Tari readied herself for her meeting with Martin. She slipped into her button-front brown shirt and tucked it into her straight leg levis before she buckled her belt. She sat on the bed to put on her slouch socks and suede brown hiking boots. Standing in front of the mirror she gave her hair the once over, fluffing here and there, before she took her denim jacket from the closet and put it on. She looked into the mirror once more, making sure she looked alright for her walk with the man who had set her heart to beating uncontrollably since the first time they had seen each other several weeks ago.

They were worlds apart, yet the feelings that surrounded her when she was with him made her feel as if she had known him all her life. For so long she had hidden from relationships, burying herself in her work instead. She'd rationalized that her life was too busy for any kind of romance. But since she had met Martin her life had begun to undergo a drastic change. She hurried through her day-to-day tasks, waiting breathlessly for the next time she would be with him, whether it was taking a quiet walk in the park or on the beach, riding a bicycle along the trails in the park, teaching him how to play racquetball, seeing a movie, discussing poetry from the book she'd given him to read , or just sitting somewhere watching the stars. Whatever it was, Tari was happy as long as she was in his presence. All she wanted now was to be with him.

The familiar knock sounded at her door. She felt butterflies flutter in her stomach and a warm flush of sweet anticipation surged through her. Taking a deep, calming breath, she went to the door and opened it. She was met by Martin's demure smile.

"Good evening Tari."

Tari felt her cheeks flush and could not help the smile that lit her face as she fought to hold her delight in check. "Hello Martin."

He held out his hand."Are you ready for our walk?"

Tari glanced at his outstretched hand and nodded timidly. She was surprised at the ease her small hand fit into his as she reached out to accept the gentle clasp of his hand.

Martin and Tari walked hand in hand through the park which was a few blocks from Tari's apartment. The night air was cool and refreshing after the day's hot and humid temperature. They stopped on the small bridge overlooking the canal that ran through the park. Tari leaned against the wooden railing and looked up toward the dark sky, marveling at the many stars sprinkled across its blackness. "What is your world like Martin?" Tari asked curiously. "I know you've told me it's much different than this one, but would you tell me more about it? What's the sky like? The oceans?"

Martin gave her a small smile. Her wonder and enthusiasm, her desire to know about other worlds, particularly the oceans, gave him a sense of comfort and warmth. Then again, merely being with her gave him such a feeling of tenderness that he found himself wanting more. "Our sun isn't as bright as yours," he began as he moved closer and leaned next to her on the railing so he could look up at the stars with her. "Our waters are such a clear blue that you can almost see right through them." He described his home as it once was, not wanting to disillusion her. He felt sadness as he remembered his home planet the way it had been long ago when he was just a small child. "The foliage is green and plentiful, the sky more like yours when the sun begins to set, the night dark, and the moon not unlike your own."

Martin scanned the night sky then pointed in the direction he believed his planet to be. "There."

Tari moved closer to his outstretched arm as she tried to see where he was pointing. She indicated the wrong star. "That one?"

"No, here let me show you." Martin moved behind her, his body leaning close to hers as he gently took her arm to guide it in the direction he was trying to show her. "There..the very bright one on the left. Do you see it?"

The feel of him so close to her made Tari's heart skip. She continued to look toward the star, but her mind was suddenly not on the sight as she quietly said "Yes,I see it." Coyly, she leaned back against him reveling in the feel of him next to her, holding her close.

Martin's eyes fell from sparkling star to the girl he held, letting his senses take in the smell of her hair, the feel of her body next to his. Encircling her with his arms, he forgot the sky, forgot everything but warmth and joy he felt holding Tari. Leaning his face closer until he felt the softness of her hair touch him, he inhaled the fresh scent of her perfume.

Tari closed her eyes as she snuggled into his embrace. She was entranced by his touch. Neither of them spoke, words seeming unimportant. All that mattered right now was the moment. She felt Martin's lips gently kiss her hair. She could feel his breath on her neck. Slowly she turned until their eyes met and locked into a longing gaze.

Martin could hold back his desire no longer. He slowly reached up to run his fingers over the smooth surface of her cheek. Entangling his fingers in her hair, he gently pulled her to him. His heart pounded as his lips met hers, softly caressing until he turned her fully toward him to kiss her deeply.

