Chapter 8: Negotiations

"Hey mom, shouldn't Alex be back or called by now?" Melody asked when she looked at her watch and saw that they had about thirty minutes before they all had to leave for work.

Melissa changed into a mini dress that had a criss-cross back and a corset style front. Basically, her back was almost completely exposed down to the top of her butt, except for where the straps were. Melody could sense Varick was almost drooling when she turned around for his inspection.

"He should have been but, he's not and that has me worried. He never does anything like this" Melissa was starting worry as she began to pace the floor beside the phone that was hanging on the wall.

All of them jumped when they heard the phone ring. Melissa was the first to the reach the phone and sighed with relief when she saw Alex's cell phone number pop up on the caller ID.

"Hey, Alex. We were beginning…" Melissa started to say until she was interrupted by an all too familiar voice.

"Hello Melissa" Kareem said.

"Kareem" Melissa barely breathed out as he eyes became wide. She could see that everyone was gathering around her. Varick came up behind her and placed a hand on her slender shoulder.

"Oh I am so glad that you remembered me. I'm touched" Kareem sarcastically stated.

"Where's Alex?" Melissa asked in a panic-stricken voice as her whole body began to shake with fear.

"He's alive, for now. But, that all depends on you and how much you are willing to cooperate with my demands" Kareem said with an icy tone to his voice.

"What do you want?" Melissa asked.

"First of all, I want the one who interfered last night. Second, I want Melody, since I have someone who is willing to take care of her for the rest of her life. Third, I want you. You should know by now that I don't like to loose anything especially someone who belongs to me" Kareem angrily stated.

"I wish to speak with Alex before I accept or reject your outlandish proposals" Melissa finally built up her nerve and fired back with her own icy reaction.

"I would but, he's not awake" Kareem said.

"What have you done to him?" Melissa asked when she finally honed in on Kareem's mind. That's when she read bits and pieces of it. She could see Alex with a face-hugger on him and she could hear Kareem maniacal laughter.

"Quite trying to read my mind. It won't direct you to where you need to go. Nor will it save your son" Kareem stated.

"When and where?" Melissa solemnly asked as she leaned against Varick's massive frame for support.

"One hour down by the docks. No weapons or Alex will die" Kareem said as he hung up the phone.

"That was Kareem, wasn't it?" Melody questioned but, already knew the answer.

"Yes, it was. He has Alex" Melissa said as she hung up the phone and looked at her extended family.

"What does he want?" Melody pursued.

"He wants Bashera for last night's interference. He wants you because; he's sold you to some wealthy benefactor. And, he wants me back so he can punish me again" Melissa softly stated as she walked over to the love seat and sat down with her head bowed.

"Then, I see no alternative but, to give Kareem what he wants" Varick stated, which received a startled gasp from everyone else.

"Have you lost your mind, father?" Tanaka asked.

"No, I have a plan" Varick chuckled as all eyes were on him.

"Well, let's hear it" Melody stated.

"Melissa and Melody will deliver Tanaka instead of Bashera. Bashera can be hard to handle at times and could ruin our chances rescuing Alex. Tanaka knows how to maintain his calm under any circumstance. Bashera, these two young females, and I shall go through the back way. Or better known as, our way" Varick said with a small laugh.

"Oh!" they said in unison.

"Does either of you two young females know how to use a gun or a weapon of any kind?" Varick questioned as he turned to Carrie and Mara.

"I have a lot of experience because I had to learn in order to be able to survive on the streets when I was a lot younger. Mara doesn't have any because, she never needed to learn how to" Carrie quickly supplied as she lifted her shirt up, slightly, and showed them the Magnum that she kept with her under her shirt and tucked into the top of her jeans.

"Good. Mara will have to get a quick lesson in self defense" Varick stated as he looked over at Bashera.

"Bashera, would you do the honors of training Mara?" Varick asked.

"Really? It would be an honor and privilege" Bashera stated with a slight bow of his head. He was grateful that Mara wore a pair of blue jeans and a green tee shirt because, a skirt could easily rise up on her and she would be in a mess.

"How much time do we have?" Varick asked Melissa.

"Less than an hour and it will take about thirty minutes to get down to the docks" Melissa stated as she stood up and came to stand beside Varick. She felt his arm snake around her waist, pulling her close to him.

"Alright, let's get to it" Varick ordered.

"Let's do it!" Everyone either shouted or roared with delight as they set about the task of making sure everything was in line for their rescue mission.

"After all this is said and done, I am throwing a huge party down at the club. Everyone from Varick's ship is invited. Free food and drinks all around" Melissa cheerfully stated in the Yautja language as she wrapped her arms around Varick's waist and gave him a tight squeeze.

