CHAPTER 9

Laughter Is The Best Medicine


While Will and Marissa had left, Bianca had nervously baked to take her mind off edge and cooked a breakfast meal for her three cousins before the aliens bounded in. Will and Christina had devoured their eggs and bacon within minutes while Marissa prodded at them mindlessly before sluggishly eating. Bianca had just watched them, happy to have the trio back without injuries until Christina told her it was getting creepy. Unlike Christina who ranted and destroyed, Bianca soothed and cooked without limit to repress her worries. She'd been cheerful until Marissa popped in with Kahet and frightened her to the kitchen corner as she watched the two interact as if it was a natural day-by-day routine. Marissa had then introduced the cautious woman to him but Bianca was more than happy to leave and let the two talk.

The group, except Bakuub, had gotten together for brief introductions by an enthusiastic Leitjin who made everyone mingle. He wanted them to get along for the moment before they left so his team could see the humans weren't simply menial beings. Despite Aru'Dre's and Sau'Nak's reluctance, Kahet had ordered them to do whatever his little brother wanted and Leitjin gladly took advantage. He wanted to know more about the human world and he was sure they were just as eager when he brought his team inside. Bianca had screamed for a few minutes until Will covered her mouth and repressed the fear by cooking incessantly. Meanwhile, Christina had glared down her newest nemesis but smiled sweetly at the medic as he chatted them up. Will practically spoke to all of them at a fast pace to make sure no one was left out until Marissa snapped him out of it with a slap on the head.

"Why is everyone in here?" Bakuub grunted aloud outside the humans dwelling as he stood camouflaged in his armor. He wasn't taking any chances on this planet and he doubted the small cabin could hold back an army if the hostile humans returned. Banging on the door with his fist, he impatiently waited until a small female human opened the door. He hadn't met her before and tilted his head in curiosity. She was so tiny compared to him, it was almost cute. . .and funny. He chuckled mentally at the smaller human heights that could rival yautja children's and Bianca ushered him inside quietly. As he uncloaked, she stared at his immense size in awe. How tall were his species? They could dominate anyone if that was their usual height and she couldn't help but feel small under his stare. Without looking at the doorway's height, Bakuub entered and smacked the top of his head over it, ducking instantly after hitting himself.

Stupid ooman-sized door!, he cursed mentally and rubbed his sore skin.

"Sorry, I forgot about your height difference" she apologized embarrassedly and shut the door once he was inside. She scurried away from the new alien visiting her cabin and knew he was the leader once his team nodded to him. Her chocolate brown eyes studied the newcomer as she wondered what made him different from the rest since his armor was the same silver color and he wasn't as tall as the pilot. However, she had food to cook at the moment and returned to her task.

He found his entire team inside enjoying a cup of hot chocolate the shy human had given them while trying out their first chocolate cookies. He cocked his head at the surreal scene and dismissed the notion of comprehending such an image. Well, at least the aliens were hospitable to strangers. The most he'd expected was their screaming to never see them again as they hightailed it out of the forest in their vehicle.

Bakuub studied the wooden abode, questioning how humans lived in such primitive places and spotted his team on the floor. Why was his team sitting on the floor? Where the humans so lazy they couldn't lend them chairs? Had their culture not invented even the most basic furniture design concept yet?

"Why are you on the floor?" he asked Aru'Dre roughly and crossed his arms in question. The sepia hunter had finally decided to try the strange beverage after twenty minutes of non-stop hissing and glanced up at his friend.

"Chairs can't handle our weight and they appear poor so I decided to take pity and allow them the saved currency" he answered simply with a self-dignified nod and sipped his drink slowly. Just because he agreed to drink it didn't mean he'd trust the contents completely. He didn't see what the hype Leitjin kept spouting about was and told the captain, "It's not bad for ooman cooking. I've had better but this will suffice for the time being. We are in a rural area and I doubt these poverty-stricken creatures can afford good ingredients for cooking."

Bakuub shook his head and wanted to inform the hunter that not all alien species were poor based solely on their means of living and evolution. Plus, he spotted bags with clothing inside lying around the main room and came to the conclusion that this wasn't their permanent home. He doubted all four could live in such a small place and it was barren compared to what Iliana had described human homes to be from her own adventures.

"You're lucky you got any with your attitude and we're not poor!" Christina snapped acidly from the couch where she sat with Leitjin, who had happily added whip cream to his drink for added taste. Kahet had warned him about eating to many foreign products but the younger sibling didn't listen. He would've eaten the metal can too if Will hadn't yanked it away before his fanged teeth punctured it. She turned to the medic and scolded him gently, "No more cups for you, you've had three already. I don't want you on a sugar high, your alien system can act differently on it and you're the only medic here."

