Scanning her wardrobe, she decided on a white sundress that came to just below her knees. A row of tiny white buttons ran from the scooped neckline to the hem. Most importantly, it was loose and floaty and didn’t clasp her rapidly expanding waistline too tightly. Normally she would have worn a belt to cinch in the dress but under the circumstances, she decided that it was just fine the way it was. She slipped her feet into low jute wedges and did her minimal makeup.
T’lan waited patiently at the top of the stairs, fingers flying on his tablet, although he immediately abandoned it as she appeared. That definitely gave him points over some human men she had dated.
“You are beautiful, my L’chka.”
Apparently, he had learned that she liked it when he complimented her appearance. Since she couldn’t find it in her to doubt his sincerity when his eyes traced her so hungrily, she smiled.
“Although I do prefer you without any garments to shield you from my eyes,” he continued.
Men. They were all alike. She rolled her eyes and couldn’t quite suppress her blush as she headed for the stairs.
“I assumed you didn’t want me walking naked through the streets of town.”
“Town?”
“Yes.” She reached the top of the stairs, his body blocking the way. For a minute he didn’t move but then he preceded her down backwards as he had done the day before.
“M’lee, where do you intend to go?”
“To work, of course. I do most of it from home, but I’m supposed to meet with William today.”
“M’lee, we need to discuss—”
Knowing he was going to protest, she interrupted whatever he had been about to say. “Good morning, T’renan.”
The young officer had taken the seat by the window that seemed to function as a command post. He nodded in return, but something in his appearance seemed off. Pulling T’lan behind her, well aware that he only chose to follow her, she whispered to him as soon as they reached the kitchen. “Is something wrong with T’renan? He looks unhappy.”
“A warrior performs his duty,” he said sternly, but she ignored him.
“Is it too much for him being around humans all the time? Now that you have the monitor thingy, maybe you could send him back to the ship.”
His face softened. “Little one, I assure you he would be most unhappy, as you put it, if I relieved him from this duty.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am—but your caring does you credit.”
Blushing, she turned to greet her grandmother. “Morning, Gran.”
“Good morning, sweetie.”
Emily took a second look at her grandmother. She too seemed off. Normally everything about her seemed to crackle with energy. Today, she seemed almost subdued. She was even wearing the plain brown glasses she didn’t like because she thought they made her look old.
“Is something wrong? You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine, just didn’t sleep very well. Probably because of these big oafs tromping around the house,” Gran added with more of her usual spirit.
“Gran!” She cast a worried look at T’lan but he only seemed amused.
“Don’t worry about the commander. We understand each other.”
“You do? Well, that’s nice.” I’m not sure I understand him. “What’s for breakfast? So far, my stomach is behaving properly.”
“I made pancakes.”
“Oh, yum. With blueberries?” she added hopefully.
Her grandmother’s face changed, and she saw her exchange a quick glance with T’lan.
“Sorry, sweetie. I didn’t have any,” Gran responded after a brief pause.
“That’s okay. Even your regular ones are delicious. But maybe I’ll go by the store after I meet with William.”
“No!” T’lan and Gran exclaimed at the same time.
“What’s going on?” She glared at both of them suspiciously.
“Nothing, sweetie. It’s just...” Gran paused rather helplessly and looked at T’lan.
“The Elder Female and I discussed this earlier. We do not think it would be a good idea for you to go anywhere at this time.”
“Why not?” If he thought he was going to order her around like one of his men, he was sadly mistaken.
“Do you want a repeat of yesterday’s incident?” he asked quietly.
Startled, Emily realized just how quickly she had put the whole business out of her mind. It all seemed so surreal when she looked back at it. Surely if T’lan wasn’t with her, everything would be fine. But looking at the implacable face across the table, she knew that wasn’t going to happen.
“Maybe everyone has settled down now. I’m sure most of it was just surprise.” She swallowed. “And now that you’ve shown them there’s nothing they can do, won’t they just leave us alone?”
“Perhaps. But do you wish to take that chance?”
She remembered the bodies crumpling to the ground and her stomach churned. “No, I suppose not.”
With a resigned look at the large body across the table, she sighed. “I guess I’m going to have to quit anyway, aren’t I? I can’t imagine interviewing Mrs. Allan about her prize-winning jams or talking the mercantile into a new round of ads with you along.” Her eyes stung as she turned to her grandmother. “I’m sorry, Gran. I didn’t want to be a burden.”
“Sweetie, I told you the day you returned home that you didn’t need to work unless you wanted to. I own this house free and clear, I have my pension and social security and I have a little set aside for a rainy day. We can get by just fine.”
T’lan watched them, face growing increasingly stern.
“You are concerned about providing for yourself?” His anger filled the kitchen. “You are my L’chka. You will always be provided for. Do you think I am so poor a warrior that you will want for a safe place to sleep or food to eat or even those ridiculous coverings you use to conceal your beauty?”
“My clothes are not ridiculous!”
His face grew even blacker, and she realized this was probably the wrong time to argue with him about her clothes.
