Chapter Four – D is for Democracy

"So what did she say?" Sam asked close to five minutes later when he'd finally gotten his laughter under control, after nearly choking on a tomato. Luckily I have lightning fast reflexes – and a valid Red Cross First Aid card from my last school.

"Nothing," I said as I took another bite of my dinner. The last I wanted to be reminded of was that I'd messed up again.

"Nothing?" Sam repeated. I knew he didn't believe me. "So she just walked in saw you watching it and then left?"

"Pretty much."

"You weren't…," he paused, making his hand into a fist and pumping it just above his lap.

"NO!" I told him. Did he think I learned nothing from last night's incident?

"Too bad," he reached for a handful of chips. "Because that would have been classic." He chuckled again. Bernie jumped up next to him, begging for food – which Sam readily gave him. "I would have loved to see the look on her face," he mused aloud. "If it was anything like last night…" he started laughing again.

I sat there watching Sam laugh at me. At the little dilemma I'd somehow managed to create. I had no idea why this was happening to me. Or what I could do to stop it. But I knew I had to do something – or maybe not do anything. Maybe that was the key – no more activities that were remotely sexual in nature. In fact, starting this minute – I had a plan.

"I think Six should have her own room," I informed Sam.

"Why?" Sam asked, face scrunching up in disagreement.

"Girls need their own space," I answered as I popped a few chips in my mouth.

A smile grew on Sam's face. "I think I know what your problem is, John."

"I wasn't aware I had a problem," I said to him.

"You don't know how to be discreet," he explained.

Was he kidding? I'm the fucking poster child for discretion.

"I'm an alien who's been on your planet – undetected for years," I reminded him. "I've lived and acted like a human for as long as I can remember."

"Yeah well," Sam interrupted me. "That's not what I meant."

I stopped talking and waited for him to continue.

"You never lived with a female before," Sam said matter-of-factly. "There's a ton of 'common courtesy' shit you have to remember. Like putting the toilet seat down when you're done. It's the stuff everyone bitches about – but unfortunately – when there's a female around – it's the shit you have to do."

"So what does this have to do with me?" I asked, knowing the Henri and I lived our entire lives with the seat up. It was a joke we used to have with each other – when the seat was left down – I would accuse Henri of having a lady friend over for a one night stand. I knew he would never do anything like that – as our race is completely monogamous, even if your mate should pass away – like Henri's wife had. I wasn't sure why that memory came into my head. Why I was thinking about Henri but I was. And I was reminded of how much I missed him.

"In addition, you also have to learn to cover up the evidence of your 'personal' time," Sam continued as he began unwrapping another sandwich. "You'll figure it out. Eventually."

"This isn't about me and my 'personal' time," I argued. This discussion wasn't about me. It was about her. "I think Six would feel more comfortable in her own room." I told him, but for some reason Sam was having trouble comprehending that.

"I think if she wanted her own room, she would have gotten one," Sam countered.

"Maybe she's being economical," I debated (rather poorly as the last thing we needed to worry about was money).

"Maybe she just doesn't want to be alone anymore."

And there it was.

Checkmate.

While I hadn't forgotten about Six losing her protector, I suppose I hadn't thought all that much about how it might have affected her. Even though I'd lost Henri, I still had Sarah and Sam and Bernie Kosar. Six didn't have anyone.

It was hard for me to imagine what it must have been like for her. Running for her life. Alone. How did she manage to survive all those months? Did she eat? Did she sleep? Grieve? Cry? Or was she scared? She didn't seem like the type to fear anything – but Henri always said everyone has a weakness. Even us. It's what the Mogadorians used against us. It's how they defeated us so easily. It's why so few of us managed to escape. And now there are only six Garde and at best four protectors still alive. I am one of only ten of my species left in the entire universe.

Pretty fucking depressing.

Then I realized that while I am alive and well. So is Six. We might not have our protectors, but we have each other. Maybe I shouldn't be so eager to push her away. She risked her own life to save mine. Shouldn't I be willing to do the same? Or at the very least stay by her side. Keep her safe. Surely I owed her that much.

I still wondered how she found me. She hadn't explained that to us. Or to me. Since we met she'd remained cool and aloof; only speaking when absolutely necessary. It was almost as though she didn't trust us. Not that I blame her for being cautious. Given the circumstances – I probably wouldn't trust us either.

She was a mystery. One I doubted anyone, including myself, would ever solve. But I owed it myself to try.

"Whoever wants her to stay in our room raise their hands," Sam declared shooting his hand high up above his head. Bernie sat back on his haunches, lifting both front paws into the air.

They both looked at me. Waiting.

A smile crossed my lips as I bent my elbow, raising my hand off the table.

"Looks like it's unanimous," Sam smiled at me.

"Looks like it," I agree.

"So the next question is," Sam cocked his head in the direction of the two double beds. "Who gets to sleep with her?"

"She's all yours," I told him.

"Sweet!" Sam grinned at me. "And that's why you're my best friend - even if you are a pervert."

Bernie Kosar barked in agreement. Funny.

And for once, I agreed with him.

Not the most interesting chapter but I assure you "E" will be a bit juicier. So Stay Tuned.