Something I forgot to mention in the first chapter. I do not own Tenchi Muyo, or the characters or settings therein, so please don't sue. I DO however own Samantha Nys, and you can't have her! She's mine, mine, mine, all mine! ^_^ Thank you all for reading, and thank you cyberimp6 for your kind words. Also, it should be noted that this story will be following the OVA version of the show exclusively. This does mean Noike will be showing up, so fairly warned, be thee, says I.

Chapter 2: Back Story

"You don't have to tell us until you're ready." Tenchi shifted around uncomfortably on the couch, shifting the ice pack on his lap to ease the pain. Ryoko and Ayeka fussed over him like mother hens. Washu had said that he'll be fine, but they were enjoying being able to take care of him like this. Mihoshi had been banished to the armchair opposite Samantha, far from Tenchi with Washu to watch over her.

Sasami brought in a tray of tea, giving one to all before sitting down on the couch close to Samantha. "No, you all have been so kind to me, I owe it to you to tell you just who you have invited into your home." Samantha was surprised by the sudden appearance of a microphone in front of her face. Looking up the arm that held it, she saw Washu smiling down at her.

"Just speak clearly into the mic, please." Washu looked excited about all of this.

"Washu…" Tenchi gave an exasperated sigh.

With a wry smile, Samantha pushed the microphone back a few inches. "It's all right. I don't mind. Though you all may change your minds about me once you hear my story." Ayeka and Ryoko gave each other worried glances and clung tighter to Tenchi. Sighing deeply, Samantha leaned back. "Where to begin? Well, first off, I'm not from your world. I come from a parallel dimension much more cutthroat than this one apparently. Where I'm from, corporations rule and governments are nothing more than their lapdogs. Oh, for appearances sake, the government still makes a show of throwing it's power around, but as long as they don't do anything overtly illegal, the corporations can do pretty much as they please. I'm sure that you've heard the expression 'dog eat dog'? Well there it happens on all levels of society. The present generation is built on the bones of the previous. In some places, police are so corrupt, that they only protect those that have the money to pay them and have been reformed into corporations. In some areas, the crime is so bad, that they have sealed it off from the rest of the population and are used as dumping grounds for the worst of criminals. Instead of eliminating them as planned, these 'Zero Law Enforcement Zones' as they are called, only eliminate the weakest, making the strong stronger."

"How awful." Mihoshi's wide eyes shimmered with fear and sadness. Being an officer herself, she was aware of the corruption inherent with governments and all their agencies, but at least it wasn't as bad as Samantha had portrayed her world.

Sasami piped up. "No wonder you wanted to escape from there."

Samantha looked at her, an infinite sadness in her eyes. "You misunderstand. I didn't escape. I'm trying to get back there. But, I'm getting ahead of myself." They all looked shocked, even Washu. "I was… 'born' if you could call it that, in a corporation. The product of an illegal cloning of the world's most powerful stable Psychokinetic, Shion Nys." Samantha actually looked a little proud at the mention of the name. "I was brought up to be a pliable weapon to be used against other corporations in a sort of 'cold war'. When I didn't develop as fast as they liked, I was slated for destruction and recycling. Luckily, with the help of my minder, Haruka-neesan, I was able to escape. I found out later, that it was actually a calculated maneuver by the corporation that she had ruined, by helping me.

"During my trip from Japan to Neo York, I rescued two young girls who were, well, let's just say that they were in desperate need of rescuing." Samantha swallowed hard as the tears came unbidden again. "Once in Neo York, we had to go live in the Zero Zone due to a lack of funds. Life there was hard, but made bearable through the few friends that I…" Her voice cracked a bit here. Taking a swallow of tea, she continued. "Excuse me. It was here that I finally grew into my powers and once more became desirable to my former owners.

"They sent me on a bogus mission to 'rescue' a scientist from a rival corp. It went pretty much as planned, with a minimum of casualties, but when I got to the drop off point, they tried to recapture me. To make a long story short, they nearly succeeded. It was only the timely intervention of Shion that spared me a fate much worse than death.

"Well after that, I hooked up with a group of like-minded people, trying to make life bearable for as many people as possible. I like to think that we made a difference, but with the odds so stacked against you, it's often hard to tell." Samantha gave a rueful smile. "During a particularly dangerous mission, we had stopped a madman, but at a great cost. In order to stop him, we had to change the very nature of our world. I won't pretend to know how, but through time travel, we had prevented the actions that turned our world into the nightmare that it was. As a consequence, we were all "reborn". At least, that's the way they saw it. I wasn't so sure. I did some checking, asked some big brains, and discovered that there were two schools of thought on what had happened. One agreed with my friends. The other, said that what we did was create an alternate reality where our world never happened which we now resided in." Washu looked thoughtful.