He pouted with a light disappointed groan and nodded regretfully to her point. The beverage was so good, he didn't want to give it up but his medical mind won over. He didn't need to have an allergic reaction or upset stomach at the moment. He sipped the chocolate more slowly to conserve its content and Kahet shook his head from his spot on the floor as he spoke with Marissa but had his eyes trained on his sibling. Leitjin merely narrowed his hazel eyes at him and took a sip to humorously rile his brother.

He can be like mother sometimes, he thought amusingly.

Will sat on the coffee table across from the two as he indulged Leitjin with his curious questions and the medic did the same with his own. Christina listened to them from her corner with a bored face and wondered if her fall fashion catalogs had arrived at her home. Oh, how she missed her laptop. Sau'Nak stared cautiously and didn't like the fact that Leitjin was giving away information; his people didn't even do that with most trade species. Frankly, they weren't supposed to be chummy at all in the slightest sense! His cousin could be too soft sometimes and that was not a compliment. Personally, he loathed interacting with species different from his own and would only speak to them until he got the information he needed. Shadow glanced at the tall male as he sat rigidly while his own body was curled over the wooden floor while he tried to drink from the cup with his inner tongue carefully. It was proving quite troublesome and he decided to let it be. He didn't have a mouth like the yautja or humans and wouldn't compete with an inanimate object for his beverage.

'Do you think the humans will reveal us?', he asked privately.

"No, but that doesn't mean I have to like it" the yautja answered simply and sniffed his drink to make sure it was safe. Poisons and sedatives could be mixed into drinks without a hassle but he doubted the tiny female knew the process. If so, she'd have to be a pretty good actress since she scattered fearfully at the sight of them. He observed each of the humans again and told his companion, "We're breaking regulation but I will say nothing until Bakuub points it out."

'Then relax, I do not believe they have ill intentions at all', Shadow spoke as he watched Will and Leitjin talk. He found the alien male to be quite friendly since meeting and that was rare in most parts of the universe. Even the yautja would never warm up to him and Leitjin still had trouble fitting in because of his genetics. Yet in the small cabin, the medic seemed at ease and Shadow spoke aloud, 'Leitjin is quite content with them and they hid you without asking for compensation. They are humble and almost childlike, very young compared to your species lifespan. The little female is very kind despite her lack of bravery and I doubt they could harm us personally.'

"So do I but I will not place my complete trust in others unless I am well aware of all the facts" Sau'Nak stated grimly and took a sip of his drink, deeming it safe. The taste wasn't worth much but it didn't singe his tongue like last time so that was a perk. However, he kept a cautious outlook over the room as he added in aloofly, "Especially with an alien species."

"Hey! I almost got blown up for you" Marissa spoke up behind him as she stomped past him and went to sit next to Kahet on the floor. She'd overheard his words from behind and couldn't help being insulted by his callous attitude. Coldly, she continued, "Is that not good enough for you? What do I have to do? Shoot my own kind? Because that's what I did! You think I liked killing a stranger of my own people to help an alien who doesn't trust me?"

Is she complaining about one random person?, he thought carelessly. Such an emotional being.

"You volunteered, I remember rejecting your choice personally" he pointed out calmly, making her glare at his casual tone. He would not let her put the blame solely on him, he'd made his plan and she joined in willingly. He set his cup down and pointed out firmly, "I never asked for aid but you imposed yourself into my plan. The choice was yours alone."

Never? That jerk practically made us help him in the beginning with his attitude!, she thought angrily and clutched her mug tightly. Kahet stared back and forth, unsure of what step to take, and decided to grab her cup before she crushed it in her grip. Marissa didn't even notice as her gray eyes narrowed dangerously at the pilot.

"What is your problem? We've done nothing but help and you're acting all high and mighty despite you needed us!" she retorted furiously and pointed at him. The others grew quiet in their conversations and glanced at the two instead as they feuded. Bianca wanted to intervene but Eshin'Ga held her back, telling her this was their argument and not hers. Marissa slammed her fist onto the wooden floor and snapped, "You used our home, our room, our food, Will's car- which by the way is totaled- and no matter what we do, you assume we're out to destroy you or not worthy to breathe the same air as you! What makes you so much better than us?!"

Stop arguing, I can handle Chris doing this but not Marissa too, Will thought in dismay as his eyes darted back and forth between the two.

