Time Force: The Next Time

by JenniferChristien

Alex finds himself captured by a ruthless shape shifting villain. Taking on Alex's appearance the villain vows to destroy everything he knows and loves from the inside out. This story follows the events of Jen and Alex's rebellious daughter Genesis as she makes her way through Time Force training and becoming the new pink Time Force ranger in the next generation of rangers. R&R.

3. I Won't Give Up

Chapter 3: I Won't Give Up

After a week of rigorous training with Adam following their little spat Genesis decided that she needed to treat herself to a night out. A night where she could be a normal seventeen year old girl, doing normal seventeen year old things. She and Adam had someone mended their relationship during the hell he put her through during the previous week on the training course. Something about tough love really resonated with Genesis and she realized the error in her judgment and how immature her response to Adam's secret had been.

It was the end of what felt like the longest shift known to man and Genesis had retired to the locker room to strip out of the uniform she hated so much. In place of the uniform she dressed her tall lean figure in leggings, a mini skirt, and a cropped black lace top that showed the black bra she had on underneath it. Feeling confident in her attire she grabbed a small clear bag out of her locker that held her makeup and body jewelry then closed her locker door. With the bag in hand she made her way over to the sinks where there was a ledge just big enough for her to put her bag below the mirrors above the sinks. Unzipping the bag Genesis pulled out several makeup items which she applied with the precision of an artist to her face. She couldn't remember the last time she'd gotten to do her makeup and get all dolled up for a night out with her friends so she was looking forward to the evenings events.

Genesis was midway through applying a plum colored lipstick to her full pout when she heard the locker room door slide open. Turning her attention to the door she saw Adam walk in his eyes immediately going to her scantily clad body and full face of makeup. "Wow you look…different" Adam stated unsure of how to approach the situation. He'd seen her with makeup on before but never quite to this extent. Walking over to where Genesis was standing at the mirrors he watched as she placed her makeup things back into the bag she had pulled them from before pulling out a few pieces of jewelry including a necklace, a couple stackable bracelets and what he thought to be another piece of body jewelry. "You know if your dad sees you like this he is going to go full mental on you right?" he asked of her raising a brow still in surprise at how she looked.

Turning her eyes to Adam, Genesis put on a smug smile "I checked the schedule, he's not working today. So I'm perfectly safe thank you very much" she quipped as she unscrewed one of the balls to the curved bar bell she had in her hand confirming to Adam that it was indeed another piece of body jewelry; a navel ring. Looking down Genesis slid the bar through her still open piercing hole then screwed the gem clad ball onto the top of the bar before lifting her head to assess her looks in the mirror. "Good enough I guess" she said more to herself than anyone else. Grabbing her bag off the shelf below the mirrors she zipped it up and turned towards Adam almost as if to ask him what he thought.

"Is all of that necessary? Adam asked having never seen Genesis this over done before. Not even the day he had met her. She was definitely a sight to see but he couldn't help but to think of how beautiful she was without all of the makeup and accessories. He wouldn't tell her that as it would be out of line as her superior but it didn't hurt anything to think it to himself, "where are you going anyway?" he questioned wondering where Genesis could possibly be going dressed so provocatively.

"A party with my friends from school" Genesis replied turning to the mirror to check her lipstick and to make sure she hadn't gotten any on her teeth, "you know you can come if you want to. It would be fun and you definitely need to learn how to relax" she stated turning her attention back to him cocking her head to the side with an amused smile playing at her lips. She really didn't expect Adam to accept the offer but she wanted to extend it just to see what would happen. She had gotten to be really at ease around him after sorting out their differences following the whole 'name incident' in which she had acted like a complete and utter bitch.

Adam's immediate instinct in regards to Genesis' invite to the party was to say 'no' for many reasons. He was too old for one thing and he was still a Time Force officer; surely Genesis didn't want to be seen with him in public unless she absolutely had to or they were working. But then something else came over Adam. It was a feeling he'd only felt a couple of times before he couldn't quite put his finger on it but his gut was telling him to accept the offer and to go just so he could keep an eye on her. Adam felt the undeniable need to protect Genesis not just at work but in her personal life and he didn't know why. He's felt this draw to her over the last month but couldn't explain just exactly what it was. "Sure I could go for a party" he fudged the truth, he couldn't tell her that he just wanted to go so he could watch over and protect her, "just let me change" he told her.