Tari wrapped her arms around him, accepting the kiss without hesitation. She trembled with the joy his tenderness gave her. For a long moment they stayed just as they were, entranced by their embrace, by the feel of their lips touching so tenderly, until finally they parted reluctantly. The two of them gazed into one another's eyes, their surroundings forgotten as they embraced.

Martin intertwined his fingers in her soft, dark hair as she laid her head on his chest. The night was still, all that could be heard by the two of them was the beating of their own hearts as they held each other.

It had been so long, Tari thought as she closed her eyes savoring the feelings that ran through her at being held in Martin's arms. There had been so many years of loneliness, times when she'd been afraid to feel the comfort and warmth caring for someone could bring. But now she was no longer afraid. A strange comfort swarmed through her. Her heart felt full and alive again. A small smile crossed her lips as she squeezed her arms around the man who held her, a man she knew little about, a man from another planet. How insane it was for her to feel so close to him, so completely safe and comfortable in his arms, the coolness of his touch sending her into feelings of longing and want. But she didn't care how insane or impractical it was. It didn't matter that they had known each other only a few weeks. All that mattered was the way she felt right here, right now, praying the moment would last forever.

Tari snatched up her backpack from the back seat of her vehicle and rushed for the attendants' building at the aquarium. She was late. Fortunately, she had donned her swimsuit at home, covering it with a pair of blue and grey spandex biking shorts and matching nylon jacket. She only had thirty minutes to get ready for the mid-morning show and she hadn't even practiced with the dolphins yet this morning. As she entered the building she tossed her bag on the counter and began searching it hastily for the whistle she used to give the dolphins their signals. She was so preoccupied that she didn't hear Randolph approach.

He leaned against the door frame, watching her with a scowl on his face. "Late night?" he asked in a shallow tone.

"Huh?" Tari gasped, startled by the interruption. "Randolph." she sighed in recognition."I'm sorry I'm late. I forgot to set my alarm last night."

"I'll bet," he said bluntly. "I turned the dolphins into the arena pool. You might want to say hello before the show starts." He abruptly turned and walked out.

Tari watched him leave bewildered by his indignant tone. Shrugging it off for the moment, she resumed her search for the whistle. When she found it, she placed the chain it was hooked to around her neck and hurried off to the arena pool. "Cindy... Sally..." she called from the edge of the cement pool before crouching to tap the water in a signal to the mammals that she was there.

The dolphins emerged in front of her, chirping and clicking in their excitement to see her. Tari reached down to pet them when Sally suddenly jumped back and began whistling and chirping angrily. She jumped into the air and slapped the water as she came back down, splashing Tari with a wave of water. Within moments Cindy followed suit.

Tari jumped back, confused by the agitated display. She was unaccustomed to such behavior. The mammals had never acted like this before with her. Only when...when Martin had been there. Tari turned expecting to see him behind her, or nearby, but no one was in sight. She turned back to her aquatic friends and spoke softly. "Hey girls. What's the matter?" She asked as if she expected them to answer.

Randolph came from the attendants' building, having witnessed the dolphins unusual behavior. "Maybe it's the company you've been keeping lately," he smirked. "Rae's ready if you can't handle them."

Tari looked at him. "NO! They're my dolphins," she spat defensively. "They'll be fine." Ignoring her assistant's bitterness Tari resumed her work. "C'mon girls," she cooed as she walked closer to the edge again. "It's me. What are you so upset about huh? C'mon..." she called, gently splashing the water again. Slowly the dolphins stopped their wild jumping and chirping, swimming well out of her reach. Tari kept talking in a soothing tone until the mammals finally swam close enough to let her stroke them as she kept talking. "That's it. That's my girls, everything's alright. Good girls..you want to play now huh?" The dolphins clicked and whistled as if they understood her, jumping and splashing playfully. Tari moved her arm in a circular motion. When the dolphins took their cue and began rolling in the water, Tari looked back at Randolph and gave him a *I told you so look.*

Randolph had been leaning against the building with his arms folded across his chest as he watched her work. When she glanced back at him, he straightened and left without ever speaking a word.

The show began on time despite Tari's uncharacteristic lateness and the issues with the dolphins that she'd had to overcome when she'd first arrived. After the show, Tari went about her daily duties, feeding the dolphins and making sure they were in good health. Once the routine tasks were completed, she typed up a report for the head of the Marine Biology Institute on the strange behavior she'd encountered that morning with the dolphins. When she was finished, she stood and stretched as she took a look around. Spying Rae sorting fish to feed the seals, Tari walked in and absently started to help. "Rae, What's up with Randolph today? He's never been so snippy before. I know I was late but..."