"Sounds like a plan to me. Any party works for me, just so long as Mara dances with me" Bashera stated in his language as he glanced over at Mara.

He couldn't believe that an ooman female spoke his language but, as soon as he looked at Varick, he understood. Varick and the little ooman female were close and in love with each other. Even a blind fool could see their feelings shining in the dark. Now he began to wonder how long they had known each other and what their actually relationship was. Wait a minute! That large ooman male is her son and he looks to be about the right age when Varick was last on Earth. Could it be that her son is also Varick's son? Nah, it's completely impossible for oomans and Yautja to breed.

"Let's go Mara" Bashera said in his language, because he did not know how to speak hers, but was greeted with a confounded look upon her face. He realized that she couldn't understand and decided to grab her by the hand. Once he took hold of her hand, she immediately realized what he wanted to do and followed him into the back yard, where they began to quickly train.

"Bashera will make a good warrior…one of these days" Tanaka stated as he watched Bashera work with Mara on her punches and kicks, trying to get her to put a little more force behind each movement. She had the right idea; she just needed to apply herself.

They all stepped into the back yard to watch Bashera give a couple of lessons on how to be a warrior without all of the training that was required. She kicked him and punched him but, he just laughed at her. Which made Mara extremely angry and she charged at Bashera, knocking the wind out him as he fell down to the ground. But, he didn't fall alone. He quickly wrapped his arms around Mara's waist and pulled her down on top of him. Bashera then rolled her over until she was on her back and he towered over the top of her. He pinned her arms above her head and positioned himself between her thighs so she wouldn't have the opportunity to injure him with a knee to his groin area.

"He's not bad" Melissa commented as she watched. She felt Varick come up behind her and wrap his arms around her narrow waist.

"I love you, my forever mate" Varick whispered into her ear as he inhaled her feminine scent.

"You and I are one. Now and forever, my love" Melissa whispered as she turned herself around and wrapped her arms around Varick's neck. She could feel the heat of his body through her thin clothes and she could smell his musky scent.

"Now is not the time" they said at the same time and then laughed at each other.

"You're going to pay for this dearly" Mara screamed as she bucked her hips against Bashera's heavy body. It was like trying to move a mountain, just wouldn't budge.

"Bashera, quit playing around and show her some basic moves" Tanaka roared at his cousin, causing Bashera to be caught off guard.

This gave Mara the opportunity she needed to roll herself in such a way that she was able to use her one of her hips and slam it into Bashera's groin, causing him to release her arms. She immediately gave him a shove off of her, grab his knife that was on his thigh holster, and pin him to the ground with his knife at his throat.

"Now then, who has the advantage" Mara stated with a sarcastic tone of voice as she straddled his thighs, using all of her one hundred pounds to hold him in place. She watched as he placed both his hands behind his head, as though he was resting. That's when felt one of his knees bend up behind her back, shoving her light-weight body on top of his.

"Men! Even if they aren't from our planet they still only think about sex!" Mara grumbled as she felt one of Bashera's hands slid into her medium length brown hair.

She heard Varick translate her words and Bashera's annoying laughter that unnerved her. She hated it when people laughed at, especially men. But, she found Bashera's annoying laugh kind of fun and at the same time rather confusing. Was he actually laughing at her or at himself or for both of them? It was obvious to Mara that Bashera had to be the class clown because he seemed to enjoy having fun even when he was supposed to be training her.

"Bashera. That's your name, right?" Mara questioned as she placed both her hands against his chest. She watched as Bashera nodded his head.

"Could you let me up now? I think you are more interested in feeling me up then you are in training me. Though, I have to admit, it was fun" Mara stated with a chuckle as she shoved herself off of Bashera and stood up.

Bashera pushed himself up off the ground and followed Mara. He was thoroughly enjoying himself and Mara. He liked the fact that she knew how to have a good time and enjoyed laughing as much as he did. But, he was also confused by the fact that she kept herself cold and distant if he looked like he was getting to close for her comfort.

"Are we all about as ready as we're going to get?" Melissa asked as she turned her head and saw Bashera and Mara walking back towards the house.

"I'm ready and I think I speak for everyone here" Mara stated as she wiped the beads of perspiration that were forming on her forehead.

"Alright, let's rock and roll" Melissa ordered as they all walked to the garage.

Inside the garage were three black Harley Davidson motorcycles, Melody's pickup truck, and Melissa's seven passenger van. Mara and Carrie got onto the motorcycles with Bashera and Varick. Tanaka, Melody, and Melissa got into the van.

"Be careful" Melissa stated as she started up the van and she heard the loud rumble of the bikes as they started up. Everyone gave each other a thumbs up before going in their own directions.