Note: Wow, people actually like this fanfiction! I just might continue it!

I have a friend that I've known since kindergarten that always had seizures at random and it would bother me sometimes when she would randomly have them at school. She is doing a lot better now, she is married and hasn't had a seizure in almost over a year now! But I worry about her and threw the experiences I had with her in the story.

Just the other month I had to be tested to see if the trances I go into are 'mini seizures' but I think it's from all the happy pills I'm on for depression clashing together but the EEG and MRI was awkward. The wires on my head made me feel like some kind of android then the big ass machine started sounding like really bad industrial music before it was over. That and I got the biggest bruise from the needle where they injected the dye in my veins omg -MAJOR- needle phobia and the chic didn't warn me at all when she stuck it in. I had my head held still with a strap thing so I couldn't turn my head to see which only caused me to tense up causing a giant druggie bruise, ugh!

Anyways... The point of this story I guess is not to judge a book by it's cover or something like that. Kind of like Beauty and The Beast. And if ya don't like my fanfic, then hit yer damn back button and suck it! -smooches-

Katana belongs to my awesome friend Brittani and Trisha belongs to me.

And I love Pope, he's hot and all but he's a friggin douche! x.x Nothing against Pope, so the Pope fangirls don't have to trample me.

A few weeks passed and Trisha was pulled out of her personal area and around people more often by Katana. The news of her having feelings for the Volm leader became old and most people just moved along. Some treated her as if she were diseased but Ben and Tom would always put them in their place, as did Maggie which surprised a lot of people.

Pope wasn't very fond of her; the only thing he agreed with was her style of clothing. After all, not many people could fight in skirts like she could and get away with it. Something about her always hit him the wrong way but until now he put up with her on patrol and such things.

Cochise made sure to stay hidden when he had nothing else to do and watch her, still amazed at how different she was. For the Volm, studying a being like this was normal. He was surprised when Ben called him a stalker then later claimed he was acting like a creeper.

For a while Cochise had nothing to do that was important except fight against the Espheni and their skitters. The weapon was perfectly on schedule so during his free time he found himself studying human history as well as human biology and behavior.

Trish was at a table in a rather quiet area when Ben walked up and joined her without invitation which she didn't seem to mind.

"Hey Trisha, you okay?"

"As good as I ever will be I guess." She just looked down at the book in her hands, her hair falling in her face.

"Is that Sailor Moon?"

"Yes, it is."

"You like anime?"

"Anime is my life."

"Holy crap! How come I never knew this?!" Ben almost squealed as he spoke to her.

"Because we were to busy fighting to sit down and actually get to know each other?" Trisha smiled then looked back down at the manga, turning the page, "Katana has the Black Bulter books."

"No friggin' way!"

"Yes friggin' way."

"Where have you two been all my life?!" He asked.

Trisha just smirked and spoke without looking away from the book, "You're jail bait, kid."

Ben laughed but coughed then decided to just get straight to the point, "Uh, look if you ever want to talk about anything no matter how odd it is; I'm here for you."

"Sweetheart, thank you. That means a lot but I'm more of the 'suffer in silence' type. It's just how I am but I will keep that in mind, thank you." She sighed, "And… Thank you for not judging me like everyone else."

Ben Mason was always so sweet. He was easy to talk to, never quick to anger unless it was for a damn good reason. Usually that reason was Pope if not the skitters or Espheni

His voice was always so gentle when he spoke to her, "Have you spoken to Cochise lately?"

Trish nodded as she played with page. "Forgive me but I have to ask… It doesn't bother you at all that I'm in love with an alien that scares the crap out of me?"

"I've heard of worse, especially in anime." His smile was warm and contagious. She smiled back and shook her head, "Way worse in anime, especially hentai."

"You're to young to watch that!"

"We're talking about you, here."

"I'm surprised he wasn't offended by my thoughts the way Karen just blurted everything out as bluntly as she did." A soft sigh escaped her dark lips, "Cochise is so very sweet. He shows interest in all of us that are willing to talk to him. I'm just not very open with anyone. The only reason Katana knows so much about me is because we grew up together and have always been there for each other."

Ben agreed that Trish was a very mysterious person. But she didn't scare him away like she did some of the others.

"People go by looks when looks can be deceiving. Just because someone looks very different, it doesn't mean they are bad."

The two were sitting at the corner but only Ben knew Cochise was actually standing on the other side listening in.

"Pope is just asking for a punch in the face if he keeps on. I try to keep my anger in check but he is testing me by telling me my name is a stripper name."

"Go ahead and punch him, we've all wanted to punch Pope. But if anyone else was to do it, it would just lead to another punch... Then another... Then another..."

"Then I just might do it next time."

Trisha stood up and walked down the hall, her short sword attached to her waist made a quiet clinking noise when it hit against the metal on the straps at the top of her boots and once she was out of sight Cochise stepped around to look at Ben.

