3.13 Time Realigned Part 2

"Robbie why are you so nervous?" Miranda asked laughing up at him.

"Your parents are going to hate me" he shook his head in irritation.

"Don't be silly...."

"Don't patronize me, Miranda," Rob pulled away from her "you and I both know your mother wants you to continue the beauty pageant circuit. She doesn't want you getting marrying led alone to me, an alien hybrid."

Putting her hands up to his mouth she silenced him. "I don't care what she wants. I only care about what I want and I want you."

"Are you sure?" he asked looking at his reflection in the lake nearby. "You went through considerable trouble changing my appearance..."

"I don't follow. How does your appearance impact how my parents like you?" she shook her head at him.

"Are you embarrassed by me?" he asked pursuing his line of thought.

"What? No don't be ridiculous" she objected her smiled slipped a little. She wanted her parents approval. Giving Robbie a makeover was a step in gaining that approval.

"Why don't I believe you?" he asked quietly walking away more hurt than he wanted to admit. He knew his alien features were a hindrance but he never thought it would be a stumbling block to love.

"Robbie please," Miranda called out to him running up to him "tell me why you're upset."

Shivering in the warm breeze Robbie looked at her "why don't you just say it? I'm not good enough for you. That your parents won't like me because of what I am....an alien hybrid. I only mar your reputation. Ruin your chances of turning your pageant career from turning into an acting career. Your embarrassed to have me by your side."

"No that isn't it at all," she protested refusing to look him in the eyes for fear he would see the truth in her eyes. Afraid to admit to herself that all those things were true. "Will I see you tonight?"

"I don't know Miranda. If you can't except me for who I am why go through the motions of meeting your parents?" He swallowed over the lump forming in his throat. He really didn't feel well. "Miranda I just want to go home. I'm not feeling well...."

Squinting up at him she objected "you never get sick. If you don't want to meet my parents all you had to say was no."

"I did but you weren't listening," sighing he rolled his eyes turning "whatever," he muttered walking away. This time she didn't stop him or try to follow. As soon as he got home he flopped on his bed shivering from cold. He really didn't feel well regardless of what Miranda believed he did get sick. This was going to be one of those times he thought shivering under the blankets as he closed his eyes in the semi dark room.

Miranda's dad looked up from his paper as she stormed past him on her way to her room. "Sweetie is anything wrong?" he asked coming into her room.

"I think Rob and I just broke up," she cried sitting up on her bed.

"Want to tell be about it?" he asked.

"He accused me of wanting to change him," she sniffed.

Lifting her chin to make her look at him "sweetie be honest. You did want to change him didn't you?"

She started to shake her head sighing "maybe. A little. He looks so much better with a hair cut and ..."

"What if he was happy the way he was?" 

"He could have said something," she mumbled.

He gave her a look "honey I know how you are when you want something. You keep picking until the other person gives in. Admit it that's what happened here didn't it?"

"Maybe ... a little," she admitted.

"Honey you can't change who he is. He's an alien...."

"Not completely" she protested standing up.

"Ok I stand corrected but you can't change his skin color or his eyes no matter how you try to camouflage it. If you continue to try your only going to drive him away." Giving her a hug "I know this is your mother's influence. Her quest for physical perfection has rubbed off on you." Looking at his daughter he asked "do you love him?"

Her downcast eyes brightened as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Yes daddy I love him. With all my heart I love him."

"Then don't try to change him because that's who you love. Don't let your mother make you think otherwise. Now get up and go tell your young man you love him."

"I can't do that," she bulked at the idea.

"Sure you can. Who says the guy has to make the first move?"

"Thank you daddy," she kissed his cheek as she all but ran from her room.

Arriving at Rob's house she waited impatiently for him to come to the door. Disappointment swept through her when Terrell answered the door instead. "Is Robbie here?"

"He's not feeling well" he told her.

"Oh come on you guys never get sick," she said stepping into the house past Terrell.

"If your referring to us being aliens and thinking we're immune to illnesses then your mistaken." Terrell replied.

