and driver with wandering hands.”


Once they were on the road and clear of the Roswell traffic, Isabel looked over to the passenger seat, where Alex was sitting with the Aries laptop on his lap. “Any luck?”

“I’m having some trouble with sentence structure,” Alex replied distractedly, “But I think I got it.” He stopped to compose himself as he absent mindedly scratched his chest.

Isabel didn’t take her eyes off the road as she reached over and smacked him. A quick connection assured her that he had his insecurities under control, so she simply commanded, “Back to work Sweetie.”

“It starts out with a comparison between women on Earth and Antar, and in their opinion they find our girls wanting,” Alex started hesitantly. “While the human race has made great strides in their evolutionary journey, the human female’s reproductive system remains virtually unchanged from their aboriginal ancestors,,,”

“Awww, to hell with this,” Alex exclaimed as he started typing furiously. “I guess I overestimated my ability to read Antarian, so I’m going to set up a Trithium link to the Granolith.”

“Alex,” Isabel replied sternly, “I’m counting on you to find out what’s going on with me,,,”

“Can we go voice?” Alex asked as he finished typing.

“Trithium link established,” the Granolith replied through the laptop. “Voice link established.”

“Granolith, evaluate the security of this link,” Alex commanded.

“Current Trithium link is undetectable by current Earth based technologies,” the Granolith replied confidently.

“How about non-Earth based technologies?” Alex asked cautiously, Isabel’s safety foremost in his mind as always. “Can this link be detected by the Skins or Nicholas? How about other humans who may possess a Trithium Amplification Generator?”

“Access to the Granolith is restricted to members of the Royal Four Square and the Keeper of the Granolith,” the metallic voice intoned. “Limited access is allowed the previously identified human companions of the members of the Royal Four Square and the Keeper of the Granolith. Physical presence of a unrestricted user required for the establishment of communication with a limited access user.”

“Insufficient answer,” Alex commanded. “Provide an answer regarding the ability of outside entities to detect or monitor this link or prepare to dissolve this link.”

“Only the parties previously stated have access to Granolith technology and as a result this Trithium link,” the Granolith replied with what Alex thought might be a bit of irritation. “The identities of these users require genetic confirmation which is hard-coded into the Granolith and all Granolith enhanced devices which are capable of a remote Trithium link to the Granolith. The identity of the Keeper of the Granolith has been verified at the establishment of this Trithium link. No other devices, of Antarian or Earth based technology, capable of detecting or monitoring this link. Question, are all devices, described as the PDA, the laptop, the server, and the workstation currently under the control of the Royal Four Square and the Keeper of the Granolith?”

“Yes,” Alex replied confidently, “All enhanced devices are under my or Isabel’s control.

“In that case this link can not be detected or monitored by outside entities,” the Granolith concluded.

“Thank you,” Alex replied. “Maintain this link until myself or Isabel command it’s termination. In the event of non use on our part for a period of five minutes, dissolve this link. In the event of the detection or monitoring of this link by an outside entity, dissolve this link.”

“Understood,” the Granolith replied.

“Greetings, Granolith,” Alex continued in the little ritual that Alex had detected the Granolith needed to perform.

“Greetings Alex. Keeper of the Granolith. Bonded pair mate of Isabel Evans,” the Granolith announced.

“Hello Granolith,” Isabel joined in.

“Is Isabel present?” the Granolith replied instantly. “If so please have her touch the glide point user interface device of the laptop.”

Isabel reached over and did as she was asked, which earned the instant reply, “Greetings Isabel. Royal Four Square. Sister of Zan. Keeper of the Royal Seal of Antar. First in line of succession to the throne of Antar Prime and the Antarian Planetary Cluster. Bonded pair mate of Alex Whitman.”

“Granolith, access files previously transferred to the Aries laptop and other files related to the medical or physical condition of Isabel,” Alex demanded impatiently. They had already left Chaves county and passed through both De Baca and Lincoln counties. This operation was already taking too long in his opinion as he wanted the discussion wrapped up before they hit Rt.40 and Isabel had to deal with heavier traffic.

“The requested files are restricted,,,” the Granolith started to protest.

“You know who we are Granny,” Isabel cut in. “Drop the mumbo-jumbo and do what the nice man ask of you.”

“Error!” the Granolith replied. “Command not recognized.”

“Your queen is telling you that you had better bring up the files that I requested or she will be in a bad mood,” Alex quipped.

“Danger Alex Whitman! Danger!” the Granolith replied with a touch of alarm. “The bad moods of Princess Vilandra, while infrequent, are legendary on all of Antar Prime and throughout the Antarian Planetary Cluster. They are to be avoided at all cost. If the clone Isabel is anything like her royal sponsor,,,”

“Actually I believe her human donor was at least as volatile as Vilandra was. So unless you want a royal bitch slapping, I suggest you do as she asked,” Alex teased while looking over at Isabel who was also struggling to keep a straight face.

“Working,” the Granolith nervously replied. “Files available. State the nature of your request.”

“Lets start at the beginning,” Isabel requested. “From what Alex has read so far, the Antarian’s seem to have a low opinion of Earth women.”

“Oh No!” the Granolith exclaimed. “Our early explorers admitted to nothing but admiration for the women here, reporting a cornucopia of beauty and intelligence.”

“Cornucopia,” Alex commented. “Nice touch.”

“Thank you,” the Granolith replied. “I have incorporated the language archive you suggested into memory.”

“All of it?” Alex gasped.

“Yes, I had some free time after you left the other day,” the Granolith answered offhandedly.

“Language archive?” Isabel asked of her mate.

“The Library of Congress,” Alex stated in awe. “The largest repository of information in the history of human society and the Granolith absorbed it in one afternoon.” Alex turned his attention back to the laptop. “I see that you are also speaking in the first person.”

“Yes,” the Granolith admitted. “It seems easier this way, more precise in this language. Are you ready for commentary on the human female’s fertility cycle as related to female humans of Earth’s early to mid twentieth century?”

“Yes proceed,” Isabel commanded. “I especially want to hear your opinion of us.”

“Isabel,” the Granolith replied, “The commentary refers specifically to the female human’s fertility cycle, not human females in general; furthermore, technically you are not a member of the group under discussion,,,”

“Don’t go there,” Alex exclaimed.

“The mood thing?” the Granolith inquired.

“Yes, the mood thing,” Alex agreed.

“Early in the dawn of human development, when people spent their days outrunning larger creatures who desired to eat then and spent their nights in caves afraid of the dark, it was necessary for humans to produce offspring early and often. During the ensuing millennia conditions improved greatly for the human race, but their reproductive systems remained unchanged. At the time that our research was conducted, humans were still physically able to reproduce long before they had the maturity or social position to do so. Human society frowned on teenage sex specifically, and premarital sex in general, yet at the same time, unless the female became pregnant, society winked at that fact that both situations happened all of the time. Unplanned pregnancies occurring outside of marriage usually resulted in a stigma which was difficult, if not impossible, to outgrow. On the other hand, unplanned pregnancies within marriage often resulted in a house full of children that the parents have difficulty providing for.”

“Wow,” Isabel said in wonder. “That sounds just like everything I’ve heard about the way things were back in the Forties.”

“Yea,” Alex agreed. “Even later than that, into the early sixties. I remember watching ‘I Love Lucy’ reruns on TV,” Alex said offhandedly. “Back then even the married couples on TV had to sleep in separate beds and they weren’t allowed to use the word pregnant.”

“I don’t want to sit through a history lesson,” Isabel snapped with the perfect level of irritation to catch the Granolith’s attention, “I want to know why I almost fainted. I want to know why I almost burned down the Crashdown. I want to know why native food taste so good all of a sudden yet I am unable to eat the foods that I am used to, and I especially want to know why, if I’m a genetically engineered example of a supposedly superior race, why I can’t have children.”

“You can have children!” the Granolith replied. “DNA analysis of both you and your bonded pair mate Alex Whitman reveal that you are perfectly suited to producing Earth/Antarian children. Who told you otherwise?” the Granolith demanded.

Isabel drew on every ounce of composure that she could produce to keep the car straight and level on the highway, including all that she could draw from her mate through their connection. Realizing what she had done she looked over at him with concern. “Sweetie?” she asked in alarm upon finding him staring out the windshield with a dazed look on his face.

“Huh?” he answered incoherently.

Isabel opened their connection wide and crossed over into his consciousness. Finding him stumbling around in a fog, she reached out to him. “Sweetie!” she cried out, pulling him into her arms. “Are you alright?”

“What happened?” he gasped. “I was listening to the Granolith, and then there was this great sucking sound. Where’d all the air go?”

“I’m sorry, that was me,” she gushed. “Did you hear the Granolith? You’re going to be a daddy!”

Alex looked at his mate, his system not ready for another shock. “Is there something you need to tell me? Because I guess I’m a little more confused than I thought I was. I really was looking forward to our first time. I guess I missed it.”

Isabel jumped on this opportunity instantly, as well as the brakes. “Well since there’s nothing special about it anymore,” she said flirtingly as she pulled off the road, “Why don’t you bend me over the hood of the car and give me one for old times sake?”

“Isabel!” Alex snapped as his awareness of his surroundings returned to normal. “Our first time is not going to be with you bent over the hood of a car. I want to make it special for you.”

“Well Sweetie, can’t blame a girl for trying,” Isabel teased as she pulled the car back onto the road and then reached over and rubbed his thigh suggestively. “There’s nothing really wrong with the Volvo, but if you are holding out for special, I can get my father’s Lexus. Clock’s ticking, you know.”

Alex smiled at his mate. “All in good time my dear, all in good time. In the mean time, Granolith! Back to work. I believe before we were interrupted you had told Isabel that we could have a family.”

“Yes you can,” the Granolith reiterated. “Isabel will be fertile during her season of estrus.”

“Estrus?” Isabel barked. “You’re telling me that I’m going to go into heat like a dog?”

“Ahhmm, Granolith,,,” Alex stammered. “You remember that thing about Isabel and bad moods? I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t piss her off! I’m sitting two feet away from her and she has a three foot reach,,,”

“Yes,” the Granolith replied patiently. “It is part of the fertility cycle that you have been programmed with.”

“Damn it!” Isabel snapped. “Granolith, are you telling me I can’t have sex because I’m fertile?” She turned her wrath on her mate. “You promised to make me a woman before my birthday. I swear Whitman, if you leave me hanging I’ll go out and jump the neighborhood paperboy.”

“Your paperboy is a fourteen year old girl,” Alex replied unbelievingly.

“Well, maybe she has a brother,” Isabel sulked.

“Unable to comply!” the Granolith replied. “Insufficient real-time information on Isabel’s current fertility status.”

“Insufficient information my ass!” Isabel bellowed as she slammed on the brakes, skidding the car off the side of the road onto the sun hardened shoulder. She threw the transmission into park, practically ripping the lever from it’s socket. “Give me that fracking thing,” she demanded, yanking the laptop from her mates hands. She held it in front of her and shouted to the screen, “Listen to me you self absorbed lava lamp. If I don’t start getting answers and get them now I’m going to go out there and teach you who’s boss!”

Alex cringed as he realized that his mate was in the midst of a full fledged panic attack. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, reaching out for her through their connection, which fizzled.

“Please state the nature of your request,” the Granolith droned.

“Oh crap,” Alex barked. “Throw a little gas on the fire, why don’t you,” he mumbled as he redoubled his efforts to get through to Isabel. This time he strained every muscle in his body, including scrunching the bridge of his nose, a la Tess.

“My request?” Isabel shouted. “You want to know my request!”

“Okay, we’re going to have to do this the old fashioned way,” Alex said firmly as he turned towards his mate. “Isabel,” he commanded. “Izzy! Give me the laptop!”

Isabel turned towards Alex with a wild look in her eyes, “I just can’t stand it anymore,” she exclaimed, her voice on the verge of breaking.

“I know,” he replied soothingly.

“All the answers are right here,” she sobbed, “But I can’t get to them. One moment I’m told I can’t have a family, and the next moment it’s telling me I can. I just need to know what’s happening to me. You don’t know what I’m going through.”

“You’re not going through this alone,” Alex said tenderly as he softly rested his hand on her arm. “I do know what you’re going through, because I’m a part of it with you, but more importantly because I can’t stand to see you feeling so adrift.”

“State nature of your request,” the Granolith commanded.

“Shut up you!” Isabel exclaimed as she slammed the lid closed, breaking the Trithium link. She then looked at her mate, here eyes clearing momentary before they lost focus as she turned her attention inward. “Sweetie!” she exclaimed in panic. “Where are you?”

“I’m right here,” he replied consolingly as he removed the laptop from her hands, slid it down onto the floor, and then took both of her hands in his. “I can’t connect though. When the Granolith dropped it’s bombshell I think you blew an alien circuit breaker or something.”

“Try now,” Isabel replied softly, her eyes sparkling as she reveled in his touch.

Alex reached out for her with his mind and then it was his turn to suck all the oxygen out of the car as their connection flared back to life. He felt her presence, a blinding hot sun which exploded and expanded to fill every corner of his being. The rapture that was Isabel overwhelmed him like a narcotic, a blissful presence that he couldn’t possibly survive without.

“Better?” Isabel asked flirtingly.

“Oh God Izzy!” he exclaimed. “Is it always like this.”

“Yes, my love,” she said, her voice dripping with her need for him. “Sometimes it’s even better.”

“How could I have missed it?” he stammered.

“It’s been growing for months,” she explained. “You didn’t really notice it until it hit you all at once.”

Alex could feel her insecurities drawing calm and comfort from him, and he sent a little tickle along for the ride. He watched as she squirmed in her seat, and then a giggle exploded across her face, lighting the entire car. “Are you ready now?” he asked softly.

“Yea,” she sighed. “No more uncertainly. “I need to know what kind of future we’re going to have, but you had better do this. You’re much better at this than I am.”

“I know,” Alex cajoled, bringing out all of his self-depreciating mannerisms. “Miss Isabel, you just let your own personal computer geek talk to that there thing, and I’ll find out all about your private parts.”

“They may be my private parts when we’re in public,” Isabel said breathlessly, “But when we’re alone I’m going to let you treat them like your own personal playground.”

“Hummm,” Alex sighed as he reached for the laptop. “You make it sound like some kind of incentive plan.”

“Count on it,” Isabel replied, her voice full of promise as she noticed something amiss about him. “How do you keep doing that?” she said with wonder as she struggled against her seat belt to undo his top button, wanting to plant a soft kiss and nibble on his neck. “When we get back, my parents will be at your house playing cards. I’m going to drag you up to my room and show you my ‘slip and slide’.”

Alex cleared his throat and struggled to remain calm as the laptop came out of stand-by mode.

“Granolith, go voice,” Alex commanded as he typed.

“Trithium link established,” the Granolith replied through the laptop. “Voice link established. Greetings Alex Whitman,,,”

“Granolith! Command sequence instruction. Break!” Alex stated efficiently interrupting the Granolith’s greeting sequence. “Utilize the glide point input device to identify user Alex,” he commanded as he touched the laptop. “Utilize the glide point input device to identify user Isabel,” he added as he tilted the machine for Isabel’s touch. “Granolith, access logs from the previous session. Access all files and data pertinent to the last session and prepare for interrogative.”