"My people aren't the barbarians trying to steal the technology of others" Sau'Nak hissed coldly and narrowed his ruby eyes. She grit her teeth at his accusing words and he continued with his superior tone, "Obviously, my people are very advanced to be envied this way by your primitive race. I doubt anyone would've survived if an ooman made the plan alone and you followed my orders without question so who is the superior individual here? Besides, you were the one who so easily placed her life on the field based on my battle plan meaning you knew I was superior to you to ensure your complete survival."

"Oh no" Leitjin murmured and slumped in his seat. Why did his cousin have to mistrust every alien being? This was going to put them in more problems! Why couldn't he be like him and try the friendly approach once in a while?

This is just like the Piohraeek incident, he thought despondently. They unleashed their missiles on us because Sau'Nak insulted their unsanitary food conditions and gave them tips.

How dare he judge the others and me that way? After what we did for him!, Marissa thought in outrage and hurt. She'd helped him and believed they had reached a common ground after everything. It seemed he could be cold and two-faced when it came to any alien which made her sick to her stomach. We could've died and he wouldn't have cared for a second! I can't believe I put my life on the line for this jerk!

"I did it out of compassion, you ass, something you should learn" she spat in an icy tone and walked away from the others to head to her room. Sau'Nak hissed slightly and ignored the insult as the room stayed silent; a slamming door sounding off seconds later.

"Even I thought that was mean for my taste" Aru'Dre spoke up loudly to put in his opinion and Kahet punched his arm to shut him up. Leitjin just sighed depressingly and shook his head at the tense moment. The sepia hunter massaged his arm and hissed to his comrade, "And you think I'm the jerk? You need a vision test, Kahet."

"Shut up!" Kahet hissed back menacingly in a whisper to save any further arising tension.

It made me wonder why Sau'Nak rarely has friends and now I know, he thought and sighed mentally.

"Sau'Nak, we must run a maintenance test on the ship before leaving" Bakuub ordered his comrade who nodded and stood up. He did not want to provoke any more arguing and decided to take out the key player in the mess. Looking at the three humans, he said politely, "My people rarely interact with other species for large amounts of time, much less befriend them as Leitjin seems to be doing. However, I know when thanks are in order and I thank you for your honorable and courageous actions for aiding my team. . .despite my pilot's opinions."

He's siding with them? How am I at fault here?!, Sau'Nak thought in surprise and it baffled him. That makes no sense! Why is no one ever thinking rationally in these type of situations?

"Sure, Barney" Christina mumbled uncaringly, still furious over what Sau'Nak had told Marissa. Seriously, who did he think he was? An alien who everyone would listen to at his every bossy command? Maybe now Marissa would listen to her about befriending everyone she met. She would've thrown her drink at the jerk but if she scalded him, she didn't think his leader would appreciate it. So she settled for glaring hatefully at the pilot as she imagined all kinds of torture performed on him.

"My name is Bakuub!" he barked at her ignorance and the idle tone. His name wasn't that hard to pronounce by a human tongue. Out of everyone, his sister and the pilot gave outsiders a hard time vocalizing their names.

"Whatever" she mumbled carelessly under her breath again. She placed her feet on the coffee table to lean back and sip her drink. She'd done her heroic deed for the day and she wasn't giving out any more pep to anyone.

Looking at Will, Bakuub continued, "I apologize for any rude actions from my crew. We will not trouble you anymore than we already have. When our ship is deemed ready for flight, we will leave this area immediately. I know that I cannot solely judge an entire species as inferior but there are individuals who are considered to be worthy among my people based on their actions and I will honor you as such. After talking with William-"

"No, it's Will" he groaned embarrassingly and covered his face with his hands. Why did the aliens have to be formal with names? People on Earth didn't even use their names sometimes and opted for nicknames instead. Bakuub snorted in amusement instead and Will reminded himself to tell Leitjin about formal and casual human conversation.

"Either way, your actions were honest and courageous" he continued as the trio listened quietly. Aru'Dre was about to defend his pride concerning the capture but Eshin'Ga slapped his head from behind to stop him. Bakuub resisted from uttering an aggravated sigh and stated, "For that, I will leave you within the safety of your city to avoid being caught by these oomans here as payment for our debt. No one asked you to aid an alien species and you did it humbly- well, most of you anyway- and I will return it as the captain of my group."

"Do you think we're in that much danger?" Bianca asked quietly with a worried tone. She stood with Eshin'Ga by the stove as she put cookies onto a plate for the group while the scientist scribbled a quick note into her electronic data pad. Bianca had been weary to see the tall woman hovering over her as she typed into her slate but once Eshin'Ga assured her it was for educational purposes, she didn't mind. Plus, she'd take her chances with the calm female than the short-tempered males. Bakuub's offer sounded nice but what were the real consequences she and her cousins would face from all their interaction?