Genesis stood staring at Adam in utter shock, her mouth agape and at a total loss for words. She didn't expect him to accept her offer to accompany her to this house party in the slightest big. If anything she expected him to try to talk her out of it "okay cool" she finally spoke still staring at him with disbelief written all over her face, "but what should I call you? I'm not calling you sir or officer. As a matter of fact I don't even want anybody to know you're a cop" she told him laying out the terms if he did truly intend on attending the party with her.

"Adam is fine" he told her flashing a smile at her, "give me five minutes and I'll get changed. Then we can go" he told her as he turned walking away from Genesis leaving her still stunned. Adam made his way to his locker where he changed out of his uniform and into his street clothes that consisted of dark wash jeans and a black t-shirt. Once he was dressed he returned to where Genesis stood still shocked and waiting for him.

"Remember you're with me as a friend so don't go blabbing to anybody that you're a cop or that I'm one in training; that would be a total buzz kill" Genesis told him pausing for a moment before answering his previous question, "and yes this is all necessary. This is me okay. Take it or leave it" she told him before heading towards the locker room door. Adam followed closely behind her watching as she brushed her hand against the pad that opened the door then walked out of the locker room with her after the door slid open.

"I won't say a word" Adam assured her, "come on we can take my car" he told Genesis as they walked through Time Force headquarters and out the front entrance doors. He at least wanted to be able to ensure that she would have safe transportation to and from the party. Now walking side by side they made their way to the employee parking lot where Adam motioned to his car with his hand "it's the black one" he pointed out to Genesis, leading her in that direction. When they got to his car Adam punched in the code on below the door handle that unlocked the doors then opened the passenger side door for Genesis before going to the driver's side where he opened the door for himself and slid into the driver's seat. Without a word Genesis got into the car pulling the door closed behind her simultaneously as Adam closed his door as well.

"Wow you have a really nice car" Genesis complimented Adam on his ride as she grabbed the seatbelt pulling it over her chest and clicking it into place, "I pictured you driving something more…I don't know…more…not as cool" she said struggling to find her words as she watched Adam do up his seatbelt as well and punch in the ignition code that brought the engine to life.

"Thank you…I think" Adam accepted the compliment as he put the car into reverse backing out of his designated spot. He then put the car into drive and pulled through the lot to the exit where he waited for traffic to clear before pulling out into the flow with everyone else that might be getting off work or just commuting in general, "you're going to have to give me directions to where we're going" he told Genesis glancing over at her briefly as they made their way through traffic.

"Oh it's easy to get to. Just keep going straight, pass through two stoplights then take a left on forty-seventh follow it down to east grape then swing a right and it's at the end of the dead end road" Genesis told Adam as she leaned back in her seat tossing her makeup bag that she still hand in her hands into the center console of the car. She knew this address like the back of her hand as it was the location for many parties that she had attended in the past and she was relatively sure that Adam would know the location she had given him directions to as the police had been called on a vast number of the parties that had taken place there in the past.

"That's an abandoned industrial building" Adam blurted out, his natural instincts as an adult and officer coming to the forefront. Of course he was stating the obvious everybody on the force knew about this building. It was one of the hottest places for parties, drug busts, and underage drinking. For a moment Adam stayed silent to let exactly what he'd gotten himself into sink in before speaking again, "but that's cool. It should be fun" he said forcing a smile that was above and beyond obviously fake.

"Calm down" Genesis stated rolling her eyes, "it's not a big party. It's more of a social gathering" she said understating the exact size of said party but she didn't want Adam going into full on control freak mode and tell her that he wasn't going to take her or attend with her. Not that it would stop her; she would find some way to attend this party. It had just been to long since she'd spent any time with her friends and tonight she wouldn't pass up the opportunity for any reason.

"I'm calm" Adam stated as he followed the exact directions that Genesis had given him. As he pulled down the street leading up to the abandoned industrial building where the party was being held he could see a mass onslaught of cars already parked at the venue. He immediately realized that this 'small get together' was a full scale party and that Genesis had obviously played it down so that he wouldn't change his mind about attending with her. Shaking his head he pulled up behind one of the other vehicles killing the engine. It wasn't too far of a walk from his car to the building so he thought they got pretty lucky as far as parking went. Then again it was still very early and he could only imagine how many more vehicles would be arriving as the party progressed. Pressing the kill switch for the car Adam then unbuckled his seatbelt before grabbing the door handle giving it a pull as he pushed the door open.