"That got me thinking. If all we did was create a parallel world, what happened to everyone we had left behind? More to the point, what became of my friends back there? Were they alright? Did some sort of corporate war destroy the world? All these thoughts and more besides bothered me. I became obsessed with getting back to horror I thought I had left forever. I also realized something about myself. Something frightening. I came to recognize that I am a killer. It's the only thing I know how to do, and I'm good at it. Really good. It was scary how easily my guns came to hand. But the thing that really struck me was the smell. The smell of blood mixed with cordite had become so common, that I could even smell it after several showers. I just couldn't get rid of it no matter what I tried. That was about the time that I noticed the looks people gave us. People we tried to save seemed just as afraid of us as they were of the criminals. I had looked into the abyss, and the abyss looked back, gleefully showing me the monster I had become." Samantha gazed into her hands; sure she could see the blood that stained them.

"I found a scientist who was willing to let me test an experimental wormhole generator. By then, I didn't care about the risks. Any danger was worth finding my home. So I began my long journey across the multiverse to find where I belonged. The last world I left behind was a crazy alternate reality where the South was still fighting the first American Civil War, but with modern-day weaponry. Eventually, I wound up here. The rest, you know. I'm just tired. So… very …" Samantha never finished, for she had fallen asleep in mid-sentence.

Everyone stared at her with a mixture of horror and pity. Ayeka started to say something, but Washu stopped her, pointing toward the slumbering woman. Typing on her suddenly present keyboard, she teleported Samantha to an empty bedroom. Immediately, Ayeka turned to Tenchi. "Tenchi-sama, surely you can't mean to let a… a monster like her to stay under your roof? She said it herself. She's a killer. What if she were to come after you, or Sasami-chan next?" She held onto her sister as if she were in mortal danger now.

"I think I know how she feels." Everyone turned to Ryoko. "Not a day goes by that I don't think about all those thousands that I…" Damn you Kagato. Washu laid a comforting hand on Ryoko's shoulder. Through the link they shared, she could feel love and support flowing to her, fighting back the feelings of helplessness and guilt.

Ayeka continued her argument. "But she doesn't even have the excuse that she was under someone else's control. She did all this all on her own. She consciously made the choice to kill on those occasions."

Washu spoke up. "Given the same circumstances, could any of us honestly say that we would act differently? Faced with the choice of kill or be killed, would you really just lie down and die? I think that we have all proven otherwise, every last one of us."

Mihoshi was the next to give her opinion. "We've all done things that we're not proud of. Things we're sure that if our friends found out about, they wouldn't want to be our friends anymore." She looked down at her twiddling thumbs so she wouldn't have to meet anyone's eyes.

Ayeka turned to Washu in exasperation. "Washu-san, surely you must realize how dangerous it is to have her around."

Washu looked thoughtful. "It sounds to me like she is the product of her environment rather than genetics. And a different environment can change a person's mind and attitude. As for the danger, all of us are extremely dangerous on some level. I think we should trust her until she does something to threaten us. If nobody gave us second chances, well… I know that I wouldn't be here today."

Ayeka looked defeated. Glancing down, she asked Sasami her opinion. "What do you think Sasami-chan?"

Sasami looked up into Ayeka's burgundy eyes. "I think she's a very sad person, who needs someone to help her. I don't think that I could bear what she has alone." She looked at the chair formerly occupied by the subject of their conversation wearing a faraway expression.

It always worried Ayeka when she did that. It's as if there were some horrible burden that she bore alone. Something that she dared not tell anyone about. She looked to Tenchi. She did the only thing she felt that she could do. She hugged Sasami tightly to her in a silent sign of support. "Well it appears as though everyone here is in agreement. Whatever you want to do Tenchi-sama, we're behind you."

Tenchi appeared lost in thought for a moment. "It looks to me that she needs a place to call home." He looked at all the gathered women. "I've never turned away a person in need before, I won't start now."

Sasami leaped into his arms, giving him a big hug. "Tenchi-niichan…" She shed a few tears of joy.

Tenchi looked to Washu. "Washu-san, could you look her over, make sure that she's not injured or anything?"

Washu looked at Tenchi in confusion. "I'm sorry, who did you want to check over our guest?"

Tenchi wore a bemused look. "I'm sorry. Washu-chan, would you mind?"

Washu suddenly wore a huge grin. "It would be my pleasure Tenchi my dear. And after I'm done with her, perhaps you would care for a thorough exam as well?" Tenchi just wore a silly embarrassed expression as the other women all yelled at Washu for her suggestion.

