Gerald and Takumi rode in the limo which was heading toward the space ship. Gerald held a tiny shih tzu on his lap stroking it gently as he looked out the window. Takumi decided to break the silence. "So this must be Melody?" he asked. Gerald nodded. He was rather disappointed in his brother and wasn't particularly in the mood for chit chat. "Where will she be staying while you're back home?" Takumi inquired.

Gerald suddenly looked stricken. He had assumed Melody would be traveling with him, but Takumi was correct. Melody wasn't designed to live on Pheromone. He really couldn't bring her back there until he could design and build some sort of body for her and since no one had ever brought an alien home to Pheromone, it was unclear if such a feat was even possible. Then Gerald remembered that Melody was still alone. He had been so taken by surprise by the recent turn of events he'd forgotten about finding Melody's siblings. He turned to Takumi, "I've already sent word we are on our way, but I really need to see about Melody's needs before we leave. Can you tell me where the rest of her family is living?"

The conversation reminded Takumi that he also hadn't made preparations for his own kitten. Apparently, it is really overwhelming to try to address all of the loose ends in your life when you are given a mere 30 minutes. "Of course Gerald," Takumi reassured his brother. "I bought her from a breeder just outside of town. I also remembered just now that I haven't made proper arrangements for my kitten. Would it be possible if we could pick her up and drop her off at Misaki's house before we depart."

Gerald was not always the most considerate person. He had a tendency to focus on how events would impact him. In addition, his natural inclination was to ignore the troubles and predicament of others. But Takumi was his brother and Gerald had recently discovered how strong a bond could be formed between Pheromonians and pets. He couldn't help but take pity on Takumi and his plight. "Fine," he said begrudgingly, "we will make sure your cat is taken care of after we secure Melody's siblings and arrange for appropriate care for my sweet little pumpkin poos." He lifted Melody to his face and tried to give her an Eskimo kiss as he finished speaking. Watching this uncomfortable display of affection between Gerald and Melody, Takumi began to wonder what sort of strange monster he had created, but he did recognize that Melody was making his older brother a bit kinder. Perhaps Gerald's attachment to his new pet had helped give him a frame of reference on how Takumi felt about Misaki. Of course the two feelings weren't the same… at least Takumi seriously hoped they weren't… but this feeling of wanting to look out for someone or something else, with no expectation of any personal benefit, was something neither of the Walker boys had experienced prior to arriving on a Earth.

Takumi provided Gerald with the address of the breeder and the brothers went there directly. When they arrived, there were only two puppies left. Upon hearing Gerald's anguished pleas to reunite all of the puppy siblings, the breeder told the pair that it had been an unusually small litter of just three and that these two remaining puppies were the last of Melody's siblings. Takumi suspected that this was a falsehood the breeder employed to pacify Gerald but he didn't question her because he also thought Gerald's limit should be three. Takumi knew that he would be unable to carry more than three dogs at one time and Gerald always found a way to make Takumi carry his belongings. Takumi assumed puppies would be no different.

The new female puppy was, of course, named Harmony, and the boy puppy was named Bass. Takumi suggested that Gerald ask Claire to watch the puppies while they were out of town and, as Claire was one of the few people that Gerald would trust with his life, he agreed that this suggestion was sound. After a phone call, Claire agreed to pet sit, but to maximize his bonding time, Gerald decided to make her apartment the final stop prior to their departure. This meant that after collecting up the kitten, the brothers were returning to the small home of Misaki Ayuzawa for the second time that day. Takumi desperately wanted to see her again, but he feared that if he came face to face with her, he would lose his resolve to peacefully return home and face the consequences of his actions. He handed his kitten to his brother and asked him to speak with Misaki. Before replying, Gerald looked at a Takumi. He could see the worry and anxiety in his little brother's expression. "Takumi, don't worry so much. This isn't going to be your last time here."

"How would you know that Gerald?"

"Listen," Gerald leaned in closely and almost whispered. He was about to reveal something that was potentially scandalous, "your case is being heard by the Idiots. Now I know our system is supposed to be completely impartial, but if you must know the truth, not everyone is treated as complete equals in the eyes of the law. Now, I don't want you to take advantage of this, but," Gerald paused concerned that he might be revealing too much, "well… I am rather tight with the members of that board. It's almost like I am an Idiot myself. I'm sort of like a mentor to them. I mean, before we left for the mission, I would review their work and help them see the problems they'd overlooked." Gerald reflected a moment more. Maybe he'd selected the wrong choice of words. "I am more than a mentor really. I suppose… and I don't mean to sound conceited here, I simply mention this so you understand why there is no need to fear… I am sort of revered by them. God like, I'd say. The secretary told me when I called this morning that even though I have been away all this time, the entire group speaks of me nearly daily." Takumi looked impressed. Gerald tried to look as though it was nothing, "sometimes, you just find your people, you know? Anyway. I only tell you all this so that you know that you're in good hands. They couldn't possibly do anything to one of my family members. In fact, you are very fortunate to have me as one of your brother in this case. I will protect you."

Takumi felt guilty for using his family connections and their influence, but he also felt relief. "Thank you Gerald. I couldn't ask for a better brother." This news cheered Takumi up greatly, but he was still unsure if his heart could handle seeing Misaki again before their departure. It was so difficult to leave her even over night. He wasn't sure how he could live being away for a longer period and there was no way of telling when they would be back. "Gerald, you are already doing more than enough for me, but would you please speak with Misaki for me?" He looked down at the cat carrier, "about my kitten I mean."

"Of course," he responded.

