Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter twenty-five of "Not Here." I'm glad it took just four days to get out. This chapter has some Mike/Maya in it. I added more dialogue to the third scene in chapter twenty-four. Stay tuned for chapter twenty-six.

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Chapter 25: A Little Coffee/Confessions

The rain had stopped by mid-afternoon. A young man entered Biggs Café, which was medium-sized and had tables with anywhere from two to four chairs scattered throughout the front of it. Booths could be seen further toward the back. He approached the cash register. A cashier walked up to him, smiling at him.

"Good afternoon, sir. What can I get you today?" the cashier asked.

"I'd like black coffee, ma'am," the man answered.

She nodded at him. "Sure."

The cashier went to the coffeemaker behind her. She grabbed a mug from beside it. She got the kettle and poured coffee into the mug until it was nearly full. She returned the kettle to the coffeemaker. She picked up the mug. She returned to the man and set it in front of him. She typed in the price.

"That will be one dollar, sir," she announced cheerfully.

"Okay," he said and reached into his pocket to get his wallet. He opened it to pull out a dollar. He handed that to her, and she typed in the amount and rung it up. He closed his wallet.

"You won't be getting any change today," the cashier said, chuckling. "Thank you. Have a nice day."

"You too," the man replied, grabbing his mug. "Thanks for the coffee."

The man slipped his wallet back into his pocket. He headed toward the back. He passed Mike, Maya, and Leo, who were sitting at a booth. He took the one behind Mike and Maya and sat down. He sipped his coffee, nodding in approval. He put it down before clearing his throat.

Mike and Maya listened to Leo tell them about Brian's antics during the chemistry quiz that landed the former, the latter, Andros, Carlos, and Cassie in detention. Mike picked up his cream-filled coffee and took a sip of it. He set it down. He folded his arms and laid them on the table. He chuckled once Leo was finished.

"It was about time you got detention, Leo. You're such a goody two-shoes," Mike teased.

"It's better to be a goody two-shoes than a troublemaker," Leo responded, picking up his black coffee to sip it. He laid it down. "Mom and Dad won't be too pleased when I tell them I got detention for the first time."

"Hey, they weren't too pleased when I told them I got detention for the first time," Mike said, tapping his fingers against his arm. "It was due to yelling out because Bulk and Skull kept throwing paper balls at me during a lecture in Mr. Richards's physical science class in my freshman year." He scoffed to himself. "Boy, did I dislike those two when they were bullies."

"You weren't the only one. Most people disliked them, including me. Bulk and Skull thought being bullies would get people to respect them. It did the exact opposite," Leo commented, running his finger along the top of his mug.

Mike inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "Their lives changed when they joined the Junior Police Patrol. They became very likable."

Leo smiled warmly. "They still messed up a lot, but they took their jobs as junior officers seriously. They really liked helping people."

"Not once did I think they'd decide to become sea lion trainers at the aquarium, but I'm glad they love their jobs," Mike commented happily. He barked as if he were a sea lion. Maya giggled, causing him to stop and look at her. "You can't get enough of my sea lion impression, can you?"

"Nope," Maya replied and smiled sweetly. "I have to say you'd make such a handsome sea lion." She winked at her boyfriend.

"And you'd make such a beautiful sea lion," Mike whispered and put his arm around his girlfriend. He kissed her temple, which made her smile grow wider.

Leo couldn't stop himself from smiling. He thought Mike and Maya looked so cute together. Not once did he ever think his brother would fall for a girl from another world, but he was glad it happened. Of course, he occasionally felt a little jealous due to not having a girlfriend himself. He hoped he would have one someday, so he could go on double dates with Mike and Maya. Maya picked up her black coffee, sipping a little bit of it. She laid it down.

"Bulk and Skull were a lot like two boys who bullied kids in my village when I was a little girl. Their names were Leon and Marco. They intimidated anyone they came across, including me. Their parents did nothing to stop them. In fact, they claimed it was our fault their sons bullied us," Maya said, her voice showing some hints of anger.