Samantha was floating on a cloud, or was it a marshmallow? She felt a prick on her arm, but looking there didn't reveal the source of pain. She felt something withdraw from her arm and realized she was looking at a ceiling. Glancing to her left, she saw Washu in a nurse's uniform, peering at a syringe of what could only be blood. "What's the verdict doc?"

Washu glanced down at her patient. "Hmm? I couldn't find any injuries, which is remarkable after a fight with Ryoko. I'll have to run some tests on this sample to see if there are any diseases. But considering your peak physical condition, I doubt I'll find anything."

Samantha nodded. "I'm a fast healer. Listen, I could really do with a bath. Would it be alright if I…"

Washu began to put away all her equipment in a Gladstone bag. "Sure, we have an onsen. Take your time. The man of the house won't be back for hours, so go ahead and take a nice long soak." After informing her how to find it, she left.

Samantha was impressed by the whole set up. The floating boulder that served as the foundation for the hot spring was large enough to support not only several hot tubs, but also a large hot spring. The dome overhead meant that it could be enjoyed even in the dead of winter. After removing her armorcloth bodysuit with some difficulty, she had grabbed a towel and walked toward the water when the sight stunned her. "Are you going to stand there gaping, or are you going to get in?"

Samantha was startled out of her amazement by Ryoko's voice. Turning to her left, she saw the woman, sitting on the wooden decking, shampooing her hair. Walking over, she kneeled down beside her and began to work on washing and disentangling her own neglected locks. Pouring a generous amount of shampoo, she began to lather up as she tried to come up with something to say. What do you say to someone who just this morning tried to kill you? She was surprised when Ryoko was the first to speak. "I want to apologize about what happened earlier. I saw you on top of Tenchi, and immediately assumed the worst. Sorry."

Samantha looked over and saw sincerity in Ryoko's face. "It's alright. Were I in your position, I might have assumed the same." Samantha half-smiled at her and was glad to see it returned. They finished bathing in a more comfortable silence and slipped into the water together. "Oooohhh. That feels fantastic!"

After a few minutes, Ryoko spoke. "You and I aren't so very different."

Samantha looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Oh? How so?"

"What you said earlier. About all the people you… you know." Ryoko appeared hesitant, as if she hadn't fully accepted this aspect of her past. After a moment, Samantha seemed to catch her meaning and nodded. "We've both been considered monsters in our past. And perhaps we were, but I have learned something since living here. Even monsters don't deserve to be unhappy all the time. Occasionally, the cosmos will let everyone have a little happiness in their lives." Ryoko had a sad smile. "That's all I really wanted to say. I hope that we can be friends." Ryoko got out and dried off before teleporting out.

Samantha watched Ryoko's wet tracks slowly dry as she sat, deep in thought. When she saw the last disappear, she reclined with her eyes pointed skyward contemplatively. Slowly, her eyes closed and a small smile graced her face.

A small hand shaking her shoulder awakened Samantha. Opening her steely gray eyes, she saw Sasami kneeling next to her on the deck. "I'm sorry to wake you, but dinner is ready."

Yawning, she sat up and stretched. "Thank you Sasami-san. I must be more tired than I had thought." Samantha got out and dried herself, unaware that she still had an audience. Sasami's pink eyes widened when they saw the tall woman in all her glory. She was built along the same proportions as Mihoshi, but her taller stature made her measurements all the more impressive. Sasami was actually reminded of her mother for some reason. Samantha turned around looking for the young girl and spotted her near the water, looking down. "Is there anything I could borrow to wear? I really don't want to put on dirty clothes after such a nice bath."

Sasami blinked and recovered quickly. "I'll ask Mihoshi if she has any to spare." Sasami dashed off and returned shortly with a pile of folded clothes in hand. "Here you are."

Samantha took the clothes and flashed her a million-yen smile. "Thanks. I hope I'm not keeping everyone waiting."

Sasami replied as the guest dressed. "No, Mihoshi is just finishing up a report, so we have a few minutes." Samantha pulled the zipper on the pants and stretched her arms. Not having underclothing, she was forced to go without until later. This had the effect of bringing certain features to the viewer's attention, but couldn't be helped under the circumstances.

"Hmm, a little tight, but better than nothing. I'll have to thank Mihoshi later. Well let's go get some of that dinner." She said as they walked out together.

Sasami and Samantha walked into the dining area and saw everyone gathered around the table with the addition of a new face. A man who bore a striking resemblance to Tenchi sat next to Katsuhito. Sasami introduced him as Noboyuki, Tenchi's father. "Well Tenchi, looks as though you are becoming even more popular with the ladies. Another beauty!" Samantha bowed with a blush as Tenchi gave an exasperated sigh.