"Hello? We took on the government, of course we are!" Christina snapped firmly at her, then softened her tone at seeing her cousin wince, "They'll be searching for us based on whatever descriptions they remember about us. . .except you, you're clear. The best we can do is try to keep low profiles or run off to another country."

"I always wanted to go to Japan" Will grinned happily and gave an enthusiastic nod to his family about the idea. Christina gave him her patented 'you're an idiot' glare and questioned why the universe had given her a dense sibling.

"A country where we're not standing out, Will!" she restated her point sharply and resisted from punching his recently injured arm. She didn't find any humor in their situation and resented that the aliens could leave without a care while they were stuck on their planet for any arising retaliation. This was the best vacation anyone could have dreamed of. She really wanted to break a chair over the sepia jerk or the annoying pilot at that moment. Bitterly, she stated, "If anyone starts looking, we're screwed."

"Thank you for your offer, Bakuub" Bianca spoke up to the leader who had his brows raised towards the feuding twins. She didn't want the aliens to believe they were uncivilized with the way those two argued. He turned to face her and she looked away in shyness, "I'll speak for my cousins and say it for them. We agree to your respectful gesture."

He nodded to her silently, deciding she was the sane one of the group, and motioned for Sau'Nak to leave with him. The taller male followed quietly as he crossed his arms irritably. Christina practically bared her teeth at him when he passed by and Will held her back as he compared her to an angry rottweiler.

"Down girl" he teased lightly and Bianca winced when Christina yanked her brother's hair into her powerful grip. Her hand clutched his brown hair tightly and he cried out, "Not the hair!"

"You were rude and you will apologize to that female onboard" Bakuub ordered simply without question to his friend and ignored the twins antics as he opened the strange human door. Sau'Nak nodded bitterly without a word and followed him, purposely slamming the door to ease his tension.

"Don't be rude now!" Bianca called out weakly from inside and released a sigh. Shaking her head, she returned to fixing the farewell snacks for both groups as they finished getting ready to leave. She'd already begun packing and would finish once everyone was fed.

"How about Australia then? I have a pen pal there" Will continued making his sister's left eye twitch again as she tried to ignore him but failed miserably. She held her ears to deafen him but he kept talking excitedly, "Or Italy? We can make a vineyard! Or Hawaii-oh wait, that's still in the US. Oh, Canada and their slopes! Everyone loves Canada! Or the UK where-"

"Or how about I throw you out of a plane over the Pacific?" she threatened agitatedly and went back to drinking her chocolate. The sugar calmed her as it passed her throat but it didn't last long as she added in nastily, "Then your ghost can travel all over the world!"

"I'll live under the sea then" he declared and crossed his arms defiantly. Bianca could only sigh in embarrassment as the aliens watched their spat with curiosity. Couldn't the two behave in front of company?

"I keep telling you it's not gonna happen! Humans haven't discovered that tech yet" Christina shot back and threw a pillow at his head to shut him up but he ducked and Leitjin received the blow. The medic massaged his face from the pillow attack and she snapped at her brother angrily, "You're such an idiot, Will! Look what you made me do! I hurt the gentle one!"

"Welcome to the wonderful world of Earth" Bianca sighed pitifully as she saw Christina apologize to the poor medic caught in their war. Will joined his sister and the two then argued over who was more truthful to their apology while Leitjin hung his head. She smiled at the friendly medic and walked up to the remaining group with fresh cookies on a plate. Shyly, she spoke up, "I have treats, courtesy of Earth, so fill your stomachs before we all leave."

"Oh!" Leitjin exclaimed, jumping up eagerly and lessening the weight on the couch making Will fall off on his butt. He gave out a quick apology while running over to Bianca and grabbed one hot off the plate. Then two, three, four-

"Leitjin, they're for everyone" she scolded with a laugh as he purred happily. He scampered off with his treats before she could grab them back and give them to the others. She began to pass out the rest as he returned to sit down and nibble on them.

"Don't worry if there isn't enough, we have our own food onboard" Eshin'Ga assured the smaller woman and took a bite of her own, testing the different tastes and foreign ingredients with her tongue. Besides Leitjin, Bianca liked this female easily after talking to her since she hadn't frightened her off or given her a cold vibe like the rest. She was calm and composed, a whole different package compared to the males who were brutish.

Leitjin grabbed one of his cookies and held it out to Kahet so he could try one. Despite the infectious smile, his brother declined the offer and left the room. Shrugging, he began to eat it himself while purring. He had no idea how the small female had created the treat but he wanted the recipe to take home to his mother.