Genesis, being much more eager and much more excited already had her seatbelt off and was out of the car with the door closed by the time Adam exited the vehicle closing the door behind him. "Come on!" Genesis urged being very impatient with Adam who quickly made his way around the vehicle to Genesis' side, "now what did we discuss?" she asked as they began walking the short distance to the building where the party was being held.

"I know" Adam said shaking his head. He really had no intentions on outing himself or her as officers but he did have it in the back of his mind that if the party got too out of control it would be his duty to shut it down or get someone to the venue to shut it down.

"Don't embarrass me" Genesis stated as they walked through the large front doors and into the party that was in full swing. Music was booming from speakers located somewhere towards the middle of the room and there where lights flashing all around the large interior of this abandoned building. Adam immediately felt a small pang of regret knowing he was going to have the worst headache known to man come the next morning.

They had been inside the building no longer than two seconds when a girl came running up to Genesis exclaiming "Oh my God girl! I haven't seen you in forever! I thought you fell off the edge of the earth!"

Genesis laughed shaking her head "pretty close!" she yelled over the loud music, "come on girl let's get our party on!" she said with another laugh as she glanced back at Adam who looked clearly out of place in the room full of teenagers engaging it a full range of illegal activities. He let it slide though reminding himself that he too was seventeen once. Genesis then turned to Adam who was still scanning the room "hey!" Genesis called to get his attention, "meet me back here at one" she told him.

"One?!" Adam exclaimed, he knew they'd be out pretty late but didn't expect to be out quite that late, "isn't that a little late?" he asked raising his voice loud enough that Genesis could hear him over the pounding beat of the music. Genesis rolled her eyes and shook her head at him; she obviously thought he was crazy for thinking he was going to get out of there before midnight.

"Yes one" Genesis shouted over the music, "now if you'll excuse me, me and my girl Rika are going to go have some fun. Find yourself a beer and relax, I promise you're going to have a good time" she assured him before linking arms with her friend and disappearing into the crowd of heavily intoxicated, stoned and anything else you could imagine, teenagers.

"Who's the hottie you brought with you?" Rika asked as she and Genesis began to dance among the large group of other people, moving their bodies in sync to the beat of the music. Genesis could not believe how intrusive her friend was being but then again she had no claim to Adam. Besides he was her superior so why did she even have a second thought about telling Rika who he was?

"His name is Adam" Genesis shouted over the music, "don't bother he's not worth it. Plus he's like forty" she added hoping this would be enough to deter Rika from pursuing Adam. She was kind of like a dog marking her territory even though it wasn't her territory to mark.

"Like twenty-two" Adam's voice broke into the conversation as he pushed passed two people that were making out. The whole party was like one horny, drunken, stoner hole in the worst part of town. It was truly disgusting and Adam didn't understand why Genesis enjoyed being in this kind of environment.

"Are you going to follow me around all night?" Genesis asked as she stopped dancing and turned to Adam. She never imagined that he would be on her heels all night, she figured that he would find himself some dark corner to get lost in and leave her to her own devices so she could catch up with her friends and have a good time.

"I'm going to try" Adam told her promptly as he was brushed passed by some other party goers quite roughly, "damn, it's a leave your manners at the door kind of place isn't it?" he asked raising his voice so he could be heard above the music.

"Here," Genesis stated grabbing a drink from someone nearby, "take this and go enjoy yourself" she said as she grabbed herself and her friend Rika a drink as well. She had no intentions on dulling down her personality just so she looked good in front of Adam even though deep down on some level she really did care what he thought about her.

"Alcohol?" Adam questioned looking at the frothy liquid in the cup he had been handed. Sure he partook in some weekend drinking on occasion and drank as a teen himself but he didn't really think that Genesis would be partaking in illegal for minors kind of activities in front of him. Then again she was always one to surprise him.

