Hey there everyone! Thanks for reviewing, somethign I doubted anyone was going to do. K, I know you have said that this has nothing to do with Animorphs, but you're wrong! Stick with it! Great twister coming up!


Chapter 6

"Hi mom!" Ashline yelled, hopping in the car, throwing her backpack in the back seats.

"Hey kiddo!"

"Thanks for picking me up!"

"No problem. I took today off."

"I'm glad," she said excitedly, as we pulled away from the curb. "You'll never guess what happened at recess!"

"Tell me!"

And off we went, giggling over the events of her day.

I was laughing and nodding at all the right spots, but it was on autopilot. I was too distracted by him, by his visit.

I had been so careful…I had moved so much…I didn't want any of them to find me…I just wanted to be left alone.

"Mom, are you listening? Mom? Mom?"

"What?" I said, breaking from my thoughts.

"Did you just hear anything I said?"

"No," I said. "Sorry. I was distracted. It's hard to pay attention and drive."

"Oh." She started humming happily, looking out the window. "When do I get to drive?"

"When you're thirty."

"Mom, what's twelve times six again?"

"Seventy-two!" I called from my office. I hit the delete button on my keyboard and refocused my eyes on the small computer screen that hung in front of my right eye.

It was that latest technology: Computer earpiece. Okay, not the latest, but the latest thing that hit a price range I could afford.

I scanned through the documents. Their headlines ran before me:

Five teens and an alien save Earth

Earth saved by 'Animorphs'

Animorphs speak out

Earth being invaded by space slugs

The National Inquirer was Right!

President to meet with Extraterrestrial Leaders

Shocking Andalite Cover up –they want our memories!

Ambassador's meet with Andalites

And etc.

"Boooring…" I muttered under my breath. I didn't need to actually read the articles to have the memories be brought fresh to my mind.

I switched over to the article I was working on, and added a sentence or two.

I paused. I wonder…

I brought up Internet again, and did a present search.

Independence II Anniversary in Seven days

Problems with Independence Day II parade

Ex-Controller speaks out against Andalites

Disturbing Reports: Yeerk forces building?

That looked interesting…

In a shocking announcement revealed today by the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it was released that through under cover operations, the FBI has learned of an underground Yeerk force that has survived despite total 'eradication' from Earth.

"We know that there is an actual coalition of yeerks who still have plans to retake Earth," said Hans Alson, Director of the FBI. "Their numbers are startling…our mole has determined they plan to launch an attack on New York City, in an effort to make their intentions known."

Alson says that the chance of a Yeerk-based attack is unlikely, but as a security precaution, drastic measures have been taken.

"We cannot allow Yeerk forces to exist, let alone to act as a terrorist group," said New York City Mayor Maya Hilgins.

Well that wasn't good.

But it was just a couple of Yeerks. I remember the old days…

I sighed, and turned off the headset.

Great. Now I'll have to add this to my story.

I frowned at it, and decided to give myself a break. I couldn't work on the story for long stretches of time.

Normally when I have a story, I work for twelve hours at a time, just perfecting and editing and drafting…but with this one I just can't focus. It's a conflict of interests. And I don't know if I can resolve my inner turmoil and just be objective and write.

Especially with Alex showing up yesterday…

I was still disturbed by the whole thing.

I went through our conversation over and over again, realizing how stupid it was. We were just acting. Or rather, maybe I was just acting. As soon as he was there, he was expecting me to be the girl of long ago, and I was unsure of how to show him that wasn't me.

My name is Taylor.

I am a journalist. A mom. I grew up in California, in the center of Yeerk activity, and after the war I couldn't stand it, so I moved to New York.

Went to New York University. Majored in journalism.

Worked as an intern my last year, while struggling to raise my baby girl.

Got hired by some local paper, then was picked up by the Times.

I won a National Award on May 2, 2010. I got a pay raise on May 3, 2010, and a promotion in December of 2012.

That's me. That's my story.

When people ask, that's what they hear. They don't hear of me copping out on my boyfriend and best friend and running to New York to be a journalism student and escape from that 'normal' town in sunny California.

Yeerk war? Yeah, that was awful. Wasn't a Controller myself. Yup, just lucky I guess. And you? Aww, that's too bad. Counseling? Been there. Coffee? Dark, please.

Just a normal businesswoman.

Why couldn't they accept that? Why couldn't he see that? Why did they keep trying to find me? I just wanted to be left alone. To live in peace with my daughter. Maybe make editor someday.

"Shit," I said, turning off the computer and getting up. "Ashline, it's bedtime," I called.

"Do I have to brush my teeth?"

"Do you want cavities?"

"Maybe…"

"Ashline…"

"Alright, alright…"

I heard the sink running as I changed out of my suit and into a shirt and sleeping shorts. And got a flashback.

She got up, walking away in his boxers and his long, plaid, blue shirt.

"Where are you going?"

"Miss me?" she asked slyly, head peeking out of the bathroom door.

He moaned and turned over to face her.

"Come here."

She came, slipping into bed beside him, curling up against his chest, her face lost in the hollow that was his neck.

He breathed in the hot, sweet scent of her.

"You're wearing my boxers."

"They're comfortable," she smiled.

"You look pretty in them."

"Just pretty?" she teased.

"Well…you're more beautiful without them…"

I shook my head, reprimanding myself.

"God, Taylor," I said. "It was a long time ago…"