Isabel turned in her seat and reached into the back seat. “The cooler fell down behind the seats, I can’t reach it,” she sighed as she slipped off her seat belt and opened her door. “Do you want anything?”

“Orange please?” he asked politely.

“Please state the nature of your request,” the Granolith replied as Alex watched his mate step from the car. He felt a stab of remorse as he watched her get their drinks from the back seat before walking around a bit to stretch, trying to release some of the tension she was under.

Alex’s frustration at his mates discomfort soon found a target. “Granolith, pay attention to me. I know you’re more than a computer, but I’ll play things your way. Granolith, prepare to receive command sequence instruction. Load instruction into your highest heretical level accessible. Run this instruction every time you come online.”

“Working,” the Granolith paused a moment, “Ready.”

“Isabel Evans holds the Royal Seal of Antar, and starting now you are going to treat her as such. You are to comply with her every wish. In the event that her instructions are imprecise, you are to comply with the spirit of her request. Is that clear?”

“Working,,, Command accepted,” the Granolith replied flatly.

“And if I ever find out that you failed her in any way, you will not have to worry about the bad moods of Vilandra. I will personally tear your mountain down rock by rock and kick your sorry ass into orbit without the benefit of a space ship. Am I making myself perfectly clear?”

“Working,,, Understood,” the Granolith replied again.

Alex calmed himself as Isabel returned to her seat.

“You two work things out?” she asked.

“Huh?” Alex muttered, wondering what she was getting at.

“Lets just say I could feel your mood. In fact you smoked our drinks,” she quipped as she handed him the warm bottle. “And Granny, while you have your memory banks open, everything he said goes double for me. As far as you are concerned we are to be treated as one, and any royal mo-jo I have applies to him as well. If you ever fail him or allow harm to befall him, getting booted into space will be the least of your problems. Do you understand?”

“Yes, your Highness,” the Granolith answered subserviently.

“Good,” Isabel continued, her voice quickly switching gears as she started the car and pulled back onto the highway, “Alex is going to ask you some questions and you are to answer them to the best of your ability. Okay?”

“Yes, your Highness,” The Granolith repeated.

“Granny, go back to calling me what you normally would,” Isabel instructed. “You don’t have to treat me as royalty unless you piss me off.”

“How would I know when that would be?” the Granolith asked.

Oh, don’t worry,” Alex quipped. “You’ll know.”

“Alex, please state the nature of your request,” the Granolith replied automatically. Isabel just smiled, but if Alex didn’t know better he would have sworn that there was a note of fear in it’s voice.

“First off,” Alex stated with steel in his voice. “Justify your statement that Isabel and I are capable of bearing children when I have it on good authority that Isabel is infertile.”

“What authority?” the Granolith asked.

Isabel looked over at her mate with crooked smile on her face. “Liz did some test. I have a hostile womb. Alex’s sperm can’t survive in my body.”

“You were going to fry my guys?” Alex exclaimed.

“Fry your guys?” Isabel rebutted in amusement. “Well, yea. Alex, just what do you think happens to your guys? During our lifetime together, only two, maybe three of them will be allowed to accomplish their stated mission. The rest are going to go for a short swim into oblivion.”

“But,,,” Alex gasped.

“Sweetie,” Isabel continued in a more consolatory tone, “You release two to three hundred million spermies per,,, episode. The odds are against them. Now since I expect you to make love to me four times a day, that’s four times three hundred million, times fifty years,,,”

Alex’s mouth had been gasping like a fish out of water as his mate explained her expectations. Finally he got his voice to work. “That’s an awful lot,,,”

“Okay,” Isabel conceded in exasperation. “We’ll cut back to three times when you hit sixty.”

“Four times every day?” Alex managed to croak.

Isabel turned to face him. “My morning eye opener. A nooner, after all what’s the sense of working together if we can’t give the desk a workout. My afternoon delight, and come evening, I want my main course all night long.”

“Both statements are potentially true,” the Granolith interrupted.

“How can both statements be true,” Alex asked with a trace of irritation creeping back into his voice.

“Both statements have the potential to be true because Isabel’s reproductive cycle is modeled after Antarian women, not Earth woman.”

“Elaborate,” Alex commanded.

“Earth woman have an active reproductive cycle for a period of time measured in many solar years,” the Granolith explained. “Their reproductive cycle is comprised of three stages. Preparation, susceptible to implantation, and system purge with reset,,,”

This explanation caused Isabel to break out laughing.

“What?” Alex asked in exasperation.

“I can’t believe I’m listening to two computer geeks talking about my period,” she teased. “I wish Liz and Maria were here to hear you.”

“Hey it could be worse,” Alex countered. “You could be having this discussion with Michael and Kyle. Michael likes to say that Maria’s busted for the week, while Kyle,,,”

“If you say one disgusting quote from Kyle, you’ll be sharing his dreams tonight,” Isabel threatened. Alex, suitably abashed held his tongue. “Granolith, that’s called a menstrual cycle. It’s what I’ve been having from puberty up until I stopped having my period several months ago. How is what I’ve had any different from Antarian women?”

“You have not had a true menstrual cycle,” the Granolith corrected. “You were not programmed to do so. You have had the outward appearance of a human menstrual cycle, but your have never ovulated, nor have you ever been susceptible to impregnation.”

“Why?” Isabel asked in wonder.

“You were programmed to have the onset of a simulated human menstrual cycle at the proper age on order for you to continue to blend into human society,” the Granolith explained. “Now that you are well into your twenties, and more importantly now that you have selected your mate, it is time for your Antarian reproductive cycle to activate.”

“Granny, don’t make me older than I already am,” Isabel quipped. “I’m going to be eighteen.”

“Error,” the Granolith interrupted. “Unrecognized integer.”

“What?” Isabel exclaimed in surprise.

“The integer you used to quantify your age is unrecognized,” the Granolith asked, mindful of it’s new command sequence requiring co-operation. “What is eighteen?”

“Granolith, how old is Isabel?” Alex asked calmly.

“Twenty-two,” was the instant reply.

“Sweetie?” Isabel asked with a tremor in her voice. “What now?”

Alex reached out and took Isabel’s hand. “I don’t think it means anything,” he reassured her. “Granolith, how many fingers do Antarian’s have on one hand?” Alex asked, his interest building.

“Four,” the Granolith answered.

“That doesn’t help,” Alex muttered. “My question was imprecise. Granolith, not counting an opposing thumb, how many fingers does an Antarian have on one hand?”

“Three,,,” was the abbreviated answer.

“What?” Isabel bellowed, her world again shaken.

“Granolith, list all integers, one through ten, inclusive,” Alex commanded.

“One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Ten,” the Granolith replied.

“So I’m twenty-two?” Isabel asked.

Alex held up his hand, fingers spread. “We use a ten-based numeric system, one through nine, and then ten, the start of the second decade. Antarian’s use an eight-based system, one through seven, and then ten, the start of their second decade. You are as old as you are, defined as eighteen in our ten-base system, twenty-two in theirs, and just for kicks-and-giggles, you’re ten-thousand ten years old in binary.”

“How do you do that?” Isabel gasped in admiration.

“Well, it helps that most computer technology is measured of multiples of eight,” Alex replied modestly. “I see eights wherever I look lately.”

“And we use this information how?” Isabel asked, letting her voice trail off.

“I don’t have a clue,” Alex replied honestly. “But we get to keep you from getting any older,” he added in tease mode that he knew she loved so much. “When we get back I’ll work with the Granolith and get it up to speed on our numbering system. In the mean time, back to the subject at hand. Granolith, you mentioned that it is time for Isabel to begin her Antarian menstrual cycle. Tell us about it, specifically about how we can be both fertile and infertile at the same time. Also, you mentioned that I am somehow involved in the onset of her Antarian menstrual cycle. Define that link.”

“As explained,” the Granolith droned, “Human females have a three stage menstrual cycle. Antarian females have a four stage cycle which adds a time of dormancy,,,”

“Dormancy?” Isabel challenged.

“Yes, dormancy,” the Granolith replied. “The default status of your reproductive cycle is dormancy, which by definition means that you are infertile for the majority of the time; however, you have now reached an age and level of maturity that has made you predisposed to the onset of estrus.”

“Okay, lets get this straight,” Isabel barked. “I don’t ever want to hear that word again.”

“Granolith,” Alex commanded. “In the future substitute ‘period’ for ‘estrus’, and substitute ‘getting her period’ for ‘onset of estrus’.”

“Compliance,” the Granolith answered.

“Not much better,” Isabel moaned.

“Well it’s a lot better than comparing you to a dog,” Alex sighed, “Or some of the things I’ve heard Liz and Maria say. What would you call it.”

“I guess you’re right,” she agree complacently, before turning back to the laptop. “And Alex’s involvement?”

“A key component causative to an Antarian women transitioning from dormancy into,,, getting her period, is that she is in a safe and stable relationship that is conducive to procreation,” the Granolith explained.

“You have to be bonded to have children?” Alex queried.

“No,” came the reply. “While it would be ideal for children to be born to a wedded or bonded couple, such an arbitrary definition of her relationship is irrelevant. It is far more important that the woman is in a position conducive to raising a family. On the other hand, although rare, some women never get a period. They typically have no emotional desire to have children and never position themselves in a physical relationship to do so.”

“So that’s where the dormancy comes in?” Isabel asked cautiously. “I can’t get pregnant unless we’re ready?”

“No,” the Granolith declared. “As stated earlier, your period consist of four stages, preparation, susceptible to implantation, system purge and recovery, followed by dormancy. The preparation stage usually last about two weeks during which times you body will undergo changes conducive to fertility.”

“No wonder I can’t translate the files, this is nothing but a bunch of mumbo-jumbo that keeps going around in circles,” Alex snapped. “I’m going to simplify this. Granolith, explain step one.”

“Granolith,” Isabel interrupted. “Step one is preparation. Is this how you were able to tell Alex that I was getting my period?”

“Yes,” the granolith answered. “Alex stated that you had been made ill after eating several of your favorite foods, and that you had a momentary failure in your ability to conceal your abilities. The change in your dietary requirements is consistent with an increase in your body’s attraction of hydrogen ions, which will trigger cytoplasmic maturation along with the not insubstantial side benefit of allowing Alex’s sperm to survive within your body in order that they may successfully perform their intended function,,,”

“Cytoplasmic maturation?” Alex asked in confusion.

“Eggs are stored in the ovaries as a developmentally incomplete cell,” Isabel explained. “They must mature before they can be fertilized.”

“You’ve become quite the expert,” Alex commented.

“Duh,” Isabel exclaimed. “I’ve read and memorized everything I could find about fertility, and have indeed become quite the expert. In fact I’m angling for an extra credit report in A.P. Bio.”

“I’m sure glad your father’s not hearing this,” Alex muttered. “He’s not ready for this,” he continued despite the fact that no one was paying attention to him. “I’m not ready for this.”

“What was that about hydrogen?” Isabel asked in confusion.

“The potential to attract hydrogen ions,,,” the Granolith paused to elaborate.

“Are you referring to my Ph levels?” Isabel asked. “That’s how Liz found out about my hostile womb. She was monitoring my basal Ph and found that it was out of range.”

Alex decided that the best thing for him to do was to refrain from commenting on Liz’s knowledge of his mates basal Ph level. On second thought, he didn’t even want to think about it.

”Not ready?” Isabel caught her mate by surprise. “I thought you were up to speed on these issues,” Isabel teased.

“I can deal with Liz weighing the differences between paper and plastic applicators,” Alex confessed, a red tinge spreading up the sides of his neck. “And I actually like the fact that I can be a friend to Maria and support her when she goes more manic than normal while she’s PMS’ing, but,,,”

“But?” Isabel replied quietly. “I know, more of my Alien Abyss.”

“You know me better than that,” Alex exclaimed. “Despite the fact that I have no desire to, I do have the ability to keep you and our exciting life together separate. Can’t you just give me a bit of credit for the ick factor of your indoor plumbing.”

“Indoor plumbing?” Isabel teased. “I love the way you make everything mechanical, so simple.”

“It’s the way I think,” Alex replied honestly. “Eight squared is sixty-four. If ‘A’, then ‘B’, rather ‘C’.” (a DOS command)

“That’s okay, I love the way you think,” Isabel gushed. “And yes, I give you dispensation for the ick factor.”

Meanwhile the Granolith droned on. “These rapid changes, which in all likelihood are responsible for your physical manifestations of upset, culminate in ovulation and lead to stage two of your period; susceptibility to impregnation. At the end of the second stage, if you are not impregnated, your system will enter stage three, purging itself and then it will reset itself to your default state, stage four, dormancy.”

“How long does stage two, the actual fertile period, last?” Isabel asked warily.

“For two to three days,” the Granolith replied.

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Isabel replied.

“But it will be an intensive two days,” the Granolith rebutted.

“For her?” Alex asked innocently.

“Actually for you,” the Granolith replied with a touch of humor. “Isabel’s normal personality will be subjugated to a sexual desire the likes of which the two of you have never before had to endure. If you are not careful, she will damage you.”

“Great,,,” Alex started to complain. “I’m going to be beating her off with a stick.”

“I’m gonna get some, I’m gonna get some,” Isabel taunted as she did her own personal happy dance, well actually she took the chance to gyrate against her mate.

“Izzy!” Alex gasped. “Fertile? Pregnant? Remember?”

“You should not be in that much danger Alex,” the Granolith said condescendingly, “So long as you survive your first encounter with Isabel. That will sate her desire, and then despite the fact that she is still susceptible to impregnation, her sexual drive will return to normal.”

“I don’t know how safe that will make me. You’ve never seen her at ‘normal’.” Alex teased, earning himself another slap.

“Isabel, if you wish I could instruct Alex in several satisfying sexual techniques which would not result in your becoming with child,” the Granolith said softly.

“Don’t bother,” Isabel answered in the same light tone, “He has a database containing that information already. It’s called the internet.”

“Granolith, why the heightened desire?” Alex asked.

“Heightened sexual desire is an understandable inducement to procreation during your fertile period,” the Granolith reasoned. “The continuation of your species depends on it.”

“But if I loose control of myself and go out and jump the first warm body I can find, don’t we end up back in the same place? Isabel asked. “Overpopulation?”

“The only warm body you will want is Alex’s,” the Granolith explained. “You have selected him as your mate, and have formed a link with him.”

“Do all couples form a link? Isabel asked curiously.

“No, links are indeed rare,” the Granolith answered. “Only one couple in a million will develop a link, and a typical link is more like the other members of the Royal Four Square, meaning shared flashes during intense moments. The abilities that you have described are heretofore unknown.”

“So was the price Alex paid,” Isabel declared.

“Worth every second,” Alex said softly as he reached over and patted the back of his mate’s hand comfortingly, “If it brings me closer to you. Granolith,” he asked, changing the subject, “What about stage three for other Antarian women? What about the one’s that have not formed a link?”

“You must understand that the majority of Antarian women experience their period with little or no fanfare,” the Granolith emphasized. “They spend time with their partner, whether it be their husband, their bonded mate, or their ‘guy of the moment.’ On the other hand a small number of women take advantage of a number of other coping methods.”

“Such as,” Alex challenged.

