Here's an update. Don't think I'll update anytime soon. Got to write three hymns for English class by Friday, a dramatic monologue (blank verse) and a sonnet for Monday. * sniffles * * bursts out crying * Somebody help! I hate writing poetry! No one has to help…just felt like saying that, but it's true nevertheless.

Disclaimer: I do not own Alex, Jen, Lucas, or Ransik. They are property of Saban/Disney. I do own Christy and Chris Collins, Dr. Stein, Commander Steinback, both of Alex's grandmothers, Alex's grandpa, Jesse, Jerry, and Jessica.

End of Summer Break

* * *

Alex walked past Jen, receiving an angry glare. It had been that way ever since their argument. Mr. Scotts and Alex had a good relationship; Mr. Scotts treated him like a son he had never had. Alex learned a lot from him. He enjoyed his time at the Scotts' place greatly. He found himself looking forward to work every morning, despite Jen being there giving him icy, anger-filled glares. He wished he could talk to Jen, but he had to respect her father. As he trimmed the rose bushes, he thought of ways to get to talk to Jen.

When Alex saw Mr. Scotts coming his way, an idea clicked in his mind. "Sir?"

"Yes, Alex?"

"May I speak to your daughter?"

With a raised brow, Mr. Scotts said, "Yes, you may, but only for a little while."

"Thank you, sir." Alex said, trying not to sound excited. He walked up to Jen who turned and moved away. "Jen, wait!"

"What is it, Alex?" she asked, an edge to her voice.

"Look, we need to talk."

"Why? Aren't you scared of my father?"

"No, I got permission from your father to talk to you."

"Alright. You've got five minutes, start talking." Jen crossed her arms and stood as if not really wanting to be there.

"Jen, I'm sorry. For-for breaking up with you, for not telling you the whole truth. I was – I just want to be friends for now. Maybe when we're older, more mature, we could try the whole thing again."

"You make it sound as if there's someone else."

Alex looked away. "Maybe there is; maybe there isn't."

Jen thought for a few minutes. "Alright, we can be friends…for now, anyway."

Alex sighed. "Thank you," he said happily.

Alex returned to work. He worked vigorously, happily humming "For the Beauty of the Earth," which he had picked up when he went to church with his grandma and uncle the last time. He stayed for dinner that evening and enjoyed a light-hearted meal with Jen and her family. After the meal, he thanked Mrs. Scotts for having him over and bid them good-bye.

* * *

Jesse was sitting in a chair looking at the new gun he had just received that day. He was now a lieutenant. He proved himself to be a hard worker in the few years he had been there. Alex walked in.

"Hey, Alex. Julia called. Wanted to know if you are still on for tomorrow night." Jesse said, looking over his weapon once more.

"Hi, Jesse. Thanks." Alex noticed the weapon and then looked at the badges Jesse wore. "Nice gun. I see you got a new rank?"

"Yes." Jesse said, looking up from the weapon at last; he smiled briefly. "I made lieutenant."

"That's great, Jes. Any news on Ransik's whereabouts?"

"No, but hopefully we'll catch him soon. Amazing how fast time flies; you'll be out on the field soon, fighting the bad guys. Just next schoolyear left."

"Yeah. Then, I'll, as quickly as possible, move up the ranks so that I can be in charge of finding Ransik." Alex said, his face serious. Alex paused to think, then his face became deeply concerned. "I've been feeling like someone's been following me lately. Do you think it's safe for me to take Julia out tomorrow?"

"Alex, it's probably nothing. Has the "stalker" done anything?"

"No, not yet."

"Probably just a harmless prank."

"Seriously, I think it could become serious. I hear my name called in a familiar voice, my body tenses, ready for combat, and then nothing happens."

"Whatever. I think it's nothing. Go out with Julia, have a good time. I'm glad to see you move on after breaking up with Jen. You were becoming unbearable – almost."

Alex playfully punched Jesse in the shoulder. "Okay. If you're sure." He called Julia and made arrangements for the following night. "Well, I'm turning in."

"Okay. Good-night."

* * *

Alex walked with Julia to the theatre, keeping up a light conversation while he kept his ears open for any sounds of the stalker. "So, why are you entering the Force?" he heard her ask him.

"Because I need to capture Ransik to avenge my parents' deaths. He killed them both. My mom when I was just born, and my dad when I first entered the Academy."

