Chapter Six: Wait

Little time had passed, and each second was more agonizing than the one before. Their estimated time of arrival had not changed much, and it was driving the two teens insane.

"What is our approximate arrival time?" Sara asked, pacing the small bridge over and over; her brother sitting calmly and almost statuestly in the navigator's chair, staring at the screen.

"Approximately .624 days until we will have the ability to teleport." He answered in a monotone, his eyes scanning the engine of the ship. "The engine is in good shape- it should be able to last our trip to Earth and back without having to stop for more fuel."

Sara nodded and continued pacing, waving her hand to grab her brother's attention. "I wonder what she looks like, she most likely has brown eyes considering both Jack and Alex had brown eyes... But what if she has green eyes? I wonder if she's nice, although she seemed very small like her father when I talked with her." She paused for a moment, then turned to her brother, a teasing smile trained towards her unaware brother. "I wonder if she's pretty... I'll bet she is beautiful. You love brown eyes, don't you Seth?"

She watched as her older brother stiffen, her eyes dancing with interest. His fist clenched as her words sunk in. "Sara, there is no way that I will ever fall in love with a human. They are emotional creatures that require too much effort to even associate with for long periods of time,"

Sara just smiled, 'It sounds as though you've given this a lot of thought...' She told him, almost laughing at his redding face. 'But do not worry, brother, your secret is safe with me.'

Seth just glared at his sister and retuned to his previous work, fuming inside his mind; silent to his sister who eventually joined him at piloting the plane.

The two sat in silence for awhile, each absorbed in their separate work, neither one willing to begin a conversation again since Seth's feelings were still sore towards their earlier conversation.

Eventually he muttered something about another shower and locked the auto-pilot; leaving his sister alone. After awhile Sara decided once again to try and contact the girl named Sophia Bruno, her heart beginning to beat a little quicker with each step towards the room.

Sara decided to try it a bit differently this time, and instead of talking immediately, a small alarm would sound off on the device, warning the holder of Sara's presence. She figured this would be better- to prepare whoever was there instead of scaring them as she had done yesterday with Sophia Bruno.

From the other side, she heard the rustle of something opening- a zipper perhaps- and a small gasp. A moment later, Sara decided to speak up. "Hello?"

There was a yell of shock from the other end, but it was different than the yell of Sophia Bruno, it seemed more... happier.

"Sara? Is, is that you?"

"Yes, and is this," she paused for a moment before making up her mind, "Is this Alex Friedman?"

"Y-yes! Jack is here too... Are you all alright? Is something wrong?" Alex's voice sounded shaky, almost as though she was recovering from something.

Sara smiled, Alex was certainly more eager than her daughter to talk with her. And the seventeen year old couldn't help but feel a bit loved by the older woman's concern. "Yes, my brother and I are fine- but our planet is not. We are on our way to Earth to collect an experiment located in," She paused for a moment, shrinking a map of the engine on the screen in front of her with her free hand, and bringing up another map, this one of the United States. Sara zoomed in on one location, a small town located on the border of California, the small community highlighted with a red dot.

"Located in a city by the name of Ojai. We need permission to beam into your home once we arrive to Earth's atmosphere." Sara resumed smoothly, her hands moving once again, this time they pulled up the large countdown Seth had constructed. "Which will be in approximately .529 days."

There was a small yelp- but one of happiness. "Of- of course you can come to our home! Of course... Of course! Jack and I will- we'll do anything to help you and your brother. Speaking of which, where is Seth?"

"My brother is..." Sara searched for the correct term. "Occupied. Though he will be thrilled that you are alright." Which was true- but he'd also be upset that Sara hadn't notified him.

"So how are you two? Are you okay?" Sara laughed and nodded her head, once again knowing that the two adults couldn't see her actions.

"Yes, yes of course my brother and I are well. We are one of the few not yet infected with the disease." There was a relived sigh on the other end.

"We're so happy that you two are alright; Jack and I have been worried sick about you two for the past eighteen years."

"Yes, Alex, your concern is... sweet, thank you. How has Earth been?" That was all it took to launch Mrs. Bruno into a not-so-short summary of all that had happened while they were gone. Jack remained silent for a majority of the time, making only minor interjections into the conversation; Sara noticed.

She also noticed that throughout the hour of their talking, the couple never once mentioned their supposed daughter. This throughly concerned, and stumped Sara. Children are supposed to be highly valued, their birth's alone causing much celebration between families on her planet. Is that not how it is on Earth?

"She's out there playing basketball again," This complaint caught the blonde's attention, her attention focusing fully on this somewhat private conversation. "She acts like a guy so much, she know's that I don't like it!"

"Sweetie, let her play. She's not doing anyone any harm and it looks like she's kicking some butt." Jack soothed, a small hint of pride in his voice as he consoled his wife.

"Sara, honey, I'm sorry but we have to go. We're so excited that you're coming! Isn't that right, Jack?" There was a gruff sound in the background, no doubt watching whoever this girl was (Sophia?).

"That is okay, Alex. Thank you once again for allowing my brother and I into teleport into your home." Sara thanked politely, secretly wishing that she could already be there.

"No problem sweetie; have a safe... Trip?" Sara laughed in response and shut off the communicator quickly before she lost the nerve to.

She stood there for a moment, collecting her thoughts before glancing at the timer- nearly an hour had passed. Sara smiled to herself and quietly exited the room, making her way toward the 'mess hall', as her and Seth had settled on calling it in the beginning.

She traveled down the narrow halls gracefully, her steps similar to a dancer with years of practice. Her slim hand touched the cool frame of the mess hall's door, the touch triggering the door to slid open.

She sighed and stepped inside, rummaging in the cabinets for something to eat, when a voice startled her. "So, did you establish communication with Sophia Bruno?"

Sara's heart stopped for a moment, looking over her shoulder to find her brother staring at her. She smiled and nodded, turning back towards the food she'd placed out in front of her. "Not exactly, I was able to connect with Jack and Alex. We have been given permission to beam into their home- they are expecting our arrival soon."

There was a moment of silence before Seth spoke. "Of course, I knew that it would work out. I was positive,"

Sara sighed and looked at her brother tiredly, "Seth, sometimes, it's okay to be wrong." She moved over to her older brother and hugged him tightly. "We still love you- you don't have to be perfect all the time."

Once again, there was a moment of silence before Seth answered his sister. "But I do, I have to be perfect. If I'm not," Seth paused and spun around on his heel, his head pounding with another headache. "Then I have nothing to live for."

Sara sighed and turned back towards her food. "You don't have to be perfect, Seth." She whispered, her normally peaceful face now marred with worry for her brother.

But all Sara could do was hope that maybe, just maybe, this trip to Earth would change Seth; for the better.

A/N: You guys are awesome. Thank you so much for all of your reviews- they make my exams a little less horrible! :) Congratulations to tomboy2012, who guessed nearly all the similarities, missing only basketball. Round of applause please?

Also, thank you to tomboy2012 for volunteering to be my new beta. I gladly accept your offer and all I ask is that you PM me so that I can send you the new chapter and for me to tell you a few things about how I write :)

Thank you to all of you who review, it really does mean a lot, and heck, I know this chapter took a long time, but it probably wouldn't have even been written yet if I hadn't known how many people like this story... so thank :D

Well, until next chapter... reviews are always appreciated!

~Ella