unease

"Aunt Sarah, are you sure you can handle this?"

"I am. I'm feeling much better, Jess. Even Mel's fever is gone. She just needs to regain her strength."

Her aunt was saying all the right things, but she didn't believe any of it. The woman looked one step away from a breakdown. Her hair a mess, eyes vacant and filled with unshed tears.

Near the door, Julian gave a nod.

Right. He thought giving Aunt Sarah someone else to concentrate on would be good for her. None of them had time for a breakdown.

Speaking of messy hair, when was the last time she looked in a mirror? Had a brush in her hand? Appearance hadn't been high on her list these days.

"No time, babe." Julian said seeing her pat her messy bun.

"He's right, Jess. Don't be late. We owe these people a lot." The last part was whispered on a sob as she turned away. "Go."

She went.

Julian caught her hand and drugged her to the elevators because she never moved fast enough to suit him.

"On a scale one to ten, how bad is my hair?"

"Ten."

That was her guy. He told it like it was. She waited for the good news. Julian never gave some bad without some good.

"You look healthier after getting some sleep last night. Your eyes are full of life." He looked at her. "Quite beautiful actually."

"You're the only one who thinks that. When someone asks my eye color, I have to say not blue, not green, not grey, not hazel, not brown."

"Next time someone asks you, tell them beautiful. Your eye color is beautiful."

"Oh sure, that's what I'll put on any forms they give me to fill out."

"And anyway, I think when your eyes are not blue, not grey, not green and not brown, then they are hazel."

Sadly, she had to look down to see what she was wearing. It could be worse. Black LSU sweats and a grey t-shirt that said Saturday's rock. "How long have I been wearing this?"

He took a step back. "Now that you mention it, two or three days."

Jess grimaced. "You sure there's no time to go back?"

"Positive. If you hadn't been so worried about all of us being poison to death, you could have gotten around to bathing."

"How are you not freaking out by all of this? Hello, little green men."

He sobered. "After everything we've been through, the little green men aren't so scary."

"Yet. Let's tack that on there. And by the way not so little." Two enormous ones walked by and tilt their heads in their direction. These wore black and didn't bother with the fake smile. Since they didn't seem concern with them, she decided not to concern herself with them.

Julian grabbed her hand and pulled her the rest of the way out the door and on to the sidewalk. It looked like any other day, except for the giant ass spaceship where the sky and clouds should be.

This morning was busy. She counted at least a dozen smaller aircraft, all shaped like the larger one, in the air. One landed right in front of them and opened.

Guess if you've seen one spaceship you've seen them all.

Simmin was waiting for them exactly where she'd left them. Though Jess couldn't be sure since every room seemed to look the same.

Her smile was the same. These people needed to work on that.

"New day to you, human Jessalynn. A new day to you, human Julian. We have much to do this new morning if it pleases you."

A door magically popped opened and Simmin went through it. "A room was designed to your specifications. Until yesterday it never occurred to us that separation would bother you."

This room looked the same as the other, so she didn't know what in the hell the other woman was talking about but before she could tell her as much, a man entered. This one as big as the ones outside but wearing dark blue.

"Human Julian, if it pleases you, could you stand next to Claundoff. We need to know as much about humans as possible. It will be simple questions I assure you."

As soon as Julian stepped away from her, she felt something run between them. Like a change in the air.

Sure, she got a little freaked. Julian must have as well because he reached for her.

His hand met with some kind of resistance. He said something but she couldn't hear him.

"What the fuck is this?"

"A privacy shield. You can break it at any time by telling Dezrick."

A chair appeared for her.

"Why the need for privacy?"

"This is an evaluation. To help us better understand you. It was suggested that humans answer more honestly if others or not around to be affective by their answers. I wish to point out that falsehoods are unnecessary. There is no wrong answer."

"Well, you should know I don't test well. Be prepared to be disappointed. You should also know I don't like your smile. It's scary."

Jess sat and waited for the woman to do the same.

"It was suggested that a smile would ease the fears of humans."

"Maybe if you were any good at it. You're not. None of you seemed to be. Want to tell me why that is?"

"It's not a custom that we practice on our planet. We are all working hard towards adapting to things that will offer you comfort."

"No smiling, huh? No offense but could you get rid of it? It sucks, and no one does it that much unless they are a loser."

It was a process for her and took a minute for her to succeed at it.

"Is this better? Would others share your opinion?"

"Who knows. You're better off asking Julian that."

"Dezrick."

Almost instantly, Julian smiled and looked her way.

"See, that's how a smile is supposed to look. But whatever, let's get this show on the road."

"Dezrick?"

"It means, let us begin."

"How is it you people know English, but you don't know what it means?"

"Your language has been most difficult. I know two thousand and forty-two languages and never have come across a language such as yours. Sometimes you say one thing but mean another."

"What is that you're wearing?"

Simmin paused and smoothed her hand down her garment. "It is called a candora."