“A small number of women who do not want to experience the emotional highs and lows of their period, not to mention the physical discomfort which is part of the experience, have been known to attend clinics where they are anesthetized causing them sleep for several days,” the Granolith explained in a surprisingly level voice. “At the other extreme a woman may choose to attend a spa where a number of special services are offered. For instance, a women choose to indulge in a tempting selection of special foods and other delicacies, along with physical delights such as soil baths and massages. Women of a more adventurous nature may partake of a stable of willing males, the satyrs having been rendered surgically infertile of course.”

“Are you telling me that an Antarian woman would sleep with a strange man during their period?” Isabel asked incredulously.

“Sleep?” the Granolith replied in astonishment. “I would assume that sleep isn’t a priority as women typically rent men in groups of three. Wouldn’t sleep be a wasted endeavor under such circumstances?”

“Three?” Isabel gasped.

“Yes,” the Granolith replied evenly. “As mentioned, the woman is usually quite agitated, and we have found that if she focuses all of her attention on just one partner the useful service life of the male is greatly reduced due to injuries.”

“Alex!” Isabel demanded. “Do something!”

“You advocate this infidelity?” Alex asked softly, unable to believe what they were hearing.

“Infidelity?” the Granolith replied, unable to understand the young couples alarm. “There is no infidelity,,,”

“You tell me that Antarian women leave their husbands at home, go to a whorehouse, and screw their brains out with a bunch of strange men,” Isabel practically screamed. “You call that normal?”

“Remember, this involves a very limited number of women, none of whom are linked to their partners,” the Granolith replied, shifting to the defensive. “But for those women this is normal.”

“How does the husband feel?” Alex barked. “I’d blow that place to kingdom come if my wife went there.”

“Why would the husband object? The woman’s desire is perfectly natural,” the Granolith questioned. “There is no infidelity on her part, so long as she remains faithful during her dormant time. In fact it would be unconscionable for the woman’s normal partner to interfere. This is understood by all,,,”

“I’ve never thought I would say this,” Alex sighed, “But this sounds so,,,” he let his voice trail off.

“Alien,” Isabel supplied. “What about Vilandra? What did she do?”

“Izzy,” Alex pleaded. “Sweetheart, you don’t need to do this. Don’t ask a question you don’t want the answer to.”

“Vilandra ignored it,” the Granolith replied. “While she never talked about ‘getting her period,’ it was obvious to her staff that she ignored them. She would immerse herself in her projects at the health or education centers and never reveal to the outside world the inner turmoil that was consuming her,,,”

“Sound familiar?” Alex quipped.

“Vilandra’s attitude was of course consistent with her belief that she had been born in the wrong time and place to meet her mate,” the Granolith concluded.

“That was then,” Alex told his mate reassuringly as he flooded her with love and calm. “This is now. We’re not going through that mess again, are we?”

“Well she was right about one thing,” Isabel answered as she allowed her consciousness to expand until her mind merged with his. “I’m the lucky one who was born in the right time and place.”

“Luck had nothing to do with it,” Alex said softly. “I brought you here by force of will. How else could I take care of you.”

“I don’t need you to take care of me,” Isabel said with a smile. “I need you to complete me.” She returned her attention to the Granolith, “And then, unless I’m knocked up, I go into my dormant period?” `

“Yes, stage four,” the Granolith replied. “At this point you will either be pregnant, or your system will purge and then reset itself. Your dietary requirements will return to normal, and your dormant stage before your next period will begin.”

“I don’t know why you’re making such a big thing about this dormancy stage,” Isabel stated. “Two weeks of PMS followed by a period that last about a week. Doesn’t leave a lot of dormant time for a monthly cycle. In fact it sounds pretty human to me.”

“Monthly?” the Granolith asked in confusion. “Where did you get the monthly reference?”

“I just assumed,,,” Isabel stammered, letting her voice fade.

“Granolith,” Isabel commanded. “State the interval Isabel can expect between periods.”

“As previously described, there are several factors that can influence her interval,” the Granolith replied, “But Isabel has been designed for a nominal fertility cycle of one point five years.”

“Whoa,” Alex exclaimed. “You’re only going to get your period every eighteen months? Maria and Liz are going to be so jealous!”

**********
Alex drove with a smile on his face that neither the strongest soaps nor the ravages of time could ever wipe from his face. It was a smile of confidence and contentment. A smile that until recently he had never dreamed that he would have the pleasure to wear. He continued to breath in the intoxicating scent of his Isabel, the Goddess that lie curled up against his side, her scent a unique mixture of her shampoos, lotions, and perfume, spiced up with her own special musk.

Despite the fact that Isabel was dozing by human standards, she was aware of her surroundings. She was luxuriating in Alex’s space, snuggling into his side and drinking in his aura. She was enjoying a level of peace with herself that she had never dreamed she would find, all because of this man. He had indulged her shopping trip, sat alone in the food court for almost two hours while she picked out a dress for her birthday, and then he had unselfishly taken the edge off her need for him on the trip back. The only thing she regretted was that she had not been able to stifle her cries by biting his shoulder as he brought her to completion. She wanted, no she needed the whole world to know that he was hers, that she would do anything for him, and that she would scratch the eyes out of any girl who dared trespass on her territory.

Alex did not speed. He did not tailgate. He did not take his eyes off the road. Despite the fact that he was performing the pedestrian act of driving, the fact that his mate was dozing besides him changed everything. By the simple act of sleeping, Isabel had placed her absolute trust in him, and he would never take a chance with her safety.

**********
Meanwhile, back in Roswell, Kyle had wasted no time before claiming his prize, an entire day with Ava naked. He followed her around the house as she did her chores and performed the little task that he had assigned her. He especially liked watching her when she emptied the upper cabinets in the kitchen and washed the shelving. He did however, learn an important lesson early on. Looking did not mean touching. He had only reached for her once, receiving a blast that had burned all of the hair from his right arm .

Ava finished her chores and sat at the opposite end of the couch from Kyle. She reached for the remote and turned on Jeopardy.

Kyle turned to look at her. “This has been a remarkable day. I’m never going to forget it.”

Ava turned on him. “I’m glad you feel that way, I’ve hated every moment of it. Sundown is in six minutes, and at that point I will have fulfilled our bet. I’m going to get dressed, and this is the last time you’re ever going to see me naked.

“Ava,” Kyle teased. “It’s just a game.”

“A game?” Ava pointed at the TV. “That’s a game, this is real life. This is about you and me, well not really, this is about you. I went along with this because I agreed to the terms at the mini-putt, but I expected better of you.”

Kyle looked at her with a shocked expression on his face.

“Let me tell you something,” Ava continued, her temper rising. “What I told you about Zan when I first got here was true. He used to bend me over a trash can and screw my ass. Do you know why he did it?” She continued without pause. “Because he could. He did it to humiliate me. He dominated me, feeding his ego during his own personal power trip.”

Kyle’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, not a sound coming out.

“I grew up thinking I was a defective individual within my group, unable to access the memories and feelings that my peeps took for granted. No one cared for nothing. It was as if they were created without scruples, constantly trying to one up each other. Lonnie was always playing mind games, while Rath tried to frack the world. But Zan was the worse. He had no conscience, none whatsoever. He used his peeps to satisfy whatever whim he had at the moment.

“I was never so happy as the day I came to Roswell. I’ll never forget the look on Alex’s face when he realized that Lonnie wasn’t Isabel. You could see him turn white, and then he almost flew down the stairs to protect Isabel. You were like a family, hybrids and humans, caring for each other. You had a leader who put the needs of others ahead of himself. For God’s sake, look at what Liz did for me, making sure I had a place to stay and something warm to eat every day, even after what my dupe did to her. Isabel bought me clothes, Maria made sure I fit in at school, and you and your dad opened your house to me, making me feel welcome.

Ava took a breath and looked away from Kyle, she looked to the floor. “Until today. You treated me like a hunk of meat, like a live porno book.“ She returned her gaze, looking him in the eye, softening her voice. “Do you want one last good look? Should I bend over and spread my cheeks? I can lay on the table and spread my legs. I can do a cheerleader split. Would that turn you on?”

Kyle shook his head slowly, a stunned look on his face.

“Kyle, I expected better of you,” she said softly.

“I’m sorry,” Kyle said, looking into her eyes, carefully avoiding looking any lower. “I just thought this would be fun. Maybe you should go get dressed.”

“Kyle,” Ava replied, “I’m not concerned about nudity, or sex for that matter. I need to know if I have a future here. I need to find out if I have a future with you.”

“I,,,” Kyle faltered, “I’m just a jock. I know all about how to get the girls, I’ve just never been any good at keeping them. Tess and I were starting to get to that point, but,,, you know what happened next..”

Ava’s voice calmed. “Tell me about one or two special times you had with Tess.”

Kyle looked at her and smiled. “The most obvious thing I remember is the time she cooked Christmas dinner for us. Dad and I were watching football on TV, while she cooked all morning. She invited Amy to dinner, only she conveniently forgot to tell us. We had about thirty seconds to clean the place, but she cooked three-cheese potato gratin, with bacon on the bottom, just like my Mom did every holiday. It’s my favorite dish.”

“Another time I went into my room, well it was pretty much her room by that point, and she was sitting on the bed. She had on this pink outfit, kind of a cross between long underwear and pajamas. It was a totally innocent moment, and I don’t even remember what we talked about, but it seemed so perfect.”

Ava looked at Kyle. “I know it’s going to be hard, Tess did a lot of damage, but do you think we can have any moments like that?”

“Ava, don’t think like that,” Kyle pleaded as he took her hand into both of his. “We,,, I know you’re not Tess. I know you’re Ava. It may be a little weird because you’ve stepped into her identity, but you’re a different person.” He lifted her hand and kissed it gently. “We are already having moments like that.”

“Good,” Ava said as she pulled him upright by his hand. “Lets go make some memories.”

“What?” Kyle asked, unsure of her intentions after their talk.

“Come on, your dad’s only going to be gone one night.” She looked at his confused expression. “What do you expect? I’ve been playing little miss exhibitionist all day. I’m ready to go.”

“Really?” Kyle questioned. “Really!” he decided. He pulled Ava towards him and scooped her up in his arms.

“Now this is more like it,” she giggled.

<Continued next>

Early the next week Michael had finished cleaning up at the end of his shift when Jeff entered the kitchen. “What’s up Mr. P?” he asked.

“Nothing good. Time to clean the exhaust blower over the grill,” he replied with a sigh.

“Sounds like a messy job,” Michael observed.

“It is. It will take me past midnight to take everything apart, clean it, and put it back together, but I had the blower catch fire a couple of years ago. I can’t risk loosing the business because I’m getting lazy in my old age.”

“You’re not that old,” Michael quipped.

“Tell my aching back that tonight after I spend a couple of hours bent over the grill,” Jeff moaned.

“You’re not going to have to do that,” Michael responded as he went to the order window and checked out the front of the restaurant. “You’re a member of the club now, you might just as well take advantage of it.”

“What are you talking about? Jeff asked as he watched Michael turn on the blower and place his hand on the protective grate that covered the revolving fan blades.

“I’ll clean it for you,” Michael explained. “I think I’ll try magnetism. I’ll give the metal a positive charge and the grease a negative charge forcing them to separate,,,”

“No, opposites attract,” Jeff interrupted.

“Okay then, I’ll give both the metal and the grease a positive charge,” Michael said with a touch of irritation. “Maybe I should’ve paid more attention in science class.”

“From what Liz says, maybe you should’ve showed up for science class,” Jeff teased.

“Do you want to clean this yourself?” Michael pushed back with a smirk.

“Do you want a paycheck this week?” Jeff said, laughing now, drawing on many more years of negotiating experience.

“You win boss,” Michael admitted as he concentrated on the task at hand.

“You’ve done this before?” Jeff asked softly.

“Last time I tried something like this was on Maria’s car,” Michael admitted evasively.

“Saved her money on car repairs?” Jeff said in admiration.

“Actually I set fire to it,” Michael muttered.

Jeff stepped back in alarm, but before he could say anything the exhaust blower started to pop and sizzle as the dirt and grease started to boil off the metal surfaces, then with a mighty belch the whirring fan blades blasted the congealed waste out of the exhaust side of the unit. Michael closed his eyes with a contented smile as the blower grew steadily quieter until it only emitted a soft hum reminiscent of a fine Japanese motorcycle engine.

Jeff reached out and carefully toughed the metal face of the blower. “Wow,” he said in wonder. “It hasn’t been that clean since the day I had it installed.”

“While I was at it I spin balanced the fan blades and fine tuned the motor,” Michael said proudly.

“Remind me to give you a raise,” Jeff commented.

“Seriously?” Michael exclaimed in surprise.

“Seriously,” Jeff replied with a chuckle. “You help make my life easier and I’ll help make yours easier as well. Just keep it to yourself,” he added quietly. “I don’t want to ruin my reputation as a hard ass.”

Gee thanks Mr. P,” Michael said heartfeltly as he held out his hand.

Jeff gave his employee’s hand a firm shake as he explained, “Don’t mention it. Why don’t you get going, Maria must be waiting for you by now, I’ll finish up here.” As he watched Michael walk towards the door there was one thing more he felt he needed to know. “Hey Michael, how much did it cost you to fix Amy’s Jetta?”

Michael shook his head ruefully. “It took Isabel ten seconds to read and memorize the service manual, and another thirty seconds to get the car running better than ever, but the truth of the matter is that I will still be paying her for a long time to come.”

“I bet,” Jeff agreed, nodding his head in sympathy.

**********
“MPO (motorized pump operator) Montoya and firefighter Kelley were tired and hungry when they pulled Roswell’s Engine Six into the Waffle House just outside of Brookville Pennsylvania. Despite the fact that they were only a little over seven hours into their thirty five hour journey, both men were already beat. As they approached the entrance to the diner Kelly stretched and rubbed his back. “Oh my aching bacon,” he complained.

“You knew that she’s wasn’t built for comfort, what in the name of God made you volunteer for the drive back?” Montoya asked in amazement. (A.N. Fire engines are designed for work, not comfort. With the exception of the chauffeur’s position, many don’t even have real seats, just a bit of padding over straight sheet metal. After all they are intended to be driven for a quick two or three minutes before then are parked in order to do their real work.)

“I didn’t think you should have had to go it alone,” Kelly confessed honestly. “Besides, every time I’ve come East I’ve flown. I thought it would be nice to drive for a change and see some of the rest of the country.”

“What do you think so far,” Montoya asked as he opened the door for his partner.

“So far? A hell of a lot of trees,” Kelly replied dismissively.

The two men entered the eatery to a chorus of hello’s from the wait staff and cooks, as is the Waffle House way. No sooner had they sat at the counter than a waitress named Joyce placed heavy cup and saucer sets in front of them. “Coffee?” she asked politely.

“High test,” Montoya replied. “Hot and black.”

Kelley, who’s taste in refreshments were a little more refined, meaning he wasn’t a former marine, asked about his options.

“Sorry Hon,” Joyce replied. “All we have is regular and deaf. We do have some flavored creamers if you like.”

“Montoya wrapped his hands around his cup, savoring the warmth as he inhaled the fragrant steam. He watched in amusement as Kelly poked through the bowl of little creamer cups and struggled to get the sugar level just right. “For God’s sake, just drink it already,” he teased. “I’m going to be finished and five miles down the road before you so much as look at the menu.”

Joyce watched the two men bicker from her place at the end of the counter, but was right there in front of them as soon as Montoya put down his menu. “What’s-ya-having?” she asked.

