Touched by an Alien

he managed a half-smile. “Really?”
    “Really.”
    He winced. “Guess I’d better … try to hang on, then.”
    “I’d appreciate it.” I laid him down on the floor and wrapped myself around his head, stroking his hair and kissing his forehead. I could feel him getting a little stronger.
    Footsteps, a lot of them. I could feel and hear them. “We’ve got company coming.”
    The girls flanked us, Christopher, Tim, and Reader moved in front of us, and the five pilots stayed spread around the room. Everyone had their guns cocked and aimed. We were ready, remembering the Alamo. Walker waited until everyone was set, then he flung the door open.

CHAPTER 54
    “PUT THOSE GUNS DOWN,” my mother snapped.
    No one moved. “Um, guys? Meet my mother.” No one moved. “Oh, and guns down.” All the weapons lowered.
    “That’s my girl,” Martini murmured.
    Mom looked at the scene. She was next to me and Martini in a moment. “Jeff looks awful,” she said as she pulled a hypodermic out of the pouch around her waist.
    “It’s been a crappy day,” he croaked.
    “Gee, thanks.”
    He managed to grab my hand. “Other than you.”
    I kissed his forehead. Mom handed me the hypodermic and a vial. “Excuse me?”
    “He’ll get like this more often than you’ll be happy about. You want to learn how to save his life now or when you’re alone?”
    She had a point. I took the hypodermic. Mom talked me through how to fill it.
    Claudia pointed to a spot on his chest. “He needs it right in his hearts when he’s like this. You slam it in, then push the plunger down.”
    I was going to plunge a huge needle into Martini’s chest. This didn’t sound exactly like “good girlfriend” material. He squeezed my hand. “I’d like to live.”
    “Girlfriend, just pretend you’re mad at him,” Reader offered.
    Actually, a good plan. I raised the needle and hit the magic spot on his chest. He bellowed, but I saw his body movements start to come back. I pulled the needle out once all the contents were inside him. Claudia disposed of it. I was too busy hanging onto Martini, who was thrashing.
    “This is normal,” Lorraine hollered as Melanie and Emily brought a gurney in. Christopher, Reader, and Tim helped us move Martini onto it.
    “This is normal?” We were strapping him down. He was still bellowing.
    “It’s ugly, I know.” Claudia said next to me. “But only when he’s this close to dying. Otherwise, it’s not too awful.”
    “Wonderful.” A thought occurred. “How often is he close to dying?”
    “Every month, month and a half,” Reader answered.
    Mom shrugged. “I told you to choose wisely.”
    Christopher grinned. “Thanks.” He looked over at me. “He has to go into isolation. He’ll need more than twelve hours, not sure how much. You can’t go in there.”
    I kissed Martini’s forehead. “Hang on, Jeff. I’ll be waiting for you.”
    He moved his head and kissed my mouth. Even strapped to a gurney and at the edge of death the man was a great kisser. “Good.” His head dropped back, and he stopped thrashing.
    Christopher, the girls, and their pilots ran off, escorted by a few other Dazzlers, their mothers included.
    “Where’s Yates?” I asked Mom as we left the area.
    “He didn’t show.” She sounded angry and frustrated. I could relate.
    “We have what looks like all of Al Dejahl in custody.”
    “Yeah, I know.” She smiled. “At least it’ll slow him down for a while.”
    “Yeah, no more Fugly Army, no more terrorist scum. He’ll have to start recruiting again.”
    “That’s what worries me.”
    “How’s Dad?”
    “Fine. He’s with the translation team. They’re fixing up Beverly’s misinformation.”
    “So, in his element.”
    “Pretty much. Duchess the Wonder Dog, as the other gals are calling her, is there, too.” Mom was quiet. “You sure you want to pick Jeff?”
    “Over Christopher?” She nodded. “Over anybody, even Christopher, so yes.”
    “Okay.”
    “But Christopher probably comes along with the Martini package, so you’ll get to keep the son you always wanted.”
    She chuckled. “Nice work on Beverly.”
    “I killed her.” I didn’t feel remorseful at all.
    Mom gave me a long look as we made the elevator banks and headed down to the transient floor. “I know.”
    “Who told you?”
    Mom shrugged as we got off the elevator. “She was trying to kill the man you love. I didn’t have to question what you’d do. Besides, who else but you