"It's not like that dad and you know it. Now please, stop embarrassing her." Tenchi threw him a look that made him quiet down, but failed utterly to remove the sly grin. The other women divided their glares between Noboyuki and Samantha. Ryoko gave a worried look to Samantha, now wishing that she had been clearer on her feelings for Tenchi to her. Washu had a concerned expression, as she looked at Ryoko wondering just what they had talked about in the onsen. She promised herself that she would go through the video records when the opportunity presented itself.

Dinner proceeded without incident with everybody making light conversation. Noboyuki had already been warned not to pry into Samantha's past and had been given a brief recap of her story. Halfway through the meal, Tenchi asked her the question that had been on everyone's minds since that afternoon. "Samantha, what are you going to do?"

She looked down into her bowl of rice as if to find the answer there. "I had planned on continuing my journey, but when I had checked on the generator, I found it broken. Smashed to bits." Ryoko hung her head in shame. "Don't worry about it Ryoko. It's not really your fault. Though I guess that my travels have come to an end. I just hope Yohko and Azusa will be all right without me. Ever since I found them, they've been somewhat… um, useless."

Washu cleared her throat. "I may not look it, but I am in actuality…" From nowhere, a fanfare played and Washu stood with a folding fan in each hand. The one in her left read 'Number one' and the one in her right read 'In The Universe' "The greatest scientific genius in the universe! Nya ha ha ha."

Samantha pointed at her and looked at the others. They all just nodded as if they had all heard this before. "You can fix it?"

Washu looked smugly at Samantha. "There doesn't exist a device that I can't fix! Though I would like for you to do a favor for me in return."

Samantha looked up at her with adoring eyes. "Anything! Just name it and it's yours!"

"I'd like to study your powers. I've rarely encountered one such as yours and I must know it's workings!" Washu had a dreamy expression with tears running down her face.

Samantha looked overjoyed. "Yes! A thousand times yes. I'm in your debt Washu-sama." She bowed to Washu, her forehead touching the floor.

Washu picked her head up off the floor. "Now, now just 'Washu-chan, the greatest genius in the universe' will suffice. No need for fancy titles here." Washu's smirk threatened to take in her ears.

The women breathed a collective sigh of relief. Tenchi smiled. "In the meantime, you can stay here. There's plenty of room, and you can relax before going." Ayeka's sour expression returned and Ryoko looked conflicted.

Samantha turned to the others. With tears in her eyes, she bowed to them all. "Thank you all. You've been so kind to me. I don't know how to repay you. If there's anything that I can do, just name it."

As a group, they protested her need to do anything for them. She insisted that she would find a way to make herself useful to them somehow. Ayeka began to feel bad about the thoughts she had been having concerning her. Perhaps I have been unfair in my assessment of her. And Washu will have her on her way in a few days. I suppose that I can tolerate this situation until then. As long as she keeps her hands off of Tenchi-sama, we should get along fine. Ayeka wouldn't admit it to herself, but she believed that Samantha was on par with Tsunami in terms of beauty. She didn't think that she could compete with two women that attractive.

Discussion turned to plans for tomorrow. "What would you like to do Samantha? Tomorrow's shopping day, and a few of us were going into town. Would you like to come?" Sasami's invitation piqued her interest, but other things weighed heavily on her mind.

"As much as I would enjoy that, I feel like all my muscle is turning to flab. I haven't had much opportunity to work out since starting my travels and that battle with Ryoko really took it out of me. If you're leaving in the afternoon, I'd love to go, but I really need to work out before I go to pot." Samantha looked hopefully at her.

Sasami looked excited. "That's alright. I wasn't planning on going until noon anyway."

"Perhaps you would like to join Tenchi and I for our morning workout, Nys-san" Katsuhito's offer shocked both Ryoko and Ayeka. They looked at each other and both silently vowed to make sure that nobody's libido got a workout.

Samantha nodded to him. "That's very kind of you sir. But please, call me Samantha. I feel like an old lady being addressed as Nys-san." He nodded in agreement. Her gaze lingered on her hosts a moment longer before she announced that she was retiring for the night. They wished each other a good night, and she returned to the room she had awoken in.

AN: Psychokinesis is the power to manipulate the physical world around you through the power of your mind alone. Sometimes called telekinesis, this is a bit of a misnomer, in that telekinesis is simply moving objects, whereas psychokinesis covers a much broader range of powers. Samantha will show off these powers later on, and you'll see how they differ from the "Standard" (if such a word can be applied to it) psychokinesis of the Tenchi Muyo universe, which is why Washu is interested in studying Samantha.