"Can I see him?" she asked ignoring his comment.

"He's in his room resting," Terrell informed her "If you want to disturb him go ahead." He walked away not sure what his brother saw in her.

Sighing Miranda knocked softly on the closed door before opening it slowly. The room was dark as she entered. Sitting on the edge of the bed she reached out and softly shook his shoulder. "Robbie? Are you awake?"

"Miranda what are you doing here?" he mumbled blinking his eyes

Sitting on the edge of the bed she reached out a tentative hand to remove the hair from his eyes. "You're burning up," she said in shock "do you have a thermometer?" she asked standing up.

"It's in the bathroom" before she could leave he asked "what are you doing here?"

Sitting beside him again running her fingers through his hair she replied "I came to tell you I love you." He tried to say something in response but Miranda continued before he could "I don't care what you look like. I'm sorry I ever made you feel you weren't good enough. Your the first person who ever treated me like I was a real person and not a walking talking Barbie doll." She stood up to get the thermometer

Rob grabbed her hand pulling her down to him "I love you too."

"I know you do," she said kissing his lips.

"Don't you'll get sick," he protested.

"I don't care," she giggled at him "I don't care because I love you. I'm never going to let you go."

***

"Oh I'm so glad," Jennifer sighed in relief.

"Really?" Chase asked her "are you really happy that things are working out between them?"

Nodding she said "I am believe it or not. I know I've been unbelievably awful especially to Robbie but I do want to change."

***

The dejected hurt look upon Alex's face haunted Lexi as she walked alone back to the hotel. She was right wasn't she? Alex needed to cut ties with Ali before he could move on. She understood his desire. His need to be there for those kids. He wasn't their father though and he had to realize that. Shaking her head she threw herself on the bed feeling tired and leaden. She threw a pillow over her face trying to block out Alex's face.

Alex watched Lexi walk away head down. He wanted to go after her but what could he say that he hadn't already said? There was only so much beating his head into a brick wall he could handle. He put his hand in his pocket and felt the oval object he had put in there in the hopes this would be the night. 

It wasn't. Far from it. Taking it out he glared at the ring he had agonized for hours in the jewelry store over. He wanted it to be perfect. Clinching his fist he felt the diamond gauge into his palm screaming he swung his hand back as if he were a pitcher on the pitches mound. He dropped his arm to his side unable to release it.

Crying he stuck his hand in his pocket releasing the ring to the recesses of his pocket. It was just another reminder of the things he couldn't have. He wanted Ali but she didn't want him. Over and over he was reminded of that fact. She wanted him when she needed him to fix something but never him. Why did he cling to her? Cling to what he thought they had? It wasn't real never was.

Lexi was real but he lost her. He watched her walk away fed up with him. Torn between wanting to help Ali's kids and going after Lexi, devoting himself solely to her. Turning to follow Lexi his phone rang "hello." Shaking his head "no Ali no more....I can't I'm sorry....I know but I'm not their father....You made your choice and I wasn't it....Yes I love her but it's over....Why? You it's because of you and my inane sense of responsibility. Well not more. I'm done. I'm sick of everything...." Throwing his phone he heard it clatter on the pavement several feet ahead in the dark alley. He wondered if it was in several fractured pieces. Wondered if it looked the way he felt.

Looking up at the sky letting the rain pelt down on his face he laughed. It was a relief to finally say no instead of always caving in to her demands. No more he was officially done being her fill in husband. Those kids weren't his. Never would be. It was time he got that out of his head. It was time he stood up and became a man. It was time to went out and got what he wanted. He felt a sharp prick in his back and a harsh voice demanding "give me your wallet and jewelry..."