"Just look, don't touch" Genesis reminded him taking a sip of the honey colored liquid from the red solo cup that she had taken from the person passing out drinks, "relax" she told Adam once more hoping that she could get him to chill out a little bit and let loose.

"Some date you brought" Rika stated shooting a scowl in Adam's direction taking him completely off guard. Adam had to once again remind himself that he too was once seventeen with an 'I rule the world' kind of attitude.

"He's got a party side, he just won't show it" Genesis told Rika before turning to Adam, "I'm going to go dance and have some fun. Please just try to relax and have some fun okay because I will murder you if you kill my buzz" she threatened him staring him down with her intense blue eyes before taking Rika's hand and leading her deeper into the crowd.

Adam put the drink Genesis had handed him down with a sigh watching her disappear into the crowd before turning to go find a corner to back himself into for the duration of the party. He really didn't want to be the wet blanket on her party but he didn't want her acting irresponsible either.

As the party went on Adam sat off in the corner by himself watching as the teens became more inebriated and more stoned dancing to the headache inducing thumping of the music coming from the DJ's booth in the middle of the room. It just reminded him how much he did not miss being a teenager. He was sitting on some odd piece of furniture off in his own little world when Genesis returned to him, now a couple hours into the party. "Come dance with me!" Genesis demanded grabbing his hands and pulling him to his feet her words slurring from the alcohol.

This was all it took for Adam to go into protection mode "I think it's time to leave" he suggested looking down at his watch then back to the extremely drunk Genesis standing before him who was still insisting that he dance with her. Which was not going to happen even if she was sober, he was just too socially awkward in this particular situation.

"I think it's time to dance" Genesis giggled rather childishly however Adam just looked at his watch insisting that they leave and began to lead her through the very large crowd of people towards the door. "You're cute. Who are you?" Genesis laughed as they made their way out the door and passed the many passed out people on the sidewalk out in front of the building.

"Don't talk. You don't know what you're saying" Adam instructed her as they approached his car, "you're staying with me tonight. There's not way I'm sending you home in this condition. You're father would kill you and probably me because I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on you" he said as he lead her down the sidewalk to his car.

"Okey-dokey" Genesis laughed as she leaned against the car waiting for Adam to unlock it. Adam glanced at Genesis shaking his head as he punched in the key code unlocking the door before pulling it open for her. Genesis staggered ever so slightly as she took back upright then crawled into the passenger seat. Adam closed the door behind Genesis then went around to the driver's side pulling the door open and slipping into the driver's seat pulling the door closed behind him. He grabbed his seatbelt pulling it over his chest and clicking it into place before punching in the ignition code bringing the car to life.

"Put your…" Adam began as he glanced over at Genesis who had passed out in the passenger seat, "seatbelt on" he finished shaking his head as he put the car into gear. Pulling away from curb he went to the very end of street to flip a u-turn. Once turned around he headed back down the dead end street towards the exit that would lead them back to the main roads of Silver Hills. Instead of turning back the way they came, Adam put on his signal turning in the opposite direction towards the house he owned on the far end of town.

It was a good fifteen minute drive before Adam arrived at his home where he pulled the car into the driveway pressing the kill switch to shut down the engine. Everything was dark except for the light coming from his solar powered porch light that was shining down over the front porch and part of the driveway. Unbuckling his seatbelt he let it retract behind him before grabbing the door handle and pushing the door open. Climbing out of the car he closed the door behind him then went around to the passenger side where he pulled open the door. Reaching into the car Adam pulled Genesis from the passenger seat moving her over his shoulder. Kicking the door closed he carried her to the front door where he let go with one hand to punch in the security code that would unlock the door. Hearing it click he used his toe to push open the door and carried Genesis inside closing the door behind him with his foot.

Once inside Adam carried Genesis into the living room where he laid her down on the couch. He then grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch draping it over Genesis before moving to the small space at her feet and sitting down with a flop and a heavy sigh. It had been a long night and he was happy to be home. "Note to self, lift more weights" he said to himself with a soft laugh before glancing at Genesis who was still unconscious, "here's to a good night and one hell of a hang over in the morning" he said before leaning his head back against the back of the couch and closing his eyes slowly drifting off to sleep.

