***************************
Chapter Two: Trust
*
Alex walked up to the Evans family home, dressed in a black leather jacket, red button up shirt, and khaki pants. He didn't dress up too formally because he had promised Isabel this wasn't a date. When he got to the door, Alex knocked.
Isabel opened the door, wearing a pink blouse and jeans, with a red sweater. "Hi," she said.
"Hi. Are you ready?"
"Yeah, just let me lock up," said Isabel. "Mom went out of town, so its just me here."
After Isabel locked up, she followed Alex to his rental car. They got in and drove to small restaurant in town. Alex considered taking Isabel to the Crashdown, but knew their friends might be hanging out there, and he wanted to be alone with Isabel tonight.
About half an hour later, they were seated in the restaurant, waiting for their dinner. Isabel talked about her job teaching school, and Alex talked about his work in the Air Force (or, at least, what he tells everyone he does in the Air Force). They caught up on what had been going on in town, and then began to talk about old times.
"Alex," said Isabel. "I've been thinking about you, off and on, since you've been away. I've always regretted the way things ended between us. I lead you on, and I should have told you sooner about how I felt. You deserved more decency and respect, and I'm sorry I didn't give it to you."
"Isabel, you don't have anything to be sorry about. Things were really confusing for you then, and I....well, I had some growing up to do. When I look back on it now, I know my love for you is real, but my ability to handle it was....well, questionable."
"Is real?" asked Isabel.
"Yes. Look, Isabel, I've never stopped loving you. I've just come to accept....what happened. It made me want to be a better person. Not really out of some hope of winning your love, but...just so I could be happier with myself. I realized that I...wanted to be a better man. The Air Force has done that, its made a man out of me."
"It sure has," thought Isabel.
The waitress brought over their dinner, and they continued to talk as they ate. Both got to know the other as they are now, and began to put the past behind them.
**
Sheriff Valenti walked into the Crashdown, and found his son, Kyle, and his daughter-in-law, Tess, sitting at a table with Michael and Max. He walked over to them.
"Hi, Dad," said Kyle.
"Hi, son," said Valenti. "Look, I need to talk to everyone. In private. Where are the others?"
"Liz and Maria are in the back," said Max. "Isabel is out with Alex."
"Whitman?" asked Valenti. "Boy, he blows back into town, and they are already going out. Look, can you call Isabel on her cell phone? This is important, and I think you should all be here."
About a half an hour later, the entire group was gathered in the back room of the Crashdown. Alex and Isabel showed up soon after.
"Well," said Alex. "This is just like old times, when my life was like an unending X Files episode."
"Sorry I had to interrupt your date," said Valenti.
"Its wasn't a..."began Isabel and Alex at the same time.
"Yeah, right," said Maria in a sarcastic tone.
"Look, a dead body was found on the side of the road outside of town today," said Valenti. "We're still trying to ID the guy, but he was killed in some bizarre way."
"I see, so you are coming to us because we are the resident experts on the bizarre," said Michael.
"Look, Michael, the way this guy died," said Valenti. "I was thinking it might be the skins."
"Whoa, we haven't had an encounter with them in a long time," said Tess. "Why would they be making an appearance now?"
"No one said they were all gone, or dead," said Max. "And we are still on their hit list."
"But all of the ones who knew who we are were disposed of," said Isabel.
"Maybe not," said Max. "How did this guy die?"
"There was a wound, on his chest," said Valenti. "Some kind of burn mark. Whatever killed him struck him with great force, and left that burn."
Alex's attention was immediately fixated on the description of the man's wounds. They sounded familiar, and the possibilities worried him.
"Sheriff," said Alex. "I need to see that body. Can you arrange it?"
"Yeah, I guess so," said Valenti with a confused look on his face.
"Alex, what is going on?" asked Isabel.
"Look, I can't tell you anything right now, but I may know what killed the guy," said Alex. "Just maybe. I need to see the body to know."
***
A little while later, everyone was gathered at the morgue. Valenti, Max, Michael, and Alex were looking at the body, while the others waited outside in the hallway.
"Its similar to my powers," said Michael. "But I'm not sure."
"No, Michael," said Alex. "It wasn't your powers, or anything similar. But I know what did this."
"What?" asked Valenti.
"I can't tell you," said Alex. "But I need you all to trust me. I need to call someone, to get some help down here. If I'm right, we have a serious problem."
"Whoa, time out!" said Michael. "Who are you going to call?"
"Can't tell you that either, not at the moment," said Alex. "But, I have kept your secret for all of these years. You have trusted me. I need you to keep trusting me. This could be a major threat to the security of this planet, and I know the people who can deal with it."
