“I’m so lost,” Vanessa said looking at all of them wide-eyed.
“I know,” Kat said turning to look at her. “And I’m still right there with you. Why is she here?” She looked at Lauren.
“Because your mom knew she’d be safe with us. She was worried they would kill her, so she teleported her here right after you teleported her back to the house.”
“She told me to tell you that she loves you very much. And for us to all watch out for each other. She said she’ll come and visit us just as soon as she can,” Vanessa said as tears streamed down her cheeks. “And she said I might not be able to go back. That I needed to wait here until she knew for certain that I would be safe…”
“Oh, sweetie,” Kat pulled her into her arms. “I know how hard it is to wrap your mind around how hard it’s going to be to force ourselves to stay away.” She leaned back and wiped her face, “Because Jason and I were planning on leaving. We were there long enough for me to get through all of my goodbyes before we left.”
“But why?” Vanessa asked. “Why has mom done all of this for you? Because you’re half alien and they want to take over the world?”
“Yeah,” Lauren whispered. “I know that we’ve told you twice, and it’s hard to believe.”
“But it’s the truth,” David said. “Everything that we told you is real, Vanessa. So we have no choice, not if we want to love each other and live normal lives.”
“And you would have done the same?” Vanessa asked her. “You would have faked your deaths, too?”
“Yeah,” Jason said. “We were only going to stay past the cruise, which would have been our way of saying goodbye.” He looked at David. “So the bridge at Las Lajas? And the mining accident, those were set-up?”
“Yeah,” Lauren nodded sadly. “We didn’t mean to hurt you. I’ll never forgive myself for doing that to you,” she took Kat’s hand into hers. “I only did it because I knew that one day you would know the truth. And that you would hopefully forgive me…”
“Of course,” Kat answered. “I totally forgive you.” She looked at David for a moment. “Ariel mourned both of you. She would never admit to it but I would catch these glimpses,” Kat shrugged. “Then she saved me, guys. She’s been like us all along and never told us. Is there any way—”
“No, Kat.” Lauren said. “We can’t go back. Ever. And we won’t be able to see your mom for a long while, maybe years. Not if we want to stay safe.”
“I lived with Ariel,” David reassured her. “She’s a trooper, so don’t worry about her. For right now, we have to get in the groove of moving often and keeping a very low profile. Without our locators and with the way we’ve rigged our teleporters the Agency can’t find us. Well, they can find us, but it’ll be just like looking for any other person. So we need to make sure we’re always using cash. And we change our appearances when we’re out.”
“Yeah, your mom said she’ll try to send us messages on the Agency’s movements. But we’ll have to be vigilant about watching the news and scanning the papers and tabloids.”
“So Jeremy was right?” Vanessa interjected as she walked to the window. “And if I hadn’t have been so nosy and gone through his things, then in two weeks you would have left?” She turned to look at Kat.
“Vanessa,” Kat started but didn’t know what to say. So much had happened so quickly that she still couldn’t talk about it because the pain of all of it weighed heavily in her heart. “I’m sorry that you got dragged into this. Mom and I did everything we could to keep you and Brian safe, to keep you in the dark about what we really are so you would be okay.”
“Is Dad gonna be okay? Is he safe with Mom? God, she’s an alien too? I’ve been surrounded by aliens my entire life and never knew it...I had no idea…” Vanessa continued to stare out the window.
“Vanessa,” Kat looked at Jason, then sighed. He rubbed her back gently and nodded. “Mom really does love Dad. She’s like us, a lot more human than Nemeanian. And we never told you to keep you safe, because we love you…genuinely. Don’t worry about Dad. Mom will take care of him, and we’ll take care of you,” she looked around the room and everyone nodded.
“Did you guys get a chance to pull up Jeremy’s deal? Did he survive?” Jason asked. Kat shot him a glaring look because it really wasn’t the best time to bring that up. But when he looked back at her, she didn’t protest. There was a sadness etched onto his face that broke her heart.
“Vanessa,” David called and cleared his throat. “Would you like to tell them?”
“Okay, I’ll tell them,” Lauren whispered when Vanessa shook her head and continued to stare out of the window. “Jeremy Miller was actually born Jeremy O’Connor. His dad was your doctor the night you and your dad got hit by that drunk driver. It seems that with your miraculous healing then your dad’s body disappearing from the morgue, he got curious…”
Vanessa continued to stare out the window but she added, “He only got to see you for a moment before mom discharged you from the hospital later that evening, so after you left he analyzed the blood sample that he had taken just prior to her getting there…”
“And from that point on he became obsessed with you.” David continued. “He spent the rest of his life looking for you, and he got Jeremy involved in the search when he was old enough. Vanessa told us that Jeremy made the majority of the trips because his father couldn’t just up and leave work to go alien hunting.”