It was roughly five-thirty the next morning when Genesis opened her eyes. Everything was blurry so she blinked several times to clear her vision. In a state of panic she bolted up right looking around frantically. She didn't recognize anything around her but she caused enough of a commotion and movement on the couch to rouse Adam from his slumber "you're finally awake" he said lifting his head up from the back of the couch with a yawn.

"Where am I?" Genesis asked still frightened by the unfamiliar surroundings. It didn't dawn on her at the moment that if she was with Adam she had to be safe but she didn't remember most of the night before so she didn't know if he had gotten drunk as well and maybe taken advantage of her so she took a mental inventory of herself finding peace that she felt fully dressed. Surely if he'd taken advantage of her he wouldn't have taken the time to re-dress her.

"Relax, you're fine" Adam assured the panic stricken Genesis, "you're at my house. I wasn't going to take you home like you were" he told her watching as Genesis pushed back the blanket and swung her legs over the edge of the couch so she was now sitting beside him. Adam turned slightly folding one leg partially up under him as he looked at her.

"What happened?" Genesis asked, her mind a total fog nothing remember anything from the previous night. She had to admit that if she didn't remember anything from the night before that she had gotten the drunkest that she'd ever gotten in her entire teenage drinking career. She wasn't even all together sure that one of the drinks she had gotten from God knew who wasn't laced with something because she had a pretty high tolerance.

"You got drunk and passed out" Adam told Genesis matter of fact and he was glad that she waited to pass out until after he got her into the car because there would have been no way for him to locate her in the large crowd at the party had she passed out somewhere. He would have had to wait for the entire party to clear out and God only knows what someone could have done to her until that time.

"…and you brought me here so I wouldn't get in trouble with my dad?" Genesis asked a smile curving her lips. She had an alien feeling stirring within her knowing that someone had cared so much for her and her wellbeing that they would risk getting themselves in trouble just to protect her.

"Yes. I did. I don't know what is going on between you and your dad but I wasn't going to throw you into that environment the way you were" Adam explained in a soft tone that he didn't recognize, "I just…I couldn't" he said giving a light shrug.

"Even after how rude I was to you?" Genesis questioned also tucking a leg underneath her partially and turning towards him. This was by far the most adult conversation they'd ever had. For the first time Genesis felt equal to Adam rather than inferior.

"Genesis…"Adam started, not even knowing what to say. He had never even called her by her first name before, he never could. Something in this moment was different however he just couldn't put his finger on it. It was something he'd felt before but that was a while ago and the feeling had only led him to heartache.

"Sir" Genesis said with a quirky smile curving her lips. She wasn't used to such heavy conversation so she had to use her wit to lighten the conversation even though a part of her didn't really want to.

"Sir?" Adam questioned with a smirk, "you know you're not as tough as you pretend to be" he informed her cocking his head to the side with amusement he too was feeling equal to Genesis, as if there was no age or rank difference between them and it was a nice feeling.

"Well I had you guessing didn't I?" Genesis asked with a soft laugh. She really did pretend to be tougher than she actually was. People usually just assumed that she was this big bad person because of the way she dressed and the way she acted when in actuality it was just a defense mechanism. She had gotten so used to getting hurt and abused that she was too afraid to let anyone get close to her.

Adam's gaze fell upon Genesis' eyes unintentionally but he held her gaze completely captivated by the depth of her sparkling blue eyes, "you know you should smile more often" he told her honestly. He liked her smile; it was something he didn't get so see as often as he'd like. He liked to see her happy, she deserved to be happy.

"Do I have something on my face?" Genesis asked touching her face softly with her fingertips having caught Adam gazing at her. She thought maybe she had smudged some of her makeup in her sleep and had gotten it all over her face and maybe Adam found it amusing so he was staring.

"No, sorry" Adam gave a slightly nervous laugh as he broke his gaze away from her, "so did you mean it when you said I was cute?" he questioned her drunken antics from the night before knowing she had little or no memory of saying it. However he found it rather cute when her cheeks flushed so he wanted to tease her a little bit.

"I said that?" Genesis asked flushing just as Adam had hoped, "I guess the truth comes out when you're wasted" he laughed softly shaking her head, her eyes turning downwards with a tinge of embarrassment resonating inside of her.