"Ya know you can talk to her right, Volmy?"

"Yes, but I understand that she would possibly be a bit on edge after what happened. She is a very interesting human." Cochise narrowed one eye, feeling he knew the answer to the question about to be asked, "A stripper name?"

"Uh… Strippers are uh… Females and sometimes males who take off all of their clothes and-"

"Cochise." Ben was thankful for his father's interruption, "I need help with the weapon."

"Of course."

Cochise nodded a silent goodbye to Ben and left, leaving Tom and Ben alone. "You go have some fun. Some skitters have been attacking but we've got it under control. The Espheni are weakened and the Volm are sure they won't strike for a while."

Ben nodded and walked down the hallway to the area where he and some of the other older once-harnessed victims would hang out.

"Ben! Look!" Katana nearly jumped on top of him in excitement, "Look! I found my mp3 player and was able to charge it on one of the generators! We have speakers, too! Dance with me!" Katana was excited, hooking up the mp3 player to the small mp3 speakers and turning up the volume. The darker skinned girl looked to Trisha when she walked in, "I still have your music on here, too!"

"R-really?!" Only Katana knew her friends weakness and it was music. It had been so long since she had been herself and danced like no one was watching.

The music started playing and a sign that read 'No Pope Allowed' was put on the door.

A few hours passed and Ben, Katana and Trish were still hanging out and dancing. Most songs were hyper active techno rave then some were rock and industrial. A few songs were a mixture of all three. Then a song Trisha absolutely loved came on.

"A belly dancer, a snake charmer."

"Trisha! Your song!" Katana said happily and smiled when her friend started belly dancing with her eyes closed like she used to do all the time before the alien events. Her hips moved to the beat along with her arms and chest and she was lost in the music.

At the entrance to the area, Tom stood with Cochise. He had come to ask Ben for help but was patient enough to stop while Cochise watched the human go about her dance, Katana and Ben beside her doing their own dance.

He couldn't help but smile at the fact that the Volm leader was starting to show signs of a crush, "She's pretty smart, and she could always help with the weapon building."

"How smart?"

"Smart enough to set up traps for skitters that can be triggered a mile away from the actual area of interest."

"Impressive."

The song ended and Trish opened her eyes, looking at Ben when he laughed and applauded her, "Holy crap! You and Katana can dance, sing, fight and run through alien battle zones with high heeled boots and short skirts on… Is there anything you can't do?"

"For me… I can't be normal." She smiled a sad smile, "I'm not as talented as you think I am. It was all forced on me at a young age to adapt with what I have. Mind you, when the alien invasion came along all I had was my skirt with a tank top and wristbands along with my high-heeled knee-high boots. The boots are a miracle with hiding tons of knives and stuff, though."

"Ah," Ben smiled, "Finally, we get some background information on her!"

Trisha scratched her head; she hated the fact that her feet had become so used to wearing high heels. For the longest time she was forced to wear them or go barefoot. Because of that, wearing normal boots and flat shoes made her feel off balance. Katana always dressed in nice clothes, even when she was in a firefight with a mech she moved around easily without the clothing restricting her movements.

"You two are what obsessive trolls on the internet call 'Mary Sue.'"

"I'm sure…"

Ben, Katana and Trish all turned around in unison and saw Tom and Cochise at the door.

"Dad! How long have you been there?"

The poor kid almost looked nervous which made Tom laugh, "I didn't see you doing any major 'dancing' with any girls, so you're okay." He laughed, "We've finished with the weapon for the time being, thought we would check in on everyone. Love your sign, by the way." His knuckle tapped the 'No Pope Allowed' sign and Ben laughed.

"That was her handy work." He nodded to Katana who just waved from her seat at the table.

Trisha sighed and walked past the two, proceeding to leave the area without a word. Katana started to follow but stopped. Tom gave a questioning look and Katana shook her head, "Sometimes she has anxiety issues and runs and hides from people when she thinks she's going to have a seizure or a panic attack…" She said with worry evident in her voice, "I know she tends to wake up not long after the seizure is over but it scares me, it always has. I hate the fact that she hates other people fretting over her when she gets like that. She hates it when people pity her."

"Sometimes pity needs to be shown." Tom said. His eyes were still gazing in the direction she had gone.

"Pity isn't the first thing that comes to my mind, but strength." Cochise said, "The fact that she has been going through such a thing for so long and she is still alive is proof of how strong she is mentally and physically. But it is not always a good idea to deal with issues such as this alone. No matter how brave one can be, they will still feel fear."

Cochise felt eyes on him and looked to see Katana staring at him. Silence was passed between them for a few moments before she spoke again, "I'm sorry but you have this aura around you that just screams how greatly intelligent you are. It's mind blowing."

He seemed confused at first, "Thank you…"

"Eh, you're welcome."

Tom laughed and Cochise turned to make his way down the hall towards the area where he hoped he would find Trish.