Michael lay on his side, Alex beside him on his stomach, eyes closed, floating a foot above the bed. His cock was hanging down and Michael reached for it. A few squeezing strokes and it wasn't hanging. It stiffened and pointed toward Alex's belly. Michael's other hand reached between his own legs. Alex's mouth smiled and his eyes opened. Michael felt like his day didn't really begin until Alex was awake beside him. Alex started to speak.

Trixie barked and Michael woke up. She was standing by the bed staring at him. She jumped on the bed and looked around at the empty space.

"We both feel it. Bed's too big when he's gone."

Trixie barked again and trotted to the back door. Michael got up to let her out. Alex almost always let Trixie out in the morning since his duty days started earlier than Michael's. Michael could have opened the door for her with his mind but it was safer to take a look out the window and make sure there was no wildlife near the cabin in the quiet of early morning. Rabbits and squirrels were okay but coyotes and foxes had been spotted. Foxes would leave a dog alone unless they were very hungry but coyotes would take down a dog.

The area was clear so Michael left the back door open and started coffee. He went to the bathroom, detoured to the bedroom to slip on underwear and returned to the kitchen to give Trixie fresh water and refill her kibble. In the morning she also got canned food. Michael poured coffee, considered whether to spike it with acetone and decided not to. Just because Alex was away for the week was no reason to self-medicate.

Last Friday Alex had come home with the news that his final physical and psychological evaluations were scheduled for the following week. He would drive to Kirtland AFB at Albuquerque Monday morning and wouldn't be home until Friday noon.

"Almost a week?" Michael asked. "Sounds intense."

"It's not as bad as it sounds but it has to be thorough in order to get full clearance reinstated."

"You worried about passing?"

"Not really. I'm ready."

"You're doing great without the crutch but your leg has a bad day sometimes."

"If it happens I'll power through. I only have to meet the minimum physical standards and I shouldn't have any trouble."

"I'm going to miss you but this is our chance for phone sex."

"About that. I'll be sequestered. Radio silence until I leave Kirtland."

"What the hell for?"

"No contact is part of the process to see if I can make it on my own."

"If we're not having phone sex, I'll take Friday afternoon off."

Alex nodded. "We'll be pretty backed up by then."

They hit it hard that weekend in anticipation of the dry spell ahead. Alex took off Monday morning for Kirtland where there was a full air force medical facility. He called Michael before noon.

"I'm outside the gates. I had to hear your voice one more time."

"Next time I'll be talking to a fully reinstated airman. Good luck."

"I love you, Michael."

"I love you, too, Alex."

Monday night wasn't bad because a couple of times Alex had a double shift and spent the night on base but they hadn't been apart more than one night for months and Michael knew the rest of the week would be tougher. He had been helping Liz with an antidote the past two weeks since Isobel went back into her pod but it was at a stage that only Liz could work on which was probably just as well since Michael would have trouble keeping his mind on chemistry the next few days. He would spend time at the pods to relieve Max who was practically camping out there, and he could hang out at the Wild Pony with Maria to pass more time.

Alex met with a psychiatrist on Monday afternoon, a woman he had talked to twice before. He was happy to start with the head stuff since his leg had stiffened up on the three-hour drive.

"It's good to see you again, Alex. You look well."

"I feel well."

"I see that congratulations are in order. You married recently."

Alex knew that his marriage would raise questions but he couldn't help smiling at the thought of Michael. "Yes."

"You were back in Roswell only three months before making this life decision that followed a devastating injury from which you were still in recovery. I know you don't need me to point out there could be concerns about an impulsive action."

"It might be considered impulsive if I met and married someone in that short a time but that's not the case. Michael and I have known each other since we were eleven. We dated in high school. We had different plans for our lives so we separated after graduation. When I got back to Roswell, we found out that ten years hadn't changed how we felt. We aren't teenagers. There was no reason to wait."

Alex felt he'd spun the situation to their advantage. It didn't nearly tell the whole story but nothing was a lie. Apparently Lt. Colonel Dr. Davies agreed. She was a seasoned psychiatrist and officer but he detected a softening in her expression.

Alex would be given a full physical exam tomorrow and then the physical testing would take place over three days, interspersed with additional mental games. He would meet with a panel made up of Davies, another psychiatrist whom he had met with once, and a third who was a stranger to him. He had downplayed how rigorous it would be because he didn't want Michael to worry about him.

Michael was about to have his own worries.

Midmorning on Tuesday two military vehicles roared up to Sanders Auto and braked, kicking up dust. Both passengers and both drivers exited the vehicles. They appeared to be security personnel and one man was clearly the leader.

"Michael Guerin?"

Michael didn't let his apprehension show but the thought went through his mind that this was the kind of showdown he had been expecting for years.

"Yeah. You here for the oil change special?"