"You are going to have to tell us more than that," said Max.
"Look, just as I promised to keep your secret, there are others I have promised to keep secrets for as well. If I break my promise to them, what good is my word to all of you?"
"He's got a point," said Max. "Alright. Make your call. But you had better not be setting us up."
Alex nodded. "I'm not. Believe me, you are making the right choice. Sheriff, I need to use your phone. Alone."
As the group made their way to the Sheriff's station, Michael leaned over and whispered to Max. "What the hell do you think you are doing? How can we let him call up people we don't know who are probably government types? How do we know for sure we can trust him? He's Air Force, military, remember."
"He's Alex Whitman," said Max in reply. "Our friend, who has kept our secret. And there is another reason."
Max looked pointedly at Isabel. "He'd never hurt her," he added.
Valenti let Alex into his office, and shut the door. While Alex was inside, Michael put his ear up to the door.
"Wait, I thought we were trusting him?" asked Isabel.
"I never said I was," said Michael. "This is too weird. Alex joins the Air Force, and now he is an expert on strange wounds made by unknown powers. I don't like it. I'm going to eavesdrop."
Alex got on the phone, and dialed the operator. "Operator, I need to place a call to the closest military switchboard."
A few moments later, a woman's voice answered the phone. "Fort Huachuca military switchboard. How may I direct your call?"
"My name is Lt. Alex Whitman, Air Force, serial number 2182523. I need a secure line to NORAD Headquarters in Colorado. My security authorization is Romeo Echo 6-2-9."
A few moments later, the switchboard operator replied. "Authorization confirmed. Placing your secure call."
Alex waited, and before long, another voice answered. "NORAD Headquarters secure switchboard."
"I need to speak to General Hammond, project Prometheus. Authorization-Obsidian."
"One moment please," said the operator.
In a few moments, a man's voice answered. "Hammond," said the voice.
"Sir, this is Lt. Whitman calling from Roswell, New Mexico."
"Whitman," replied Hammond. "You're on leave. What are you doing calling in?"
"There is a situation down here, sir," said Whitman. "A man's body was found on a road outside of town today by the local Sheriff. I know him, and he let me look at the body. Sir....I think the man was killed by a Jaffa staff weapon."
"What?!" said Hammond with astonishment. "Look, I have Colonel O'Neill here with me. I'm putting you on speaker."
"Whitman, this is Colonel O'Neill," said another man's voice. "The General tells me you think a guy got killed down there with a Jaffa staff weapon. You sure it wasn't some little green men? I mean, it is Roswell."
"Sir, I know a staff weapon wound when I see one," said Whitman. "All of us in the SG teams do. If it was a Jaffa, that means that the Goa'uld might be here."
"The possibility is alarming, to say the least," said Hammond. "Look, the rest of your team is still on liberty, Whitman. I want to move on this quickly. I'm sending SG-1 to Roswell. You will coordinate with them."
"Roger that, sir," said Whitman.
Michael moved away from the door. Everyone else gathered around him.
"Well, what did you hear?" asked Isabel.
"He called his General," said Michael. "At least, I'm pretty sure it was his General. He said he thinks something called a Jaffa staff weapon killed this guy, and said it might mean something called the Goa'uld might be here in Roswell. He also mentioned something about him being a part of an SG team."
"What the hell is a Goa'uld?" asked Kyle. "Is that like the Skins?"
"I don't think so," said Tess. "Nasedo never mentioned anything about Goa'uld, or Jaffa staff weapons."
"At any rate, it sounds like trouble is in town," said Max. "And Alex knows what its all about."
"And so does the Air Force," said Liz. "But how? What has Alex been doing for these past few years?"
"Why is he lying to us?" asked Isabel.
"Look, let's stay calm about this," said Max. "Alex is our friend. Remember what he said to Michael and I. He's kept our secret, but has others to keep for other people. Perhaps he means the Air Force. We have to trust him."
Alex came out of the office, and saw them staring at him. "Help is coming," said Alex. "When they get here...what get's told to you is not up to me. I have orders I must obey. Its my duty."
"What about your duty to us?" asked Michael. "We're your friends. You have a lot of things that need explaining."
"Michael, there are things going on here that may be bigger than any of you can imagine," said Alex. "Let me ask all of you something. Have you noticed any strangers in town, people acting strangely?"
"No, not really," said Valenti. "At least, no one who would attract our attention."
"What could they be doing here?" asked Alex of no one in particular.
"Who?" asked Michael. "The Goa'uld?"
"Michael!" said Max with rebuke.
"You listened in on my conversation!" said Alex. "Who the hell do you think you are?!"
