Several days later

"Do you mind taking Braxton to college this first time? Make sure he gets registered for his classes in the fall," Kaiden requested of his sister.

Kaiden and Minerva had grown up together and Kaiden was mated and his oldest son was now 18. Kaiden was several years older than Minerva, but they were of the same generation of Hotchner children. Both Kaiden and Minerva lived in San Francisco at least for this generation.

"What you don't think Braxton can register for college on his own?" Minerva asked raising an eyebrow at her brother looking skeptical. Braxton was an intelligent lad after all and Minerva was sure that he could manage to register just fine by himself, so there must be another reason that her brother was making such a request.

"I'm sure he can," Kaiden told his sister answering her skeptical look and tone, "but he's a little nervous about not being able to find the office in order to register. I just thought he'd be less nervous if someone was there to walk him through the process the first time. Help him find his classes for when he starts in the fall. Yes, I'm well aware that somebody from the school could guide him, but you went to school right here in San Francisco and the college has not changed that much since you went. Also, he trusts you."

"It's been a very long time since I was anywhere near the Stanford campus," Minerva said. "I don't think I've even been over near there in at least five or six years. It's been far longer than that since I've walked the halls at Stanford University.

"Still, I'm sure you remember your way around or will once you get there. I'm sure knowing your way around the campus will come back to you once you're there," Kaiden told her with a pleading expression.

Minerva immediately caved. "All right, fine, you win. I'm only doing this because I love Brax though, so don't take advantage of me, just because I'm a nice person."

"I won't, I swear," Kaiden promised and Minerva rolled her eyes at her brother.

"Yeah, right!" Minerva said her tone one of disbelief. "This isn't the first time you've asked me for a favor and I'm sure it won't be the last either."

"You look tired, sis," Kaiden told Minerva changing the subject deliberately.

"I am tired brother dear," Minerva said knowing that Kaiden had changed the subject on purpose. "I've been having prophetic dreams for sometime now, every night. I can never go back to sleep once I wake up, so is it any wonder I look and feel so tired?"

"No, I guess not," Kaiden admitted. "So how long have you been having these dreams?"

"Oh, nearly 2 months now," Minerva admitted.

"No wonder you look so tired. Whatever supposed to happen hasn't happened yet?" Kaiden asked raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"No and I hope it does soon," Minerva admitted. "Just so the dreams will stop, you know?"

"I know," Kaiden said sympathetically. "Oh, well, a few weeks of little sleep won't kill you since we're immortal."

"Oh, great! Point out the obvious Kai!" Minerva told her brother sarcastically.

"Hey! Even mortals usually don't kill themselves just because they can't sleep for a few weeks," Kaiden observed smiling at his sister.

"I know," Minerva sighed. "A lot of mortals suffer from insomnia, I know that. The thing is, that it doesn't usually affect them every night of their lives because they'd kill themselves if that was the case. I'm not saying it's not a real problem for mortals anyway, just that they do get at least a few hours of sleep a week, even if it's not enough for them to feel fully rested. I'll take Brax to get him registered for college. At least he's going right here in San Francisco instead of going thousands of miles away."

"That's true," Kaiden agreed. "Good thing that we live in a city with a lot of excellent colleges and several of those are top tier."

"Including Stanford," Minerva said. "You should be very proud of your son, getting into Stanford is not easy. I ought to know."

"I am, I'm very proud of him," Kaiden said. "Do you know he wants to become a doctor? A doctor! How could I not be proud of him?"

"That's great!" Minerva told Kaiden, very proud of her nephew. "What field? There are so many of them."

"There are," Kaiden agreed. "I'm not sure he knows quite yet. He probably hasn't decided what field he wants to go into. He could become a general practitioner or he could choose a specialty like orthopedics."

"So when do we need to go so I can make sure I'm free," Minerva told her brother.

"Oh, some time in the next couple of weeks is good why don't you make sure Brax is available to go," Kaiden suggested.

"Sounds good," Minerva said. "Have him call me anytime in the next day or two. We'll make an appointment to go. By the way, next time make sure Braxton ask me himself not going through his father. I never would've turned down my nephew if he needed a favor."

"What and you can turn down your brother?" Kaiden asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The difference is that Braxton is only 18. It's not surprising if he's a little unsure of himself. I know I wasn't as confident at that age as I am now. You, on the other hand, are older than I am and that makes the difference," Minerva told him.