Lexi lay on the bed softly crying into the pillow wrapped around her face. "Alex needs you." A voice whispered in her ear. "Hurry before it's too late." The voice grew more urgent. What? Where? She mumbled sitting up looking around for whoever was speaking to her. The room was empty. "Hurry." The voice insisted. "Where?" she asked aloud. "Where you left him," was the response. With a sense of foreboding she ran towards the restaurant. She stood alone on the sidewalk looking around in the cold pouring rain. She spotted something in the dark alley. It looked like but it couldn't be "Alex?" she screamed falling to her knees beside him

He looked up and smiled "I love you," he whispered before he lost consciousness. "No no no don't leave me," she cried "I love you too. Don't leave me." The wail of an ambulance filled the night as she pulled Alex into her arms.

"Dad?" Alex asked staring around him.

"It's not your time," Robert told him "go back live your life."

Looking down at his body and Lexi crying as paramedics worked to get his heart beating again. "Dad what do I do?"

"Go back. She loves you," Robert insisted "it's not your time."

"It wasn't yours either," Alex cried to him "I've missed you so much."

Hugging him close "I've watched over you all this time. Don't throw away what you have with Lexi."

"It's too late," Alex cried turning towards the light.

Grabbing him Robert forced him to look at him. "No it's not. All you have to do is want it bad enough. She loves you. Live your life and never let her go."

Nodding Alex started to go back "I love you dad I wish..."

"I know son but when the time comes I'll be here....Always remember I love you."

"I'll remember," Alex mumbled opening his eyes.

"You'll remember what?" Lexi asked looked anxiously at him.

"That I love you," he told her. The smile that spread across her face was all he could have asked for.

"I love you too," she squeezed the hand she was holding. Blinking back tears "never do that again. You scared me. I thought I lost you."

"How? What?" Alex mumbled struggling to sit up.

Gently pushing him back to the pillow "not so fast. You were stabbed. You almost died. You did die..." She broke into tears remembering that awful moment when the paramedics were about to call it "then you came back..."

"I know dad told me," he caught himself. He never believed his dad was watching over him but now if he hadn't been there at that moment he'd be dead now. "He told me it wasn't my time. Told me to go back and never let you go."

"Is that why you had this?" Lexi held up her hand showing off the engagement ring she was wearing on her finger.

Nodding he mumbled "the mugger didn't take it. I was going to ask you to marry me."

"Was? Not now?" she smiled down at him.

"You're wearing the ring. Do I really have to ask?"

"Yes, yes you do," she told him.

Giving her an exaggerated sigh Alex smiled. "Lexi you're the most intelligent, beautiful, sensitive person I know wrapped up in a hard shell. I like, no I love the person you hide inside that shell. I'm so glad you let me see who that girl is and I want to spend the rest of my life discovering all of your secrets. Will you marry me?"

"Yes with all my heart yes. I'll marry you." She leaned down and kissed him.

***

"I thought ...that he was dead," Jen stammered "you showed me. He killed himself."

Drawing her close Chase tried to calm her "that was only a peak into what his future might be if you continued. Things changed when you destroyed the time machine."

"Does that mean? Drew she's not...."

***

"Drew," Caleb screamed as she ran from the room. Struggling to sit up Caleb fell from the bed. 

"Drew," he yelled again as the nurse came in to check on him.

Bolting down the hall past nurses telling her to slow down not to run. How could she? The love her life just told her it couldn't be. That he couldn't put her in danger because of the angry ghost of his deceased girlfriend. The pain was intolerable. What was she doing? She had vowed that she'd never let herself be so vulnerable and look at her. She loved him more than she realized more than she wanted.

Star followed the distraught girl as she ran down the corridors. She had seen and heard Caleb reject her. At first she rejoiced. He had chosen her but then his pain ripped through her as he cried out Drew's name. It tore at her heart strings awakening the person she once was. When had her love become so obsessive, so hurtful? She didn't know. All she knew was she had to fix it. The man she claimed to love was hurting. She did that. He was in there crying because she made him choose. He chose her because he didn't want Drew to be hurt. Where was the victory in that? She couldn't be with Caleb not like they had been. That time had passed. It was time to let him go. Let him have what he always wanted. She was dead and he was alive. She could show she still loved him. Cared for him. She had to stop Drew from leaving. Convince her to give Caleb another chance.