Silence for a moment while Leader digested a question he hadn't expected. Michael smiled to himself. Always a good day when you can disconcert the guy who thinks he's in charge.

"Uh, no. You are the spouse of Airman Alexander Manes?"

Michael no longer felt like smiling outwardly or to himself. "How is he? What happened?"

Once again Leader was disconcerted. "Nothing, as far as I know."

So it wasn't some kind of notification of an accident. "Then what's this about?"

"You are being summoned for a security check as the spouse of a member of the air force."

Alex had told Michael it was likely there would be a security check soon, now that their marriage was officially documented in air force records. He had outlined the procedure and this wasn't part of it.

"You mean now?" Michael asked disbelievingly.

"No time like the present. Let's go."

"I'm working. I can't just leave."

Leader glanced around the deserted yard. "Looks like you can. We'll let your employer know you had to close up."

"This isn't right. I'll arrange time off and come in next week."

"You don't understand, Guerin. Refusing looks suspicious."

Michael thought for a moment. Was this part of the security check that Alex didn't know about? Some kind of tactic to see how he responded under pressure? If he had been human, he might have gone along with it but he had too much to lose by disappearing inside the air force base without anyone knowing he was there.

"I have to call somebody to take care of my dog."

Leader hesitated for a moment then nodded. Michael pulled out his phone. Max had moved down his speed dial list since Alex took the top spot.

"Maxwell, it's Mike. There's something I have to do and I can't take Trixie. Can you or Noah come and get her?" Michael rarely called him Maxwell and never referred to himself as Mike. He knew Max would catch on and understand that you or Noah meant he needed both of them.

Max wasted no time on questions. "We'll be there in five." He ended the call.

Michael went on talking as if Max was still on the phone. "Now would be good." He paused. "Probably the rest of the day." Another pause. "Okay, thanks." Michael put his phone away and went to his trailer. One of the air force guys drifted after him and waited at the door, watching as Michael put Trixie's food and water bowls in a box along with a chew toy and a ball. He rolled up the blanket she used as a bed, brought everything out and set it on the steps. It had been four minutes.

The patrol car arrived quietly. No siren, flashing lights or screeching of brakes. Deputy Cameron was driving and Max rode shotgun. Noah's SUV was behind them. They all got out.

The air force guys looked at Michael. Leader said, "The police? This overreaction makes us wonder what you have to hide."

Noah spoke before Michael could reply. "I'm Noah Bracken, attorney for Michael Guerin. My client is a civilian and you are air force personnel. What's happening here?"

Michael was impressed. Noah knew nothing about what was going on but had taken in the situation at a glance.

The air force guys looked disgusted. Leader looked at Michael. "Your attorney? What are you guilty of?"

"Leave my client out of it for now and answer my question: What is this about?"

"A routine security check on the spouse of a member of the air force has apparently scared the spouse so much that he had to call the cops and lawyer up." Leader's tone was scornful.

Noah turned to his client. "Michael, you should have told me you'd been contacted about a security check. How long have you known it was coming up?"

"This is the first I heard of it."

"Surely not." Noah turned back to Leader. "It's my understanding that a letter is sent, followed up by phone to schedule an appointment. Did my client miss his appointment?"

Leader shifted from one foot to the other. "There was an opportunity to perform the check so we were sent to ask if Guerin was available."

"Michael?"

"They didn't explain or ask, they ordered. Alex isn't available so I wanted some advice."

"Where is Alex?"

"Gone all week to Kirtland and can't be reached unless there's a death or a life-threatening injury or illness."

Noah turned back to Leader. "Two military vehicles with four security personnel seems like overkill for an unscheduled routine request. I'd like to hear the explanation you didn't offer to my client."

"We were told to bring him in for a security check. That an investigator was unexpectedly available, that's why there hadn't been time to set it up."

"What if Michael Guerin wasn't available?"

"We knew he was …" Leader's voice trailed off.

"You knew he was available? This is sounding less like routine and more like an ambush. You've accused my client of overreacting, that he must have something to hide. What is the air force trying to accomplish by not following protocol?"

Leader turned sullen. "You can ask my commanding officer."

"I'll need his name and rank. And yours."

Michael decided it was time to step in. "I don't mind doing the security check now. I just didn't care for their methods."

"Neither do I," Noah said. "If you're sure, I'll be glad to accompany you."

"Me, too," Max said.

"You have no jurisdiction on base," Leader said.

"Sheriff's department protects and serves the county. Michael Guerin is a resident of Chaves County."

The situation had obviously gone sideways but Leader decided to salvage what he could by fulfilling his primary objective of bringing Guerin in. The cop and the lawyer could be dealt with by someone above his pay grade.

Jenna told Michael she'd look after Trixie. "She can stay in the cell you've occupied so often."

Max drove Noah's SUV so Noah could consult with Michael on the way to the base.