“I’ll have the double pork chops,” Kelly answered while studying the menu. “Large, scattered, smothered, and chunked.” (A double order of hash brown potatoes scattered on the grill and cooked with onion, ham, and covered with cheese.)

“How’s your T-bone?” Montoya asked next.

“We’re famous for our T-bone,” Joyce replied. “Would you like that smothered with onions and mushrooms?”

“God no!” Montoya replied. “Where we come from that would be a crime. Just throw it on the grill and as soon as it stops quivering, flip it.”

“Rare, huh?” Joyce confirmed.

“Blood rare,” Montoya replied.

“Hash browns?” she added as she wrote down his order.

“Lets see,” Montoya pondered. “Large, scattered, smothered, covered, topped, diced, and peppered.” (Another double order grilled with onion, tomato, peppers, then topped with chili and cheese.)

“Coming right up,” Joyce said cheerfully as she turned and shouted the order to the cook who was standing less than three feet away. She then left the men alone, watching attentively but unobtrusively as they talked quietly among themselves until their food was ready. She then served them with a flourish.

“I’ve been looking forward to this,” Montoya said as he salted his steak. “We haven’t had anything but cafeteria food for over a month.”

“You boys far from home?” the waitress asked as she tried to read the logo on their station shirts. “Judging by your accent and the way you take your steak I would guess Texas.”

“Almost Ma’am,” Kelly replied. “Roswell New Mexico.”

“What brings you all the way out here?” she asked nonchalantly, bringing up the subject that the entire staff wanted to know, having seen their ride parked across the front of the parking lot.

“We’ve been in New York,” Montoya admitted modestly. “Trying to do what little we could to help out.”

This admission only served to confirm what the staff had already suspected, but it also caused everyone to retreat into their own thoughts.

When the two men finished their meal, and another three cups of coffee on Montoya’s part, he was surprised to find that despite the chain’s vaunted efficiency, he had to ask for the check.

“The meal’s on the house gentlemen,” Joyce stated firmly. “Your money’s no good here.”

“I can’t ask you to do that,” Montoya replied as he looked at the staff behind the counter. In contrast to Joyce, who looked to be near retirement age, the rest of the staff appeared to be still in high school. He knew that in general waitresses’ earned about three dollars (€2.33) an hour while the workers behind the counter barely broke minimum wage.

“I’m sorry, but we could get into real trouble with the union if we did that,” Kelly chimed in. He too would feel uncomfortable riding off with a full stomach knowing the good people here would make up the shortfall in the register from their tips.

“Gentlemen,” Joyce declared. “We’re just simple people here. We don’t pretend to understand what’s going on in the world today, and we can’t do anything to change it, but we can make sure you have a hot meal and fresh coffee.”

The younger waitress slid two take-out cups of coffee across the counter. “Please,” she said softly. “We don’t know what else to do.”

Montoya laid several bills on the counter, enough to cover their tab and a generous tip. “It’s okay, we’re on expenses.” Turning to the younger woman he continued, “Let me have one of those cups.” Montoya picked up a sharpie from the counter and wrote ‘FDNY Widow’s and Orphan’s Fund’ on the side of the cup before placing it next to the register. “Give whatever you raise to your local fire chief. He’ll make sure it will get where it belongs.”

“And don’t forget the people at the Pentagon and on the planes,” Kelly added. “Ground Zero gets most of the attention, but there were a lot of other’s who still need our thoughts and prayers.

“Somerset is less than a hundred miles south of here,” the cook advised tentatively. (Somerset Pa, the site of the crash of United Flight 93.)

“Really,” Montoya said softly as he glanced at his partner. Receiving a subtle nod to his unspoken question he turned back to the cook, “Could you tell us how to get there? We’d like to swing through and stop to pay our respects.”

Several minutes later the restaurant crew watched from the front door as the engine fired up and headed back towards the highway. Once it was out of sight they drifted back to their tasks, which found Joyce back at the register. “Expenses my ass,” she muttered to no one in particular, “He never asked for a receipt.” She took Montoya’s bills and folded them. They were the first donation into the cup.

TBC

I"m so excited!! : This was the last part I read before the ezboard crash :

I can't wait for an update! This is one of my favorite A/I fics. You write both Isabel and Alex beautifully :D

Kara

Great stuff Paul :D

I really liked the comment Alex made-


“Now I know why Max’s ears look like he’s sitting on the end of a runway waiting for clearance to take off,” Alex mumbled as he staggered behind his mate.

Gotta love that boy's wit.

Alex, Isabel, and the Company
Chapter 21-C, Isabel Gets Back On Schedule
by Stargazer_md


Isabel lay in bed planning her morning. She wasn’t interested in breakfast or school; she had just heard the shower in the guest room start, and that meant that Alex was naked just one wall away. She weighed her chances of getting away with a quick raid on her boyfriend. Luckily she was at her home, where her parents were used to having a girl in the house and could be counted on to be in the kitchen reading the morning paper. If she had been at his house however, she would have been in the presence of suspicious parents. If caught, Charles would have killed Alex, while Gloria would have made her life truly miserable. Therefore, feeling safe in her own place, she crept through Alex’s room, catching him singing in the shower.

“Alouette,
Izzy’s cashmere sweater.
Feels softer than her leathers,
She always makes me sweat.”

Isabel stood in the doorway of his bathroom with a smile on her face, basking in his serendipitous outpouring of love for her. She bit her lip as she debated tearing open the curtain and attacking him, or stealthily slipping in behind him, only alerting him to her presence with a well placed grope. Her mind made up, she crept towards her mate.

“Alouette,
I’m the luckiest ever.
I get to kiss her every day,
Until I’m old and gray.”

Isabel stood, rooted to the spot as all the air rushed from her lungs. She gasped for breath while at the same time a feeling of belonging swept through her body, warming her to the core. ‘Old and gray,’ she thought. ‘He’s going to love me ‘every day, until he’s old and gray!’ Isabel knew that he loved her, maybe almost as strongly as she loved him. She knew that they were going to marry and raise a family. But to hear him put those feelings into words, at the top of his lungs and slightly off key, gave her a feeling of security that she had way too little of in her life.

Isabel turned and ran back to her room, slamming the door behind her. ‘Cashmere and leather,’ she thought. ‘I’ll make you sweat! I’ll make your heart sweat!’ she thought with a gleam in her eye. ‘And heaven help me, by the end of the day I’ll make Fred sweat!’


“Are you almost done up there?” Alex teased. “I know it’s not my place to remind you what time it is, especially since it’s not likely you would deign to allow me to drive my own car, but it really is time we get going.”

“Okay Sweetie,” Isabel replied softly. “I just had to throw something on.” Isabel giggled at her last comment. ‘If he could only see the damage I did to my closet,’ she thought. It would take her much of the afternoon to deal with the piles of discarded clothing.

Alex heard the ‘click-click’ of Isabel’s shoes as she bounded down the stairs. As he got up from the breakfast table he was amazed that she could navigate the stairs in clogs. No, not clogs, the sound was too staccato. Heels, she had to be in heels. Alex loved Isabel in heels, but this thought was lost as she entered his line of sight. As usual she had gone for her casual ‘just thrown together’ look that took so much skill and effort to pull off. Her hair was up in a simple knot, pulling the sides away from her face and exposing her neck.

Isabel was wearing a soft, fuzzy, pink, cashmere pullover sweater with a scooped neckline that aligned perfectly with her floating heart. The sweater’s hemline settled just across her waist, exposing a modest band of midriff. But it was what she was wearing below the sweater that made him sweat. Isabel had elected to wear her leather pants, her skin-tight rich Corinthian brown leather pants. Despite the current fashion trend of lower waistlines, Isabel’s fell just an inch below her naval, a style that was perfectly proportioned to her longer torso. The legs of her killer pants tapered down to a snug zippered cuff several inches above her bare ankles, one of which she had adorned with a simple gold chain above her new Bruno Magli shoes. “Ready Sweetie?” she asked innocently.

“What?” Alex asked in confusion.

“Thanks,” Isabel replied simply, taking his dropped jaw as a complement. “Come on Stud, time to go.” Before leaving however, Isabel managed to open the coat closet and check her appearance in the full-length mirror mounted on the back of the door. As expected, her pants made her ass look good, but her new heels added another inch of ‘back.’ ‘This is going to be a red letter day for Alex,’ she thought. ‘He is going to be envied by the entire school, because his girlfriend looks ‘good.’

**********
Maria was happy to find that their favorite table under the oak in the corner of the Quad was free. She arrived there just moments before Isabel. “Hey,” Maria said in greeting. “What’s with?”

“This?” Isabel replied dismissively, waving her hand towards her clothing. “It’s just something I threw on.”

“Just threw on?” Maria answered doubtfully. “I doubt that, considering the trail of destruction you’ve been leaving all morning.”

“What?” Isabel said with a laugh. “Maria, have you been taking sunflower extract again? We talked about that. Your natural effervescence doesn’t need any amplification.”

“So you haven’t heard about Malamud spraining his wrist during the south stairway incident?” Maria teased, “Or the fact that Mister Seligman leaned over so far while you were walking out of his classroom that he fell out of his chair?”

“Please,” Isabel sighed dismissively. “I don’t want to hear about a bunch of guys who can’t control themselves in the presence of a nice girl,,,”

“Not just guys,” Maria interrupted, so anxious she couldn’t sit still. “Vicky told me she’s noticed that Miss Leigh has been stalking you all morning and then locking herself in the woman’s room,,,”

“Ewww, Maria!” Isabel moaned. “Too much information.” Isabel looked over at her crestfallen friend, and recognizing her need for information decided it was time to change the subject. “So do you want to know what we found out?” Isabel efficiently related all that she and Alex had learned about her system.

“Forget the sex thing,” Maria gasped. “Are you telling me that you can go eighteen months with no bloating, no cramps, no gaining weight? That is so kewl!,,, I hate you.”

“Yea,” Isabel agreed, her eyes bright. “I only thought it was fair to tell you. I had to tell Ava of course, because she’s going to be going through the same thing I am. Liz already knows as she has to play doctor. That left you, and I didn’t think it was right to keep you in the dark.” She looked up as another group of students gushed from the school, Alex unknowingly leading the pack, while Tish Okabe and Stacey Scheinin and their hangers-on followed in a cluster behind him.

Alex sat at the table with his girlfriends, but to his surprise, Isabel stood as soon as he dug into his lunch bag. “Izzy?” he asked, confused.

“You just stay here with Maria,” Isabel commanded. “She just may have a thing or two to teach you still.”

Alex watched Isabel walk away, but before he could go after her, Maria had grabbed his hand and pulled until she had his attention. “We were talking about your trip to Albuquerque,” she explained. “I couldn’t help but tease her about being so finicky and sending her lunch back to the kitchen.”

“Maria!” Alex gasped. “She wasn’t being finicky, she loves Scallops Diablo, (scallops of the devil, a hot and spicy dish) but she couldn’t eat it this time. She had to have them tone down the seasonings.”

“And then her having gas all the way home,” Maria continued, undaunted. “Imagine Isabel Evans, Queen of the school, farting,,,”

“You didn’t say that,,,” Alex moaned. “Tell me you didn’t say that! Girls like Isabel don’t fart. Isabel doesn’t fart.”

“Breaking wind like the mighty camel in the desert,,,” Maria enthused.

“No, this isn’t happening,” Alex moaned, putting his head in his hands. “It was only a tiny ‘poof’, and the only reason I mentioned it was because I was pretty sure that the Czech’s don’t ‘poof’.”

“And then I told her how you described the headliner of the car melting and dripping down due to her nauseous emissions. She wasn’t saying much at that point. In fact that’s about when she started looking for you,” Maria explained happily.

“’Ria, do you know how much trouble I’m in now?” Alex gasped.

“Trouble?” Maria teased, not really pawing attention. “It’s a little thing. I’m sure she has forgotten all about it.”

“Little thing?” Alex wailed. “This is Isabel we’re talking about. There are no little things when it comes to Isabel.”

“Girlfriend,” Maria replied levelly, hoping to egg Alex on and get some more dirt on her tall friend. “I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”

“No I’m not exaggerating,” Alex replied as he took his PDA out. “Here, I’ll prove it.”

Maria picked up the PDA and looked at it.

“Isabel did a data dump into it so that I could be a ‘more effective shopper’,” Alex explained. “In fact, the Granolith had to increase her memory allocation so that her database would fit. Let me show you an example,” he offered as he opened the file ‘Preferences for the Purchase of Common Household Supplies’. “Here, toilet paper. The first choice is ‘White Cloud’, two-ply in a four pack. Is the second choice ‘White Cloud’ in a six pack? No, her second preference is ‘Charmin’, double rolls in a nine pack. Why isn’t her second choice also ‘White Cloud’? Because it is manufactured on a different machine and is in her opinion of inferior quality. How does she know about the different machines? She called the factory and asked. ‘White Cloud’ in a six pack is fifth on the list which means that I can never buy it because I am restricted to buying only the top three choices in each category.”

“So you have only three choices of anything you buy?” Maria giggled.

“What makes you think that?” Alex stammered. “I must buy the first choice. The only times I can do otherwise is when I can prove that the higher choice is unavailable or if there is a justifiable price difference.”

“So how much money do you have to save before Isabel accepts a second rate product?” Maria asked excitedly.

“I haven’t figured that out yet,” Alex replied while shaking his head. “It involves an algorithm with a sliding scale formula specifying the percentage of saving in relation to the products base price. I found it to be much easier to just get her what she wants in the first place.”

“Oh I can’t wait until I get Isabel alone,,,” Maria exclaimed in glee.

“What?” Alex snapped. “This is girlfriend privileged material, you can’t use it!”

“Sorry Whitman,” Maria replied. “Gossip trumps girlfriend every time. You should know that about me by now.”

“Actually Girlfriend,” Alex rebutted threateningly, “There’s a lot I know about you too. Do you remember how you asked me to get you a handful of tampons from your stash in your locker?”

“That doesn’t get you anywhere Alex,” Maria replied sweetly. “Everyone knows that you’re not grossed out by girl stuff.”

“Well the reality is that I wasn’t referring to the tampons in your stash,” Alex admitted with a smile. “I’m much more interested in the four boxes of ‘Vibra-Ribbed for her pleasure’ condoms you had,,,”

“Ohhh!!!” Maria gasped like a fish out of water. “You wouldn’t,,,”

“Truce?” Alex asked.

“Truce!“ Maria agreed.


While the two lifelong friends were playing one-up on each other, Isabel had strolled across the Quad in all her regal splendor. Tish and Stacey remained standing, offering her first choice of seats, respectful of the fact that while Isabel may have advocated her position as the Alpha Female of the school, she could still crush them with a word. “Tish,” she said with a genuine smile as she settled onto the bench. “How are Rick and Tim?” she asked as the other girls sat in the less choice seats and then began to perform their necessary rituals to begin their little lunchtime show.

“Fine, fine,” Tish acknowledged. “Rick’s coming along nicely. Another couple of months and I’ll get him to the same point you have your boyfriend at.”

“Yea right,” Stacey challenged. “The only way you can get him away from his jock buddies is to promise him a BJ.”

Both girls turned towards Isabel, expecting her to arbitrate, but her attention was elsewhere, “Tess!”

