CAUTION, READ THIS: This chapter contains an extremely brief mention of sex. Nothing graphic, just one word. If you disprove, skip to the first symbol. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Disclaimer: Anything that is even vaguely related to the Animorphs is technically not mine.

Chapter 10: Time Flies

Keritus' POV

Ax and I were having real conversations now. He still hadn't relaxed around the doctors, but we were… friends.

True to my promise, I had not told my father anything more about our conversations. He knew what was happening by looking through the recordings, but that was all. However, the four days since our 'argument' had revealed a problem.

Ax was getting restless.

(I can't leave this room, I can't use a computer, you doctors are controlling every aspect of my life right now, and I'm bored!> he yelled when I entered. Turning to face me, he flushed and added softly, (Keritus—I'm sorry. I thought that you were another doctor.>

(You're really annoyed about staying in here, aren't you?>

(I'm lonely. The doctors don't really care, I'm just 'the patient that Doctor Raolef found in Zero-space' to them. You're the only person I can have a conversation with. Actually, I've taken to talking to myself when you aren't here. Could you maybe beg the doctors to let me use a computer, at the very least?> He fixed me with pleading eyes.

(I can try. I've been trying, actually, but the doctors don't think that it's safe to let you out. I didn't say I agreed!> I added, seeing his eyes flash with anger.

Ax sighed. (I wasn't angry with you, I was angry with them. Please, Keritus. Convince them to let me see outside for a few minutes. Or at least put me in a different room for a while. A change of scene might keep me from going mad from monotony.> The last bit was addressed to the camera.

(The thing is… I don't think they will let you out unless…> Ax gave me a hopeful look. (Unless you say Esp was a figment of your imagination while recovering from exposure to a vacuum and that you were wrong about… the traitor.>

Now Ax looked betrayed. (But I'm telling the truth!>

(They don't think that. The majority of Andalite society considers Yeerks enemies, and the one you accuse of treachery,> I had to be very careful not to say Elfangor's names, (is considered a hero for fighting against them.>

(I know. Doctor Raolef told me. Can we change the subject?>

(Of course. What would you like to talk about?>

(Do you have a boyfriend?>

(A what?>

(A male that you are close friends with, who is interested in you romantically and whose affections you return.>

I laughed. (My parents are far to protective of me to allow that, Ax. You're the only male I've been allowed to befriend. Father says that at my age, all that most males have on their mind is mating, and it isn't safe to get to close to them.>

Ax snorted. (You are pretty, but I don't think any male who valued his life would make inappropriate advances on you.> I had told him about a brief tail-fighting lesson my father had given me, and now Ax seemed to think that I was an expert fighter.

I didn't dare tell Ax how much I was starting to wish that he could be my boyfriend. He was funny and smart and handsome... If not for his amnesia we could have been best friends, at least.

:): That night :(:

(I'm sorry, Keritus, but I just don't think that it's a good idea.>

(Father, you've said that ever since Ax first came here. He's bored. Just let him use a computer for a little while? Please?>

(It isn't safe to have him leave that room.>

(It isn't safe to leave him in there! Andalites aren't meant to be confined for so long, if at all. It could do extreme damage to his mind—we aren't helping him by imprisoning him!>

Knowing that I would keep pressing the issue, Father gave in. (Fine. He can use the computer tomorrow. For exactly one hour. Under your supervision, he wouldn't tolerate a doctor looking over his shoulder.>

(Thank you, Father. I'm sure he'll appreciate it.>

:): The next day :(:

(You mean it? I can use a computer?>

(For one hour, if I'm right there, yes.>

Ax was so ecstatic that he practically knocked me over as he ran for the door. (What are you waiting for? Let's go!>

(Ax, wait, there's another condition—you have to promise not to try to contact Esp.>

Ax was… disappointed. (That was half of the reason that I wanted to use a computer in the first place.> He perked up. (Well, you can't have everything. It'll be a treat just to get out of this room.>

Ax's POV

I spent the hour that I was allowed on the computer playing games. Keritus actually agreed to play against me in some of them. She had a beautiful laugh.

(Thanks, Keritus. I had a wonderful time,> I said when we finished.

(Yes… so did I.> She looked rather shy suddenly. I felt a bit awkward. Part of my mind was telling me to kiss her, the sane part arguing that I had no right to do so, and she would probably never visit me again if I tried.

I had to take a chance. I was convinced by now that I was in love with her, and I had to know if she felt the same way.

But what if she didn't? What if she got angry?

I kissed her.

Keritus gasped in shock. I pulled away, and considered running for my life. Then it was my turn to gasp—she kissed me back.

(Can I be your boyfriend?> I asked, too shocked to think about anything other than her.

(Yes.> We kissed again.

(KERITUS!> Doctor Raolef came charging towards us. (Get away from him!>

(Father…>Keritus looked frightened.(It isn't what you think…>

(You,> he stabbed a finger towards Keritus, (go back to the scoop.>

(But, Father, I—>

(NOW! And you,> he turned to me, with pure fury in every movement. (Stay away from my daughter.>

I was lock back in the room. Keritus gave me an apologetic look as Doctor Raolef led her away. My mind was reeling, figuring out the pros and cons of my situation. Pro: Keritus was now my girlfriend. Con: Doctor Raolef didn't approve. Pro: I was now Keritus' boyfriend. Con: Doctor Raolef was Keritus' father, which she hadn't told me. Pro: Keritus and I were now dating. Con: I was locked up again and she was gone.

Okay, more like pro, singular, and cons, plural, of my situation.

Doctor Raolef's POV

(What happened back there?> I roared, once Keritus and I were home.

(Ax kissed me, and I kissed him back.>

(Keritus, you are far to young for that sort of relationship, even with a male who is in his right mind!>

(Are you saying Ax is crazy?>

(I am saying that he may be mentally unstable, and while he seems to like you, he may hurt you, even if he doesn't intend to!>

(Father, I am old enough to make some decisions on my own, and whether you like it or not, I'm in love with Ax!>

(WHAT?>

(You heard me: I am in love with Ax.>

(You aren't even an adult yet; you don't know what love is!>

(Yes, I do, and I know that I am in love with Ax.>

I was about to press my argument, but Keritus ran outside. Deciding to leave her alone and let her calm down, I didn't follow.

Author's Note: Evil me, evil me, ended it on a cliffie! Actually, I kind of wanted to leave you all hanging where Ax kissed Keritus, but that would just be too mean.

Mob: INARTICULATE BELLOW OF RAGE!

Me: Oh, be quiet. This was mostly just to make time pass. Technically, five days have passed in the Animorphs' world since the last chapter.

For those who are wondering, Andalites kiss by stroking each other's faces with their palms (Hork-Bajir Chronicles, of all places… one would think it would be in Andalite Chronicles…)