They're delicious!, he thought as he felt the chocolate melt in his mouth. It's a shame I can't leave Earth with a batch of these.

"You sound like a cat" Christina laughed, enjoying the odd sound coming from him. Leitjin cocked his head to the side and wondered what a 'cat' was but assumed she liked it since she wasn't directing her usual anger towards him. He returned to eating his cookie quietly as she told her brother in a friendly tone, "That's pretty cool."

"You're sure they're not poisoned?" Aru'Dre asked in their tongue to the others making Eshin'Ga slap his head again. He almost hurled his cookie at her head as he arched his back and yelled, "Damn it, woman!"

Will tried to grab one of Leitjin's cookies while the medic stared at his grumbling cousin but he held them protectively against his chest. When he noticed Will's hand leaning in, he turned around and hissed, "Mine!"

"I think he's getting addicted to Earth's sweet foods" Christina observed with a raised eyebrow, looking over the giddy medic as he ate. She did not want to get between his sharp teeth and the food like her idiot brother had tried. Still, despite his fearsome looks, she chuckled, "For an alien, he's kinda adorable."

Her brother raised an eyebrow to her eerily friendly comment about the medic and she snapped, "A platonic adorable. Like those cute stray puppies on the street."

"I wouldn't tell him that" Will sighed at her dry humor and wondered why he was given a sibling with a lacking sarcastic wit. Her hand slapped the back of his head and he jumped in surprise to yell, "What did I do?! I didn't even say anything!"

"You were insulting me mentally" she declared without any physical facts and he stared at her as if she'd gone insane.


Kahet opened the wooden door carefully at the end of the hall and spotted the human Marissa fixing clothes over the bed. Her eyes were red as she stuffed her clothes inside her duffel bag and he closed the door causing her to jump slightly and spot him. She glanced at him timidly as she put away the bag to the side and wiped her eyes.

Ooman females are very emotional beings, he thought observantly. I remember how mother would cry during the days leading up to my Chiva. By Paya, she's still saddened whenever any of us leave.

He quietly held out the cerulean ceramic cup to her and said gently, "You forgot it. I thought it would help calm you."

Stupid Sau'Nak, now they probably think I'm a blubbering baby, she thought sourly. I don't know why I was nice to him in the first place. I blame it on intergalactic camaraderie beliefs Will spouts about.

She grabbed it gingerly and drank a sip while watching him. His face wasn't as grim as the pilot's firm features or scowling like the loudmouth. Leitjin's face easily won the gentle category though despite the sharp teeth and facial features. However, there was something she couldn't quite point out about their softer features but shrugged it off. Giving him an appreciative smile, she thanked him, "Thank you, Kahet."

"I apologize for my cousin's words, he does not speak on my behalf" he said kindly as his eyes glanced over her sullen face. The corner of her lips lifted slightly at his words and he decided to try the gentle tactics that he'd used to calm his own mother before leaving on missions. He doubted Marissa was as hard to convince as the woman who struck fear into he and his father and told her, "I am thankful for what you did, even if I may have scared you when we first met. I will not badmouth any of your actions and I am in your debt for aiding my little brother."

"Thanks, but. . .you're not a jerk like him" she stated quietly and sniffled softly as his comment lightened her mood. She took a sip from her mug and placed it on a nearby night table while he quietly watched. Her tired red-rimmed eyes met his brilliant hue and she admitted softly, "I doubt you've ever killed one of your own people so I doubt you'd understand my feelings and thoughts over taking a life. I'm studying to help people, not kill them. I'm not a fighter nor do I want to be right now. I helped you because you needed it and all the violence today went against my principles but I just couldn't say no. Our government was wrong to do what they did but Sau'Nak is a complete jerk in my view for disregarding our helpful part in his plan. Obviously, he didn't care for my viewpoint in this matter."

I've killed much more than you ever will in your life, he thought as he watched her fumble with her bedspread to rip it off the bed somewhat. The furrowed brows on her face told him that she wasn't keen on a certain matter and he bet it wasn't her bed cover but the pilot. Apparently, ooman females can be very sensitive so I'll watch my step before I end up with chocolate and broken shards all over my face.

"My kind is not gentle, not a by a long shot" Kahet admitted and rumbled his chest softly as she stopped her fumbling. She stared up at him with interest and he knew the typical human curiosity had caught her attention. He didn't mind, she'd already promised her secrecy about his existence and her actions had never been hostile against him. He made a light rumble in his throat and explained, "We are bred to be the strongest so I can't say I understand your concept of passivity. In your world, money and labor run your society but ours is based on laws and prestige which are earned by raw physical survival throughout our lives. But I know you're an innocent being who's seen things that should not be and it won't be easy to endure them. You're not supposed to know we exist and that perception can hurt your entire belief system."

