Adventure of the Planet of the Apes

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing of the Planet of the Apes. My respect for the wonderful author, Pierre Boulle, the book was so awesome that I keep reading it over and over again. So only a few people in here are mine. I don't own any Tolkien quotes either.

A/N:  Oh, only one review this chapter. That's okay. I'm sure by writing two chapters and posting them soooo close together that people will eventually start reading this story again.

JoMarch95- Thank you for continuing to review my story and tell me good things about it. I am aware that my spelling and grammar is not always perfect.

Virusea- That actually means a lot to me. Because I do put a lot of myself into all my characters some people don't like it. They think that the author needs to stay uninvolved and on the sidelines. Taylor is a copy of me with a temper and a mouth that are out of control. It is fun to write a person who is a little out of control since I am such a naturally quiet person.

Chapter Four: A Talk

After I lead the girl down to the kitchen Thade and I went into the common room. It was nice just being able to sit by him without being worried about being interrupted. I could talk about everything that was worrying because Thade was kind enough to let me talk.

"You miss your brothers, don't you?"

"Yes, they are often on my mind, but at least… I still have you." I smiled up at Thade. Was I actually flirting with my best friend? Quickly I tried to shake the thought at of my head.

For a moment after I said that all time seemed to stand still as Thade looked into my eyes and said: "I will never you, Ari. I promise." There was sincerity in his voice that made my stomach feel like a million butterflies were flying around. Suddenly my throat closed as Thade came closer, I thought with anticipation that he might kiss me. Much to my relief, or was it disappointment, he backed away and observed me. The front door opened. "You're father is home." Neither of us felt like ruining the moment, but it seemed that there would be no way to once again recapture the serenity was had experienced.

Thade moved to get up off the couch. "Where are you going?" Had I said something to upset him, or maybe I should have said something. Why was he leaving so soon?

"I'll be back soon, Ari. There is an important matter which I must discuss with your father." Thade patted my hand, "It is nothing bad, in fact, it may be good for both of us." With that reassurance he rose quickly from the sofa and left. My thoughts were in turmoil, what could he mean 'good for both of us'? Sometimes the male race confuses me so that I can hardly think. Their thoughts seem to run in a million different directions, with no order at all.

Well, I might as well go see what Taylor and Bon are doing in the kitchen. They are so different, I wonder if they were able to get along. I allowed myself to follow that train of thought as I made my way into the kitchen. Right before I stepped into the kitchen I could hear Bon and Taylor laughing and talking together as if they had known each other forever. Usually Bon was quiet and reserved, she never seemed to laugh or take part in any fun her brother, Trival, might think up. Now she seemed happy to have another female companion to chat with. I walked into the kitchen, pretending that I had not stopped at all. "Oh!" Bon stood up from her chair and dropped a quick curtsy in my direction. Taylor rose from her chair while giving me a curious looked and gave me a quick nod with her head to show that she acknowledged my presence, not a normal human behavioral trait. But it did prove that she had learn when to show respect, and considering that when she had first arrived she had not shown any. This girl was obviously very smart, as far as humans can be considered smart, because she could learn so quickly.

"Is there anything you would like, mistress Ari?" How many times would I have to tell Bon not to call me 'mistress Ari'? In my father or Thade presence I would allow it, but away from the public eye I didn't like formalities.

"No, I do not require anything… except"- both Taylor and Bon stopped, as if I were going to give them some superhuman task, "-except for you to stop addressing me as 'mistress Ari' when no one else is around."

"Yes, mis- I mean, Ari." So far Taylor had stayed quiet, observing Bon's interaction with me.

"It seems like you two are getting along well. Was the food to your liking, Taylor?"

She seemed to be fighting and struggling against saying something disrespectful. "Yes, thank you. La comida esta excellente, gracias."

"Uh?" Both Bon and I were confused by hearing an unknown language spoken. "Is that the same language that you and your friend made up?"

"Sí." A smirk showed on her face. I do believe that she is teasing me. That is definitely not something a human from around here would do. No human would ever presume to joke with an ape. Humans have no sense of humor.

Bon's eyes got big, "You can speak a different language?" Now I was certain that she held Taylor in awe, neither of us had ever met a human like her. For a moment I felt as naïve as Bon looked.

"Sí, hablan español. ¿Tú?" The girl smiled a us, as I would want to smile down at a human would could not comprehend what I was saying. For the first time in my entire life I have known the humility that apes cause humans to feel. "Sorry, I know that I am provoking you. Really, I don't mean to do it, but it comes so naturally when I can understand and you can't.