"What happened to those guys?" Leo wondered.

"When Leon and Marco were fifteen, they went into the jungle on a walk and didn't come back. A search party discovered their half-eaten bodies. They had been attacked and killed by jungle wildcats. The jungle wildcat resembles a tiger, except it is completely black and has no stripes," Maya explained.

Mike cringed badly. "What a horrible way to die."

"Yes, it is," Maya agreed. "I felt bad for their parents, but it was difficult to feel bad for them. They caused so much pain and misery. I was a year older than they were when they died." She sighed to herself.

"It's good you didn't say they deserved to die," Mike whispered proudly.

"It would've made me no better than they were if I had," Maya commented seriously.

"It makes me think about people who have said trainers deserved to be attacked by the animals they worked with," Leo muttered, his hand balling into a fist. "How can anyone claim to love animals and the environment when they show complete disregard for human life?" He appeared about ready to vomit.

"I know, bro. It makes me want to get out of my van and punch those anti-aquarium protesters out whenever Maya and I see them while waiting to take the left turn into the aquarium. I don't do it because I know that's what they want," Mike said, feeling disgusted.

Leo emitted a heavy sigh. "I have to deal with them too while I'm waiting to turn into the aquarium in my car. They're not animal lovers. They're human haters, plain and simple."

"The bright side is those protesters can't set foot on the premises because it's private property. They'll get arrested for trespassing if they do," Maya added.

The trio picked up their coffees to sip more of them. They put them down, smacking their lips.

"The one good thing about today's detention is it gave me the chance to get to know Andros, Carlos, and Cassie better," Leo said in relief. "What was even better was Brian couldn't even move from his assigned seat." He laughed joyfully.

"I wish I could've been there to see the annoyed expression on his face every time he looked at you and the former Rangers. I would've been grinning from ear to ear. It's great to see troublemakers get what they deserve," Mike said, moving his eyebrows up and down.

"It's too bad Mr. Kaplan is retiring at the end of the year. Angel Grove High won't be the same without him," Leo muttered in sadness.

"I do hope the new principal is as strong a disciplinarian as he is," Mike said, placing his hands on his mug.

"Me too. The returning students will just have to wait and see," Leo murmured and looked out the window to see a teen couple walking down the sidewalk while holding hands. He returned his attention to Mike and Maya.

"At least you're graduating this year, Leo," Maya pointed out. "I have no doubt you're excited." She gave him a warm smile.

Leo chuckled in happiness. "I am very excited. I just wish it wasn't five months away, though."

"Don't sweat it. Graduation will be here before you know it," Mike said with a big smile on his face. "Your entire family will be there to see you walk up and receive your diploma from Mr. Kaplan."

"I remember your graduation. You tripped over your own feet when you went up to get your diploma," Leo answered with a loud snicker.

Mike narrowed his eyes at him. "Hey, what did I tell you about reminding me of that?"

"Hey, I couldn't resist!" Leo blurted out.

Growling playfully, Mike stood up and reached over to smack his brother in the head. Leo retaliated by smacking him in his. Mike settled back in his seat. He heard Maya giggling and gave her a mock glare.

"You better stop giggling or else," Mike warned in a playful manner.

"Or else what? You'll throw me out of the café?" Maya asked, a big smile showing on her face.

"No, I will do this," Mike replied and brought his hand up to her neck. He tickled it, which caused her to break into a fit of laughter. He ceased his assault, and she became quiet. "How's that for or else?"

"I loved it," Maya responded and planted a kiss on his cheek. She received one from him on his. Leo chuckled, causing the couple to look at him.

"You two might as well glue yourselves together," Leo commented truthfully. "You can't keep away from each other." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"Oh, get lost, bro," Mike retorted and blew a raspberry at him.

"Okay," Leo said and acted as if he were going to get up and leave. "It's nice to get together like this. I wish we could do it more often."