Knocking the nurses helping hands aside Caleb staggered to his feet "leave me alone," he growled at the nurse as she he stumbled from the room. He couldn't let Drew go. He had to stop her before she left. He couldn't lose her. He had lost too much already. Without Drew he'd have nothing. He'd be nothing. He couldn't live like that.

"I told you that people would get hurt if you continued on this course," Robert hissed in Star's ear.

"I know and I'm sorry," Star replied back casting her head from side to side "where did she go?" she asked.

"Leave her alone," Robert pleaded "let Caleb catch up to her. Let them be happy."

"It's not that," Star glared at him "I need to make things right. I need to convince her to give Caleb a second chance."

He stared at her for a moment gauging whether she was telling the truth or not. "Alright I'll trust you. If you hurt my little girl I'll force you to cross over." Another moment of silence passed between them "she's at the front entrance."

With that Star was gone in a instant. She appeared in time to Drew crying not seeing the speeding car coming towards her. Without thinking Star there herself towards the girl.

Drew didn't know what happened. One second she was crossing the parking lot towards her car and the next she was being thrown to the ground like she had been tackled. The sound of screeching tires and hysterical voices coming towards her. Blinking she saw a pink haired male running towards her. "Drew," he screamed dropping to his knees beside her cradling her in his arms. "Drew I thought I lost you," stroking her hair from her face he asked "are you alright?"

"I'm ok," she winced as she moved "maybe a little bruised." She looked up into his gentle eyes saw the fear and love shining back at her. She squeezed his hand "I love you," she whispered before doctors crowded around her. She looked and saw the stunned relieved look that replaced the fear and uncertainty. She knew then she couldn't leave him no matter what he said. They belonged together. Together they would face Star. She wouldn't let her win.

"Thank you," Robert said coming along side Star "Thank you for saving my little girl."

"I didn't do if for you," she said anger laced her words.

"I know but thank you anyway."

She continued to stare at Caleb it was so difficult to watch the man she loved leaving her behind. Sighing she realized she had made her choice. By saving Drew she released Caleb. It was time she went. Time to cross over. Looking up she saw Robert nod towards her and smile. "It's time" he said. She nodded in agreement.

***

Moving closer to Chase the one person who had forced her to see what she was doing. Jennifer didn't if how she felt whether she should feel angry or thankful. Wiping tears from her eyes she smiled up at him "you tried to tell me but you're right this was the only way to make me see." 

"I'm glad you did," he told her squeezing her tight "I don't know if this is a good time or not to mention why Emits here..."

"I thought he was only here to check on you...." fear gripped her was he here to see she was punished for what she'd done.

Chase seeing the fear in her eyes he tried to smile to ease her mind "it's nothing bad but he does want us to help him police other would be time manipulators...."

"Why us? Me?" she asked.

"Why not? We understand what motivates someone to want to change the past. We also know the dangers. Who better to convince others the errors of their ways."

"I don't know...I'm not sure...." she looked down and away as she asked "what do you want to do?" 

She knew she'd do whatever he decided because she wanted him by her side forever. 

3.13 Time Realigned Part 1

"Aww isn't this a cozy sight," a voice said above them.

"Dad, I mean Emit," Chase stammered jumping to his feet "what are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you," Emit looked around "I see you destroyed the time machine."

"He didn't," Jennifer corrected "I did."

"Took you long enough to come to your senses," Emit chided her "you made quite the mess but in the end you made the right choice. I really didn't want to have to step in."

"Then why are you here?" Chase asked taking Jennifer's hand giving it a squeeze.

"Your my son can't I just want to see you?"

Chase stared at him for a moment before shrugging "I guess but I don't think that's the case here."

"You're right" Emit said "I'm here to share with you and this young lady how the timeline is realigning itself." Turning to Jennifer "things aren't as bleak as you may think. You may have done a lot of damage that can't be undone but not everything is beyond recovery."

