Alien Diplomacy

priorities.”
    “No shower any time soon for Jeff,” Tito said, Doctor From Hell voice going.
    “Why not?” I looked at Jeff’s chest. I could see a bruise over his hearts. “When did you get shot with adrenaline?”
    “Right before we went downstairs to save you,” Christopher answered. “Jeff really overdid it. As usual.”
    “So did you,” Tito said calmly. “I didn’t give you adrenaline. This time. But you’re headed for isolation, too, Christopher. So, let’s get back home.”
    “Can’t yet,” Caroline said, interrupting Christopher’s protests that he was fine. “The President’s taking the stage.”
    “Can Doreen wait?”
    Doreen nodded. “Yes. I want to hear what he says.”
    My father joined us. Kevin and Mom were near the President. The President started speaking, reassuring everyone that the fire,which had broken out in the basement and had consumed much of the lower levels, had been contained. It was the usual “let’s all calm down, the danger’s past” speech. Chuckie, Reader, and Tim joined us while the President was talking. We got the “it’s all good” sign from them and the “yes, I still have the remote” sign from Chuckie. Good. I looked back at the stage.
    “And, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank our good friends from American Centaurion,” the President said, smiling in our direction. “Their fast actions ensured that we all were able to evacuate safely, and their Embassy staff were instrumental in helping contain the fire before it could spread throughout the hotel.”
    True enough in its way. We got some applause. “In particular,” the President went on, “I’d like to thank both Chief Ambassadors, Jeffrey and Katherine Martini, for once again proving that when America needs a friend, American Centaurion is always there.”
    “Like a good neighbor,” Gower whispered to me. I cracked up as we got a spotlight. We all looked awful—our clothes were disasters, and everyone’s hair looked worse. But I didn’t care. Because I knew our hearts and minds, and we belonged here. Besides, clearly, this town needed us.
    The President then went on to thank the brave police force and firefighters who’d come to the call, and he announced that, in light of many things, he was requesting the police force be reinstated to full power, with additional slots being created. This got a lot of applause in the room.
    “Oooh!” Doreen grabbed Irving’s arm. “I think it’s time. Like now.”
    “We’ll get the limos,” Len said. “Can we give you a ride home?” he asked Adriana.
    “Absolutely.” She smiled at me. “Grandmother expects me to be late.”
    “Len, Kyle, take Adriana out for some ice cream or something.”
    “Us too?” Michael asked, arm around Caroline.
    “Sure.”
    “Great, as long as Amy’s not getting married tonight,” Caroline said.
    “No,” Amy said with a laugh. “We’ll wait until everyone’s home.”
    “What about everyone else?” Abigail asked meaningfully.
    “I’ve called for a floater gate,” Reader said quietly. “We just need to get Doreen down to one of the limos.”
    “Works for me. Jeff and I will stall people here. You all get going.”
    “You want me, Matt, or Chip to wait for you?” Jerry asked.
    “Nah,” Jeff said. “We’ll manage. If you want, once Doreen’s safely home, go out, too. Might as well end the night on a high note.”
    “Yeah. We can always call a taxi.”
    This earned some chuckles, and our group wandered off, determining who was going home and who was going out. My dad gave me a kiss. “Tell your mother I’m going to go back with Doreen. Irving’s asked me to provide some Jewish support.”
    I kissed him back. “Will do, Dad. Dad?”
    “Yes, kitten?”
    “Thanks for loving me just the way I am.”
    He smiled. “As far as your mother and I are concerned, kitten, no one could make you more perfect than you are.” Dad trotted off and caught up with Reader and Gower.
    Oliver was still standing there. “MJO, what’s your plan?”
    He smiled. “I’d like to stick with you, Ambassador. You’re good for my career.”
    Jeff sighed as he buttoned up his shirt and tucked it back in. “Let’s go find your mother, baby. Yes, yes,” he said to Oliver, “tag along. But take an unauthorized picture of any of the kids or, worse, print one, and I’ll kill you.”
    “I understand, Ambassador,” Oliver said with a twinkle. “We’ll discuss authorized pictures another