"But I have to trudge through it, whether I want to or not" Marissa stated with a gentle sigh and smiled softly. Despite his strong chiseled appearance, his friendliness lessened its intimidation and she couldn't help but like the strange alien. It really was nice of him to come there out of his own goodwill instead of the jerk who should've done it in the first place. She clasped her hands together and gave him a sincere smile, "Thanks for the apology but I don't need it, especially not from you, Kahet. You didn't do anything wrong but I appreciate your actions. I tried to be nice to Sau'Nak despite the attitude but he's right, I know what I got into-"

"That doesn't mean it gave him a right to say what he did" he objected firmly and she was touched that he sided with her on the matter. Most would go with their own kind and family but he disagreed. On the other hand, she argued with Christina's philosophies most of the time too. After years of discrimination, Kahet didn't like it when others, especially females, were undermined for their say only because of either their genotype or phenotype. With a calm tone, he assured her, "You have enough on your mind, forget his words and prepare to leave. You'll be at peace once you're in the safety of your home."

"Thank you, Kahet" she said kindly and smiled at him for his sincerity. He was a lot like Leitjin, he seemed understanding and friendly ever since they met hours ago. She enjoyed her time with him much more than her day with the pilot and he'd almost strangled her at first sight. Why couldn't he have been the one to crash into her house? He didn't appear that frightening to her as he had during the battle and his company eased her. Quietly, she glanced at him to say, "I apologize for the atrocious way my people treated you, that is not the way I want them to be portrayed. Not all of us are like that but be more careful next time, okay?"

"You have nothing to apologize for" he chuckled, dismissing the issue but appreciated her words. He doubted many humans would stand before him with a calm demeanor and pointed towards the closed door to suggest, "You should join your family outside. I believe the two siblings were in the middle of a spat but by the look on your face, it looks like nothing new. Bianca was handing out tiny treats called 'cookies'. Leitjin ran off with half the plate so I'll apologize in case he eats your food supply."

"You should try some, they're good" Marissa laughed at his joke and hoped the medic wouldn't get ill from overeating. The two brothers did behave similarly but the older was more keen to her personality and she found herself wanting to know more about their strange culture. She wouldn't bounce joyfully like Will but she wanted to keep interacting with him. She grinned slyly and joked, "I hope you won't run off with the rest of the plate?"

"I can't assure you of that" he joked back with a playful trill and looked over the beds. They appeared similar to some of theirs but the blankets were thin and cold unlike their thick pelts. He prodded one of the soft pillows and noticed they were flimsier and thinner than theirs. However, the mattress was soft under his hand and he cocked his head in interest. Shrugging, he decided to sit on it before Marissa could stop him.

"No, the bed-" she cried out and yanked his arm to no avail. As he sat, the uplifted bed creaked from below and collapsed under his immense weight. The top bunk bed fell onto them as the foundation broke and Marissa cried out, fearing she was about to die from a bed rather than a bullet like before. Kahet simply shoved it to the side with his strength and shielded her with his body as he pulled her under. She glared heatedly at him from her spot on the bed and he covered his face with one of the stray blankets. He was supposed to be seen as her savior not an enemy.

Another blunder on my part, he sighed dismally. How am I going to talk my way out of this one? If I was Leitjin, I'd flash a smile but I doubt that charm will work on oomans.

"You ruined Christina's bed, she's going to murder us and then the park will bill us for the next five years" she hissed in annoyance but couldn't help but being amused at his action to hide. So dodging an argument was his plan, was it? Alien or not, she'd have bills to pay and she doubted he carried a Mastercard in his belt. She tried to keep a straight face as she argued, "We'll be banned forever, this isn't funny. You've no idea on how greedy humans are with money and if it's lost, legs are broken!"

"At least you're alive rather than being crushed" Kahet pointed out warily and decided to peek over the blanket. Her gray eyes were irritated while her eyebrows were furrowed, a similar look he remembered his mother giving his father when he ate the family dinner once. Her look softened as his emerald eyes peeked childishly at her but she shook her head to stay on point.

"You trying to look cute doesn't help us" she stated sharply, poking his light green chest in which he rumbled it in return. The vibrations tickled her finger but she went on, "We-"

The door burst open and Christina rushed in suspiciously followed by Will with his casual stride. Bianca and Leitjin curiously peeked in from the open doorway to see what was going on. They'd heard the loud noise from outside and wondered what had happened inside between the two. Bianca had thought either Marissa had lashed out or Kahet had attacked her due to the crash. However, that wasn't the case and the three onlookers sighed in relief except for one. Christina saw the top bunk bed in one piece in the middle of the room while her bottom bed was split into two in its original spot as the mattress caved in. On top of her mattress, the brunette gave her a nervous wave and glared at the alien next to her who laid on his side while holding a blanket as a shield between them. Now, he had to face two infuriated females.