What it was, was a one-piece that fitted her from just below her neck to the floor. Tight fitted, long-sleeved and was a pair of pants and a skirt. In other words, it looked like a long skirt except for the long splits on each side so you could see the pants beneath. Thank God, these people all seemed super thin. That outfit would suck for anyone with hips like hers.

"You all wear the same thing, huh? What do the colors mean?"

"Classification. Navy blue, for government. Lite blue, medical."

"I get it. Is all that hair real?"

Again, she had to pause before she answered. "Yes. On my planet, women do not cut their hair unless they are military or peacekeeper."

"At least you bunch aren't a bunch of feminism shits. So, none of that, the little lady stays home, and the big strong man goes out and works?"

"Everyone must work. Everyone is needed."

"Cool but what if a woman or a man wanted to stay home and raise the kids?"

Her pause was longer this time. "Sadly, we do not have many children anymore. The sickness hit us hard and even before then we had difficulties conceiving children."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Her longing was clear.

"It was a blessing to see so many children have survived on your planet. Your aunt is blessed."

"I haven't told her yet and you won't either. I don't know how much of a blessing she will see it. She just buried her husband, a son and a three-year-old. That bit of news might be more than she can handle. Where's my car?"

"Your car?"

"You said our belongings would be sent to the apartment but I've yet to see my car. Well, it's a minivan. Where is it?"

"Dezrick?"

"Automobile. A form of transportation. All automobiles have been deemed dangerous and unhealthy for the environment. They are to be left outside the barriers until such a time that they can be destroyed efficiently."

"Oh, hell no." Jess was on her feet before she knew it and leaned over the desk between her and Simmin. "Lay one hand on that car and I'm going to go crazy. Put that in your evaluation. It's mine and you're not touching it."

"Dezrick?"

"Dezrick can bite me. Hands off my car."

"I will bring it up before the committee. We do not wish to cause you unease."

Jess calmed and sat back down. "Look, it was my mom's. It means something to me. You can't destroy it." She smiled. "You know, I've just decided that I like you, Simmera."

"Simmin."

"You're all right for an alien chick. Any more questions? Or are we done?"

She chuckled at the woman's long pause. This was the first time she's seen any emotion on the woman's face, and it read confusion. Some uncertainty mixed in."

"Dezrick, have we received any of the necessary information?"

"As insightful as this has been, you have obtained very little history on the human."

After a moment, she gathered her composure and began again. "Human Jessalynn, where do you hail from?"

"Louisiana. I'm a senior this year. I have no idea what I want to do with my life. Planned on going to LSU next year, because that's where Julian is planning to go. I'm all about following the boy. My grades are barely good enough so I'm having to cram. I have the cash for it. When my grandmother died a year ago, my mom put all the money she left us to go towards my college. Danny always joked that he was screwed. Mom always joked that maybe somebody else might die by then. My mom was great."

"Do you mind telling us which category refers to you? A. You never knew your father. B. You refuse to acknowledge your father because of unsatisfying reasons?"

"B."

"Could we have his name?"

"You'll have to ask Julian. I'll cut my tongue out before I ever say his name again."

"If you please, Dezrick. You indicated that the human Julian is your boyfriend. This confuses us. Does that mean he is your mate? Or to be your mate?"

"Whoa now, you are getting a little too personal. Julian and I are confusing to most. Anyway, ever heard of the term, none of your damn business?"

"I do not believe I have."

"It means, move on to the next question."

"I must tell you; we are quite impressed with your results. To be immune, healthy and with your testing, it is more than we ever hoped for."

"Since you brought that up, why are you testing us all like lab rats? What are you really hoping for from all of this? I don't know if I buy into all this co-existence stuff."

"That is exactly what we hope for. We saved you, so you can save us."

"And how are we going to do that? You can't have my eggs if that's what you're wanting."

"Not at all. We just want to mate with you."

She had a good long laugh over that one. "I'm not your type, hon."

"No. No, not me. As I said, your numbers are quite impressive. We have not seen such high numbers in over ten years. To find two in one day was much reason to celebrate. We hoped we would be compatible with your kind, but we could not know for sure. It will be with much relief once someone has found their mate."

"I'm not a mail-order bride and I won't be forced to marry anyone."

"Forced, no. Fate will decide just as it always has. We were all confused by divorce and children with no father but Dezrick has explained that finding a mate on this planet is a guessing game. That one can make mistakes. You will be relieved to know that will no longer be the case. We are given unmistakable signs, so there is no guesswork involved. Fathers do not leave or hurt their children on our planet."

"Is that, right? How do you know it will be the same here? How do you know your signs will work here?"

"It is our hope."

"That's what I thought. You don't know for sure."

"Simmin, the committee is meeting, and we are hoping she will have a seat."

"I believe I ran over my required time. Most apologies. Bring them in, posthaste."

A girl and a boy entered.

After checking on Julian, she turned back in time to see Simmin bowing to the newcomers.