"OK," Kaiden said holding up his hands in a conciliatory manner. "Is it wrong to want to see my sister once in awhile? Especially since we're living in the same city at the moment."

"No, but you don't need to use the excuse of taking Braxton by Stanford to get him registered for the school year in order to see me," Minerva said. "Just invite me over for a meal or something next time hey?"

"OK, fine, I'll do that," Kaiden told Minerva who nodded in satisfaction.

"We might as well take advantage of the fact that we're both living in San Francisco for this generation anyway," Minerva said.

"So have you told mom and dad about your problem," Kaiden asked hesitatingly.

"Yes, I went to mom for advice about a month ago and I told her she could tell dad and Uncle Dave and Aunt Jazz," Minerva said.

"Mom does give good advice," Kaiden agreed. "I won't ask you what you talked about as that's your private business. If you want to tell me sometime though feel free."

"Not right now, but maybe I will at some point," Minerva told her brother a little grudgingly.

"I hope those visions of yours let you get to sleep soon as you look dead on your feet sis," Kaiden said.

"I'll be fine, bro," Minerva said. "This is not the first time I've been exhausted and I'm sure it won't be the last either."

"Probably not," Kaiden said. "I'll see you soon sis," Kaiden added giving his sister a tight hug and and a kiss on the cheek for good measure.

"I love you bro," Minerva told her brother kissing his cheek in affection.