"So you do think I'm cute" Adam laughed. Genesis turned her head away with embarrassment but Adam was quick to reach out without a single thought brushing his fingers across her cheek as he took her chin gently, turning her face back to him, "don't be embarrassed" he assured her but she was still unable to look at him.

"No man has ever been this nice to me before" Genesis said quietly. Sure she had, had her share of high school romances it but was nothing compared to the feelings that she was getting by the simple tone of Adam's voice and his soft touch. It let lose thousands of butterflies in her stomach which brought a hint of a smile to her lips.

"You're a great girl. Don't ever let anybody tell you differently" Adam said furrowing his brow not believing that at least one boy had ever treated her like the precious young woman that she was. Then again most teenage boys only had one thing on their minds and Genesis didn't come across as that kind of girl to Adam.

"You're so sweet, I guess I would have realized that if I wasn't so busy trying to b the tough girl" Genesis said turning her eyes back to Adam, "I…"

Genesis was cut of by Adam hushing her with a smile curving his lips "you talk too much" he stated then all was quiet. Even as his better conscious told him not to he slowly began to close the gap between he and Genesis, inching his face closer to hers stopping where their breaths met. As Adam leaned in brushing his lips softly against hers Genesis made a small sound causing him to jerk back quickly full of fluster, "I'm sorry" he apologized immediately. After a moment their awkward silence was broken by a pounding on the front door to Adam's house.

"Who could that be at this hour?" Genesis asked almost disregarding the kiss in spite of the feeling of electricity dancing across her lips. Worry washed over her wondering if it could possibly be someone trying to break in, but who would try to break into a house after daylight in such a nice neighborhood? Then again anything was possible.

"I don't know" Adam replied glancing at the clock on the wall as he stood up, "Stay here" he instructed Genesis as he grabbed his weapon off of the stand by the doorway. Walking to the door he tapped the security system bringing up the camera outside to see who was at the door. Seeing that it was Alex, Adam spun to Genesis putting his finger to his lips "it's your dad" he said quietly, "lay down" he instructed her watching as Genesis did as she was told before opening the door "what are you doing here?" Adam asked as respectfully as he could, given the ungodly hour that it was.

"Where is my daughter?" Alex asked with a stern tone, a certain look of pure fury driven anger in his eyes. It was a look that Adam had seen several times in the past. Alex definitely didn't live up to his reputation as a well respected yet peaceful officer. He was always so harsh and almost violent; even on the job.

"She's here with me" Adam replied unsure of what Alex might do. For all Adam knew Alex would barge his way inside and jerk Genesis right off the couch from where she was pretending to be sleeping and that put a fear into Adam.

"Why? What has she done?!" Alex exclaimed raising his voice loud enough that it should have woken Genesis up if she had truly been sleeping. Thankfully she was just pretended and continued on with the ruse so she wouldn't get into any trouble; at least that was her hope.

"She's under officer observation" Adam stated, "I assumed that meant at night too. Was I wrong?" Adam asked lying through his teeth. He'd do anything to protect Genesis from Alex's wrath even if that meant fudging the truth on the circumstances that he said he thought were to be true even though he knew they weren't.

A puzzled look crossed Alex's face as his features softened ever so slightly though remaining rigid with his jaw set and his eyes narrowed "right" he confirmed, "I had forgotten about that. Where is she now?" Alex asked not being able to see Genesis sleeping on the couch from where he and Adam stood at the threshold of the front door.

"Sleeping in the living room" Adam said quietly to make it seem as though he was trying to keep his voice down because Genesis was sleeping. He figured she was probably lying on the couch trembling in fear hoping her father wouldn't come in. Hoping that he believe the ruse that she was in face asleep on the couch after nothing more that a long day at work rather than the hard partying she'd done the night before.

"I assume I will see you both at six-thirty" Alex stated more as a demand than a question. Adam knew it was always best never to question Alex for any reason so he simply nodded as he kept a firm grip on his weapon still which was just out of sight, hidden by the door that Adam had his hand behind.

"Yes sir" Adam replied putting on a fake smile. Nodding in approval Alex turned away from the door making his way back down the sidewalk towards his vehicle and then leaving the premises. Only after watching Alex drive away did Adam finally close the door letting out a sigh of relief as he did so.