"Frey. Pensley. It is an honor. The human Jessalynn and her family have been moved to the front of the line, of most important."

"Nothing special about me. What's so special about these two?"

"They are royalty to our kind. You will not be required to bow. If it pleases you, place your hand on the table."

She did.

"Is it your intention to do us harm?"

"Not unless I have to."

"Are you capable of living in peace with people who are not of your kind, race, or people who live by different beliefs."

"Are you kidding? That sums up everyone on this planet. So, yes. If you mean us no harm, I mean you no harm. I'm not forgetting you saved my sister and aunt so that will go a long way towards keeping me agreeable. Now, that doesn't mean I will do everything you want me to do."

"You may remove your hand. I will turn her over to you now if it pleases you?"

"Unnecessary. We would like you to stay."

The boy spoke, the girl held out her hand.

At that point, she wished she hadn't said she would be accommodating.

She also decided she'd never be able to get used to how these people looked. The boy was so pale he was one step from death. He was also the size of an oak tree. No joking. The girl barely reached his shoulders, and that was saying a lot since Jess barely reached her shoulders.

She wasn't as pale as the guy. In fact, she wasn't pale at all. This one had some life to her. Her hair wasn't white it was more blond. She could pass for a human.

He was eerie.

"Human Jessalynn, she would like your hand."

"Yeah, got that, but why?"

"Frey is royalty and possess of very special talents. We know you are not lying when you say you hope for peace, but Frey will be able to feel your intentions."

"Seems like an invasion of privacy to me."

"I believe it is, but it will go a long way in helping us understand you. In understanding your kind."

Jess took a deep breath and gave over her hand. "Does everyone have to do this?"

"Only ones deemed as royalty, government, or military."

"Me, military? I do love to kick ass."

The boy then laid his over both of theirs.

The giant's hand was like a switch being flipped in her head.

She saw her back yard full of graves. Saw her mom beneath a tree. All alone.

Jerking her hand away, she was about to go all crazy bitch on these two for making her see all that, then she saw that they were just as shaken as her.

Frey had tears running down her face. She reached up to touch her wet cheeks as she stared at Jess.

"Dezrick?" Pensley ordered urgently.

"Could not have foreseen this. Frey is able to read people, see into their being. I believe she has just witnessed this human's pain."

"How is that possible? This did not happen with the child."

"There is much we do not know of these humans. Each of you has your unique abilities. I now wonder if they have their own. I must do much research on it."

"I would like to do it again."

"Frey, no. It caused you dismay. Your eyes are leaking."

"It was her pain not my own. It made my eyes want to leak."

"Crying. Not leaking. Your kind does not cry? Sign me up. I hate it myself. Waste of time."

"Pensley, how did the human affect you?"

"The same. Not only that, but everything I saw, she saw as well."

"Is this true, human Jessalynn? Pensley is very strong and is able to pull pictures of the future and the past from others. Did you experience this as well?"

"Something like that."

"I need to see for myself. Human Jessalynn, if it pleases you, could you place your hand on the table?" The voice in the room asked.

"Okay, one, when you say if it pleases you, you really mean it would please you. Two, no it wouldn't please me. And three, it's just damn strange talking to someone you can't see."

Simmin's voice was trying to be soothing. "Human Jessalynn, it would be helpful. We know you mourn but cannot understand how this causes you pain. We would like to be sensitive to you and others, but it is difficult when we do not understand."

Great. One giant lab rat coming up.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she went back to the table and slapped her hand on it. "You're so lucky my sister was sitting up this morning."

"Pensley, if you please."

He came forward and offered his hand. As soon as they touched, flashes not only started in her head but also on the large screens that suddenly appeared around the room.

The resting places of her family. Her saying goodbye to Danny and Michael. The sight of her mother's eyes without life. A life that had meant so much to her.

Jess remembered the promise she made her mother, and the images changed.

Her mom smiling. Her eyes full of life. Of love. "Sweetie, I'm here. Come and find me." Her mom's voice was so real she could have been in the room with her.

Damn useless tears.

"Frey."

"Come on, Jess. Don't be a sourpuss. You know you want to."

"Have I ever told you that you're a pain?"

"You adore me." Her mom's smile was so beautiful as she teased.

"So, I do." Jess had admitted with a groan and allowed her mom to pull her to her feet.

That was before Danny was sick. They'd all danced around the living room. Danny's cheeks burning red, but like her, he couldn't tell their mom no.

Next, they were in the garage. Her mom leaving behind her red handprints as they all looked on amazed.

Yeah, they weren't touching her van.

Unable to handle any more, she took her hand off the table and gave the tree next to her a push.

He didn't even budge, so she moved away.

That's all Julian was waiting for. He grabbed her hand. He knew better than to offer her more comfort than that around others.

"I say we're done here." Jess grunted out refusing to look anyone in the eye.

"Frey?" The surround sound voice