Prince Unaware

The rest of the team stared at Rachel in shock. What she'd said couldn't be true, could it? Rachel looked back at them, her heart starting to race. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to tell them that Tobias was Elfangor's son. Ax was the first to speak.

"This...this cannot be," he stammer. The Andalite

"Ax...the disc he gave Tobias on the night we met...it was a message for him," Rachel tried to explain.

"No...my brother had never been to your planet before his ship crashed," Ax tried to deny, instantly beginning to morph into his Andalite form.

"How long has he known?" Cassie interjected quietly.

"Since the night of the spring dance," Rachel answered.

Without another word, Ax took off at a gallop, leaving his Earth friends watching him leave. Jake slowly sat up, wiping his nose with his sleeve. Cassie stood and went in search of a clean rag so he wouldn't ruin his shirt.

"I hope Ax is alright. You think he'd go after Tobias?" Marco voiced tentatively.

"I think they both need some time alone. It's a lot for Ax to deal with...finding out he has a nephew," Rachel began.

"Tobias needs an attitude adjustment," Jake grumbled.

"No...he just needs to get this whole thing out of his system," Cassie answered before Rachel could open her mouth.

"Cassie's right. We've kind f taken advantage of him lately," Rachel added.

"Rachel, he tried to rape you and you're defending him?" Jake spat.

"He would never do that, Jake. I think you're the one who is jealous that at least he can make a move," Rachel shot back and walked out.

"This is so messed up," Marco muttered, giving Jake a hand and pulling him up.

"I'm out of here," Jake mumbled and morphed into Homer. Once again, Marco and Cassie were left standing in the barn.

"This really sucks. It's like we're all falling apart. I mean sure there are days when I want to quit but it's never been this bad," Marco sighed.

"I'm not sure who I feel for more, Ax or Tobias. Jake just can't understand that people have issues and sometimes those need to come first," Cassie stated.

"Yeah...shouldn't a good leader listen to his followers and respect their needs?" Marco asked. Cassie nodded her head and they started out of the barn.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Hopefully we can pull it together enough to destroy the Kandrona," Cassie said, giving her friend a quick hug as they parted ways.

Out in the forest Ax was wandering around. He was going nuts. How could his brother have a son on this planet? Moreover, why could he not sense a connection with Tobias sooner? As he continued to wander he felt a strange sensation, as if someone was following him. One of his eye stalks swivelled around to see behind him. Standing there was Tobias.

Tobias, Ax said cautiously.

"You lost or something?" Tobias asked, leaning against a tree.

No. I am...I am trying to think... the Andalite explained.

"I...I wanted to apologize for calling you a pussy earlier," Tobias muttered.

"I was just angry and...it was really rude of me," he added.

Tobias...Rachel told us...you are Elfangor's son, Ax sighed, not entirely sure it was the best course of action.

"She did what? I told her not to tell anyone," Tobias spat. Ax could feel the emotions radiating off his Earthen nephew.

So it is true then. You are his son, Ax repeated.

"Yes, ok. Just keep it to yourself, alright. I'd rather not be found out by Visser Three," Tobias order just as he morphed into his hawk form, taking flight. Ax watched him go with all four of his eyes. Humans were such strange creatures.

Across town Rachel was just climbing back through her window. She turned to shut it when she figured some fresh air in the room wouldn't be a bad thing. She laid down on her bed and ran a hand over her eyes. The last few days ad been so stressful. She hated being in the middle of things but both Jake and Tobias had managed to do it. She couldn't figure out why Jake was being so protective of her. It wasn't like Tobias was going to Yeerk her or anything.

"Come on Rachel. Don't worry so much. They're just being typical guys," she tried to tell herself. She didn't quite believe the words coming out of her own mouth. She closed her eyes, lying on top her blankets. She slowly drifted off to sleep

Little did she know but leaving her window open was not the best idea. Just as he fell asleep a shadowy form approached the window. Stealthily, it slipped in the window and took up residence in her desk chair. Several hours later Rachel woke up, shivering. Groggily she got up and shut the window. As she secured the sash she heard a creaking behind her. She spun around to see Tobias seated at her desk, watching.