The young girl sighed. "Tari I swear you must be blind."

"What?" Tari asked, more than a little confused.

Rae gave her a look of disbelief. "If you haven't figured it out, then I'm sure not gonna be the one to tell you."

"Rae!" Tari insisted."What are you talking about?"

Rae rolled her eyes then look Tari. "He's jealous," she told her with a touch of anger in her voice.

"You're crazy!" Tari spat, shocked by Rae's assumption. "Randolph's always been protective, but jealous?! That's ludicrous."

Rae shook her head in disappointment. "You've been so wrapped up in your own little world for so long girl you can't even see what's been right in front of you all along." She picked up the bucket she had filled with the fish for the seals before she turned and walked out, leaving Tari standing completely still in the middle of the room as confusion whirled through her mind.

Tari sat in her office at the health club, leaning back in the chair thoughtfully. She wished Maggie were here to talk to. So many things were running through her mind -- the dolphins strange reaction to her when she had first arrived at the aquarium, Randolph's aggravation toward her, Rae's assumptions about Randolph's jealousy. And Martin...her feelings for him grew stronger every day, becoming so powerful that they ruled her every waking moment.

Suddenly Tari felt very much alone. She hadn't seen her brother since the day he'd come to her apartment to ask her to join he and Sean on an overnight camping trip. Calling was no use, Mike had been so busy lately that he hadn't even gotten to any of the messages she'd already left. Sighing, she stood and grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder before she picked up her keys. The last of the patrons and employees had gone home half an hour ago. It was time she did the same. Locking the doors behind her, she nearly screamed when she turned toward her vehicle. Recognition hit her suddenly and she let out a relieved sigh as a smile crossed her lips. "Martin!"

"I thought perhaps you would like someone to escort you home?" He shrugged. "Maybe even a walk along the beach?" he asked hopefully, holding out his hand for her.

"Yes--I'd like that very much," she accepted. She held her hand out, letting him take it in his own, her problems and loneliness disappearing as quickly as they had arisen.She was no longer alone--Martin was there.

The minutes passed like hours as Maggie and the Seals made there way slowly and carefully through the Visitor's plant. With each unexpected noise, sudden stop, or long wait, Maggie could feel her heart jump, her breathing increase, and a fine sweat would break out on her body. She knew it was fear making her react this way. Fear of what she knew of the Visitor's and an even greater fear of what she didn't know, but she couldn't seem to control it very well, she thought as she once more took a deep breath and waited for the signal from Leary to move on ahead. It was only Maggie's training in areobics that helped her to control the fear in her body, to channel it into a more constructive form.

Oh wouldn't Tari be proud of me now! Maggie thought with irony as she followed the men. Hoping her bare skin wasn't seen by any eyes that might be searching for them.

Finally, after what seemed like days the left the small encampment of gleaming white flying devices, the Visitor's called them "pods", and were free. Maggie told herself she wouldn't think of what had almost happened to her, the betrayal of Carl, the sight of green skin, she told herself she wouldn't cry and all the while silent tears streamed down her face.

Leary knew that Maggie was exhausted, unlike his team, she wasn't trained to deal with situations like this. But then who is? He asked himself, with a hint of sarcasm. Because he was unofficially in command he decided there first priority would be getting Maggie to someplace safe, so he sent Rex ahead to scout out areas as he began to come up with a plan to find his LT and Graham, the two Seal's left behind. He wasn't so involved in his plans that he disregarded Maggie though, he'd seen the knot on her forehead and he wanted to make sure she was physically okay, then he would deal with finding his superiors.

"Hey Doc, found a place." Rex's voice came to him softly as the younger man returned quietly several minutes later. "It ain't much but it's got a roof and some doors so we should be okay."

"Ok, let's go people. Same order as before." Leary ordered as the group headed out.

Five minutes later, Maggie entered the darkened hovel, waiting to see what the Seals would do next. She stood with her arms wrapped around her, only realizing then that a sharp pain coming from her right foot. She'd been so involved in escaping the Visitor's she'd not thought about the bare feet that had been a potential danger to them all.