Gerald knocked on the door. When Misaki answered, she was rather surprised. Her mind had been a whirl of thought since a Takumi had left her that morning. She felt empty without him and felt as if he needed her now more than ever. It was such a relief to see Gerald was still here. It meant there was a good chance Takumi's plane had not yet taken off. "Gerald," she said, "I didn't expect you but I'm rather happy you are here." Gerald looked at her with surprise. No one had ever said that to him before. It was kind of nice to have someone happy to see you. He held the cat carrier out for her to take. Misaki looked inside the cage and asked, "are you asking me to watch Takumi's cat?"

"Well yes," Gerald replied, "isn't that why you were happy to see me?"

"No," Misaki answered, "I mean I wouldn't mind watching the kitten…. Does she have a name yet?" She paused to hear he response.

Gerald shook his head, "Takumi asked that you select a name while you watch her."

"Where is Takumi?" Misaki pressed. Gerald had been told he wasn't allowed to say where his brother was. No problem. He had this covered. He pointed to the car.

Misaki flew down the walkway and climbed into the limo. A rather shocked Gerald stumbled in after her. That girl was certainly fast! After they were all inside, Misaki looked at Takumi, "I can't watch Your kitten because I'm going with you! Someone you know is in trouble and I want to be there to support you while you support your friend. I will work at your house to help earn my keep and I will pay you back for travel expenses. You need me, and I love you, so I'm going too."

Takumi stared at her with disbelief and Gerald swallowed a lump in his throat. "I'm afraid that won't be possible Ms. Ayuzawa. You wouldn't exactly fit in where we are going," Gerald tried to explain as he thought of the radiation, poisonous gases and extreme temperatures of their home planet. Her frail little body wasn't designed for these conditions. She would be dead within minutes. In fact, Gerald and Takumi would be leaving in their own human forms in storage on Earth during their absence to prevent any damage.

Misaki narrowed her eyes and glared at Gerald. "What does that mean?" she asked. "Are you implying they don't have Japanese people in England?"

"Well no," Gerald chocked. He found her look rather intimidating. "Of course they have Japanese people in England."

Takumi had been watching and decided he needed to help his brother out. He too was concerned about Misaki's well being and he was more skilled when it came to explaining things delicately. "No he didn't mean you wouldn't fit in in England. He meant with our family. Our families are… well, they are from two different worlds."

With this, Misaki began to grow red from anger, "so money is the problem then?"

Takumi looked to Gerald for help. Gerald shrugged his shoulders. He too was lost to this concept. How could money be a problem? Lack of money maybe, but having money… heck, that made life so much easier. He'd need to jot this down as another possible thing to investigate about this society. Maybe their willingness to pay taxes had something to do with this vision that having too much money was problematic.

"Uhhhh," Takumi fumbled, "I'm not sure what you mean. I only know you would be very uncomfortable in our home and it would break my heart to see you become a spectacle in our neighborhood. I just want to protect you Misaki and Gerald is right. The best way to protect you is to leave you here."

"Takumi Usui!" Misaki screamed, "I have grown to accept that you are a perverted alien from the planet Pheromone, but I never pegged you as a snob! I can't believe you think so little of me to assume I'd be an embarrassment to your family!" Misaki started to cry. "I'm taking Licht here because she deserves to be in a home that treasures love over money. And because at least I care about her enough to give her a name!" She took the cat carrier and left the car, slamming the door on her way out.

Gerald turned on Takumi, "you told her you are an alien from the Planet Pheromone?! How much trouble are you trying to get yourself in?"

"I didn't! She just calls me that. It's just a coincidence that it happens to be true. I don't quite understand it myself. She seems to think it's some sort of ribbing," Takumi said. The sincerity in his voice was so obvious Gerald believed him. It was quite a coincidence. "Gerald?" Takumi continued, "did I just have a fight with my girlfriend? Is she mad at me? Do you know why she got mad?"

Had he said 'girlfriend'? Was Takumi dating the Student Body President? "Takumi… she's a human!" Gerald said stunned. "You know that's an entirely different species, right? There is really no way for her to ever live on Pheromone and there is a good chance we wouldn't even be able to find a way to have her so much as visit our home. If you wanted to be with a human… it would mean you'd have to live here for the rest of your life. You could never again visit mom and dad at home. You could never eat at your favorite restaurants again or watch the sunset over the bogs. And these humans are really somewhat primitive compared to our civilization. I don't even know if you could have children. Don't you see? There isn't a future in this relationship."

Takumi had been considering these factors for months now. Gerald hadn't brought up anything he himself had not considered. "Gerald," he asked softly, "would you give up Melody, Harmony and Bass to return to Pheromone? If you had to choose to forfeit one or the other which would you choose?" Gerald's face contorted. He couldn't make such a decision. "Now imagine feeling 10 times stronger about the puppies." Takumi paused. For him there had stopped being a choice months ago. He knew all along that it was Misaki. He had never felt the that he was 'home' until she had been by his side. He only hoped Gerald was right and that he would be given a light sentence for his crimes. If he could return to Earth, he vowed he would stay here by her side forever. It pained him to give up everything he had thought he'd held dear, but if it would give him a future with Misaki, he knew it was worth it. And maybe his parents could come to Earth to visit him. But a new fear had crept into his heart. He asked himself, did he still have a future with Misaki? Why had she been yelling at him? What had she meant when she implied he treasured money? Nothing could be further from the truth. He didn't care about money at all. What had he said or done to anger her so much? "Gerald? Why is she mad at me?"

"If we understood humans Takumi, we wouldn't have needed to come on this mission." Gerald looked at the time and realized they needed to go right away to make it on time to the hearing on time. He tasked Ralph with getting the puppies to Claire and Takumi accepted the fact that he would not be able to resolved the conflict with Misaki before he left. For now, she would remain hurt and angry and he would remain sad and confused.