Mike expressed sympathy. "Me too, but we will be able to do this more often once you start college."

"That's true," Leo agreed with a slow nod.

"Mirinoi's schooling is quite different from your world's. In families with multiple children, older siblings teach the younger ones how to do things, including reading and writing. It depends on how far apart in age they are. In families with only children, that duty falls to the parents. I was the only child in my family, so my parents taught me how to do things," Maya commented.

Leo propped his head up with his elbow. "For a world that doesn't have much technology, you had absolutely no trouble adapting to Earth's culture, Maya. You're a really smart girl."

"Thanks, Leo," Maya replied, warmth echoing from her voice. "You and your brother are really smart boys."

"Thanks," Mike and Leo said and looked at each other. They laughed hysterically. They got quiet when people started at them. They and Maya started talking about Christmas Break.

00000

At the Hammond residence, Ashley was sitting on the living room couch. The TV played Free Willy. The scene where Jesse touched Willy's nose after the former gave the latter fish came on. She had her head propped up with her elbow on the arm. She crossed her left ankle over her right.

She sighed heavily as she touched her forehead and rubbed it gingerly. She reached down to touch her stomach with her other hand. She hoped Cassie wouldn't be angry with what she would tell her. She just wanted to get everything over with.

Ashley was startled by the sound of an approaching vehicle. She grabbed the remote from the end table and turned off the TV and VCR. She laid it back in the same spot and stood up with a light grunt. She approached the window to see Cassie pulling her dark red Mercedes, which was somewhat faded and had a scratch in the door behind the driver's, into the driveway. Cassie switched off the engine and unfastened her seatbelt. She got out of the car and made her way toward the front door. Ashley went to it and unlocked it. She opened it slowly as Cassie reached it.

"Hey, Ashley," Cassie greeted.

"Hi, Cassie," Ashley answered and stepped aside to allow her to walk inside. She closed the door. She turned around as Cassie stopped next to the coffee table and faced her. "How were your afternoon classes?"

"They went fine. Of course, Bianca got detention again when Mr. Wyatt caught her poking Justin and me in our shoulders with her paintbrush," Cassie muttered, rolling her eyes. "It never ends."

"Unfortunately," Ashley commented, running her hand over her hair. "We just have to make due." She emitted a sad sigh.

"Yeah. How are you feeling right now?" Cassie asked.

"I'm feeling okay, but I am a little tired," Ashley said honestly.

"I see. Anyway, what was so important for me to come over here after school?" Cassie wondered. "What does it have to do with Andros? What is it you can't tell him?"

Ashley looked down at the floor. She prayed that Cassie wouldn't freak out at what she was about to tell her. She returned her attention to her, stepping closer to her.

"Andros and I have been—" Ashley started, unsure if she could continue.

Cassie became impatient. "Come on, Ash. Spit it out."

Ashley sighed. "Andros and I have been sexually active since the first night we spent at my aunt's cabin back in October."

"Really?" Cassie whispered in much surprise.

"Yes. We couldn't keep our desires at bay any longer. The thing is we haven't used any condoms because I've been using birth control," Ashley said, her body trembling and tears shining in her eyes. "I fear it has failed me. On top of that, my getting sick this morning seems to be connected to my unusual behavior from yesterday."

"You mean—" Cassie started, her heart starting to pound in her chest.

Ashley nodded. "Yes. I believe I'm pregnant."

Cassie gasped aloud, which made Ashley wince. She wondered if she heard wrong. She looked at her more closely. She could see Ashley was telling the truth. She turned away from her sharply and walked into the kitchen, stopping beside the table. Ashley came up behind her.

"Cassie, talk to me," Ashley pleaded.

"Ashley, you and Andros should have been more careful!" Cassie scolded as she faced her. "After all those lessons in sex ed, I thought you two would have taken more precautions."

"I know, and I'm so sorry!" Ashley replied, choking back a sob. "Andros and I were so happy we finally consummated our relationship that we didn't even think about adding an extra layer of protection after our first time. We didn't plan for a pregnancy."