"I could insist on sitting in with you but it would give the appearance of a deposition," Noah said. "We've made our point so I think they'll do it by the book now. Will you be okay on your own?"

"Sure. Calling you and Max was never about not doing the security check. I just didn't want to be on base without anybody knowing where I was. And I needed somebody to watch Trix."

"Still, this was very unorthodox of them. Max and I will stick around so you have a ride afterward. But Michael, don't be a smartass. Just answer their questions and get it over with."

Which Michael did. If he was the only one affected he would have been tempted to give them a hard time but he wouldn't jeopardize Alex's position. The questions were standard and many were a matter of public record: name, DOB, places of residence. Michael had lived all his life in New Mexico and his years in foster care were well-documented. His adult life in Roswell was also documented and that came under scrutiny.

"You've accumulated quite a record of infractions. Misdemeanors, not felonies, but can you offer an explanation for them?"

"Young and stupid."

"They continued well into your twenties and we know from school records that you're far from stupid."

"What was the date of the last one?"

"Four months ago."

"The day before I saw Alex again." Michael paused to let that sink in. "I've got no excuse for the past ten years but it won't happen again."

The officer nodded. "All that remains is the polygraph."

"Why?"

"It's standard for the spouse of someone with the security clearance of Airman Manes. And you have nothing to hide, right?"

"I'm not sure I trust a machine to know that."

Noah didn't like the idea but said it wasn't good strategy to object since New Mexico allows polygraph results in court. Michael took the polygraph Wednesday morning. When he was hooked up to the machine with sensors in place, the examiner explained the test.

"We'll start with baseline questions that we know the answers to in order to gauge your reactions when we know you're being truthful. Is your name Michael Guerin?"

"Yes."

"Do you reside in Lincoln County, New Mexico?"

"No."

"The next questions you will answer with a lie in order to gauge your reactions when we know you are being dishonest. Are you married to Airman Alexander Manes?"

"No." Michael didn't like saying no even as a lie.

"Is your dog's name Maggie?"

"Yes." It was almost as hard to lie about Trixie's name as it was to deny Alex.

The test will begin with the following questions. It's important to be truthful from now on. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Were you born in New Mexico?"

"I don't know." Michael almost said yes because he considered hatching from a pod in the cavern his birthplace but he wasn't supposed to know where he came from.

"Are you a friend of Max Evans?"

"Yes."

"Do you believe in Unidentified Flying Objects?"

Michael hesitated before saying, "I don't know."

"Do you own a Winnebago travel trailer?"

"No."

"Do you believe in government conspiracies?"

Michael hesitated again before saying, "I don't know."

"Pause test. Mr. Guerin, you should answer yes or no whenever possible."

"I stand by my answers."

"You don't know whether you believe in UFOs?"

"I'm not sure."

"And government conspiracies?"

"You're asking the wrong question. Do I think the government lies? Yes. But even then motivation matters. Is it a conspiracy, or is it to insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare? You know, like in the constitution. Lies for the greater good or to protect citizens might be necessary."

"You're thinking too much."

"Is that a problem? Because I can't turn it off. Something to do with having a functioning brain."

The examiner sighed. "You haven't asked why this line of questioning is being pursued. Aren't you curious?"

"Since this is Roswell I assume Alex is involved with alien research. And before you ask if he told me anything, he didn't. Something else I figured out by thinking about it."

"You suspect your spouse is involved with alien research but you aren't sure you believe in UFOs?"

"If there's proof of UFOs, he hasn't shared it with me so no, I'm not sure."

"I don't think there's any need to continue the test. Thank you for your time."

"No problem. Need any help with flight maneuverability algorithms?"

"What?" The examiner looked blank.

"I'm kidding."

On the way to the sheriff's department Michael told Noah that he might have been a smartass.

"Max told me I should have saved my breath with that warning."

Thursday morning Noah informed Michael that the air force had contacted him. Results of the polygraph were inconclusive since the test wasn't completed but they had enough data to clear Michael Guerin as the spouse of Airman Alexander Manes.

"I got the impression they passed you so they wouldn't have to deal with you anymore," Noah said.

"That's only one of my superpowers," Michael replied.

Alex had endured three days of physical and mental examination. The review board met Thursday afternoon. Three hours later he was called in and congratulated on his full reinstatement. They invited him to dinner to celebrate. Alex had told Michael he wouldn't be home until Friday noon because he anticipated the invitation and planned to accept. But that was before being apart for three days. He couldn't face one more night. He joined them for a drink. It was convivial now that business was over with. They asked to see pictures. Alex showed them one of him and Michael after their wedding in Vegas and another of them sitting on the steps of the cabin with Trixie. When they were ready to go on to dinner, he hit the road.

