Okay, I've been preparing this story for the actual love story part long enough!
Let's get this love story on the road!
Daisy
I woke up that morning, having slept in late. I didn't feel like going to work.
I felt too good to go!
And I wanted to maybe talk to Henry again.
We had such a nice conversation the day before!
I got up out my bed and slipped my feet into my shaggy furry slippers.
Hush barked at me in the kitchen.
"What is it baby?" I said. "What's wong poochie poo?"
I walked over to my sink. I peered out the window.
"Oh! Holy crap!" I yelled.
A huge cloud of smoke billowed up from the McClellan house!
"Oh no!" I stared in shock. "HENRY!" I screamed.
I ran out the front door, in my sleeping shorts and grey university sweater.
I ran to Henry's house. I had left the door open and Hush stood at the door barking, but I couldn't worry about that now! Henry could be...
I didn't want to even think about it. I ran, practically lunging at the door.
I ripped at it. It came...open! It was unlocked!
Unlocked?!
I ran inside. Through the living room and kitchen. To the strange greenhouse entrance.
Fire blazed inside of it. I screamed and pulled back.
Once in the kitchen, I slammed the door to it shut.
I stood in the kitchen, panting. My face covered in sweat.
"Henry..." I said, weakly. The greenhouse...
Had he been...
I shook my head trying to hold back the tears. No. Please no...
It couldn't be. He was probably just at work. Someone had broken in maybe...
I hurried into the living room. I should call the fire department!
Maybe he was in the house!
I grabbed the portable phone on the end table next to the couch and hurried down the hall.
What if he was asleep? I had to wake him! He could-
"AAAAAAHHH!" I screamed, dropping the phone.
A...a...a...THING stared at me!
Mertil
(Oh. No.)
"AAAAAAAAAAHHH!" The human known as Daisy screamed again.
(Shhh! Shhh!) I said softly, putting my hands out beseechingly.
How on Earth had she gotten in here?!
The door! Of course! We'd left it unlocked!
I should have known!
"AAAAAAAHHH!" She insisted.
(Please! Please! I will not hurt you! I cannot!) I moved forward slowly. I got down on my stomach.
"Wha...what are you?" She yelled, trembling and backing up still.
(I...I am an Andalite.)
"What's THAT?"
(We are another race from the stars. Do not be afraid. I will not hurt you.)
"How come I hear you talking in my head?" She cried, putting her hands over her ears.
(I speak telepathically. All of my people do.)
"Are there other Anda..." She sighed. "Whatever your people are, here?" She said softly.
(Well, yes. Gafinalan, my friend. We both live here, in this house.)
"But...but I don't understand! Where..." She began to cry, and I felt pity for her, feeling her confusion and frustration. "Where is Henry?" She said weakly.
She fell down on her knees onto the floor and covered her face with her hands.
I looked sorrowfully at her. I slowly moved forward.
(There now. Don't worry.) I said softly. I patted her shoulder with one hand. I understand this gesture can be comforting to humans in distress. (Henry...he is fine...)
She looked up at me hopefully. "You mean he's alive?"
(Well...) I said. I thought quickly. What could I say? Sort of?
I sighed. (Look, I have some news for you that may be...somewhat difficult to take...)
"Please tell me." She said desperately, putting her hands on my shoulders.
I stared, stunned at her.
Goodness humans adapt quickly! She had already accepted that there were alien species other than humans!
She blushed and removed her hands. "Sorry." She said, smiling akwardly and laughing a little.
(It...it is alright.) I said, still amazed at her mental flexibility. (Do not worry. He is fine. But...you see...Henry...he is...)
"What?" She said. "What?"
(He is not human.) I said softly.
She stared. "What do you mean?" She said, barely above a whisper.
(He is...well...an Andalite...like me.)
She shook her head slowly. "No. It can't be."
I smiled sadly. (It is.)
"But...I don't understand! How? He...you...he looked human!" She screamed.
I smiled at her apologetically again.
"So...where is he?" She said, looking at me.
(Right here.) A voice said softly.
I looked back with my eyestalks. She jumped up and stared.
(Gafinalan!) I said. He had been lying down again. After the Hork-Bajir had started burning everything in the greenhouse, he had tried to fight back. They had beaten him down. He had been in pain.
I looked back at the human. How would she take this?
She was staring in horror over Gafinalan's shoulder.
At his tail blade.
"AAAAAAHHH!"
(Oh no!) I exclaimed. (Here we go again!)
I reached forward and grabbed her arms, restraining her.
(Shhhh! Quiet!)
"Let me go!" She cried. "His tail! Oh my gosh LOOK AT IT! He's huge!" She screamed, struggling.
(He's NOT GOING TO HURT YOU, YOU SILLY FEMALE!) I yelled, fully annoyed now.
She stopped. Actually glared at me.
"I beg your pardon? Excuse you!"
(Sorry.) I apologized. (But he's not going to hurt you!)
"I...I..." She sighed. "I know."
(You do?) I stared.
"Well, yeah, I just realized that he's...well...he's Henry McClellan!" She said, laughing and shaking her head as if disbelieving.
(I am.) Gafinalan said softly.
"Impossible..." Daisy said, as if refusing to believe it.
I laughed softly.
(Oh, I assure you, it's quite possible.)
"But...how?" She said. "I still don't understand!"
I smiled and looked at Gafinalan.
(Maybe we need to tell her. Everything.)
Gafinalan smiled. (Everything.) He said, nodding his head once in agreement.
I turned back to Daisy. So did Gafinalan.
(Would you like some tea?) We both said at the same time.
Hope you guys and gals liked that! Now please REVIEW!