Cassie emitted a loud sigh. "Maybe you didn't, but it seems it's happened. There's no turning back."

"I know," Ashley responded with a nod.

"How will you take care of a baby since you are planning to go to college?" Cassie asked seriously.

"I don't know!" Ashley yelled in uncertainty. "I wanted to tell you first because I fear that Andros might react badly to this, possibly even dump me. I don't want to lose him after all we've been through together." She began to cry.

"Hey, come here," Cassie whispered soothingly as she took Ashley into her arms, allowing her bury her face into her shoulder. She listened to her muffled cries. She felt her light blue blouse become wet with tears. "It's okay. I'll tell you this right now. I'm not turning my back on you. You're my best friend." She pushed her back to look at her. "I will support you, no matter what."

Ashley sniffled. "Thank you."

The girls hugged once more. They stayed this way for twenty seconds before breaking apart. Ashley took deep breaths, calming down. Her body's trembling ceased completely. She wiped tears from her eyes.

"Do you want to go get a pregnancy test, so we can find out if you really are pregnant?" Cassie asked.

"No, I don't trust that damn test," Ashley answered in some bitterness. "There is too much of a risk at reading it wrong." She let out a long yawn. "I want a doctor to confirm my suspicions."

"Okay. We can go to the Angel Grove Free Clinic to find out if you are pregnant. It's open now," Cassie suggested.

"All right. Do you think we can go now? I am anxious to find out," Ashley commented, licking her lips.

"Sure. Our parents won't be home for a long while. That will give us plenty of time," Cassie answered in a gentle voice.

"Mm-hmm," Ashley said in relief. "Let me go get my purse."

Ashley went upstairs. She returned with her purse three minutes later. She approached the front door and opened it. She locked it as Cassie headed out to her car. She walked outside and closed it behind her. She headed over to the passenger's side. She and Cassie got in and fastened their seatbelts. Cassie started up the engine and pulled out of the driveway. She started driving down the street.

"If you're pregnant, how far along do you think you are?" Cassie asked, eyeing Ashley.

"I believe I'm between six and seven weeks along. That's when pregnancy symptoms appear, though they can begin as early as the fourth week," Ashley explained.

Cassie nodded in a slow manner. "That's true. It's possible this could be a condition that mimics pregnancy." She looked ahead.

Ashley swallowed hard. "I've considered that, though I'm very positive I am pregnant."

"We'll worry about it when we get to the clinic," Cassie said softy and looked in her rearview mirror to see a van coming up on her bumper. She heard the driver honk his horn. "Forget it, buddy. I'm not going over the twenty-five-mile-per-hour speed limit on this road."

"Why is he in such a hurry?" Ashley wondered, looking out the back window at the van.

"I don't know, but I don't give a damn," Cassie declared. She came to a stop at an intersection. She flipped her blinker up. The right blinker started flashing. She looked both ways. She jumped in fright when the driver honked his horn. She glared at him in the rearview mirror. "I'm just looking both ways, you damn idiot!" She hissed in frustration. "God. Have some patience."

"I'd love to get out of the car and give him a piece of my mind," Ashley commented, looking ahead.

"You could, but he might pull a gun on you and shoot you," Cassie warned in seriousness.

"Good point," Ashley agreed.

Cassie turned right, the blinker ceasing its flashing. The driver drove ahead quickly, shooting her a dirty look. Cassie glanced at the rearview mirror, letting out a soft growl.

"See you later, jerk," Cassie shouted in determination. "Let's hope no one tries to hurry things along at the clinic."

"Yeah," Ashley replied and touched her stomach very lightly. "Everyone knows one of the worst things in the world is impatience. Some people have it more than others do."

"Ditto," Cassie agreed and moved her hands to the top of the steering wheel. She slowed down her speed somewhat as a teen boy skateboarded down the sidewalk.