“Calm down, big guy. I know you will take care of me,” she said soothingly, then sighed. “After breakfast, I’ll call William and quit.”
Tension still streamed from him, so she reached over and laid her palm on his clasped fist, her hand ridiculously small in comparison. “T’lan.” She waited until he looked her, his pupils narrowed in rage. “You are a great warrior. I am lucky to have you.”
His face relaxed the tiniest fraction.
“Don’t be mad at me,” she said softly.
“I would never be angry at you, my L’chka.” He threw up his hand in one of the first random gestures she had seen him take. “This situation is… difficult.”
“I know, but I’m glad you’re not mad anymore.” She gave him a devilish grin. “Do you want to kiss and make up?” He growled and his eyes dropped to her mouth as his pupils dilated.
“You two had better not start canoodling in my kitchen,” Gran warned as she placed a plate of pancakes and a cup of ginger tea on the table. Since she hadn’t eaten pancakes in front of him before, T’lan insisted on tasting them before she ate. He did not appear to be impressed, but he agreed that they were edible. Oddly enough, Emily didn’t enjoy them as much as she usually did, either. After the first one, she stopped and gave her grandmother an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry, Gran. I just don’t seem to have a taste for these today.”
“Don’t worry about it. When you’re pregnant, your appetite can change.”
“That is correct,” T’lan agreed. “It was in your reading materials. Is there something else you would prefer?”
Emily thought for a moment. None of her usual breakfast choices sounded particularly appealing. Instead, she had a sudden craving for meat. The image of lightly browned ham and fried eggs made her mouth water. “Do we have any ham? And maybe some eggs?”
“I’m pretty sure. Yep.”
Gran emerged triumphantly from the refrigerator and got busy with her frying pan. Emily watched, amused to see how quickly the older woman had adapted to her shielded stove. Once again, T’lan tasted the finished food.
“This is quite acceptable,” he pronounced
“Acceptable?” Gran raised an eyebrow. “Not exactly high praise but I suppose I’ll take it. Would you like some, too?”
“You haven’t eaten?” Emily interrupted, suddenly concerned. With that big body, he must need a lot of calories. “You need to eat. And what about the others?”
“We have a replicator on the vessel, and we have nutritional packs. We do not hunger. But this is a pleasant change.” The look he directed at her plate was unquestionably longing.
“Of course, my food is better than that junk,” Gran sniffed but Emily saw that she was pleased. Her grandmother enjoyed cooking for other people. Very few minutes later, T’lan was devouring a huge pile of food with great enthusiasm. The realization struck her.
“That’s why I want ham and eggs, isn’t it? Because it appeals to Yehrin taste buds?”
“The child is too young to appreciate taste, but it seems logical that your body wants the food that will nourish the baby properly.”
“I’ve been taking prenatal vitamins, but they are designed for humans. Is there something similar for the Yehrin?” She hoped if there was that it wasn’t too disgusting, but she was determined that her baby would have everything she needed.
The closed look crossed T’lan’s face. “I will inquire.”
She waited for a moment, but he didn’t turn to his wrist device so presumably it would require some time. She wondered again why he seemed to know so little about the pregnant women of his own species, but decided she would have to have that conversation at a later point. Finishing her breakfast, she rose and headed for the living room. T’lan immediately rose to follow her.
“Finish your breakfast,” Emily sighed. “I’m just going in the living room. T’renan is in there and all I’m going to do is call William. It would be easier without you hovering over me.”
“William?” His horns lowered as he frowned.
“My boss. You know the one I have to call so I can resign from the job you won’t let me keep.” Okay, maybe that wasn’t fair. Now that it had been pointed out to her, she realized she couldn’t continue with her job, but that didn’t stop her from resenting the fact. The job had been exactly what she needed when she came home. Reconnecting with people in her hometown, keeping track of all the small local events, even arguing with Mr. Jamieson over the price of a half page advertisement—it had all given her comfort when she had so desperately needed it. Sighing, she picked up her phone and pulled up her contacts.
Chapter Fifteen
“Emily! Are you safe?” William answered right away, his voice anxious.
“Of course I’m safe. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Do you know the number of rumors that are flying around town? I’ve heard everything from fears that you’ve been taken hostage by the aliens to the fact that you’re collaborating with them to takeover Elmwood to colluding with Doc Gaston to put drugs in the water and kill us all.”
She closed her eyes. This was much worse than she had expected.
“I hope you realize that none of that is true. I’m fine,” she assured him.
“Not taken captive by aliens?”
“No.” Her eyes went to T’renan, concentrating a little too innocently on his screens. “But they are here with me.”
“Why? Are you in trouble?”
“No, it’s nothing like that. You know I told you that I was working at the United Worlds right before the explosion. Because I was out sick that day, I escaped with my life. They are… concerned that whoever planned the original act may try and finish the deed.” She cringed a little at her explanation. It didn’t sound particularly plausible, even to her. William’s response was no less skeptical.
“If you say so.” He allowed the doubt in his voice to linger. ‘But I’m glad you called and I’m relieved that you’re safe.”