"How...how'd you get in here?" she asked, suddenly very much awake.

"You shouldn't leave your window open like that," Tobias answered coolly.

"How long have you been here?" she questioned, taking a step or two away from him.

"Does it matter?" he replied, getting up and in a few steps closing the gap between them.

"You have to leave," Rachel said as forcefully as she could. He just shook his head, leaning in and kissing her gently on the lips.

"I said no," Rachel repeated as he felt one of his hands circle around her neck.

"Shh. I know you want me," Tobias breathed, moving to kiss her neck. Rachel couldn't help give a small gasp at the gesture.

"Please, Tobias don't do this. I don't want you to get hurt,' Rachel pleaded with him, trying to push him away.

"You won't hurt me," he murmured.

"But Jake will if you do this," she responded.

"It's just you and m, Rachel. No one else," he breathed, moving her until he pushed down onto her bed.

"I told you I'm not ready," Rachel said, a tremor in her voice.

"Girls who aren't ready don't go around taking off their clothes for guys," Tobias hissed in her ear.

"I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry. Just please...don't do this," Rachel whispered.

"No. I need to have you, Rachel. It's always been about you. I can't think about anything else," Tobias spat, pulling his shirt over his head.

"It's just the hormones talking," Rachel tried to reason.

"No...I've always loved you. Since the day I met you," Tobias replied.

"So I'm asking you once, please. Make this feeling go away. Help me find peace,' Tobias gasped against her cheek.

Rachel looked up at him. She could see his eyes were begging her to say yes. She knew he wouldn't hurt her but she knew he might do something he'd regret If she didn't. Some choice there. She took a deep breath.

"Ok...but not here. I don't want my Mom or Sarah to walk in," Rachel finally said.

Tobias nodded and pulled her up. Rachel reopened the window and together they climbed out and down to the ground. As quickly as he could, Tobias morphed and indicated for Rachel to follow suit. She morphed a hawk and they took off into the night sky. They landed in a small clearing and both morphed into their human forms. Instantly Tobias pushed Rachel to the ground, peppering her jawbone with kisses. Rachel slowly ran her fingers along his bare back. It didn't take long for her to feel his erection pressing against her through his pants.

"You're so beautiful," Tobias breathed as he used one hand to cup her cheek as the other began to unbutton her shirt. Rachel didn't say anything. She just kissed the palm of his hand and slowly shrugged her shirt off. Tobias loked at her, kissing her on the lips as he struggled with his pants.

"Want some help with that?" she asked with a small laugh. He flashed her a smile and she reached down to undo the zipper.

Shortly both were lying there, clothes strewn about around them on the grass and Tobias was slowly entering her. She let out a whimper as he filled her.

"Shh," Tobias breathed, kissing her lips. She tried to keep from crying out as he continued to thrust in and out. It slowly started to hurt less and Rachel actually felt her body reacting to the stimulation.

"I've wanted to do this for so long," Tobias whispered in her ear as he thrust harder.

"Don't stop," Rachel rasped. Both seemed a bit shocked that the words passed from her lips but he complied. Eventually they both climaxed and Tobias rolled over onto the grass, holding Rachel close.

"Thank you," he whispered, kissing her shoulder.

"Do you feel better?" she asked, trying to catch her breath.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. They grew quiet as they contemplate the stars. Suddenly Rachel sat up and began collecting her clothes. Tobias eyed her curiously.

"What?" he asked, sitting up.

"I should get home. I don't want my Mom to freak out if she finds I'm not there," Rachel answered, jumping into her pants. Tobias ran a hand through his hair but grabbed his clothing too. He donned it and morphed back into his hawk form.

I love you, Rachel. I hope you know that, he called to her in thought-speech. She looked up and smiled at him.

"I know you do," she whispered as she took the form of a cat and sprinted off in the direction of town.