This made sense to me, but why she would want to do it if she knew she shouldn't was beyond me. Maybe she does it for the same reason you ran off without permission this afternoon? Where had that come from? At times there was an annoying little voice in me head the tried to reason with me, but I never really wanted to listen to it because it was usually right when I was wrong. "In one way I can understand what you mean. Come, sit. You don't have to stand." Taylor pulled up a chair and sat down, but Bon was a little bit more reserved.

"For crying out loud in St. Petersburg, sit down." Taylor pulled a chair out for Bon and motioned for her to sit in it.

"You are very different."

"Thank you."

"Why would you say that? I didn't compliment you, you know."

"Yes, but it has been at least two days since anyone has told me that, so it was good to hear it again."

Taylor certainly was a strange girl. "So, Taylor, tell me a bit about yourself."

"I'm younger than you think I am. I have two older sisters, two brother-in-laws, two nephews, two nieces, a mom and dad, grandparents and lots of friends. Just like quote un quote normal person would have. What about you?"

The question took me by surprise. Never had a human shown interest in an ape before. "Um, well, I have two older brothers and one is now married. Huh, I live here with my father and my hum-, well, now you. My best friend is Thade and uh… not much else. Do you have a best friend?"

"I use to, but that was a couple years ago. Things just happened that were meant to happen. It ended out good in the end, though I'm still not very fond of her. How could I expect to be when she broke my trust in her and took part of me away?"

"You truly loved her didn't you?" There was something about her, almost, ape like. "But the sacred scrolls say that humans are incapable of love, or even the simplest emotion."

"If you don't mind me saying –I'm not trying to insult you or anyone else- but I don't think those sacred scrolls know a damn thing about humans. Believe me, I don't swear very often, only when I need to make a point."

I smiled at her irony, she was so like me, willing to make a difference, but not knowing how. "You're not from around here."

"Didn't we already go over this? Hitler –I mean- Thade, already put me through the inquisition and back again. No, I'm not from around here. Stupid soup Nazi's."

"Soup Nazi's?"

"Never mind. I'm obsessed with history. Particularly the American Civil War and World War II, but none of that matters or exist now," she ended sadly.

"How would a human know all that? You must come from a long distance from here since no one has ever spoken of such things before." The look of remorse on Taylor's face told me that she thought she had over stepped her bounds. "This is all very interesting. I would like to know more." I caught myself before I laughed out loud. Was there anything that I, an ape, could actually learn from a human? The very thought was ridiculous.

"If you think you could learn from a lowly human."

I was shocked. It was almost like she had read my very thoughts. This gave me a unnerved feeling. "Well, I have things to do so I will leave you two to clean up. Once you are done, Taylor, you may return to my chambers or stay here with Bon for a while before bed."

"Thank you, ma'am."

I ignored her last remark and went on my way. Would I ever be able to understand this new human girl I had found? Doubtful. She is too much like you for you two to get along very well. Oh, shut up. No, I won't shut up just because you tell me to. I am such an idiot because I am fighting with myself. It is not as uncommon as you think. You know that the girl is not from around here. Telling father would be a wise thing to do. But I don't want her to get hurt or… or anything like that. Um hum… don't we know it. Go away! Finally the little voice in my head did go away. Why was it so persistent about this girl and knowing where she came from? But then again, why was I so insistent about protecting her? There was no reason I should care for a humans well being.

A/N: And that concludes this weeks episode of The Adventures of the Planet of the Apes. Tune in next week for more of your favorite (if it isn't your favorite it should be) fan fiction. Written by the almost-not quiet- famous…. Altril. Here is a sneak peak at what you can be expecting….:

Knock, knock, knock! Sandar looked up from the paperwork scattered all over his desk. Who would need me at this time in the afternoon. The senate session only ended a few minutes ago, they could not have come up with any problems since then. But then again… they could have. Well, it cannot be Ari, Galen or Nat, none of my children would ever feel the need to knock. Oh well, might as well find out who it is. "Come in!"

After a few seconds of hesitation Thade pushed the door open to face his destiny. All his life Thade had been in love with Ari, but only in the last few weeks had he been able to gain the courage to face her father. Of course, he had known Sandar since before he could remember and had always felt at ease around him, but since wanting Ari he had not been as comfortable as before.

"Well, hello, Thade. I wasn't excepting you. Come. Sit down."

"Thank you, sir," said Thade as he pulled a chair in front of Sandar's desk.

Thade seemed overly nervous to Sandar, but he decided to ignore it. It was unusual for the son of his friend to be uncomfortable in his presence, so he, Sandar, wanted to put Thade at ease. "What has your father been doing lately? I have missed my visits with my old friend."

It was