“Oh, I’m safe all right,” she agreed, looking again at T’renan posted by the window. T’lan had apparently finished his breakfast and now stood at the kitchen entrance watching her. She took a deep breath.
“Actually, the reason I’m calling is that I’m afraid I can’t work for you anymore. I’m really sorry for the short notice but—”
“Emily, I understand perfectly. I can imagine it would be difficult to report on local events with an alien in tow. Can you imagine one at the American Legion on Friday night?”
“No,” she choked. She had a sudden vision of T’lan calling the square dance.
“You know,” William continued slowly. “I could print out your check and bring it by.”
“Come here? That’s very sweet but don’t have to do that. Just stick it in the mail.”
“No, really, I’d like to bring it by and see you for myself.”
He couldn’t disguise his eagerness and she suddenly realized why he was being so accommodating. “See me or see the Yehrin?”
“Busted,” he laughed. “I know I’m not a big city reporter anymore, but you have to admit this is the story of a lifetime. I would like to see an alien in person.”
He sounded genuinely excited and she hated to disappoint him. Hiring her had been kindness that she would like to repay. Also, she suspected that, like Dr. Gaston, he would be able to treat the warriors as individuals. “Um. Wait a minute.”
Muting the phone, she turned to T’lan. “My boss—my former boss—wants to come by. Is that okay?”
“Your boss is male?” His eyes narrowed.
“Yes,” she huffed and rolled her eyes. “But he’s over sixty and not the least bit interested in me in that way. You can’t stop me from ever seeing another man ever again.”
He didn’t look convinced. “Why does he want to come?”
“He says it’s to give me my last paycheck, but I think he actually wants to see a Yehrin up close.”
“Why? Does he think that he can harm us?”
“Of course not. Before he retired, he was a reporter—he’s just curious about everything.” She bit her lip thoughtfully. “You know, this might be helpful. If he puts some positive things in the paper, maybe people wouldn’t be so scared. And people who aren’t scared are less likely to be angry and hostile.”
“People who are not scared are more likely to be reckless,” he contradicted. “But you are correct that good relationships with the locals can ease the transition.”
She almost rolled her eyes again at the “locals” comments but tried to look encouraging instead.
“Very well. He may come,” he said.
“Great!” She unmuted the phone. “Okay, William, come on by.”
When the doorbell rang not more than fifteen minutes later, Emily realized that she had underestimated William’s eagerness. T’lan didn’t seem surprised that someone was at the door. She could only guess that his approach had been identified through their mysterious monitoring systems. T’renan had been given somewhat grudging permission by her grandmother to move his guard duties to the front bay window in her bedroom. T’lan stood in front of Emily and opened the door, looking every inch the imposing warrior he’d seemed when he first appeared at her door yesterday. Yesterday? Had it really only been twenty-four hours since he had taken over her life? Even in that short time frame, he had become so much more.
William stood on the doorstep. Tall and rather lean, he didn’t look his age. Instead, his silver hair only leant him a distinguished air, even in casual khakis and polo shirt.
“Hi, Emily.” Even though he greeted Emily, his eyes were riveted to T’lan.
“Hi, William. Thanks for bringing my check by. Do you want to just give it to me here?” she asked innocently.
“Oh, uh. I was wondering if I could come in for a few minutes.”
“Are you sure? After all, you have seen a Yehrin in pers
on now.”
“Emily!”
She laughed and stopped teasing him. “Please come in.”
T’lan held a guarding arm in front of Emily as William entered and kept his body between them as they proceeded to the living room. Emily sat on the couch with T’lan standing in his favorite position behind her. William started to join her on the couch but after a quick look at T’lan, he chose the chair next to it instead. After a brief moment of silence, William leaned toward Emily. T’lan immediately growled.
William jumped and backed away. “Do you think he would mind talking to me?”
Emily sighed. “William, I’m not your interpreter. T’lan speaks English and he is quite capable of deciding for himself if he wants to talk to you. Let me introduce you. William Briggs, this is Commander T’lan V’randrr K’rlonlys.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Commander.” William stood up and extended a hand. When T’lan ignored it, he laughed nervously but continued. “Would you mind answering some questions?”
“Perhaps. It would depend on the nature of those questions.” T’lan maintained his stone-faced warrior posture.
“Can you tell me why you are here in Elmwood?”
“I believe that M’lee informed you that we were safeguarding her.”
“And that’s the only reason?” William probed.
“Her safety is our prime concern.”
Emily had to hand it to him. He hadn’t lied, even though he hadn’t divulged the entire truth, either.
“That’s very reassuring. Would you mind if I made a little announcement in the paper to that effect? That you aren’t here to hurt anyone?”
“We will not hurt anyone unless M’lee is threatened,” T’lan corrected.
“Of course not. But this is Emily’s hometown. No one here is going to threaten her.”
Impossibly, T’lan’s face grew more rigid. “The humans who gathered at the doctor’s office said threatening things about her.”
Alien Conquest Page 12