Looking at Chase then back to Emit she shook her head "I don't want to see anything else. I'm tired of all the bad things..."

Holding his hand out "trust me you'll like the way the future is shaping up. Don't you want to see what your sacrifice helped to accomplish?"

Taking his hand Jennifer nodded "why not. I've seen the bad I'd like to see a little good."

***

Scowling out the window Jeff demanded "are you sure this is the place?"

"I'm positive," Lee replied "they're in there I'm sure of it."

Shifting in the front seat Zayne turned glaring at him "if they're not..."

"They are. I'd stake my life on it," Lee insisted getting out of the car. He could hear Melissa chiding him. Telling him to calm down but how could he? Amanda and a defenseless two year old were in danger. He knew that Zayne and Jeff were placing considerable trust in him. He couldn't let them down.

He followed behind allowing Jeff to take the lead until they approached a door. Zayne reached out but driven by a sense of danger Lee stopped him. "It's booby trapped," he said in response to their irritated looks. Nodding in understanding they looked for another way inside the warehouse. Finding a gap in the wall they shimmied through the small opening.

"Which way blood hound?" Zayne asked once they were inside.

Looking around the dim interior Lee tried to remember the layout of the building that Melissa had shown him in his mind. "I don't...." he suddenly felt lost he didn't know which way to go. The desperate worried expressions on his companions weighed heavily upon him. He couldn't let them down. Seeking a calm he didn't feel he shouted out to Melissa for help. It was then he saw it like an arrow pointing the way. He started to walk down the dark corridor. His footsteps echoed down the cold dark empty warehouse walls. Jeff and Zayne followed behind bumping into him as he stopped in front of a door. "They're in there," he pointed towards the closed door.

Jeff inspected the door. Shaking his head when Zayne asked "is it booby trapped?"

Taking a deep breath Zayne reached out grabbed the door knob. Heart hammering in his chest he sighed in relief when the door opened without blowing them up. Taking a step inside he felt someone pull him back. "What? What's wrong?" he asked seeing the desperate look on Lee's face.

"You almost stepped on a pressure bomb," he explained "I need to go first. I know where the bombs are. I can help you avoid them." Lee moved to go around the pink haired male when he found his arm twisted up behind his back. Zayne whispered harshly in his ear "how do we know your weren't planted in Amanda's apartment? How do we know you aren't leading us into a trap?"

"If I was don't you think I'd have let you step on the pressure bomb? What difference would it make if you met your demise now or later?" He grunted in pain as his arm was twisted behind him. "I'm not setting you up. I want to help. I know you don't trust me but I'd never hurt Amanda or your little boy" The pressure increased as pain shot through is arm "please I know the pain your going through. I've lost my entire family. I'll never get to see my children grow up. Never get to hold or hug them again. I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone. Please believe me. All I want to do is help."

Grunting Zayne released his arm wiping away tears. Stepping back mumbling "I'm sorry I....I just want my little boy back."

"I know," Lee murmured putting a hand on the younger man's shoulder "I know."

"Ok you lead," Jeff said coming along side them holding a flashlight out him. "Don't do anything hasty and we should all be fine."

Several minutes later Lee shone the light around a large room spotting something in the far corner. 

"Over there," he pointed shining the light.

"I see it," Jeff acknowledged. Turning to confer with his partner "what do you think?"

"I think we need to check it out," Zayne told him. Turning to Lee "lead on McDuff."

"I'm not a dog," he protested.

As they neared the object to figures looked up at them. Lee sighed in relief recognizing Amanda blinking up at them in the light of the flashlights. It was then that Zayne's son squealed "daddy" running from Amanda's arms towards his dad.

"No Charlie," Amanda screamed reaching for him as he darted away from her.

Jeff and Lee tackled Zayne to the floor to keep him from going to his son. "Let me go," he shouted struggling with their arms "I can't lose my him."

"Are their pressure bombs?" Jeff asked.