A dark yellowish light enhanced the room, casting shadows on the decrepit furniture and the ragtag group. As the light flared, Maggie got her first glimpse of her rescuers. Standing next to the fire place was a broad shouldered handsome man, he had dark hair and dark eyes, but because he was kneeling Maggie couldn't see how tall he was, though she figured he was of medium height. Leaning against the other mantel, watching the man was another handsome man, his Hispanic features obvious even in the dim lighting, dark hair sort of spiked a bit in the front, and beautiful dark eyes. She turned as the soft air caused by someone passing her swept over her. This man was smaller than the other two, with a babyish looking face that was covered with a broad mustache, as if to hide the youthfulness of his face. But his eyes, Maggie shuddered as she got a brief glance into those light colored eyes, they were the coldest, deadliest eyes Maggie had ever seen. Maggie quickly looked away, wanting to hide from the emotionless void in those depths.

Her gaze was instantly caught by the last man, his large body towered several inches above her own and she felt her heart start beating faster once more but not because of fear. She still could see the ruggedly handsomeness of his face even beneath the dark paint smeared on it. His eyes, were a light color that held a warmth in them Maggie yearned for. And the small smile he gave her, made her heart nearly stop.

Stop it girl!! She told herself, now's not the time for this!

"Maggie? You ok?" Leary asked, again. She'd been staring at him for several minutes without moving and he was beginning to wonder if the hit on her head was more serious than hed thought.

"HUH? Oh! Yes I'm sorry. I think I need to sit down though," Maggie said, trying to compose herself as she looked away, searching for a chair to sit in.

Seeing a chair that looked older than herself sitting next to an equally rugged looking table, Maggie moved over and gingerly sat down in it. Afraid it would give out under her, as she settled onto it.

"Before we do anything, can I ask for an introduction?" Maggie said, looking at each of the men. "I mean even people on blind dates know each other's names."

Her last comment was greeted with chuckles from the men.

"Well since you asked so nicely. I'm Leary," the tall man began, "The one making the fire's Rexler, but we just call him Rex." Leary said and the man smiled a cute boyish smile at Maggie, making her grin in return.

The tall guy being extrememly unhelpful is Ramos, he's Rex's straight man." Maggie giggled as Ramos made an elaborate bow to her.

"At your service, madam."

"And finally there's God." Leary said with a slight smile, causing Maggie's heart to make that funny skip beat again."

"GOD?" She asked with eyebrows raised.,/P>

"He means me." The man with the cold eyes and boyish face said from the shadows where he'd placed himself.

"Yeah Dane's the one we send our pleas to when we 'ask the man up above for help" Rex said with a smirk.

"Bite me." Was Dane's response, which for some reason made Maggie giggled as she realized these men were teasing each other, like little boys, even as they were surrounded by a danger they were only just now realizing.

"Ok, here's the plan people," Leary said, interrupting the horseplay, "We need to find out what happened to the others and I need to make sure Maggie" s going to be ok."

"Im fine" Maggie began to interrupt him, only to be cut off by a stare from his light eyes.

"I'm the doctor in this group, you're only fine if I say you are," He said, overriding her objection, "Now Rex since you were the one who scouted the most, you and Rex are going to go back and see what you can find out. Now I don't want you two getting any ideas about being heros, so you go in, see what you can find out and then get back here. Pronto."

"I, I Captain." Rex said with a small salute, all the time he was moving to pick up the gun he'd laid near his feet and moving toward the door, Ramos on his heels.

"I think I'm going to go scout around outside." Dane said several minutes after Rex and Ramos had left.

"Ok, but don't go far and if you hear or see anything you know what to do." Leary, who'd been pulling medical supplies out of his backpack, which he'd placed on the table across from Maggie, replied.

"Now let's see about you." Leary said, coming around the table toward her.

"Ok."

Weeks later as she sat in front of the fire Maggie smiled as she remembered her first meeting with her "boys". They'd made her smile when she thought she couldn't, they'd made her feel safe when she was sure nothing could. Now as she sat waiting for the dawn to bring them a day filled with untold dangers, she once again wished Tari was here to talk with, to tell her of these brave men who'd saved her, and to talk over what Leary made Maggie feel. Her friends sensibilities and calmness always a buffer to whatever storms in Maggie's life, and if anyone could help her figure out her emotions it was Tari.

Oh, Tari I do hope you're ok! Maggie thought as she tried to push that fear into a small corner of her mind, needing all her resources for the day to come.