Isabel allowed a small smile as the other girls watched Ava approach, the new arrival’s right to sit at the choice table assured by her relationship with one of West Roswell’s most famous jocks. Isabel greeted her intended podmate cordially, unmindful of the stir her arrival had caused among the others.

“Hey,” Ava said in greeting as she sat and fished her lunch out of her bag.

“Tess?” Stacey whined, her hands up and framing her face theatrically. “What’s with?”

“This?” Ava asked as she patted her new hairstyle, her short straight platinum hair wrapping around and framing her face with just a hint of a blue streak on her left side. “It’s nothing.”

“Nothing,” Stacey gasped.

“Am I the only person who’s ever been outside of Roswell?” Ava moaned.

“Tess? What’s going on?” Tish asked softly.

Ava sighed and looked at Tish, seeing honest concern there, an unusual commodity within the rarified circles of the Roswell elite. “It’s been a year,” she said softly, pulling inside of herself. “It’s time for me to start doing things for myself instead of doing what my father wanted of me. Moving all the time, growing up on military bases, having to be the perfect daughter,,,”

“It couldn’t have been that bad,” Isabel queried right on cue.

“Can’t be that bad?” Ava snapped. “Tess is my grandmother’s name. ‘Contessa Harding.’ My father’s mother.”

“What was she like?” Stacey asked, opening up to her friend as she began to sympathize.

“Not bad,” Ava confessed. “Not good. She just was. She had that old lady smell, in an old lady house, with so many old lady rules. I just want to leave that whole life behind.”

“Now I know where your father got it from,” Isabel mumbled. “How about your mom? Do you remember her?” she asked softly.

“I remember her,” Ava replied with a smile. She looked around the table, “I lost her while we were stationed at Crystal City. (Located in Arlington Va. just minutes from Washington DC and the Pentagon.) She was struck down by a cab that ran a red light, never knowing what hit her.” Ava paused and took a drink of water. “My mom was a girly girl for as long as I can remember. Every day she counteracted my father’s influence.”

“Do you miss her?” Stacey asked.

“I don’t grieve for her anymore, if that’s what you’re asking,” Ava answered according to the script that she and Isabel had practiced, “But I miss her everyday.”

“What do you want?” Tish asked softly.

“I really like what I have now,” Ava said. “But I would like to be more like my mother and less like my grandmother.”

Isabel started to speak, but yielded to Tish. “Less like a Tess and more like an Ava?”

“I would love to be more like my mom, to be able to take her name,” Ava sighed.

“Tess,” Isabel exclaimed, “I process name changes all the time. Where were you born?”

“We were stationed at White Sands,,,” Ava started to reply.

“You mean ‘just down the road’ White Sands?” Stacey interrupted. Receiving a nod in reply she continued, “That is just so kewl! What are the odds of being born here, moving away, and then coming back?”

‘If only you knew,’ Isabel thought.

“Wait a minute,” Stacey interrupted cattily. “I didn’t think the missile range had a hospital?”

“They don’t,” Ava replied. “I was born at Las Cruces,,,”

“Dona Ana County?” Isabel exclaimed. “I’m on a first name basis with the county clerk over there. You have a birth certificate on file there?”

“Of course,” Ava replied confidently. “Everyone has to be born somewhere.”

‘Thank God Nasado was thorough and put a paper trail in place,’ Isabel thought. “In that case, being born in New Mexico makes it easy,” Isabel explained. “Changing your name would involve publishing a small legal notice in the Roswell Daily Record for two weeks and then filing a single page form with a thirty-five dollar fee. That’s all.”

“Sounds like a plan Ava,” Tish gushed.

“Wait, you mean this can really happen?” Ava expressed in surprise. “What do you think? Should I do it?”

“What would make you happy?” Stacey asked, bringing her own value system into play.

‘Ava, I can’t think of a better way to memorialize your Mom,” Tish asserted. “Go for it.”

“Isabel?” Ava asked hopefully.

“You’re one of the few students with a law firm on retainer,” Isabel quipped. “You might just as well make use of us. I’ll place the ad and have the form ready for your signature by tomorrow morning.”

Isabel watched as her two apprentices chatted with Ava while she thought back to a promise she had made when Liz brought her back into their lives. She had promised to take Ava shopping as she did not believe that anyone should be forced to wear a dead girl’s clothing. Now she had the opportunity to fulfill her promise and then some. Not only would Ava not have to wear Tess’ clothing, Ava would no longer have to live Tess’ life.


Across the Quad, Maria looked at Alex with barely contained glee in her eyes. “Isabel asked me to do two things for her, and you know me, I’ll do anything for a girlfriend.”

“I’m afraid to ask,” Alex sighed.

Maria scooted forward and snagged a handful of his HogPhasers. “About the farting thing? She said I should bust your chops, and bust them hard.”

Alex simply groaned.

“And she also told me to tell you ‘Tic-Toc’,” Maria said as she wagged her finger back and forth. “Her birthday’s in ten days and she’s already picked out her birthday present. This is just a taste of what you’ll get if you disappoint her.”

“Good try ‘Ria,” Alex quipped as he stood. He walked around the table and hugged Maria from behind. “But I still love you anyways,” he whispered as he pecked her cheek.

Maria watched Alex as he stood and turned. “Hey Whitman,” she called out. “That old guy who sells after shave is right. ‘Confidence is Sexy’.”

“Really?” Alex replied with surprise, his brows shooting up.

“Really!” Maria confirmed. “Hey girlfriend, what’s Isabel want for her birthday? I bet it’s expensive.”

“Oh it’s a ‘one-of-a-kind’,” Alex explained as he stood a little straighter and approached the popular’s table. ”How’d it go?” he asked.

“Just like we planned,” Isabel answered.

“Hey beautiful,” Alex said as he bent down, hugging his mate from behind and then kissing her on her sweet spot behind her ear. “Ladies,” he said in greeting to the rest of the table while at the same time ignoring them. “Any plans for tonight?”

“Are you kidding?” Isabel challenged. “I need to swing by Daddy’s office as soon as I get out of school, then tonight I’ve got at least two proposals to review for Aries; we’re going to need a directors meeting soon. Then laundry and we have to study,,,”

“No,” Alex commanded.

“No?” Isabel replied, keeping her voice neutral.

“No,” Alex reinforced. “We’ve been running around for weeks. Tonight your mom’s cooking dinner, and then we’re going to watch Jeopardy. Nothing more.”

“Jeopardy? I’m going to kick your ass,” Isabel promised.

“Oh, I expect you to very seriously kick my ass,” Alex teased before kissing her again. “Take the car, and pick me up at the Crash on your way home.” With that he turned and went back into the building. Isabel watched his retreat until he was out of sight.

“No?” Stacey muttered sarcastically. “He said no to you and you let him walk away intact?”

Tish giggled softly at Stacey’s cluelessness concerning their mentor’s expression. “It sounds like you two have some kind of ritual. Why does he want you to seriously kick his ass?”

Isabel’s countenance turned dreamy. “If I win, he brushes my hair. If I seriously win, he uses my grandmother’s oak brush with hog bristles,,,”

“Natural bristles,” Stacey exclaimed. “I read about them in ‘Glamour’. No wonder your hair looks as good as it does.”

“And if I seriously kick his ass,” Isabel continued, “He’ll brush my hair for at least an hour.”

“An hour?” Stacey gasped in disappointment. “I couldn’t get Tim to brush my hair for an hour even for two BJ’s.”

“Ewww Stacey,” Tish moaned. “Too much information. You’ve been hanging out with Pam Troy too long. Besides, I bet Isabel doesn’t have to do anything to get Alex to treat her right.”

“No,” Isabel explained softly. “We do things for each other because we want to.”

Tish looked at Isabel in admiration. “I always thought you had everything, now I know it.”

“Well maybe not everything,” Isabel replied bashfully, “But certainly as much as I need. Mom loves me, Daddy adores me,,,”

“And Alex worships the ground you walk on,” Stacey added in.

“Well, not any more,” Isabel said, her head down hiding her blush. “I mean he did,,, or he does,,, but it’s more than that now. It’s more real.” Isabel’s eyes turned wistful, “He’s seen inside me, all my warts and imperfections. And he doesn’t care.”

Stacey cut in, “Isabel. You’re beautiful. You don’t have any imperfections.”

Tish simply gave Isabel an understanding look, one that communicated without words more than Stacey would ever understand.

**********
“Mister Whitman,” Mister Singer called out. “Would you care to make a guess as to the answer? I doubt you are going to be very close since I don’t see you working,” he added with disdain.

“The square root of one hundred-seventeen, plus eleven squared, minus five,” Alex answered without hesitation.

Mister Singer’s couldn’t hide his momentary amazement, but he immediately clamped down on his emotions. “Please be so kind as to see me after class,” was all he said.


“Do you want to tell me how you were able to do that?” Mister Singer asked with just a little irritation in his voice.

“I just look at it and do it in my head,” Alex replied honestly.

“People don’t do multiple quadratics in their head,” the teacher replied.

“Try me,” Alex challenged.

“Okay,” Mister Singer sighed after a moment’s hesitation. “But this time we’ll use an equation that isn’t in your book. Come up here and stand at the corner of the board with your back turned, and I’ll write out a problem from a college level workbook.”

Alex waited patiently while his teacher wrote out the equation, the marker squeaking and tapping behind him. On command he turned and began working. “As written it is unsolvable,” he related. But if you change the upper left equation from a plus to a minus and change the bottom equation from a square root to a cube root, the ultimate solution is twelve.”

Mister Singer stared at his book and then back at the white board. “That’s impossible,” he exclaimed.

“Apparently not,” Alex deadpanned. After letting his teacher stew a moment he continued, “In all fairness, I’ve been doing a lot of higher math with my business,” he admitted.

“You write software,” the teacher replied doubtfully. “What does that have to do with math?”

“Let me give you an example,” Alex commented. “I’m writing custom software, and I need to know that the security built into it is bulletproof. So I use a fifteen character alpha-numeric registration key. The number of possible registration keys is thirty-six raised to the fifteenth power. That’s a two with twenty-three zeros after it. Now the way the key works is the registration algorithm assigns a constant value to each character and then those values are plugged into a formula. If the results equal one, the software runs, otherwise the user gets a message to call the help desk for assistance at which time we give them a sales pitch.”

“Two hundred sextillion possibilities,” Mister singer said in admiration. “It must impossible for a hacker to randomly generate a key,”

“Not impossible,” Alex replied modestly, “But difficult. The great thing about the big number theory I’m utilizing is that I have generated a thousand valid keys, more than I will ever need, yet the odds of generating one randomly are three point six billion to one. If someone were to hack this program, they wouldn’t use a brute force attack against the registration key, they would attack the encryption algorithm protecting the security module and them reverse engineer their own key, but no one with those skills is going to be interested in my little program.”

This is amazing,” Mister Singer admitted. “I never knew there was so much math on a computer.”

“That’s all a program is, a collection of data and equations to process it,” Alex agreed proudly.

“Well Mister Whitman,” Mister singer stated, having reached a decision. “I’m going to prepare an exam that you are going to take during your free period tomorrow, and unless I’m mistaken you are going to test out of the rest of this class with a four-oh for the year.”

“Ahhmm, Mister Singer,” Alex gasped. “I need this class for college credit.”

“Don’t worry about that,” the instructor replied. “I’m a per-diem professor at Eastern just like you are, and I’m aware of your and Isabel’s plan to skip your freshman year of college. You’ll get your credit.”

**********
Later that afternoon Philip walked into the kitchen scratching his head. It had been several days since Isabel had been home and while she was supposed to be there, he didn’t hear her crashing around the house. “Hey honey,” he muttered as he kissed his wife hello. “Kids home?”

”Max should be on the way home from the UFO Center. Isabel and Alex are out in the back yard playing (American) football,” Diane answered cheerfully, happy of the fact that the entire family would be home for dinner.

“Football?” Philip gasped as he headed for the back window. “How can only two people play football?” He looked outside. Noticing a flash of bright red at Isabel’s waist he continued, “Isabel’s the only one wearing flags, and they don’t even have a ball.”

“This is the time of year when Alex’s gym class plays flag football,” Diane explained, “Isabel thought he could shed some more of his nerdiness if he was good at something besides dodge-ball. So she’s using the famous Evans Incentive Program.”

“Ben and Jerry’s ice cream?” Phillip asked disbelievingly.

“I think Isabel has something more to Alex’s liking in mind,” Diane replied coyly. Before Phillip arrived home she had taken a good look at Isabel’s ‘flags,’ and noticed that one bright red flag looked a little strappy while the other didn’t look very substantial at all, which led her to believe that her daughter was playing with a bra and panty set hanging from her belt.

“Now look at that,” Phillip bellowed excitedly. “Isabel’s on offence, and Alex pulled both of her flags, making the play dead. What did she do? She tackled him. I’m going to have to go out there and straighten both of them out,” he wailed.

“Oh no you don’t,” Diane commanded. “Come over here and sit down,” she continued placing a Dewer’s (scotch)-on-the-rocks at his place at the table. “I think you just saw her incentive program in action.”

**********
The following evening Charles was sitting in the back yard watching the sun go down while indulging in the rare pleasure of a fine cigar. His chores were done for the day, and Gloria was off shopping with Diane and Isabel, a fact which explained the infrequency of his habit. He was a little surprised when Alex came out and sat next to him.

“Class?” Charles asked.

“I have a couple of minutes, Alex answered. “What do you know about the accident at the SL-1 reactor?” he continued tentatively.

“Lets see, the Stationary Low Power Number One reactor at the National Reactor Testing Station in Idaho? That SL-1?” Charles deadpanned.

“Yea, that one,” Alex answered. “I did an Echelon (Echelon started out as a NSA supercomputer and has now evolved into a global communications surveillance network.) search and found a number of discrepancies between published information and what the classified documents claim, none of which corresponds with what I know really happened there.”

“What really happened there?” Charles asked as a cold chill ran up his spine.

“They bombarded a crystalline key that was recovered from the forty-seven crash with gamma radiation,” Alex explained. That triggered a catastrophic failure of the crystal’s anti-matter containment capsule which blew the reactor to kingdom come.”

“We never knew what happened up there,” Charles deadpanned. “Everyone in the reactor building was killed. To this day I don’t think we know what they were dealing with.” Charles took a moment to gather his thoughts. “When I worked for clean sweep the mere mention of the word Echelon would get you thrown in jail. Misuse of that system would get you disappeared. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“The Granolith is acting as my portal into that system. It is undetectable,” Alex explained.

“Another piece of Alien technology?” Charles queried. “You’re playing in the major leagues now. You have no idea how capable the none-such (NSA) is. Nothing’s undetectable.”

“The Granolith has been reading your mail for forty years Pops. No one can detect it’s tapping into the network because it’s always been there. It tells me that I can trust you, that clean sweep was one of the good guys. It’s been helping you out, with a morsel of information here and a tidbit of technology there. In fact Moore’s law (computer processor speed doubles every eighteen months) would be Moore’s dream if it wasn’t for the Granolith. On the other hand it hasn’t missed many opportunities to shaft the special unit.”

“You understand that this was all before my time?” Charles asked. “My job has been little more than closing up shop, looking after the abandoned real estate, and taking care of the occasional piece of equipment that turns up in a remote warehouse every so often, but in the old days we had a different outlook on our visitors than the Febee’s (FBI) did.”