"Yes," Lee nodded  "they're surrounded by them. I'm sorry he'll need a miracle not to set one off."

 

Zayne renewed his efforts and almost made it when the impossible happened Something picked up the distraught little boy and carried him across to them delivering him into the arms of his father. 

"I don't know what just happened but thank you," Zayne said to what looked like empty air.

Jeff stood gaping "Zayne meet my dad." Zayne nodded hugging his son tight to his chest to drained to care that a ghost just saved his son.

"I told you I'd be looking out for you," Robert told him. Turning towards Lee "Melissa is helping Amanda across."

"Yeah I see her," Lee nodded tears in his eyes. He felt a light pressure on his shoulder. Turning he found himself looking at Robert.

"Take care of my little girl," he requested.

"I will sir if you'll take care of mine," Lee tried to smile but it hurt too much.

Shaking his head Robert replied "no need for that son. Melissa will be crossing over now to be with your kids. She stuck around to make sure she pointed you in the direction you needed to go."

"I know she told me," Lee felt tears flowing down his cheeks "what about you sir?"

"Soon. I still need to check on the rest of my children," Robert smiled at Amanda as she was pulled into a hug by her brother. "Soon" he repeated.

Retracing their steps they exited  the building. Amanda went to Lee hugging him close murmuring "I'm sorry."

"For what?" he asked confused looking deep into her dark brown eyes.

"Your like me. Seeing and hearing spirits," Amanda said leaning her head on his shoulder. 

Maybe a little but not so strong. I had always been able to ignore it before. Melissa is different because of our bond. She strengthened my ability so that we could communicate."

"She told me to take care of you," Amanda smiled up at him "do you need looking after?"

"More than you know," he told her pulling her close "she told me you needed the love only I could provide. Is that true?"

Nodding "yes more than you know."

A car came to a screeching halt spraying dirt and gravel everywhere. A young woman bolted from the car yelling "Jeff....Jeff..."

"Lisa," Jeff yelled running to meet her. She leaped into his arms crashing her lips down into his.

"I was so worried. When I couldn't reach you I came here," she told him breathlessly kissing him again.

"Aren't you worried someone will see us?"

"I don't care," she smiled down at him.

"But I thought...." he smiled "if you don't care then neither do I."

"Good because I've got something to tell you," she smiled up at him "I'm pregnant."

"Your what?" thinking he had to have heard her wrong. "Are you sure?"

"I am," she hugged him tight "I've put in my notice too."

"I love you," Jeff swung her up and kissed her again. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes," she laughed "now put me down."

***

Wiping her eyes Jennifer leaned into Chase "I'm so glad they're alright. I thought for sure they were all dead."

Stroking her hair he smiled "see your sacrifice wasn't for nothing."

***

Concern drove Colt to Diana's dumpy apartment. Pounding on her door he yelled "Diana let me in."

The door slowly opened and Diana peered through the crack. "Go away please. Just leave me alone."

Wedging his foot in the door Colt refused to be dismissed. "What's wrong?" Pushing on the door "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's happened."

Bursting into tears Diana stepped away from the door allowing Colt into her apartment. "I've missed too much work and my boss is renegotiating my contract."

"That's a good thing, right?" Colt looked at her picking up on her unspoken vibes "I take it that's not a good thing."

"No it's the worst," she cried as she felt Colt pull her against him "he's a pimp. He.... he wants me to pull tricks now. I...I...I can't I just can't." She clung to him as her world dissolved around her. 

Isabel stuck her head out of her room "mama are you alright?"

"Yes Izzy," Colt answered her "can you play in your room for a little while?"

The little girl look to her mom then back at Colt nodding she retreated back into her room.

Lifting Diana's chin he asked "your not going to do it are you?"

"What choice do I have? He owns me. I'm under contract."

Shaking her he asked "you haven't signed anything have you? You haven't done anything yet have you?"

"No not yet," she said in a small scared voice "I ran. I didn't know what to do. So I ran. I keep expecting that he or one of his goons will show up here."