My bed!, Christina thought as she saw the broken legs lying on the floor in pieces. The wooden foundation of the bed was completely shattered but she didn't care for any of it except, I'm going to get billed forever for this!

"What the hell did you do now?!" she shouted lividly and entered the room with heavy footsteps. Will had to wince at his sister's fury and pitied both the alien and his cousin. Even he knew better than to get her mad beyond the breaking point because there was no coming back. Shooting both of them a seething glare, she screeched, "What part of 'no sitting on anything' didn't you understand?!"

"He. . .he forgot, everyone makes mistakes?" Marissa mumbled weakly with a small smile and her cousin shot her the evil eye. She grabbed Kahet's blanket and covered her face from view as both tugged at it for protection. Christina growled angrily as her fists clenched and Marissa groaned at facing the fuming banshee. She knew Kahet wasn't going to do it so she took the initiative. Feeling safer behind the blanket rather than the strong male, she explained calmly, "It was an accident on both our parts as we were talking. He tried to get off but I couldn't yank him-"

"You still ruined it!" she shrieked as her face reddened and began to pace furiously before them. Was she dealing with buffoons who couldn't follow a simply rule? Or had the two been preoccupied to even care? Marissa avoided her gaze and gave the quiet yautja her own glare in which he turned away nonchalantly. Oh, now he wanted to use nonviolence? Christina pushed up her sweater's sleeves and exclaimed, "My credit is going to be ruined till I'm 40 because of this and I'm hitching a ride with the aliens who started all this in the first place!"

"Actually, Bakuub offered-" Kahet began to point out but she spun around to scowl at him with wild eyes.

"Shut up, watermelon head!" she yelled spitefully and Marissa had to snicker at the color similarities of both.

"I really did forget" Kahet murmured in protest, hoping it would help. That human female was as furious as a normal yautja female would be when flustered. He didn't like it, especially if she would try to beat him down like their own. He doubted her slim body could do any damage but looks could be deceiving and she already had a target sign displayed over his cousin's head. Plus, he wouldn't feel right fighting a female of any species due to his upbringing.

For a small being, she's quite fearless, he thought but it wasn't complimentary. If she could stand up to any alien, she was lucky other aggressive hunters weren't on the receiving end or her head would be on their spears minutes later.

"There's no point in arguing with her" Marissa whispered to him in sympathy and sighed hopelessly, "Once she's on the attack, there's no way she'll find you innocent."

She raised her voice and bravely stated, "We really didn't mean for this to happen."

"What the fuck were you two doing that made you forget?!" Christina demanded skeptically as she fought the tendency to pull at her hair. Her mind was already warning her about overreacting to the innocent duo but all she could focus on was her poor credit. That and the entire hell these aliens had put her through since yesterday! She should've never gone on this stupid trip and saved herself ten years of mental health care and a thousand dollar bill.

No fair, I wanted my new Chanel bag from the fall '16 collection, she thought sadly as the adorable bag she'd been eyeing in the catalogs for months faded away from her mind.

"Maybe he wanted to join her in bed" Will laughed out loud and wiped his eyes as the joke made him crack up. Marissa crumpled the blanket she held and threw it at his head at his accusation but he dodged it behind the doorway. Leitjin started laughing as well and slapped the wall he leaned against from outside. Bianca blushed at his outlandish accusation from her own perch outside and Aru'Dre decided to come up to join them as they berated his cousin. Will nodded to the group as Marissa imagined how to torture him as he went on, "I mean, they are quite comfy on it and they haven't attempted to get off-"

"Did I miss something here?" Christina snapped at all of them and glared directly at Marissa. Her shoulders squared and she jabbed her index finger at the woman to growl, "You better not start getting kinky with anyone here, missy! Especially not an alien who broke my bed! I could write a book on why you shouldn't be talking to him and even more on not trying to let him get into your pants!"

Why in the world would I think of. . .Auggh! No!, Marissa thought repulsively.

"I didn't do anything, the bed broke because he sat on it! Look at how big he is!" she yelled to prove her innocence as she tried to cover the blush on her cheeks with her hand. Great, she reached out in camaraderie and she's already being accused of trying to seduce an alien she met a only few hours prior. Were they all insane? Standing up in embarrassment, she crossed her arms and turned away from them. She glared at Kahet, who was growling at his laughing brother, and scolded, "This is all your fault for being friendly."