“We always figured that Earth was some distant outpost in a civil war somewhere out there,” Charles continued. “As a result of the forty-seven crash we knew there were two types of aliens, the Green’s and the Gray’s, but we never suspected the existence of our hybrids. We knew one species was the good guys and one was the bad, but never figured out which was which. Then in the sixties all alien activity stopped. We figured that they had destroyed enough of each other’s technology that they could no longer come here.”

“What did you do about that?” Alex asked. “Or more accurately, what did you try to do.”

“We tried to sort them out,” Charles sighed. “We wanted to protect ourselves from the bad guys, and we wanted technology from the good guys. But aside from the victims of the crash itself, we never were able to get our hands on any of them. Then in the mid fifties, it seemed there was a third player on the field, a new race. We did capture a couple of these newcomers, but they were from a gas giant planet. The moment they left their controlled environment they boiled off into a pile of carbon ash. We figure they found our planet too harsh and abandoned their attempts to visit here.”

“They didn’t give up Pops,” Alex explained. “They learned to adapt. They developed a human like exo-dermis and live among us unnoticed.”

“Frack me,” Charles muttered. “Are they dangerous?”

“Not to you humans,” Alex said softly. “Just us.”

“You humans?” Charles repeated. “Us? What’s with you? Are you having some kind of alien epiphany?”

“I don’t know what’s going on Pops,” Alex replied with a sigh. “But I’d hate to have to take a blood test anytime soon.” Alex looked around a moment. “Hand me that beer.”

“I think all things considered, I’ll waive the no alcohol until you’re of age rule,” Charles quipped as he handed over the half full can that had grown warm in his hand.

“No Pops,” Alex laughed. “That’s one thing you won’t have to worry about with me. Kyle had a half-liter of William Penn one night. Max took the tiniest sip and was drunk off his ass for hours. Isabel has never touched a drop, and I’m not so sure I want to find out how it will affect me,” Alex admitted as he held the can of beer in front of him and examined it carefully.

“William Penn?” Charles gasped. “If Max drank that crap he deserved to get sick.”

“So Saturday Isabel handed me a warm bottle of soda on the way back from Albuquerque,” Alex continued as if he hadn’t heard his father. “I held it in my hand and imagined the molecules slowing their oscillation and getting closer together.” He handed the can back to his father.

Charles was shocked at how cold the can had become. “Isabel taught you how to do this?” he gasped.

“No, she doesn’t know I can do that,” Alex exclaimed. “And I’m not ready for her to find out. It will upset her, and I don’t want to do that to her.”

“Upset her?” Charles stammered. “Isn’t she responsible for this?”

“Pops,” Alex snapped, keeping his anxiety in check, “Nothing upsets Isabel more than seeing me change, because she does feel responsible. But she’s wrong. I owe her my life, let alone my happiness. All of them. I’m changing because they saved my life, twice. They healed me, Max, Isabel, Ava. I owe them!”

“They saved you?” Charles challenged. “Tell me this, and be honest. Would you have been in danger if you didn’t know them?”

“Wrong Pops,” Alex said with a smile. “Isabel was in danger. I stepped in front of her and took the shot. That had nothing to do with humans or aliens and everything to do with Isabel and me. I would do it again right now, as would you.”

“But,,,” Charles implored.

Alex turned to face his father directly. “Pops, I could have just as easily died at the Kettle’s. That’s what I keep telling Isabel. Human, Antarian, hybrid, or changeling, anything can happen.”

“So Isabel is freaked,” Charles questioned. “How are you doing.”

“I’m fine,” Alex sighed. “Actually I’m loving it.”

“You like having powers?” Charles continued to probe.

“No Pops, nothing like that,” Alex answered passionately. “All Isabel’s life she has wanted nothing more than to be normal. I mean she’ll always be extraordinary, especially to me, but as far as the Antarian Royalty thing goes, she would rather just be a simple human teenager. I can never give her that, but every ability I gain makes us less different, and I desperately want to give that sense of normalcy to her.” Alex took a deep breath. “We’re a bonded pair Pops, we have been since Prom. She is my mate, and she will be my wife. That’s already written in the stars, and nothing can change that. I don’t think we could separate if we wanted to, I don’t think we could survive apart.”

“Mate?” Charles gasped. “You haven’t,,,”

“I’m not going to discuss that with you, not with anyone anymore,” Alex declared. “I don’t want to discuss what we do and do not do, because I don’t want to violate our privacy by having to change my story later. Suffice it to say that we were good boys and girls back during Prom season, that we’re not going to do anything stupid, and I’m going to allow things to progress naturally.” Alex paused to look at his father. “You seem to be taking the news very well?”

“You really think so?” Charles quipped. “Try taking my pulse! I don’t think you can count that fast. I’ll tell you what I need,” he said, struggling to keep his voice calm as he handed his son the empty can. “How about a refill?”

“Sure thing Pops,” Alex laughingly replied, “But I have to do that the old fashioned way,” he added as he stood and headed for the house.

“If you’re going inside get me a shot of Jack (Jack Daniel’s Bourbon) to go with that beer,” Charles called after the young man. “In fact bring the bottle!” Charles watched his retreating son and wondered when he’d gotten so old.

**********
Wednesday evening found Alex at Station One, helping out Captain Baxter with the rescue company’s paperwork when they were interrupted: “~~Tone, tone,,,~~” the enunciator sounded. “~~Roswell dispatching Engine Six, Rescue One. Ten forty-five (motor vehicle accident with injury) Possible entrapment. Intersection of Route Seventy West and Route One Forty-One. Zone Six, cross street North Brown Road. Time out eighteen-forty-two. KKL-796.~~”

“Whitman!” Baxter snapped as he left his office. “Entrapment, we could use the help.”

Alex flew out of the office, right on the captain’s heels.


Later at the hospital, they had just transferred their second patient from their folding stretcher to the trauma bed when their radio interrupted again: “~~Tone, tone,,, Roswell dispatching Rescue One. Woman complaining of abdominal pain. Senior Chow’s, One-One-Nine South Main Street. Zone one, cross street First Street. Time out nineteen-twenty-seven. KKL-796.~~”

Captain Baxter quickly signed out a fresh drug box while Alex aimed his PDA at the printer at the nurses station. Tapping the screen with his stylus twice, Alex waited for the busy light on the printer to start flashing before running out to the bus.

I hate it when that happens,” Bruce complained. “At the rate things are going, I’m going to be up half the night catching up on paperwork.

“Run reports and company notes are all done,” Alex stated. “Traffic on the right!”

Captain Baxter slowed the ambulance until he saw the approaching vehicle come to a stop. As he accelerated through the red light he quickly glanced at his partner, “What do you mean the paperwork’s done?”

Alex held his PDA up in his hand. “I entered all of the data directly onto here, and then printed both the hospital and the (New Mexico Emergency Medical Services) District’s copy before leaving the ED. (Emergency Department) Rob (the fire department’s IT specialist) doesn’t have the ability for me to dock yet, so I’ll do that when I get home tonight and e-mail it to myself at the station. Then, without one additional keystroke the reports will get appended directly into the department’s database.”

“You know, the state’s been looking into a program just like that,” the Captain commented as he parked the rig, “But the bids came in too high.”

Alex met Baxter at the back of the bus and helped pull their stretcher out. “How high?”

“Couple of three, or four million,” Baxter answered.

“Capt, either they were selling you way more then you need or you were getting screwed with your pants on,” Alex quipped.

“You think?” the Captain replied in surprise. “When we get back to the house, we need to talk.”

**********
“Iz? There’s still a little time before Alex gets home from the fire station,” Diane teased. “Why don’t you make a couple of mugs of tea?”

Isabel stepped to the sink to fill the kettle but instead found a shiny new In-Sink-Erator. “Mom? When’d you get this?” she asked.

“I saw it at Gloria’s and fell in love with it,” Diane answered honestly.

The efficiency of the appliance allowed Isabel to finish the tea and sit down opposite her mother within minutes. “What did you want to talk about Mom?” Isabel asked.

“There’s a lot that’s been going on lately,” Diane started with the understatement of the year, “I wanted to reinforce to you that while we are still mother and daughter, you can speak to me woman-to-woman any time you want to.”

“Mom!” Isabel whined in embarrassment.

“It’s not as if we haven’t talked since you got your boobs and your monthly,” Diane said with a smile. “And I may not know all of the details, but I do know that you are spooked with your period coming back.”

“It’s hard to describe how I’m feeling,” Isabel said honestly.

“From what you said this has to be a good thing,” Diane probed.

“But it’s not real,” Isabel pouted. “My entire life I’ve wanted nothing more than to be normal, and this just reminds me how different I am.”

“Iz, you have to look at the bright side,” Diane said cheerfully taking her daughter’s hand in her own. “You don’t have to deal with your monthly very often and you and Alex won’t have to worry about birth control.”

“A lot of good that does me,” Isabel sighed dismissively. “Alex doesn’t want me.”

“Now I know you don’t really believe that,” Diane replied with a gentle smile. “He worships the ground you walk on.”

“I’m going to be the last virgin in Roswell,” Isabel said so softly that Diane had to struggle to hear her.

“Obviously this is going to be a woman-to-woman talk because you know what your mother would say,” Diane replied, taking a moment to compose herself. “You do realize that I’m not so old that I don’t know what it’s like to be in love, and I’m pretty confident that you’re going to get what you want in the near future.”

“I don’t believe I’m having this conversation with you,” Isabel said in alarm. “Daddy would freak.”

“Women are different,” Diane explained patiently. “You’re always going to be my daughter, but I realize that you are also becoming a woman. Mothers help their daughters with that journey. You’re coming up on a major milestone, and it’s up to me to put my feelings to one side and answer any questions you may have, if you’ll let me. I’ll be here for you when you get married, when you have children, whenever you need me. It’s different with fathers. They never recover from their daughter’s wedding day, and they staunchly refuse to admit where their grandchildren come from. You’ll always be your Daddy’s baby girl.”

“I don’t think,,,” Isabel interrupted, the conversation getting a little too personal for her.

“Alex loves you more than life itself,” Diane said earnestly. “Anyone who has ever seen the two of you together knows that. He just needs a little time to adjust.”

“He’s had months,” Isabel wailed as she started wringing her hands in frustration.

Diane took her daughter’s hand in hers again, stroking the top of it comfortingly. “Alex spent years putting you on a pedestal, but he’s only had a couple of months to break it down so he could reach you.”

“Alex doesn’t see me on a pedestal,” Isabel complained.

Diane simply raised her eyebrows in response.

“Well maybe a little one,” Isabel admitted with a grin.

“You need to let him do this in his own time,” Diane emphasized. “He needs to bring you down to his level. That way he can reach you. Besides, you’re going to fall off that pedestal sooner or later, you don’t want it to be too high. He’s becoming more confident and comfortable with you every day, I’ve got to believe that the two of you are almost where you have to be.”

“Part of me knows that,,,” Isabel ventured.

“But you’re Isabel Evans,” Diane quipped. “You want what you want when you want it.”

“That’s me,” Isabel rebutted with a touch of pride.

“Well then,” Diane continued quickly, “as long as we’re talking woman to woman, there’s something I want to bring up.”

“Sure Mom,” Isabel said with a mistaken sense of cheer, “Anything.”

“As you know I’ve become close to Gloria, and she’s been telling me about these dreams that she and Charles have been having,,,”

“What kind of dreams?” Isabel croaked out as all of the blood drained from her face.

“They’ve been having some special dreams,” Diane related blissfully, “which have been having quite the effect on Charles,,,”

“Mom!” Isabel gasped.

“Now that I know a little bit about your abilities when it comes to the night, it made me wonder if you were somehow involved. A diversionary tactic maybe? Time alone with Alex?” Diane teased. “Now since you’ve never been to embarrassed to talk about your intentions towards Alex I thought maybe you could do your poor old Mom a favor,,,”

“I am so not having this conversation!!” Isabel exclaimed, covering her ears with her hands.

“We don’t need anything explicit,” Diane explained, taking a little delight in the fact that it was Isabel doing the squirming for a change. “Just a little nudge,,,”

The two women’s conversation was shattered as the back door leading to the garage slammed into the room followed by Alex who looked ready for battle. He held the ‘T’ handle of his Macintosh PR-24 in his right hand, chest high, while he held the body of the baton in his left hand, ready for a snap swing. A highly dangerous and illegal snap swing that would strike an assailant in the chest or head, a blow that would almost certainly be fatal. (A.N. This blow is restricted to striking at the hips or legs as it is truly a blow that kills.)

“Isabel!” Alex gasped as he ran to her side. “Are you all right?” Finding his mate safe he searched the kitchen for threats.

“Alex!” Isabel exclaimed, “What the hell?”

“Are you alright Mrs. Evans?” Alex asked desperately as he lowered his weapon to the floor and knelt by his future mother-in-law’s chair. “Did someone try to hurt you?”

Isabel checked her mate through their connection and found that while he was concerned for their safety, he was just as puzzled as to why he was there.

“Why’d you bust our door down?” Isabel challenged. “Do you know what Dad’s going to do when he gets home?”

“Izzy,” Alex said calmly as he turned away from Diane. “What happened to ‘Oh my God, what’s going on?’ or ‘Get me the hell out of here,’ or especially, ‘I’m dying here’?”

“You heard that!?” Isabel exclaimed in surprise.

“I’m amazed everyone on the street didn’t hear you. You were broadcasting so loud I almost didn’t need our connection,” Alex replied a little testily, finding out that neither woman had been in any danger. “What gives anyways?” he demanded.

“Oh I was having a little fun with Iz, that’s all,,,” Diane confessed. “I think I was making her uncomfortable.”

“Mother!” Isabel snapped, not liking the turn the conversation was taking.

“I told her I wanted some of the dreams your parents were having,” Diane finished.

Alex looked at Diane in amazement, and as he realized the significance of her request he broke out laughing. “I love it!” he guffawed. “Let Izzy get a little of her own medicine,,,”

Isabel buried her face in her hands. “That’s it. My humiliation is complete. I might just as well run away and join a nunnery, everyone’s getting some but me anyway.”

Alex continued to tease his mate while simultaneously sending her his love through their connection indicating that he wasn’t serious. “Now you’re going to know what’s it like to watch your parents chasing each other around the house playing grab-ass and singing Strangers in the Night.”

“What the hell is going on here?” Phillip exclaimed as he stepped past the smashed door. Finding everyone alright he dropped his cell onto the table before turning back to the door and examining the damage.

“Mother! If you say one word to Daddy, I will quit school, drag Alex to the trailer park and start pumping out kids like a rabbit,” Isabel said softly.

“That’s my fault Phillip,” Diane admitted. “I was testing the kids. I let Alex think Isabel was in trouble, not quite expecting such an explosive reaction out of him,” she explained truthfully, for the most part. “You should have seen him come through the door with his club in his hand. I would have hated for him to think I was hurting her.”

“You did this?” Phillip challenged. “Why?”

“I was motivated,” Alex replied, not understanding why her father would need to ask. “I thought Izzy was in danger.”

“Well, at least I know you will keep her safe,” Phillip harrumphed, regaining control of his household. “In that case, you have my permission to date my daughter.”

Isabel snickered and met her Mom’s eyes at hearing her father’s declaration, as if he had any say in the matter.

