Sorry for the delay everyone! School somewhat consumed my life for a bit, in addition to becoming a new mod for a community and some other things but I'm back in business here. I come baring a new chapter! Huzzah!

I would like to thank Illyric for coming back and reviewing each chapter! Also, thank you to those who have faved or added this story to their alerts, it's great to see that this story is being received so well.

Once again, I would like to thank my fiancée (Stina) for playing Wikus. She will continue to do so as this story goes on. The top lyrics are from Jamiroquai's "Virtual Insanity," and the bottom ones are from Phil Collins', "Look through my eyes." (Thanks to Stina for those)

Remember kids: Reviews help fanfictions grow up big and strong.

***

And I'm thinking what a mess we're in
Hard to know where to begin
If I could slip the sickly ties that earthly man has made.

Christopher stayed up for quite a long time reading some of the ship logs from before he and his people ended up on Earth. Before Christopher knew it, he was utterly exhausted and Oliver had fallen asleep in his lap. The large Poleepkwa stood while cradling his son in his arms and carried the little one to the large ship quarters designed specifically for juvenile broodling care. The large room was full of small beds for the younglings on one end and on the other there were many things for the little ones to play with.

Chistopher lay Oliver down gently on an open bed and looked at him, affectionately running a thick finger along the small Poleepkwa's face before turning around and quietly walking out. Christopher returned to his own quarters, remembering that Wikus would be sharing with him. The larger alien slowly lay down beside the other, careful not to wake him. It was not unheard of for two or more Poleepkwa to share a bed as friends. There was nothing strange about this, it meant nothing. As the larger lay behind Wikus, he moved back against Christopher, enjoying the warmth of another body, still fast asleep. The action surprised the larger Poleepkwa but in a way it was comforting. He joined Wikus in slumber shortly after.

Early morning came and the two were literally entwined. Wikus slowly opened his eyes, feeling rested for the first time in three long years. Living in the ghetto one could never fully relax, so after a night in such a large, comfortable bed he felt like he was in heaven. Wikus felt something pressed against his back; slowly he turned his head to look over his shoulder. Wikus froze as he saw Christopher's face not even an inch away from his own. Christopher was still fast asleep, completely unaware of the former human staring at him. As Wikus looked at Christopher's calm, sleeping face a thought bubbled to the surface of his mind, 'he is beautiful.' Almost as soon as that thought entered his mind, however, his eyes grew wide and he shot back from the sleeping Poleepkwa, ending up on the floor with a thud. 'WHAT THE FOOK ARE YOU THINKING!?!' he yelled at himself mentally while crawling backwards on the floor 'A FOOKING CREATURE?!' He was freaking out and by now he had pressed himself against the wall.

Christopher slowly stirred and opened his big eyes. He noticed Wikus immediately, "is something wrong?" He clicked with concern.

"Wrong?! Just...stay away!" Wikus clicked aggressively.

The large Poleepkwa slowly got up from the bed and approached the smaller, "Wikus...are you okay?"

"Stay away from me!" Wikus clicked, strained with panic.

"Wikus, I do not understand..." Christopher stopped walking, standing a mere three feet from the other.

"STAY AWAY YOU FOOKING CREATURE!" The former human yelled suddenly, pointing at the alien.

Christopher tensed and backed up a bit. "Creature?! We are the same!" Sad, hurt confusion was written across his face.

Wikus' mind was clouded over with panic and anger as he tried to grasp the still unreal situation "WE ARE NOT THE SAME! I WAS A FOOKING HUMAN!"

"Wikus, you must calm down!" Christopher raised his hands up in a calming gesture.

"DON'T TELL ME TO FOOKING CALM DOWN!" Wikus kept on yelling and had probably awoken the entire corridor by now. The yelling had woken up a good deal of the other hallmates but they knew well enough to not try to become involved with the situation. All the Poleepkwa knew that Wikus had a temper and was still trying to grasp actually leaving Earth to live in their society. The Poleepkwa had already come to terms with the idea; most had even come to enjoy the former human's company. All on the ship, especially Christopher understood that it was easier to talk of leaving one's home to live in a completely different place than to actually carry out the deed.

"Shh...shhh! Please" Christopher moved forward again, toward Wikus.

"I don't want to be like this!" he grabbed his own antennas and yanked at them. It hurt badly but at the moment he didn't particularly care. "I WANT TO BE ME AGAIN!" Wikus sank to his knees with a sob

Christopher kneeled in front of Wikus. "It was your decision to come. Just yesterday you wished to blow up your home planet. Now you wish to become human again? It is too late Wikus. Perhaps this is what you are; what you were always meant to be."

"I don't even know what I am!" he sobbed, letting go of his antennas to cradle his head in his hands.

Slowly, the other reached to touch his shoulder. It truly pained Christopher to see him this way.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Wikus bellowed again and stood up. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"Wikus..." Christopher stood up slowly. "Please you will wake everyone. You must calm down...."

Wikus suddenly pushed him backwards forcefully "FOOK OFF!"

The larger Poleepkwa stumbled back and fell, lucky for him, right onto the large bed. Wikus jumped on top of Christopher, straddling the other's hips and began to beat at him with his fists, consumed by rage. "WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME?!" Wikus yelled, referring to when he first was exposed to the liquid that turned him into what he had become. Even if Wikus had been living as a "Prawn" for three years without a mental breakdown it was obviously happening now. He had left Earth, leaving everything and everyone he knew behind and now the actual meaning of that action came crashing down on him like a tidal wave.

"Wikus!" Christopher tried to push the other away, "Wikus stop!"

Wikus did not stop nor did he seem to hear Christopher as his fists kept slamming down on the larger Poleepkwa, hitting him in the face over and over. There was nothing Christopher could do, as much as he struggled, he was overpowered. Wikus was so strong and so overcome with rage. Finally, a nasty crack was heard as the shelling over Christopher's left cheek split and blood began to ooze out. He trilled loudly in pain and held his hands up more defiantly to try and block the blows. Wikus was quickly tiring and soon all his rage dissipated. He sat on top of Christopher panting, looking down at the other; he saw what he had done. Wikus' eyes widened in shock, he now had the other's blood on his hands, he caused harm to the only close friend he had.

When this dawned on Wikus he crumbled and slid off Christopher, landing on the bed beside him. Christopher reached up and touched his cracked face, wincing slightly. He looked to Wikus and slowly, timidly, grabbed him up into his arms. "Wikus..." The larger Poleepkwa clicked in a whisper. This time Wikus did not push him away, nor did he yell at him. Instead he slumped against Christopher sobbing and whispering apologies profusely.

"It's okay Wikus, it will all be okay," Christopher whispered, even though he was not so sure of that. Slowly he pulled Wikus back against him and lay them both down. Once again entwined, they ended in the same position they had begun.

So don't run, don't hide
It will be all right
You'll see, trust me
I'll be there watching over you
Just take a look through my eyes
There's a better place
somewhere out there.