"What do you owe him?" Colt demanded.

"Money. I owe him money," Diana screamed half hysterical. "I thought he was my friend but I was an idiot. He kept tripling the interest. I'll never be able to pay it off."

"How much do you owe?" he asked her.

"I don't know," she cried "he keeps changing it. He keeps records but I don't know how he figures out the amount."

Seeing her distress Colt pulled her close, "don't worry I won't let him do this." Grabbing her hand "come on we're going to see him."

"Wait I can't leave Isabel here by herself" she pulled away from him.

"Get her and let's go," he told her. 

"I can't take her there," Diana protested.

"You won't  have to. I know someone who will watch her until we're done."

"Izzy we're going for a ride," she called to her daughter.

"With Colt?" she asked becoming excited.

"Yes baby. Let's get your shoes on so we can go."

After dropping off Isabel the drive to the club seemed cold and icy silent devoid of Isabel's constant chatter. Upon entering the club Diana went straight to the back to the office. Colt threw the closed door open demanding "how much will it take to release Diana from her contract?"

Looking the young man up and down before replying "more than you can pay."

"How much?" Colt repeated.

"Twenty thousand" the boss told him.

"That includes interest?" Colt asked. The man nodded "I want it in writing. I want witnesses that will testify that the amount specified is that is owed."

"How do you propose to pay that amount?" the man asked "you don't look like you have to pennies to rub together."

Taking out his checkbook he wrote the amount out. Diana put a hand out to stop him. "You can't. That's all of your savings."

"It's worth it. Your worth it," he kissed her cheek.

"Aw young love," the man sneered holding his hand out for the check.

"Not until I have the notarized letter stating she's paid in full. Her contract is null and void."

Shaking his head the man smiled nastily "no."

A wind stirred the papers on his desk despite the fact the windows were closed. A loud booming voice demanded "let my daughter go."

"Daddy?" Diana cried seeing her father's spirit.

 A few minutes later Colt and Diana were laughing in the car on their way home. "I never saw anyone so scared in my life," Colt said turning to look at her "you are pretty amazing."

"I don't know about that but I am loved."

"That you are," Colt agreed kissing her hand.

Carrying Izzy to Diana's apartment Colt waited for Diana to take Isabel from him. Silently Colt walked through the cramped apartment while Diana put the little girl to bed. Turning when he heard the bedroom door close behind her. "Have you thought about my offer?"

Nodding Diana sat down on the couch. "I...I..." she stuttered looking away as Colt sat beside  her. "I want to go but what about my dreams?"

Taking her hands Colt smiled down at her "Bridgeport isn't a good place for you or Izzy. What if that guy goes back on his word? Come to get you? You'd be safe with me."

"I know," she said softly getting up to stare out the window.

Taking her face between his palms he stared into her soft alien eyes and smiled. "Move in with me. I'll keep you safe."

"You're moving to Starlight Shores," she protested."

"I am. Come one baby come with me," he leaned down and kissed her gently "you can still try to have your father's novels produced there. You might even have a better chance."

"Really how?" Diana asked interested despite herself.

"I might have mentioned it to my manager who has a friend in Starlight Shores looking for a new project to work on."

"You did that? For me?" she asked in wonder. She never imagined she'd meet someone who would look past her alienness and see her for the person she was inside.

"Of course I'd do that for" Colt lifted her chin up "I'd do anything for you. So will you come with me?" 

"Yes, yes I will," she snuggled into him content to be held knowing she was finally safe and loved.

***

She felt Chase slip his arm around her as she leaned into him. She looked over at Emit "this is almost worse then watching their lives fall apart. I'm so happy for them but how will I ever make amends for the things I've done?"

"You may not have to. Only Amanda knows the things you've done. Robbie knows what you've done to him because you told him," Emit told her.

"Please tell me Robbie gets back together with Miranda," she pleaded with him "I know what I did was wrong. He doesn't deserve to be punished for the things I've done."

"I can show you."

"Yes please...please show me."