"Really? I'm sorry, Alex." She laced her arm through his and leaned up to him. She was shivering.

Handing her his jacket, he said. "That's alright."

"Thanks, Alex." she allowed him to help her into his jacket.

"You're welcome. Why are you entering the Force?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I don't really want to, but my parents want me to. So, I'm just doing it to make them happy." Alex placed his arm around her shoulders.

` "What would you rather be?"

"A doctor, or a teacher."

"You could do both of those in the Force."

Julia smiled up at him. "Thanks for the encouragement."

Alex blushed, "You're welcome." They were nearing the theatre, so he asked, "What movie would you like to see?"

"How about that one movie – you know, that new one…it's supposed to be a love story about these two people who met during World War II and fell in love."

Alex looked straight ahead and rolled his eyes. "Um…okay…if you're sure."

"I am." she laced her fingers through his, and, just for a moment, he imagined that it was Jen standing there beside him.

Alex approached the ticket stand. "Two tickets to 'Love in War,' please." Two tickets came out when Alex put his money in. The couple entered the theatre and found two seats. Julia raised the armrest between them so she could be closer to Alex. She leaned her head on his shoulder as they watched the preview.

"Alex?" Julia whispered. He looked at her right in the eyes. "I've had a lot of fun with you this summer."

"Same here." he looked back up at the screen as an advertisement for recruits to sign up for the new year at the Academy. He saw a picture of Jen struggling to hit the mark in target class, and his body tensed. Julia kissed him on the cheek. "Stop that." he said playfully. "Eww…cooties."

"Oh, Alex, stop it." Julia said.

"Okay." his face once again became serious.

Finally, the movie started. Alex sat there bored and uncomfortable, for Julia was snuggled up against him. Oh brother. Let's get out of here Jul. he thought. His face was stoic throughout the entirety of the movie. The attempts at comedy did not "tickle" Alex's funny bone; the romance scenes made him think the guy was a real loser and did not know how to impress a girl, giving her stupid pick-up lines, yet she still fell head over heels for him. The movie ended after what seemed like an eternity to Alex.

Julia smiled up at him, stretched, and got out of her seat. She pulled Alex along out of the theatre. They walked in silence for a while, until, "What did you think of the –" In front of them stood a tall figure. In one fluid motion, Alex stood in fighting stance in front of Julia and told her to run. She hesitated, "Alex, come with me. I'm not leaving without you!"

"Oh, yes, you are. Hurry! Warn any passers by." Julia ran when she saw the deeply worried look in his eyes. "Ransik." Alex said in a low voice.

"So, we meet again." Alex just stared, ready to fight if necessary. "You've grown since we last fought. Perhaps we'll be more evenly matched this time."

Under his breath, Alex muttered, "Yeah, right."

"What was that?" Alex stayed still, memories of his father's death nearly four years ago flashing through his mind. "Oh. Okay. You want me to punch you? Sure." Ransik went to punch Alex square in the stomach; Alex twisted around to dodge, kicking Ransik in his thigh. "You've developed some fighting skills, I see."

"Yeah." Ransik swung high. Alex ducked down and knocked Ransik off his feet. The fight raged on, Alex seeming to have the upperhand. Alex let his guard down and Ransik gave Alex a strong blow in the jaw. Alex froze, his jaw throbbing and lip bleeding. He could not move it.

In anger, Alex punched Ransik repeatedly in the stomach, winding the mutant. Then, he kicked him hard in the stomach. Inwardly, he thanked the new PE teacher for the better workouts. Ransik fell to the ground with a loud thud. Doctor Ferriks watched the fight from the empty alley. That kid would be perfect for trying out our ranger program. he thought, seeing Alex having the upper hand after the blow that obviously had hurt him. Ransik did not get up, faking injury, so, Alex started to walk away. He did not see or expect what happened next.

Once Ransik disappeared, Doctor Ferriks rushed Alex to the hospital to get his broken arm bandaged and his jaw fixed. When Alex came out of the hospital room, the news was showing clips of his battle with Ransik. Since he could not move his jaw, he wrote on a paper 'How'd they get video of that?'

Doctor Ferriks looked at him. "I taped it. Listen, when your injuries heal completely, would you please report to this address?" He handed Alex a piece of paper. Alex looked at it, nodded yes, and walked away.