Genesis peeked an eye open looking at Adam who gave her a nod to let her know it was okay for her to get up. With a smile Genesis opened both eyes then jumped up off the couch before running over to Adam "you did it! Nobody disarms him like that" she said genuinely impressed by Adam's skills.

Adam's expression turned serious as he looked at Genesis. He couldn't hold it back anymore he had to know what was going on between Genesis and her father "he hits you doesn't he?" Adam asked as he moved over to the stand where he'd grabbed his weapon earlier and returned it to its place.

"I told you before, I don't want to go into that" Genesis snapped, "it's none of your business" she said becoming defensive once again. Things had been going so well why did Adam have to bring up the relationship between her and her father?

"Genesis, please tell me" Adam pleaded with her his eyes softening as he all but begged for any piece of information he could get from her. He didn't know why it was so important to him, maybe it was because he just had this undeniable urge to protect Genesis that he couldn't ignore, "I swear I won't tell anyone else unless you want me too."

"Yes okay!" Genesis yelled at him, her joyful mood quickly dissolving, "he beats me. Is that what you wanted to hear? Is that what you needed hear? Are you happy now?" she asked all in a rush her temper flaring. She hated talking about her home life because everybody that had known Alex for his entire life knew that Alex that he used to be and he was not abusive, but the Alex Genesis knew was.

"You have to tell someone" Adam said in shock even though he knew what her response would be. He didn't know how anybody could be abused and not want to tell someone. How someone could go through what Genesis went through on a daily basis and not want to get help or justice; he just didn't understand.

"I can't Adam," Genesis stated pulling her shirt away from her neck pushing her hair back at the same time to reveal a scar that trailed down the back side of her neck and across her shoulder. The sight of the scar sent chills down Adam's spine and nauseated him. "You see that? If I tell anyone he will kill me" Genesis told Adam matter of fact.

"How did you get that?" Adam asked choking back the bile that rose in his throat. He couldn't believe that Alex had gone that far with Genesis. This was beyond abusive this was…he didn't know but it was so much more and now the fact that Alex did this to Genesis sat even harder with Adam.

"A mirror" Genesis told him dropping her arms to her side, "we got into a fight and he shoved me against the wall. There was a mirror there and it shattered when I fell against it and it cut me up. He told the hospital I tripped and fell" she said looking at Adam hoping that he would finally let it go now that he knew the truth.

"I won't say anything I promise" Adam swore to Genesis looking at her with sympathetic eyes. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and pull her close but he'd already pushed his luck when he'd kissed her earlier. Nothing like that could happen again; at least not until she turned eighteen.

"Good I'm hungry and you need a shower you smell like a bad party" Genesis stated coming clear out of left field with her response to his promise. Her words brought a smile from Adam's lips and a soft chuckle from within his throat.

With another laugh Adam shook his head "you don't exactly smell like a bed of roses either but I will shower first. The kitchen is right through there" he said motioning with his hand down the hallway that led to other rooms in his house, "I've got a little bit of everything so you've got a lot to choose from" he told her shaking his head still smiling as he walked passed her towards the bathroom to go take a shower.

Genesis watched Adam walk down the hall and disappear behind a door which she could only assume was the bathroom before making her way to the kitchen. Clapping her hands together she went to his refrigerator pulling the doors open to peer inside. Not seeing much of anything she wrinkled her nose before closing the refrigerator doors "for a guy he doesn't have much food" she said to herself looking around the kitchen feeling quite awkward being in Adam's home still. As she looked around her eyes fell upon the clock it was a quarter to six already "I wish I remembered what happened last night" she said to herself with a sigh glancing back to the refrigerator where her eyes caught a picture. The picture was of Adam and a tall brunette sitting together at the park. With curiosity sparked within her Genesis grabbed the picture pulling it free from the magnet that held it to the refrigerator surface and examined it before turning it over. On the back it read 'me and Kacie, Town Center Park. March 3, 3019'. Genesis felt a pang of hurt within her heart as she put the photograph back, "of course he'd have a girlfriend" she said quietly not hearing Adam enter the kitchen.

"What?" Adam asked having not heard what Genesis said as he walked into the kitchen pulling a clean shirt down over his head. Being cool on this morning Adam was adorned in dark wash jeans and a red cable knit sweater.