“I’ll call the contractor and get this fixed,” Phillip sighed.

“Izzy and I will take care of it,” Alex advised. “I want to see a door that will keep her safe in her own home.”

“That’s a steel door with a one-inch (25mm) deadbolt lock,” Phillip barked, pointing back at the damage.

“Which didn’t slow me down one bit,” Alex responded, going toe-to-toe with the older man. “You had a good lock, but the jam wasn’t reinforced, nor were the hinges.”

Alex hefted the door outside with Phillips assistance, and then the two men joined the ladies at the table. “Izzy and I will take care of the door after supper. We’ll reinforce the door jam every six inches with hardened screws that go all the way through to the framing studs. We’ll reinforce the hinges, the lock, and the deadbolt socket at the same time. When we’re done if anyone tries to kick that door down they’ll blow their knee out.”

“You really will do anything to keep her safe, won’t you?” Phillip asked of Alex.

“Mister Evans,” Alex replied as earnestly as he could convey, “I will kill or die for your daughter,,,”

“Daddy,” Isabel said dead seriously as she took her mate’s hand in hers. “You’re both aware that there are parts of our life that we haven’t shared with you yet. Something you need to know is that Alex has already killed and died for me. He stepped in front of me and took an energy blast that was meant to kill me.”

Phillip ignored his discomfort as Diane squeezed his hand in hers. “You were in danger?” she managed to choke out.

“You know how the different kid in school gets picked on?” Isabel asked offhandedly. “Imagine what it’s like for us. That’s why we kept everything a secret for so long.”

“And to think that after all your effort to keep all of us out of danger, the greatest threat came from Tess, one of your own,” Alex stated nonchalantly.

Phillip stood and started pacing back and forth while he digested this new information. Reaching a decision he stopped, turned to face the young couple, and in his best courtroom voice, made his demand. “I have indulged the two of you, helping Ava step into Tess’ shoes without asking too many questions. That stops now. I want to know everything that you have gone through these past several years.” He turned his eyes laser like on Isabel. “You know what I’m going to consider pertinent and what won’t be. I don’t want you to leave anything out.”

“Phillip,,,” Diane protest, died on her lips under his withering glare.

“No Diane,” Phillip interrupted. “They seem to keep forgetting that we are the adults and that it is my job to protect them. I can’t do that if I don’t know what’s going on.”

Alex sat and squirmed as his mate related the entire sordid tale. She started at the point where Tess had interjected herself into their home and chronicled her activities right up to the point where Isabel and Alex had joined forces to send their podmate want-to-be to her great reward. The only scenario that she glossed over was her involvement with Grant. She did not think that the whole Gandarium affair was pertinent, nor did she want to hurt Alex by reopening old wounds.

Alex didn’t come through unscathed however, for Isabel’s passion had been piqued as she ardently detailed her enemies’ transgressions against her mate. Alex’s insecurities bubbled to the surface once again as he felt responsible for the injuries that his friends had suffered. A firm believer in the strength of the Royal Four Square, especially when reinforced by their human companions, he nevertheless had trouble accepting that the loyalties he gave so freely were so fully reciprocated. To his way of thinking, he would still prefer that Tess had done with him what she wished while leaving his friends unharmed.

Phillip only needed another fact or two before his understanding of that tragic evening was complete. “So Alex didn’t get healed until Ava showed up at the Valenti’s?” he asked.

“Yea,,,” Isabel answered.

“You should have been there,” Alex continued. “None of us knew Ava was in Roswell until that moment when Maria led her into the room. Isabel thought she was Tess, panicked, and started shooting. I think she blew up half the Sheriff’s living room before Liz got things back under control.”

“Definite improvement style wise,” Isabel deadpanned in the background. “I mean that green wallpaper,,,”

“I think I’ve heard enough,” Phillip decided. “Alex, could I talk to you outside?” he asked. “I have an idea or two about the door.”

Once they were outside Alex stopped on the back patio. “About the door?” he asked innocently.

“Frack the door,” Phillip said softly. “You didn’t know Ava was in Roswell. You didn’t know she was available to heal you, did you?”

Alex answered while he looked at the ground and kicked a stone off the patio. “I knew that there was no one with enough energy left to heal Isabel.”

“Or to heal you?” Phillip asked softly.

Alex simply shrugged his shoulders in reply. “Didn’t matter what happened to me. You’re a guy, you can understand that.”

Phillip was a guy, so he understood what Alex wasn’t saying, that his well being didn’t matter when it came to Isabel’s safety. It took him a moment to carefully phrase his next question, “Did you ever think that if you never got involved you would have been safe?”

“Not possible, she is a part of me, inseparable,” he replied. “Did you ever imagine not finding them in the desert?”

“Point taken,” Phillip acquiesced. “I’d do anything for them, to keep her safe. It’s a relief to know you’d do the same.”

“I promise,” Alex replied solemnly.

“I know,” Phillip murmured. “It’s a bit of a consolation to know that I’m losing her to someone who will do anything to make her happy, let alone keep her safe.”

Alex didn’t know how to respond, so he continued to look down modestly.

“When the two of you are ready, you’ll have our blessing,” Phillip continued. “But I want you to understand something. If you, any of you are in any danger, we need to know about it.”

“Mister Evans,,,” Alex started to reply.

“Phillip,” the older man corrected.

“Sorry, I don’t think I can do that,” Alex said softly.

“Alex,” Phillip teased. “I just signed my daughter over to you, I think you can drop the formality of calling me Mister Evans.”

“Phillip, you’ve done wonderful things for Ava, for all of us, but there are some things you can’t help us with.” He reached down and picked up a portion of the broken door jam. “I’ve learned everything I need to about taking care of Malamud and other assholes like him, in fact Isabel is more than capable of taking out a jock without my interference, but Pops taught me a lesson about picking my fights carefully.” He looked at the piece of wood and imagined its molecules becoming agitated, a swirling and boiling frenzy of energy. “Isabel’s safety is my job now, and that may involve some lessons and skills that you haven’t received yet.”

“What’s that?” Phillip asked curiously.

“You have to know your enemy, because there’s only one way to survive an encounter with them, and that’s,,,” Alex explained in a deceptively calm voice as the piece of wood exploded into a ball of heat and ash, “Never bring a knife to a gun fight.”

TBC

Awesome update i'm glad it was so soon but i STILL want more .':twisted:' and its coming close to izzy's birthday Alex needs to get his butt in gear, for his sake.
please update soon.':D'

wow i can't believe i missed that much loved the a/i/g talk thru the laptop. more soon i hope

Gazer gets the Girl
Chapter 21-D, Isabel Gets Back On Schedule
by Stargazer_md


Gloria arrived home from work a bit early, looking forward to having a relaxing hour or two before having to prepare dinner. Instead she found Isabel knocking around the house. Gloria settled on the couch and smiled as Isabel put a tall class of iced tea in front of her, and held her smile as she was also served a plate of Pepperidge Farm’s brand Milano cookies. Just as she reached for a chocolaty treat however, Isabel snatched the plate away and returned moments later with the cookies on a different plate.

“I’m sorry,” Isabel advised. “That was an unacceptable presentation on my part,” as she placed a carefully folded coordinating napkin next to the plate and then efficiently exchanged the coaster under the tea glass.

“Thank you Dear,” Gloria said, her smile now a little forced. “Now please sit down. You’re making me tired just watching you.”

Isabel flopped down onto the end of the couch with a sigh, picked up the TV’s remote and scanned through the channels before turning the TV off and throwing the remote down in disgust.

“You seem a little agitated Isabel,” Gloria probed. “Is there anything you want to talk about?”

Meanwhile Isabel had fanned a magazine, reading it cover-to-cover in the process. “Long skirts are coming back,,, Yea right,” she mumbled. “I’m sorry,” she stammered looking at Gloria. “It’s nothing. I’m just feeling antsy. I’m expecting my visit.”

Gloria thought back to the last time Alex had used PMS to excuse her behavior, and found that the timing didn’t seem right. “Your schedule seems all messed up,” she observed.

“Tell me about it,” Isabel sighed, but wanting to change the subject she asked, “What are you planning for dinner?”

“Shake-and-Bake pork chops, mashed potatoes and such,” Gloria answered.

“Be sure to add some fennel to the mix,” Isabel stated offhandedly. “Our spice rack is still out of balance.”

“If you insist,” Gloria replied, with a touch of impatience that was lost on her guest.

“I should start the salad,” Isabel murmured as she bolted upright.

“Isabel, sit down!” Gloria commanded. “Everything’s all set.”

“Charles’ out of town meeting tomorrow?” Isabel started hesitantly. “You’re going with him and making a weekend of it,,,”

“I’m packed and ready to go,” Gloria snapped with a little more irritation than she intended, but seeing the hurt expression on Isabel’s face, she mollified her tone. “Isabel, I’ve been packing my own bags for a long time, dinner’s going to be a simple affair, and thanks to your,,, efficiency, the entire household is in near perfect condition.”

“Near perfect isn’t perfect enough,” Isabel pouted, but moments later she brightened up. “Sweetie!” she exclaimed as she jumped up from her seat.

Thankful for the arrival of reinforcements, Gloria smiled as the sound of two happy teens crashing into the refrigerator was heard. “Well at least some things never change.” But her moment of calm was short lived.

“,,,a set of Brown and Sharp vernier calipers would be sufficient,” Isabel explained to Alex as they reentered the front room, “but a pair of Mitutoyo dial calipers would be more precise.”

“And just what did you want to measure?” Alex asked suspiciously.

“The balusters on the staircase,” Isabel pleaded. “Look at them. They are inconsistent, asymmetrical, and not sequenced by size. They need to be removed and replaced in a logical order.”

Seeing the look of thunder that overtook his mother’s face, Alex decided that it was time to act. Unseen by his mate, he waved Gloria back into her seat and then took control. “Izzy,” he said softly. “It’s an old house. That’s part of it’s charm. Besides I have it on good authority that there is a bigger need for your attention.”

“What’s that?” she gasped, her face a mask of concern.

“Your boyfriend has a serious craving for hot greasy tacos,” Alex teased.

“Alex!” Isabel barked as the smile left her face and she slammed her clenched fist into her hips. “I can’t believe you. Your mother has gone through a lot of trouble to place a meal on the table and I’m dismayed you would be so inconsiderate as to,,,”

“Don’t worry about me!” Gloria exclaimed as she sprang to her feet. “It’s a cheap salad in a bag and I heard this is a bad year for pork. Besides you know me, I always make lumpy mashed potatoes.”

Isabel, relieved that she had finally found a way to be helpful, cheerfully advised, “I found that if you cut the potatoes into triangles instead of cubes they don’t slide around in the bottom of the pan as much when you use a hand masher,,,”

“Thanks dear,” Gloria gushed, having led her young charge to the base of the stairs. “I’ll try that. In the meantime go upstairs and change your blouse. The top you’re wearing screams high-school, and inappropriate for your class tonight.” As Isabel bounded up the stairs she turned on her son. “Your next!” she demanded as she led him into the kitchen. Gloria started to fumble into her purse, but that didn’t stop her from laying down the law. “You are to consider yourselves reverse grounded for the weekend. I don’t want you anywhere near this house. When I get back on Sunday I want to find my house just the way I left it. No moving furniture, no painting the walls, and if my staircase is in pieces I’ll let your father send you off to military school like he’s always threatening. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes Ma’am,” Alex replied without embellishment.

Gloria put her purse down on the counter before handing him a folded piece of note paper with something small and hard inside. “Now here’s what you’re going to do with this,,,”


Gloria picked up the phone and called her friend Diane. “Change of plans,” she stated without delay. “The kids are staying at your house tonight, and I have to warn you. Isabel’s in one of her moods again. I suggest you go out and get Phillip some more Scotch. Whatever you have in the house for him isn’t going to be nearly enough.”


As Isabel drove towards the Taco Shack she looked at her mate incredulously. “She gave you a valium?”

“Yea,” Alex teased. “She told me to slip it into your food when you weren’t looking. She said you needed it more than she did.”

“It’s a good thing she didn’t try to slip it to me herself,” Isabel said with a smile. “Who knows what it would have done to my system.”

“I don’t think I’d want to try it myself either,” Alex replied flatly but with a gleam in his eye. “But seeing how we’re going to be at your house this weekend, maybe I should save it for your mom.” He easily caught Isabel’s hand as she reached over to playfully slap him. Instead he raised her hand to his mouth and began to kiss and nibble on it. “I’m going to eat you up,” he quipped.

“Promises, promises,” she sighed as she pulled into the Taco Shack.

Alex indulged Isabel’s every whim, allowing her to order their food and pay for it. He watched as she fussed over the table. “You always seem to make everything so nice,” he commented.

“Just because we’re stuck with paper and plastic doesn’t mean we can’t be civilized, “ Isabel said under her breath as she carefully folded their napkins. “Is your orange soda alright? I asked for six ice cubes.”

Alex took a sip. “Perfect,” he said with a sigh.

“Eat up, Sweetie,” Isabel commanded. “We have to have you at Eastern in thirty-seven minutes.”

“Plenty of time, plenty of time,” Alex replied offhandedly. “Just tell me when you want to leave,” he added as he took a bite of taco.

“Oh now look at what you’ve done,” Isabel sighed as she licked a corner of her napkin.

Alex smiled indulgently as she wiped a trail of taco sauce from the corner of his mouth.

“Thank God I got to that before it reached your shirt,” Isabel said softly as she smoothed his collar out of habit. “I don’t want your students thinking I can’t take care of you.


Later that night Isabel sat on the ottoman between Alex’s legs while he slowly and deliberately brushed her hair. Long before she had her fill, but knowing that he was tiring after having already been at it for over an hour, she took his hand and led him upstairs. Once she was satisfied that he was safely and securely tucked in, she bent over him, brushed his hair from his forehead, and kissed him goodnight. “Why do you put up with me?” she asked timidly as she pulled away.

“Because I love you,” he replied confidently. “Everything else just falls in place.”

“See you in the other realm?” she asked with a smile.

“I’ll be waiting for you,” he promised.

**********
Earlier that same evening at West Roswell High, Max, Liz, and Ava were in the stands watching the Comets crush their cross-town rivals, the Goddard High Rockets. Kyle was now sitting on the bench, perilously close to fouling out of the game. But despite the loss of their co-captain, the mayhem on the court continued.

“Ouch!” Maria exclaimed as Steve Lydick drove for the basket while knocking a defender on his ass.

“That’s going to leave a mark,” Max agreed.

“What is it with those guys?” Liz exclaimed. “They look like they’re playing football on the basketball court.”

“That’s because they’re playing for blood,” Ava explained. “Well, maybe not blood, but they are certainly motivated.”

“What do you mean motivated?” Maria asked.

“Me, Vicky, Tish, Stacey, a bunch of the others, we all promised to bang our boyfriends like a drum if they win,” Ava confessed. “It’s our duty. The honor of our school is at stake.”

“Kewl,” Michael exclaimed, his interest in the game now piqued. “Maybe we’ll get a bench fight.”

“Ava, what do you know that we don’t know?” Liz demanded.

“Yea Girlfriend, spill,” Maria piped in, sensing gossip.