"I could ask you the same thing," said Michael. "I feel like I don't know you any more! And what's an SG team? Is it like the FBI special unit, only military? Is that what is coming here?"
"Stop it!" said Isabel. She turned to Michael and the others, standing next to Alex. "Alex is trying to help us! I'm sure of it! I know him too well to think anything else! Max is right! We have to trust him!"
"Isabel, your emotions might be clouding your judgment," said Tess.
"What emotions?" asked Isabel.
"You two care about each other," said Tess. "We could all see it when the two of you walked into the Crashdown tonight. Something is brewing between the two of you, and it might be affecting your clarity on this situation."
"Look, this bickering is pointless," said Valenti. "Whoever Alex called is on the way. We deal with them appropriately when they arrive, and keep quiet about the four of you being alien hybrids! From there, we'll have to trust Alex."
"I agree," said Max. "Look, I am just as confused by all of this as anyone. But if we can't trust each other, who the hell can we trust."
"These Goa'uld you mentioned, Alex," said Kyle. "Could they be a threat to us? To Tess, Isabel, Max and Michael, I mean?"
"I don't know if they are a threat to them or not," said Alex. "But they are not the Skins. They are...another threat, to the whole world. That is if it turns out to be them. Look, I can't say anymore than that. Just in case, I wouldn't recommend any of us be alone tonight. Its only a precaution."
"Kyle, Tess," said Valenti. "You are staying at my house. I won't take no for an answer."
Kyle and Tess nodded their agreement.
"Liz and I will be fine," said Max.
"Same with me and Michael," said Maria.
"What about Isabel?" asked Tess. "She's staying alone at her parent's house."
"I'll stay with her," said Alex.
Everyone, including Isabel, looked at him with "oh really" expressions. Alex caught the implications of what he said. "Chill. I'll sleep on her couch, okay," he said.
"I don't need a babysitter," said Isabel. "I can take care of myself."
"Isabel, please," said Max. "I'm with Alex. I think it would be better if we stay in groups. Safety in numbers. I'd feel better of you had someone with you."
Isabel was silent for a moment, then replied. "Okay."
End of Chapter Two. Chapter Three coming soon.
Thanks for the reviews I have gotten so far. Please, do feel free to continue providing reviews and feedback. Let me know how you think the story is going. I hope it has peaked your interest and is holding onto it. Look for more romance and thrills in the next chapter.
Chapter Two: Trust
*
Alex walked up to the Evans family home, dressed in a black leather jacket, red button up shirt, and khaki pants. He didn't dress up too formally because he had promised Isabel this wasn't a date. When he got to the door, Alex knocked.
Isabel opened the door, wearing a pink blouse and jeans, with a red sweater. "Hi," she said.
"Hi. Are you ready?"
"Yeah, just let me lock up," said Isabel. "Mom went out of town, so its just me here."
After Isabel locked up, she followed Alex to his rental car. They got in and drove to small restaurant in town. Alex considered taking Isabel to the Crashdown, but knew their friends might be hanging out there, and he wanted to be alone with Isabel tonight.
About half an hour later, they were seated in the restaurant, waiting for their dinner. Isabel talked about her job teaching school, and Alex talked about his work in the Air Force (or, at least, what he tells everyone he does in the Air Force). They caught up on what had been going on in town, and then began to talk about old times.
"Alex," said Isabel. "I've been thinking about you, off and on, since you've been away. I've always regretted the way things ended between us. I lead you on, and I should have told you sooner about how I felt. You deserved more decency and respect, and I'm sorry I didn't give it to you."
"Isabel, you don't have anything to be sorry about. Things were really confusing for you then, and I....well, I had some growing up to do. When I look back on it now, I know my love for you is real, but my ability to handle it was....well, questionable."
"Is real?" asked Isabel.
"Yes. Look, Isabel, I've never stopped loving you. I've just come to accept....what happened. It made me want to be a better person. Not really out of some hope of winning your love, but...just so I could be happier with myself. I realized that I...wanted to be a better man. The Air Force has done that, its made a man out of me."
"It sure has," thought Isabel.
The waitress brought over their dinner, and they continued to talk as they ate. Both got to know the other as they are now, and began to put the past behind them.
**
Sheriff Valenti walked into the Crashdown, and found his son, Kyle, and his daughter-in-law, Tess, sitting at a table with Michael and Max. He walked over to them.
"Hi, Dad," said Kyle.
"Hi, son," said Valenti. "Look, I need to talk to everyone. In private. Where are the others?"
"Liz and Maria are in the back," said Max. "Isabel is out with Alex."
"Whitman?" asked Valenti. "Boy, he blows back into town, and they are already going out. Look, can you call Isabel on her cell phone? This is important, and I think you should all be here."