“And they eventually found me,” Lauren said. “Vanessa said she found tons of pictures and information about me when I was in middle school. And I led them to you. When we met in high school he latched onto you and he became fixated on you, sure you were the one.”
“And used me,” Vanessa whispered. “He needed to know for certain and could never think of a way to get close to you. The circle of friends that you maintained was impossible to break into,” she snorted. “So he saw the perfect opportunity in me,” she finished quietly.
“And he got DNA samples and was able to follow you more easily. Vanessa always knew your schedule, and he had complete access to your house.” Lauren looked at Vanessa then cleared her throat and continued. “Anyway, he started to see how you would disappear for periods of time. And would see how we were always showing up. And he paid off the bodyguards to keep him informed of your movements…”
“Is he dead?” Jason asked.
“No,” David said. “When your neighbors phoned in the domestic disturbance, the police department notified Eric. The cop was a Hybrid, so they showed up with your dad and he must have gotten there right after you left. They took Jeremy back to the senator’s house.”
“He what?” Jason bolted off the couch and paced. “How could…he shot Kat, he almost killed her, killed our—” He turned his back to everyone and his shoulders slumped forward.
“What? Did he hurt someone else?” Lauren asked staring at him. Then after a moment, she looked at Kat, who was nodding her head so Lauren knew to let it go. “I think he did it because he needed to know what happened. If he had known, I’m sure he wouldn’t have saved Jeremy.”
“Is there a shower we can use? And a change of clothes and maybe some food?” Kat stared at Jason’s back. “It’s been a really long night and this is all so much to take in.”
“Kat,” Lauren squeezed her hand. She knew something was wrong but had enough sense not to ask. She was always intuitive enough to pick up on hints like that. “Yeah,” she nodded as she looked at David then back at Kat. “Of course. Let me show you where your room is…”
Kat stood and walked over to Jason and wiped the tears from his face. She smiled when he kissed her forehead. “Come on, let’s get some sleep. We can finish learning about our new life tomorrow.” She waved to David then Vanessa then grabbed Jason’s hand and followed behind Lauren.
“Here you go.” Lauren said as she pushed a door open and stepped out of Jason’s way, “A beautiful master suite that your mom decorated. She also picked out all the clothes and
the bathroom is fully stocked with all your favorite stuff.” Lauren watched Jason walk into the room. “Hey,” she grabbed Kat’s hand and held her at the door. “Are you okay? I mean, I know it’s been a crazy, life-altering night but are you good, is he okay?”
“Can you take care of Vanessa for the rest of the night? We just need some time to let things…absorb,” she looked at Jason. “And get some rest.”
“Yeah, of course,” Lauren nodded then hugged her. “Get some rest; I’ll handle everything, so no worries.”
“I’m so glad you’re alive,” Kat hugged her. “I missed you so much.”
“I know. And I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you,” Lauren cried.
“I’m gonna let it go just this once.” Kat chuckled as she unclasped her necklace then slipped Lauren’s matching heart shaped ring back onto her finger.
“But if I ever fake my death and disappear on you again you’ll kick my ass?” Lauren teased as she admired her ring. “I really missed this, thanks for taking such good care of it for me.”
“Yeah,” Kat wiped Lauren’s face and squeezed her hand. She looked at Jason. “I’ll see you in a few hours, okay?” She took a step into the room.
“‘Kay,” Lauren waved then pulled the door shut.
Jason was sitting on the edge of the bed with his face buried in his hands. Kat stepped in front of him and ran her fingers through his hair. He wrapped his arms around her waist then pressed his cheek against her stomach. She didn’t know what to say, so she just held him, which seemed to be what he needed. After a few minutes, he reached down and unlaced her boots then pulled her onto his lap. He pulled the boots off of her feet and tossed them aside.
She placed her hand on his cheek and stared into his beautiful blue eyes. There was a sadness etched within them that she knew would never go away. He pulled the covers back, then helped her get settled on the bed. Kat was a little surprised that he didn’t help her out of the disgusting and torn clothing she was still in but he sat on the edge of the bed, took his boots off, then, without saying a word, got into bed and pulled her against him.