"Love you too sis," Kaiden returning the affection before Minerva turned and left her brother's home.

~~~Jason and Minerva~~~

"There's no reason to be nervous Braxton," Minerva told her nephew, as she drove towards Stanford. "Going to college, starting a career is all part of growing up."

It was over a week later and Minerva had arranged the time with her nephew Braxton and made sure she was free to take him.

"I know Aunt Minerva," Braxton said. "I know I should look forward to leaving home for most of the day, even if I'll still be living there, but I can't help it if I'm nervous about starting classes, making friends and dealing with those that want to bully you."

"This is normal Braxton, I promise you," Minerva told her nephew. "You'll get over your fears once you have a few weeks of classes under your belt. Also, look at it this way, at least you'll save on dorm fees as they can be quite hefty."

"That's true, still, I'm also afraid that I'll get lost, as it's a big campus how does anyone find their way around?" Braxton asked sounding nervous. He was so nervous in fact, that he ran a hand through his short dark hair, which was a gesture he had inherited from his father, as Kaiden did the same thing.

"Just follow the clearly posted signs and you'll be fine," Minerva told him comfortingly. "Which courses are you gonna take for your first semester? Have you decided? Your father did happen to mention that you wanted to be a doctor, but he didn't say whether you were just going to become a general practitioner or some sort of specialist."

"I haven't decided yet," Braxton said relaxing now that they were back off uncomfortable subjects. "There is so many different fields you know?"

"Yes, there are," Minerva agreed calmly. "You could become a family doctor, as I have already stated but there's also orthopedics, pediatrics, dermatology, cardiology, anesthesiology, radiology and the list goes on and on. You should always go into a career that you're passionate about, that you love doing, something that inspires you. While you might have more than one career in your long life, most of us stick to one thing and just move to different cities every generation to pursue it."

"Is that why you became a writer, Aunt Minerva?" Braxton asked.

"I love telling stories, I always have," Minerva explained her expression dreamy. "Also, in my case, it's good not to have a career that deals with the public."

"Why?" Braxton asked curious.

"Because I could go into a vision at any time," Minerva explained calmly, keeping her eyes on the sky lanes. "While I mostly only get them when I'm sleeping I do get them when I'm awake sometimes. Imagine my coworkers reactions if I went into one when I was at work. They might think I'm having some kind of episode, a stroke or a heart attack."

"That would be bad," Braxton realized.

"Yes, it would be," Minerva agreed, even as she landed and parked in Stanford's University visitors parking lot. "They could call for an ambulance and I would probably come out of my vision before they got there or shortly after they arrived and that wouldn't be good. Or possibly, I could already be on my way to the hospital before I came back to myself and that would be worse, as how would I explain what had happened? The paramedics would no doubt insist that they take me to the hospital anyway to be checked out, even if I appeared fine after I came out of my vision. I'm sure you now understand that having some job that deals with the public wouldn't be a good idea which is why I became a writer in the first place. It's a good thing I've always had a talent to spin a good yarn."

"Now, stop procrastinating, nephew and let's go," Minerva added, as she turned off the engine and both doors automatically opened when she did. Minerva got out of the car and waited patiently for Braxton to join her on the sidewalk.

"Come along, Braxton. Let's go get you registered," Minerva said, as she walked briskly towards the front door to the University.

Braxton followed his aunt towards the front doors rushing to keep up and soon they were inside and heading towards the administration's office.

The way to the administrations office was clearly labeled so neither of them had any trouble finding it.

Once they were inside and at the front desk the secretary ask them, "What can I do for you?"

"We're here to register my nephew Braxton for classes in the fall," Minerva told Lulu. Lulu had a name tag, which is how she knew the secretary's name. Lulu, what an old fashioned name in this century, but really she had no right to say anything as Minerva was pretty old-fashioned as well.

"Fill out this form," Lulu said as she retrieved the appropriate form from a drawer in her desk.

"Go on, Brax, start writing," Minerva told him gently.

"Yes, Aunt Minerva," Braxton said, as he slid the form in front of him and started filling out the questions it asked.

"He's nervous about starting his first semester," Minerva told Lulu.

"He's not the first to be nervous, nor will he be the last," Lulu said.

"That's what I told him too," Minerva said leaning on a corner of the desk, as she watched her nephew write. "I remember being nervous when I originally started as well more years ago than I care to think about."

"It's not unusual for a teenager to be nervous about something so life-changing as starting college," Lulu said.

"No, it's not," Minerva agreed.

Minerva didn't have time to say anything else as a dark-haired man walked into the office. Minerva stared at the man her eyes widening in shock, as he was the guy that had been starring in her dreams for two months. Minerva felt the instant connection to him the minute he turned in her direction. He was indeed her mate, just as her mother had suggested a month ago.

He had short black hair and brown eyes. He was broad at the shoulders, but not as broad as her father.

"You can go right in Jason. The Dean is expecting you," Lulu told the man.

"Thanks Lulu," came the gruff voice of the man that was her mate and Minerva instantly fell in love with it. "You're a sweetheart."

"You go on you scoundrel," Lulu shooed him towards the Dean's office, even while she blushed.

Minerva didn't feel jealous, because it was clear Lulu thought of Jason as a son, as she was at least 20 years older than him maybe more. It wasn't like older women and younger man didn't get together all the time, but Minerva could tell that wasn't what was happening here. Minerva could hear the affection in Lulu tone and also in Jason's. The two were obviously very fond of each other in a platonic way.

"So who was that?" Minerva asked Lulu casually, even as her nephew continued to write fiercely.

"Jason Gideon, he's a teacher here," Lulu responded to Minerva's curiosity not looking at all suspicious.

"So what does he teach?" Minerva asked.

"Criminology," Lulu answer truthfully. "Why are you thinking on taking some courses?"