Alex pulled up to the cabin at 2200 hours. The motion detector yard light came on. Michael had installed it far enough from the cabin that bugs wouldn't swarm the area. He always paid attention to details like that. Alex sat there for a minute. Michael would be checking who was here. He probably thought Max had stopped by. The cabin door opened and Trixie raced out. Alex opened his door and waited for her. He scratched behind her ears and rubbed her tummy and let her lap his face but his eyes were on the figure leaning in the doorway. Together for four months and married for two of them, Alex couldn't understand how he had lived without this man for ten years.

Michael started walking toward him. Trixie ran to him then back to Alex and continued between them in shorter distances as Michael drew closer. Alex got out of his SUV. They stood there for a minute, a foot apart, drinking in the sight of each other. Their arms opened at the same time and knocked into each other. They moved their arms in the same direction and tangled again. They sidestepped and reached for each other and it happened yet again. They were laughing by then.

"I pictured a graceful embrace and iconic kiss, Cowboy."

"Less than four days and we're out of practice, Private."

They managed to wrap each other up and complete the kiss. Alex had driven straight through and his leg was stiff. Michael carried his bag and took the opportunity to keep his arm around Alex as they went to the cabin. It felt so good they settled on the couch.

"Did you pass?"

"I'm certified mentally healthy and physically fit."

"Guess that means we don't have to hold back during sex."

"I'm not aware that we've been holding back."

"Yeah, I could have certified you physically fit but they wouldn't have taken my word for it."

"You stay out of trouble while I was gone?"

"I had to. I was detained and questioned by the air force."

Alex stared. "What the fuck?"

Michael explained his spousal security check.

"My father did this!"

"That was my first thought but would he be able to arrange it?"

"He could have called in a favor. He's got a few friends in high places."

"Well, it backfired because I'm cleared and it's over."

"I should rat him out for this. I warned him I would ruin him if he tried anything."

"Maybe he doesn't care. He's been in thirty years. He could retire and hunt aliens full-time."

"If he retires disgraced he won't have the same access to his crackpot cronies. But I probably won't turn him in, at least not right away. I'm up for a promotion."

"Your enlistment is almost over. You going to re-up?"

"No, but I want the promotion before I get out. I'll be eligible for a better pension."

"Will they promote you if they think you're going to leave?"

"They'll promote me because they hope I won't leave. And they think I'll stay because I got fully reinstated."

"You didn't have to put yourself through that. You did it to prove you were fit."

"I want to leave the air force on my terms, because I choose to, not because I washed out."

They moved on to more personal matters. After awhile Michael asked, "You want to fool around here or should we head to bed?"

"Bed."

They took turns removing clothes from each other. Alex was down to his boxer briefs. Michael was shirtless and barefoot and it was Alex's turn to get him out of his jeans. He stopped when the jeans were down to Michael's knees.

"Those look familiar."

"I must have picked them up by accident."

"Or maybe you've been wearing my underwear while I was gone."

"Do you mind?"

"Nope. I wish I'd taken some of yours with me."

"Yours are more comfy than mine."

"Now I know what to get you for Christmas. You look good in them but they're a little tight in front."

"They fit better before you got home."

"You'll look even better without them."

They finished undressing. Moving together on the bed Michael asked, "Is this going to be plain or fancy?"

"I can't last long enough for fancy the first time."

"I don't even want to try. Plain now, fancy later."

In Niger, Master Sergeant Jesse Manes took a phone call from the general he had last reported to when Project Shepherd was official air force business.

"I have an update on Michael Guerin. He passed the security check."

"The questionnaire and the polygraph?"

"Questionnaire, yes. Polygraph was incomplete but the examiner was satisfied with the results obtained."

"He shouldn't have been cleared if he didn't pass it."

"Polygraph results have always been dubious. It wasn't required for Guerin, they only did it at my request."

"Michael Guerin is not who he appears to be."

"Or maybe you're wrong about him. This is starting to sound like a personal vendetta, Jesse."

"I'm trying to protect my son."

"From his husband. Your son-in-law."

"Don't call him that."

"He is, whether you like it or not. Alex is a fine man and airman. Why can't you trust his judgment?"

Manes was silent.

"Because he's gay and you think he's thinking with his dick? Gay or straight, most men are alike in that respect."

"If Project Shepherd had continued, I'd have proof."

"If there had been proof – of anything – the project wouldn't have been defunded."

"I thought you were a true believer."

"I believe in allocating resources where they'll do the most good. In sixty years, Project Shepherd did not produce credible results. I oversaw the last two years of the project and I agreed with the decision to end it. Let it go, Jesse, it's become an obsession. Overcome your homophobia and get to know Michael Guerin. The official who went over the questionnaire with him and the examiner who administered the polygraph both had good things to say."

Jesse Manes wasn't listening. The general was no longer of any use to him. Manes needed to collect the latest intel from Deputy Jenna Cameron.