I try to be kind and this is my thanks?, Kahet thought perplexed. I'll never understand oomans! And I'm half-ooman, I should be ashamed!

"I came in here to lighten your mood-" he started and stood up instantly to argue with her.

"By trying to seduce her, eh?" Will joked with a wink and wagged his eyebrows towards both. "Something like-", he quickly changed his voice to a deep flirtatious baritone tone, "Hey baby, how 'bout ridin' Kahet's Love Express? Destination: Paradise. The ride will be gentle followed by a few rocky bumps as Kahet does his thang. One ride is all it takes to achieve heavenly pleasure and you will come back craving for more."

Bianca, Leitjin, and even Aru'Dre burst out laughing as Will finished his impression proudly and nodded to himself in achievement. All right, he'd settled the tense moods all morning and it only took humor to combine both groups. They always said laughter was the best medicine of all. Christina, however, grinded her teeth angrily while Marissa tried to kick Will from behind at his implication and Kahet wished he'd never come to the room to begin with!

"I did not have physical relations with her! She's an alien!" he growled at them to banish their lewd thoughts and glared at his cousin and brother who were no longer arguing but hugging in their laughter. . .towards him. Kahet narrowed his eyes and growled threateningly, "Leitjin, stop laughing! You have no legitimate proof on this and I'm right!"

"All right, let's be serious for a moment" Will laughed as he shushed everyone good-naturedly and cleared his throat to stop laughing. He was having fun uniting both species and making jokes about his younger cousin. Eventually, she would have her revenge but for now she was fair game to him. He decided to settle the matter with his sister before she blew like a tea kettle in her spot and offered, "We'll all share the cost since we rented it together."

That's better, she thought satisfied and nodded.

She seemed content with the answer so he ushered her out gently without touching her before she exploded again. The blond raised her chin defiantly and walked out with a stiff commanding posture as she exited the room. Will wiped his forehead in relief as he watched her go sit on the couch and told the three onlookers, "Now, let's give Kahet some time to make Marissa 'feel better'. No matter what awful and horrific noises we hear, we'll ignore it as they ignite their interspecies passion." Then with a sweet cheesy grin at Marissa, he dramatized, "Enjoy your happy time-"

"I'm going to kill you!" she screamed as the last string of patience broke and grabbed Christina's metal bat from under the broken bed. He ran away in a second while the others continued laughing from their spots. She wrapped her hands over the bat comfortably and called out, "Once I hit you, I'll definitely feel better!"

She pointed the bat at Kahet and he thought she was going to beat him instead but she snapped, "No more private chats. And by the way, you wouldn't be able to handle me."

Marissa ran after Will as Bianca followed rapidly to yell for their violence to stop. Kahet simply blushed a greener tone from her comment and crossed his arms uncomfortably. Great, he'd become the butt of everyone's joke today and a sexual joke at that! Aru'Dre snickered to Leitjin as he whispered something inaudible that made them both laugh and Kahet turned his attention to them, mainly his brother.

"You can't kill me, I'm the cute brother!" Leitjin reasoned feebly but ran away instantly to escape. He didn't want to deal with a cranky Kahet and their mother wasn't there to pry or scold him away this time. He was a medic, he stood no chance against his trained sibling. A cramp stung his side as he stumbled into the living room with clumsy steps and he groaned, "Oh! I can't run, I'm full of chocolate!"

"Even better!" Kahet declared from behind and caught up to his slower younger sibling in seconds. Bianca could only compare the two to a powerful cheetah and an old wildebeest. Obviously, the old wildebeest wouldn't escape. The poor medic was trapped in the room and cried out when Kahet gripped his mesh collar from behind. He grabbed Leitjin into a headlock quickly before he could wriggle free and gave him a noogie with his knuckles. Leitjin cried out as his brother's knuckles dug into his head and he scratched at his arms for freedom.

"You're not going anywhere!" Kahet grinned maniacally as the younger male groaned in humiliation and pain.

This is much better, he thought pleasantly as Leitjin struggled to get free.


A/N: Thanks to my readers and last chapter reviewers! So everyone is still at each other's throats except for Will and Leitjin trying to keep the peace and now they all have to survive three arduous hours as the humans are taken home. Will Aru'Dre survive? Will Bianca stop screaming at any of them? And will Leitjin hurl his guts from eating foreign food? Find out next time. In other news, my best sci-fi film for this year is District 9 and when I heard their odd little clicking/growl language, I just automatically thought 'Predator'!