Genesis let our a shriek having not heard Adam walk in "you shower fast" she stated her heart racing hoping that he didn't hear what she had said to herself. Her eyes studied his for a moment before a wash of calm came over her. She was pretty sure that he hadn't heard anything that she had said to herself. Not that it would matter, especially if he was kissing her while he had a girlfriend.

"Did I scare you?" Adam asked with a laugh upon hearing Genesis shriek before spinning in his direction. It was pretty obvious he'd scared her but he didn't know why she was so jumpy. She was safe after all.

"No, you think!" Genesis shot at him placing her hand over her heart for a moment before shifting her weight awkwardly from foot to foot. She wanted to ask him about the picture but it really wasn't any of her business. She was sure that the kiss they shared was just the both of them caught up in the moment and didn't want to make a big deal out of it; even though a tiny part of her kind of did want to make a big deal out of it.

"What's with the sudden attitude? Don't tell me now that you're sober you're going to go back to hating me" Adam teased Genesis jokingly however Genesis seemed to be taking on a very serious appearance and Adam couldn't help but to think that something was wrong.

"Can I ask you something?" Genesis prompted point blank. She had to know about the kiss. She had to know if he meant anything by it or if he was just swept up in the moment. Of even if he had been drunk the night before and still had a case of beer goggles going on or something.

"Sure" Adam replied completely clueless about the photo Genesis had found on his refrigerator. It wasn't like he was trying to hide it from her but he didn't know that she had seen it or read what was on the back of it. Surely if she had she would be storming out of there walking ten feet off the group especially after their kiss.

"Did that kiss mean anything to you?" Genesis asked boldly, "because if it didn't, tell me now so I won't waste my time" she said folding her arms across her chest staring Adam straight in the eyes. She wanted answers and she wanted them now.

"Waste your time? Genesis I am five years older than you and the ranks are too far apart to have any kind of relationship inside or outside of work" Adam told Genesis, somewhat dodging the main question. Of course it meant something to him but he couldn't tell her that. They couldn't have anything go on between them because of her age. Sure she'd be eighteen in a few months but right now she was a minor; jail bait.

"That isn't what I asked you" Genesis said with a ting of frustration to her voice, "I asked you if the kiss meant anything to you. Just tell me the truth Adam, if it didn't mean anything that's fine okay. We all make mistakes and you wouldn't be the first guy to kiss me and tell me it was a mistake. I'm that girl" she told him. She wasn't really that girl but the way boys treated her made her feel disposable.

"Would you be comfortable moving in?" Adam asked furrowing his brow, once again pushing the question to the side. He didn't know what he meant by the kiss and didn't want to give Genesis the wrong answer. However he still had that urge to protect her so the only solution he could come up with was to have her move in with him.

Genesis' brow furrowed as she shot a look directly into Adam's eyes searching for the reasoning behind his question "Moving in? Like me, moving in here, with you? Why?" Genesis asked an entire onslaught of questions. She was so confused by the sudden redirection of their conversation.

"To get away from your dad, I want you to be safe…and I don't think you're safe at home" Adam was quick with his response mentally kicking himself thinking that this was definitely no way to win her heart. Tell the girl she thinks her dad is capable of killing her, real smooth.

"What do you think Captain Logan would have to say about that?" Genesis asked. She could only imagine the flood gates of questions of intent that would open up if she did end up moving in with Adam, "I think it would be a little awkward living here…I mean…" Genesis was flustered and at a loss for words but Adam was quick to come back at her with answers Genesis didn't even know she needed.

"I have a spare bedroom, no pressure, you have a lot of potential and I could at least keep you safe until graduation" Adam assured her that everything was going to be completely innocent, "after that you can choose to stay with Time Force or move on to something bigger and better" he continued on looking at her with hope filling his green eyes.

Genesis let out a sigh "I'll think about it" she said looking at Adam her eyes catching his, "Adam…" she let his name hang in the air between them that had become thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Yes?" Adam asked his tone soft and gentle; something Genesis wasn't used to in the slightest bit. He hoped that she would say yes but he wasn't going to pressure her because he knew all of the questions it was going to raise.

"You can't change me over night" Genesis informed Adam a small smile playing at her lips as she glanced down then back to his eyes.

To be continued…