"I might," Minerva said.

"Why? You look a little old to be starting a new career," Lulu said.

"Because I'm a writer and I'm always looking for something new to learn, as it improves my writing," Minerva explained, thanking the goddess that what she said happened to be the truth, as it made it more believable. Every time she learned something new what she learned usually crept into her writing at some point.

"So what's your name," Lulu asked.

"The name I write under is M.A.S Hotchner," Minerva said.

"Oh, I love those books. I had no idea if the writer was male or female as there's no picture on the back," Lulu said enthusiastically. "That name is so generic it could be either one."

"That's kind of on purpose," Minerva shrugged. "I might be famous, but if nobody knows who I am I won't attract all kinds of crazies."

"That's true," Lulu said. "So many people are mentally unstable not to mention they don't think that you have a right to a private life and will interrupt you at some place like a restaurant, just to get an autograph. That doesn't even include people like reporters who were just looking for a soundbite, so do their best to get one."

"Why do you think my name is so generic," Minerva told her with a smile.

"I hate to ask, but could you sign your book for me?" Lulu said, as she produced Minerva's newest book from a drawer in her desk. The book was actually a hardback instead of the electronic version, as ebooks were cheaper by far then those that were printed. Minerva could remember when printed books were far cheaper then they were now in this century where inflation had risen to ridiculous degree on everything.

"Of course I can. I rarely get a chance to meet a fan since I try to not attract public attention," Minerva said smilingly.

Minerva didn't tell the secretary that one reason she tried not to attract public attention was that she was immortal. If somebody kidnapped her and killed her and then she woke up well, let's just say, that wasn't a situation she liked to contemplate, lying on a medical examiners table, waking up suddenly to find the examiner leaning over her, to see the examiner's shocked expression...No it wasn't a scenario she liked to contemplate.

It might never happen, but then, you never knew either, which was why she used such a generic name, Minerva thought.

Minerva signed her name on the inside on the flyleaf M.A.S. Hotchner.

"Thank you so much," Lulu gushed holding the book to her chest as if it was a precious treasure.

"You're quite welcome," Minerva said with a smile. "I am Minerva by the way."

"Well, I can see where the M in your author's name comes from," Lulu said.

"That's right," Minerva agreed not telling Lulu what the A or the S stood for.

"That's a really old fashioned name," Lulu added.

"I was named after the Roman goddess of wisdom," Minerva explained.

Minerva didn't bother to explain why she had been named after the Roman goddess. "My parents are really into Roman mythology."

"It's still a lovely name," Lulu said.

"Yes it is and I've always liked it, though I usually go by Vera. It's easier and more common. Also, as you just noted it doesn't cause comments," Minerva said. "Your name is also old-fashioned so we have that in common."

Jason emerged from the dean's office just then and Minerva immediately went over to introduce herself.

"Hey, Miss Lulu told me you teach criminology and I was thinking about taking a class," Minerva said. "I am Minerva Hotchner.

"Professor Jason Gideon. It's nice to meet you Miss Hotchner. You're welcome to take my class if you like, though you look a bit old to be going to the college experience."

"Oh, I went to college years ago, but I've always liked learning new things," Minerva explained. "I am a writer by profession so the more I learn the better. I can offer my fans different storylines then what I usually write."

"Oh, that's rather interesting and certainly a unique reason for taking a course on criminology," Jason said.

"You think my reason is unique for wanting to take a criminology class?" Minerva asked him with a small smile, guessing it probably was.

"I've certainly never heard it before and I've heard some weird ones," Jason said smiling back.

Jason tried not to stare at the beautiful woman before him. She had flame red hair that curled slightly at the bottom and eyes of a startling green. She had to pert nose and refined cheekbones, a stubborn chin that told him she could be very determined to get her way if she believed something was worth an argument.

He'd always liked redheads and Jason could tell it was natural. His late wife had been a redhead. Her red hair was a color of flames while Sarah's had been more of an orange red. Natural redheads were rare, as essentially the color had nearly ceased to exist. Natural redheads were just much rarer then they had used to be. Auburn was much more common nowadays and that color wasn't really red now was it? It was brown mixed with red. Sarah's hair had been blonde mixed with red, which had made it look more orange whether then pure red like the woman standing in front of him.

Should I ask her out? Jason wondered, even as he chatted with this beautiful redhead. He's so wanted to, but he was also sure she was already taken. How could this beautiful creature not at least have a serious boyfriend or even a husband?

"So how about a date Professor Gideon?" Minerva asked when an opening in the conversation appeared.

"Well, I see you can be rather the forward Miss Hotchner," Jason said smiling a little. His smile was tinged with relief, as if he had been considering asking her out, but hadn't because he had been sure that she was already taken. Minerva was sure that he hadn't wanted to be rejected so hadn't bothered to ask her out, even though it was clear he was very interested.

"This is a century where women can do anything they want to do," Minerva said. "I don't consider it forward to ask somebody I like out on a date."

"A point," Jason acknowledged smiling. "I'll be happy to go out on a date with you. When and where?"

"What about La Belle Bistro?" Minerva suggested.

"That sounds rather fancy for a first date," Jason commented.

"It isn't really," Minerva promised. "No candlelight or chandeliers on the ceiling. No dim lighting to where you can barely see. Sounds fancier than it is. I go there for lunch and sometimes dinner every few weeks. The food is really good there, which is why I enjoy going so often."

"OK then," Jason agreed easily.

"Is 6 o'clock OK?" Minerva asked him.

"That sounds fine," Jason said. "Shall I meet you there or do you want me to pick you up?"

"You can pick me up if you want?" Minerva said thrilled about that idea, though she didn't say so or let it show on her face.

Arrangements were quickly made and Minerva gave Jason her address and said she'd be waiting at the front door when he got there.

~~~Jason and Minerva~~~