When she woke up several hours later, they were still in that same position. At one point, one of them had pulled the covers over around them, so she pulled them up to her chin and cuddled beside him. She watched him for a bit, and almost as if he felt her watching, he opened his eyes and brushed her hair away from her face.
“Hey,” she smiled at him.
“Hey,” sadness the only emotion registering on his face. “So, Elvis, huh?” She asked. “Isn’t it funny how I never really put that together?”
“You did,” he whispered. “You always knew. We wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t.”
“So do you have a thing for Priscilla?” She teased as she moved closer to him. “Or am I kinda like the Priscilla to your Elvis?”
“You’re my Priscilla.” He chuckled and nodded. “I mean, she’s pretty hot but she doesn’t have anything on you,” his smile such a relief to her.
“Tell me again how a Hybrid becomes an Elvis Presley fan?”
“That was all Brandon.” He laughed. “He did the best damn impressions of him. I mean like seriously good. That’s why they had taken him to Graceland that summer, so he could be in some crazy impersonation contest with all these other crazy Elvis fans. Anyway, he sent me the card,” he shrugged. “And he told me all about it when he got back. Then I never saw him again. I guess Wyatt killed him a few days later.”
“I’m so sorry, Jason,” she said softly.
“And you too, Kat. He set that whole thing up with the other Jason. And those guys down in Mexico…it was never supposed to be a ransom attempt. He paid them to murder you.”
“I know,” she whispered. “It’s almost like he couldn’t bear to share you with anyone he knew you loved.”
“Do you think it would have been a girl?” He asked after a moment.
“I don’t know. But at least we know I can have a baby. And that should give us hope, because we thought I wouldn’t be able to.”
“That doesn’t make it hurt any less.” He whispered, “And the fact that I almost lost you. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let that go, to get over it.”
“I don’t think we’re supposed to. I think it’s one of those things that just make us stronger. And we’ll need that strength to adjust to this new life, to all the changes that are in store for us.”
“But it’s a good change,” he agreed after a moment. “And you have Lauren and Vanessa—”
“But you hate Vanessa.”
“I hate Vanessa being dramatic. But I’m glad she’s here, Kat, really, because she was one of the biggest things holding you back.”
“Really?” She asked.
“Yeah, really.” He assured her.
“How’s ‘bout,” she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it. “We get out of these disgusting clothes and take a nice long shower then get something to eat,” she pulled him into a seated position and pulled his shirt over his head.
“How’s ‘bout,” he pulled her toward him. “We get out of these filthy clothes.” He kissed her, “And take a nice long shower.” He kissed her again, “Then make our way back to bed—”
“Why, Jason McCarthy,” she teased. “Are you thinking naughty thoughts?”
“I,” he pulled her down onto the bed. “Learned from the very best.”
“Why, thank you. Thank you very much,” she giggled.
“Do me a favor?” Jason chuckled.
“Anything,” she smiled.
“Keep your day job.” He laughed when she appeared hurt by that.
“Was it really that bad?” She laughed when he kissed her neck again.
“I’ve heard worse.”
“But I’m sure you’ve heard better, right?”
“Baby, ain’t nothing better than you,” he teased.
“You sure have mastered sweet-talking a lady.” She giggled when he kissed her tickle spot.
“That’s not all I’ve mastered.” He whispered by her ear, which made her laugh louder.
And despite the fact that she really was starving and they really did need to take a shower and burn the clothes they were still in, Kat absolutely didn’t mind the delay. Vanessa and Lauren and David and their new life together could wait. They had all the time in the world to enjoy every second of it. Well, at least the next hundred years. So she had time to enjoy the moment. And that was exactly what she planned on doing.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One: My Lips are Sealed
Chapter Two: First Comes Love…
Chapter Three: A Fuzzy Tree
Chapter Four: The Love Boat
Chapter Five: American Royalty
Chapter Six: Betrayed
Chapter Seven: Mother Knows Best
Chapter Eight: Tango
Chapter Nine: Forgive & Forget
Chapter Ten: Mrs. Pacman & The Square Peg
Chapter Eleven: Just Another Day at the Office
Chapter Twelve: Then There Were Four
Chapter Thirteen: Then Comes Marriage…
Chapter Fourteen: The Sweetest Sound
Chapter Fifteen: Changes
Chapter Sixteen: Serendipity
Chapter Seventeen: Ghost from the Past
Chapter Eighteen: Close Encounters
Chapter Nineteen: The Final Lap
Chapter Twenty: My Mom Rocks
sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
Sleeper Cells Page 31