About a half an hour later, the entire group was gathered in the back room of the Crashdown. Alex and Isabel showed up soon after.
"Well," said Alex. "This is just like old times, when my life was like an unending X Files episode."
"Sorry I had to interrupt your date," said Valenti.
"Its wasn't a..."began Isabel and Alex at the same time.
"Yeah, right," said Maria in a sarcastic tone.
"Look, a dead body was found on the side of the road outside of town today," said Valenti. "We're still trying to ID the guy, but he was killed in some bizarre way."
"I see, so you are coming to us because we are the resident experts on the bizarre," said Michael.
"Look, Michael, the way this guy died," said Valenti. "I was thinking it might be the skins."
"Whoa, we haven't had an encounter with them in a long time," said Tess. "Why would they be making an appearance now?"
"No one said they were all gone, or dead," said Max. "And we are still on their hit list."
"But all of the ones who knew who we are were disposed of," said Isabel.
"Maybe not," said Max. "How did this guy die?"
"There was a wound, on his chest," said Valenti. "Some kind of burn mark. Whatever killed him struck him with great force, and left that burn."
Alex's attention was immediately fixated on the description of the man's wounds. They sounded familiar, and the possibilities worried him.
"Sheriff," said Alex. "I need to see that body. Can you arrange it?"
"Yeah, I guess so," said Valenti with a confused look on his face.
"Alex, what is going on?" asked Isabel.
"Look, I can't tell you anything right now, but I may know what killed the guy," said Alex. "Just maybe. I need to see the body to know."
***
A little while later, everyone was gathered at the morgue. Valenti, Max, Michael, and Alex were looking at the body, while the others waited outside in the hallway.
"Its similar to my powers," said Michael. "But I'm not sure."
"No, Michael," said Alex. "It wasn't your powers, or anything similar. But I know what did this."
"What?" asked Valenti.
"I can't tell you," said Alex. "But I need you all to trust me. I need to call someone, to get some help down here. If I'm right, we have a serious problem."
"Whoa, time out!" said Michael. "Who are you going to call?"
"Can't tell you that either, not at the moment," said Alex. "But, I have kept your secret for all of these years. You have trusted me. I need you to keep trusting me. This could be a major threat to the security of this planet, and I know the people who can deal with it."
"You are going to have to tell us more than that," said Max.
"Look, just as I promised to keep your secret, there are others I have promised to keep secrets for as well. If I break my promise to them, what good is my word to all of you?"
"He's got a point," said Max. "Alright. Make your call. But you had better not be setting us up."
Alex nodded. "I'm not. Believe me, you are making the right choice. Sheriff, I need to use your phone. Alone."
As the group made their way to the Sheriff's station, Michael leaned over and whispered to Max. "What the hell do you think you are doing? How can we let him call up people we don't know who are probably government types? How do we know for sure we can trust him? He's Air Force, military, remember."
"He's Alex Whitman," said Max in reply. "Our friend, who has kept our secret. And there is another reason."
Max looked pointedly at Isabel. "He'd never hurt her," he added.
Valenti let Alex into his office, and shut the door. While Alex was inside, Michael put his ear up to the door.
"Wait, I thought we were trusting him?" asked Isabel.
"I never said I was," said Michael. "This is too weird. Alex joins the Air Force, and now he is an expert on strange wounds made by unknown powers. I don't like it. I'm going to eavesdrop."
Alex got on the phone, and dialed the operator. "Operator, I need to place a call to the closest military switchboard."
A few moments later, a woman's voice answered the phone. "Fort Huachuca military switchboard. How may I direct your call?"
"My name is Lt. Alex Whitman, Air Force, serial number 2182523. I need a secure line to NORAD Headquarters in Colorado. My security authorization is Romeo Echo 6-2-9."
A few moments later, the switchboard operator replied. "Authorization confirmed. Placing your secure call."
Alex waited, and before long, another voice answered. "NORAD Headquarters secure switchboard."
"I need to speak to General Hammond, project Prometheus. Authorization-Obsidian."
"One moment please," said the operator.
In a few moments, a man's voice answered. "Hammond," said the voice.
"Sir, this is Lt. Whitman calling from Roswell, New Mexico."
"Whitman," replied Hammond. "You're on leave. What are you doing calling in?"
"There is a situation down here, sir," said Whitman. "A man's body was found on a road outside of town today by the local Sheriff. I know him, and he let me look at the body. Sir....I think the man was killed by a Jaffa staff weapon."
"What?!" said Hammond with astonishment. "Look, I have Colonel O'Neill here with me. I'm putting you on speaker."