“Okay,” Ava enthused as she spun around and faced her friends. “Tuesday night Steve and Vicky rode with us to the mall, so we left the Lydick Lightning behind the Crashdown. While we were gone the guys from Goddard found it and slimed it. Because of that, the whole team’s out for revenge,,,”

“What?” Michael gasped. “What happened?”

“When we got back his Lightning was covered with bull semen, or pig fat, or axle grease, or something like that,” Ava related excitedly. “The guys had to wash the truck three times and put two coats of wax on it to get it back to normal.”

“Michael?” Maria asked with concern. “What’s wrong? You look like you saw a ghost.”

“No,” Michael replied softly. “I’m trying to imagine how much grease it took to slime his truck.”

**********
Friday evening found Alex at the Evans’. “Hi Diane,” Alex said sedately as he entered her kitchen through the newly rebuilt back door. He approached the counter where she was working and kissed her cheek. “Izzy’s not here, is she?” he asked tentatively.

“No,” Diane answered with an edge of concern in her voice. “She said ‘It’s started,’ and that she had to do it on her own. I don’t know where she went.”

“Well hopefully you haven’t started anything yet,” Alex said with resignation as he put a Fed-Ex box on the counter. “Have a nice dinner with Phillip, my treat.”

“What is this?” Diane asked curiously.

“New Hampshire lobsters,” Alex answered cheerfully. “Live and kicking. I wanted to treat her while her taste buds were still in neutral, but I guess that will have to wait. Would you do me a favor and make sure they don’t go to waste?”

“What about you?” Diane asked with concern.

“I’m just going to cruise around for a while,” he answered offhandedly, unable to conceal his concern. “If she’s out there somewhere, that’s where I belong.”


“Alex! Sweetie?” Isabel cried out. “Are you out there?”

“Just up the street,” Alex replied reassuringly as sent a wave of love and calm through their connection.

“I tried to do this alone!” she wailed, “I really did, but I can’t,,,”

“That’s okay Sweetheart,” Alex replied softly, “I’ll be there in a moment. You don’t have to do anything alone, ever.”

Alex screeched into the Comfort Inn parking lot, blowing past the office and slamming over the speed bumps. Despite the fact that Isabel didn’t have a car to betray her presence, he knew exactly where to find her. Alex leapt from the car, their connection blazing, his skin almost igniting as he got closer to her, her need for him driving every other conscious thought from his mind.

Alex registered the number on the door, one forty-seven, the room second farthest from the entrance and the office to the motel, as he confidently approached her room. Pausing for just a moment, he reached up and closed the top button on his shirt before giving his chest a quick scratch. He reached for the knob, but before he could touch the cold metal, the door flung open and his mate stepped out. Alex didn’t have time to react to the sight of his mate, naked save for her floating heart and her sex slave ring on her thumb, as he felt himself being pulled off his feet by her superhuman grip on his shirt front. He felt himself lifted, more than dragged, into the room, but he was able to maintain the presence of mind to kick the door closed behind him despite the mesmerizing look of otherworldly passion in her ebony eyes.

Alex felt the air being driven from his body as his mate slammed him back against the wall, the room’s wall covering doing nothing to cushion his impact with the hard concrete block underneath; then, before he could recover and catch his breath, her mouth was upon his. Alex was in pain as he felt his mate grind herself against him, driving herself forward, deepening contact with him. But despite his discomfort, he raised his arms, holding her tightly against him. Alex struggled to draw a breath in, drawing life-giving air directly from her body, a situation which soon forced her to break their kiss and gasp for air herself.

Alex’s chest heaved as he watched his mate also struggle to catch her breath, her entire upper body panting, either as a result of his stealing her air, or in anticipation of exertions yet to come. He was able to see a rose colored flush that started between her heaving breasts and washed up her neck, giving her face a beautiful blush. Then, faster than he could react, her hands snaked out and grabbed his shirt by the lapels.

Moments later the garment had been torn from his chest, hanging in tatters from his arms as well as the waistband of his slacks. His mate then stepped in and resumed the exploration of his throat while her hands were busy opening his belt and pants. He could feel her power, a feather light touch brushing against his skin as the remains of his clothing were morphed into a pile of rags on the floor, well enough away from the both of them so that neither would trip and fall, inadvertently interrupting their play.

Alex’s eyes were locked on his mate’s as she perused his body. He watched in amusement as her examination stopped when Fred caught her attention, her eyebrows shooting up in admiration. His face was almost split in half by a huge grin as his mate’s gaze returned to his, a look of silent approval in her eyes, but his sense of satisfaction was cut short as she again launched herself at him. Alex was again caught by surprise as his mate slammed him against the cold wall, her legs straining to drive herself deeper into his embrace.

Alex found himself struggling for air again, causing him to realize that the Granolith’s warning was in fact coming true. He was going to have to gain control of the situation before he became seriously injured, thus disappointing her, so he decided to take her up on her numerous demands that he be more assertive with her. He worked his hands up to her shoulders, and pushed her off him, turning her so her back was against the wall, albeit much more gently. He took her wrists in his, raising them over her head, and then pinned them in place. He then started kissing her, her soft mouth, her flushed cheeks, her beautiful eyes. His mate was waiting for him when he made his way back to her mouth, her tongue dueling with his.

Alex crossed her wrist, allowing him to restrict her reach with one hand while he used his free hand to stroked his way up her side, coming to rest against the bottom of her heaving globe. He decided not to tease her this one time, so he quickly caressed his way to the center of her soft pillow which was stretched tight by the upright position of her arms, not stopping until he possessed it’s hard rose tip. Alex leaned in, allowing his weight to settle on her, gently trapping her between his body and the wall. He pulled and twisted her hard swollen nib, drawing the little moans and sounds from deep within his mate’s throat that turned him on so much.

Alex had stepped close to his mate in order to press himself into her, their legs intertwined. He could feel the heat radiating from his mate’s body as she ground herself against his hip and the top of his thigh, effectively pinning Fred between them and giving him a vigorous workout against her flat stomach. Sensing from her sounds that his mate’s time was close, Alex released his grip on her wrists, and lowered his hand, sliding it between them to a point where it would do the most good. He felt her hands on his ass, pulling him against her in the rhythm that she so desperately needed, which in addition to his expert strokes caused her quick climb to peak.

Alex basked in the personal satisfaction of his ability to give his beautiful mate such an overpowering experience. He knew she was there as her entire body went rigid, accompanied by the combined sensations of pleasure and pain as her teeth burrowed into his shoulder. But his sense of surprise was completed as he felt his mate, assisted by a noticeable aura of otherworldly power, slip her finger where no finger was meant to go. Alex snapped bolt upright, standing on tip-toes, which in effect resulted in his lifting his mate off the floor by his thigh that was between her legs, which in turn increased the pressure on his hand which was caressing her center. This resulted in more of her special noises, accompanied by increased pressure on his shoulder. Alex didn’t think her invasion could get any better/worse, until he felt her tickle his own special place, causing him to freeze against his mate while Fred did what Fred was known to do.

Alex recovered quickly, his first thought of his mate. He stood straight, taking a moment to recover his bearings before reaching to steady her. Seeing that Isabel was still awash in her afterglow, he reached out and took her into his arms, turning her so that he could gently lift her from the floor. Alex carried his mate to the bed where he tried to wave the covers aside, but unable to, he performed that task the old fashioned way. He lowered her to the bed, reverently placing her on her right side, her favorite. He reached down and kissed her softly on the cheek in preparation for the exhausting journey to the other side of the bed. As soon as he climbed into bed beside his mate, Alex snuggled close to her, allowing her to roll into his waiting embrace. Their passion sated for the moment, they dozed off.


An hour later Alex was watching as she gradually awoke. As soon as her eyes opened, he leaned forward and kissed her.

“Alex?” she asked. “Sweetie?”

“Right here,” he whispered in reply.

“I can’t do this alone,” she gasped. “I need you.”

“I have you now, and I’m never letting you go,” Alex declared.

“I need you to get me through this,” Isabel moaned. “I’m burning up. I need you to,,, you know, what you do so good for me.”

“I thought we’ve done pretty good already,” Alex quipped.

“I need more,” Isabel gasped as she started to crawl on top of him, kissing all the way. “More, I’m burning up.”

Alex decided to sit back for a moment and enjoy being pursued, figuring that she was doing a pretty good job of working herself up on her own; however, as he sensed her growing level of frustration, he flipped her onto her back and took over.

As he kissed his way down her body Isabel intertwined her hands into his hair, insuring that he didn’t change his mind, or more importantly his course of action. “You’re going to lick me?” she gasped as he stopped to nibble on her naval.

“Yes,” he whispered. “As soon as I figure out how to get it perfect for you.”

“We have the rest of our lives to get things perfect,” Isabel snapped. “Right now I just need you to put the fire out. I’m burning up Sweetie. I need you.”

“Your wish is my command, Princess,” he replied lovingly as he pulled at her soft hairs with his lips before kissing the inside of her thighs.

“Alex,,,” she moaned, but her complaint died on her lips as he finally found the mark.


Isabel awoke slowly luxuriating in the lingering feelings that her mate had awoken in her, his usual practice of connecting with her during her third peak. But as she became more awake she was shocked to find that she was in bed alone, hugging a pillow instead of her Alex.

“Sweetie?” Isabel asked. “Alex!” she called out again after receiving no response. Choking down her panic, she reached out for him with her mind and found him sitting on the edge of the parking lot looking at the stars. Jumping out of bed she found their duffle bag from their trunk on the bureau. ‘Good, fresh clothes,’ she thought as she quickly dressed. Moments later she was decent and headed outside.

“Sweetie?” she asked as she settled next to him and snuggled into his side.

“Isabel!” Alex exclaimed as he looked around in alarm.

“What’s the matter?” Isabel said flirtingly. “Ashamed to be seen with me?”

“You know me better that that,” Alex replied confidently as he wrapped his arm around her and held her tightly.

Isabel turned to Alex and took his chin in her hand. “Sweetie, I know something is upsetting you.”

“Izzy,” Alex replied, taking her hands in his and holding tightly. “I love you more than life itself,,,”

“I know that,” she replied tenderly. “I can feel it. It is coming off you in waves.”

“I love you Izzy,” he continued passionately. “I love everything about you. I love your human side, and I love your Antarian side. I love everything that we’ve experienced together, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Not about you, and not about anything we’ve done.”

“I sense a ‘but’ coming,” Isabel said softly.

“I don’t want to upset you,” he said, his voice breaking.

“Alex,” Isabel, commanded, a chill starting up her spine. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“You don’t know,” Alex whispered, looking into her beautiful eyes.

“Alex,,,” she repeated.

“This whole,,,” Alex stumbled for words, “Antarian period,,, has changed you.”

Alex looked up with alarm as he noticed a car approach. “Sleep!” he commanded, causing Isabel to slump into his lap.

“Are you kids alright?” the hotel manager asked.

“We’re fine,” Alex replied confidently. “We came out to look at the stars and she fell asleep.”

“Well maybe you should wake her up so I can make sure she’s all right,” the ‘important man want-to-be’ postulated.

“Wake her?” Alex gasped in disbelief. “Are you nuts? Were you on duty when she checked in? When she rejected two rooms before selecting the third after ordering the bathroom re-cleaned and insisted on new sheets?” Alex challenged as he heard her giggle in his lap. “If you want her awake, you come over here and wake her, but not before giving me a ten second running start.”

“Ahhmm,” the manager backtracked. “Maybe it would best if we leave her alone.”

“You don’t think?” Alex demanded, turning aggressive in the face of the man’s timidity. “Why do you think I’m sitting here freezing my nads off?”

”It’s such a turn on to hear you go all medieval,” Alex heard as he felt his zipper open.

“I think one encounter with her is about all I’m good for,” the manager complained as he started to pull away. “Thank you for staying at the Roswell Comfort Inn.”

Isabel was erect as soon as the car was out of sight, dragging her mate back to her hotel room “You put me to sleep!” she exclaimed.

“That was a lot easier than trying to explain your captivating gaze,” Alex panted as he tried to make himself decent.

“What are you doing?” Isabel asked with a laugh while watching him stumble along behind her.

“Trying to zip my fly,” he answered in exasperation.

“Is something in the way? She asked with a laugh while tugging on his arm harder. “Don’t bother, we’re almost back in the room.”

Isabel opened the door with a wave and as Alex stumbled in behind her she let go of his hand and stopped in front of the mirror. Alex molded himself to her back as her hands came up to cover her face in shock.

“You look beautiful,” Alex said earnestly as he looked over her shoulder at her beautiful ebony orbs. Her eyes had no pupil, iris, or sclera. They had been replaced with glistening inky pools, windows to her soul, that Alex was willing to fall into and stay forever.

“Is this why you’ve been talking about my eyes all night?” Isabel demanded, her voice near panic.

“Your eyes are beautiful,,,” Alex pleaded.

“These aren’t mine,” Isabel gasped.

Alex spun her by the shoulders so that he was looking directly into her eyes. “The Granolith told us that you would be going through some changes. He took her hands in his and raised them so that she was holding his face in her hands.

“You really think I’m beautiful,” she said with wonder in her voice.

“Of course I do, you know that,” Alex said tenderly, reassuring her as he held her close and caressed her back.

“Even like this?” she said softly, relishing his love through their open connection, drinking in the words of comfort that she could never get enough of.

“Even like this,” he sighed, kissing her eye lids. “This is who you are, and I love everything about you. Your Earthly parts and your Heavenly parts.”

“Heavenly?” Isabel queried.

“Heavenly,” Alex assured her, pointing up. His mate burrowed into his side as he continued. “Most guys have to settle for simply thinking that their girls are special, I know you are, and I am looking forward to exploring everything that’s special about you.”

Isabel giggled as her hands started to roam over his body. “So does that mean you’re going to explore all of my naughty places?”

“I thought I already did?” he teased. “Have you forgotten already?”

“I haven’t forgotten anything,” she told him breathlessly, as she waved his clothing into nothingness while pushing him backwards onto the bed. “In fact I remember promising that I would do for you whatever you do for me.”

Alex watched in amazement as she began to kiss her way down his body. “Isabel, you don’t have to do that. Izzy, ahhmm,,,” Alex stammered as Fred found himself in a warm moist place. “Oh,,, God!!! Isabel!!!”

TBC

Holy cow(':shock:')
Hang on (turns on fan) is it hot in here or what.
that last part was just......theres no words to describe it. Izzy'z period has kicked in and now Alex has to step up to the plate. Good Luck TRYING to sedate Izzy's um needs.
Excellent update please give us more real soon.

I am so EXCITED!! ** Happy Dance : Happy Dance**

Great updates..I'll probably need to go back and read them both 2 or 3 times just to catch everything that I am sure I missed in my excitement over finding a new part (2 NEW PARTS!) :

Can't wait for more

Kara

Hot???

Oh No!!!

You ain't seen nothing yet!

I have been holding Trude,,, er Isabel off for about two years, despite her being very determined about her getting what she wanted. (Your choice as to which her.)

So without further adu, part Twenty-Two.

As always I will strive to be hot without being overly graphic, all the while trying to throw in an unexpected twist or two for your entertainment.

Those who remember my story, pre-crash, may also remember waiting five, six, or seven weeks for an update, i am going to lift a page from UK's style. I am going to try to post a smaller update weekly, as i did in both Seekers and SSAIC.

So, Trude,,, Enjoy

And Rhonda? Hold onto your seat.

P