"Whitman, this is Colonel O'Neill," said another man's voice. "The General tells me you think a guy got killed down there with a Jaffa staff weapon. You sure it wasn't some little green men? I mean, it is Roswell."
"Sir, I know a staff weapon wound when I see one," said Whitman. "All of us in the SG teams do. If it was a Jaffa, that means that the Goa'uld might be here."
"The possibility is alarming, to say the least," said Hammond. "Look, the rest of your team is still on liberty, Whitman. I want to move on this quickly. I'm sending SG-1 to Roswell. You will coordinate with them."
"Roger that, sir," said Whitman.
Michael moved away from the door. Everyone else gathered around him.
"Well, what did you hear?" asked Isabel.
"He called his General," said Michael. "At least, I'm pretty sure it was his General. He said he thinks something called a Jaffa staff weapon killed this guy, and said it might mean something called the Goa'uld might be here in Roswell. He also mentioned something about him being a part of an SG team."
"What the hell is a Goa'uld?" asked Kyle. "Is that like the Skins?"
"I don't think so," said Tess. "Nasedo never mentioned anything about Goa'uld, or Jaffa staff weapons."
"At any rate, it sounds like trouble is in town," said Max. "And Alex knows what its all about."
"And so does the Air Force," said Liz. "But how? What has Alex been doing for these past few years?"
"Why is he lying to us?" asked Isabel.
"Look, let's stay calm about this," said Max. "Alex is our friend. Remember what he said to Michael and I. He's kept our secret, but has others to keep for other people. Perhaps he means the Air Force. We have to trust him."
Alex came out of the office, and saw them staring at him. "Help is coming," said Alex. "When they get here...what get's told to you is not up to me. I have orders I must obey. Its my duty."
"What about your duty to us?" asked Michael. "We're your friends. You have a lot of things that need explaining."
"Michael, there are things going on here that may be bigger than any of you can imagine," said Alex. "Let me ask all of you something. Have you noticed any strangers in town, people acting strangely?"
"No, not really," said Valenti. "At least, no one who would attract our attention."
"What could they be doing here?" asked Alex of no one in particular.
"Who?" asked Michael. "The Goa'uld?"
"Michael!" said Max with rebuke.
"You listened in on my conversation!" said Alex. "Who the hell do you think you are?!"
"I could ask you the same thing," said Michael. "I feel like I don't know you any more! And what's an SG team? Is it like the FBI special unit, only military? Is that what is coming here?"
"Stop it!" said Isabel. She turned to Michael and the others, standing next to Alex. "Alex is trying to help us! I'm sure of it! I know him too well to think anything else! Max is right! We have to trust him!"
"Isabel, your emotions might be clouding your judgment," said Tess.
"What emotions?" asked Isabel.
"You two care about each other," said Tess. "We could all see it when the two of you walked into the Crashdown tonight. Something is brewing between the two of you, and it might be affecting your clarity on this situation."
"Look, this bickering is pointless," said Valenti. "Whoever Alex called is on the way. We deal with them appropriately when they arrive, and keep quiet about the four of you being alien hybrids! From there, we'll have to trust Alex."
"I agree," said Max. "Look, I am just as confused by all of this as anyone. But if we can't trust each other, who the hell can we trust."
"These Goa'uld you mentioned, Alex," said Kyle. "Could they be a threat to us? To Tess, Isabel, Max and Michael, I mean?"
"I don't know if they are a threat to them or not," said Alex. "But they are not the Skins. They are...another threat, to the whole world. That is if it turns out to be them. Look, I can't say anymore than that. Just in case, I wouldn't recommend any of us be alone tonight. Its only a precaution."
"Kyle, Tess," said Valenti. "You are staying at my house. I won't take no for an answer."
Kyle and Tess nodded their agreement.
"Liz and I will be fine," said Max.
"Same with me and Michael," said Maria.
"What about Isabel?" asked Tess. "She's staying alone at her parent's house."
"I'll stay with her," said Alex.
Everyone, including Isabel, looked at him with "oh really" expressions. Alex caught the implications of what he said. "Chill. I'll sleep on her couch, okay," he said.
"I don't need a babysitter," said Isabel. "I can take care of myself."
"Isabel, please," said Max. "I'm with Alex. I think it would be better if we stay in groups. Safety in numbers. I'd feel better of you had someone with you."
Isabel was silent for a moment, then replied. "Okay."
End of Chapter Two. Chapter Three coming soon.
Thanks for the reviews I have gotten so far. Please, do feel free to continue providing reviews and feedback. Let me know how you think the story is going. I hope it has peaked your interest and is holding onto it. Look for more romance and thrills in the next chapter.
