The former palace males moved in unison, shuffling solemnly towards the carriages waiting at the edge of the entrance. The flagstones they crossed were grey and weathered, rough to the touch and chipped from years of wear. As they approached, the carriages' wood slats seemed like scales on a fish, their surfaces carved by time and weather rather than painted and smooth. The woody scent of sandalwood hung in the air, as if it had been placed for them to enjoy one final moment before departing.

As the males entered the carriage one by one, each greeted Alex with affectionate swipes of his muzzle against her cheek. At Razz's signal, she opened her hands and offered them a handful of opals and star sapphires, which they accepted gracefully. She noticed that many had brought along large satchels filled to the brim with carefully wrapped eggs cradled on a bed of warm sand.

Trac shuffled to the back of the line, his sling filled with tiny sleeping bundles of his and Razz's babies. Trac wiped away Alex's tears before softly nuzzling her neck.

"Tears? You are sad?" He asked gently, his voice warm and laced with concern.

"No," she said, sniffling slightly as a fresh wave of emotion enveloped her. "I'm very happy."

"Tears mean sadness, rage and happiness? That's confusing."

Alex ran her hand along the smooth leather of his back and breathed in the scent of warm earth and treasure. She smiled sadly at him and replied, "You don't know the half of it."

Trac stepped back to smile up at her before he hugged Razz one last time and then swung up into the lead carriage.

Alex poked her head in. "Name a baby after me," she said, her voice full of laughter.

A chorus of agreement came from within the carriage, and then with a jolt the wheels began to move. The sound of gravel crunching beneath them filled the air, followed by the clip clop of horses' hooves as they galloped into the

Alex watched as the carriages rumbled off, her heart heavy with uncertainty. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Zilik's deep black eyes studying her.

         "Where will you go now?" he asked softly.

         "I don't know," she replied, glancing away. "I assumed that when we were done, the portal back home would open."

         Razz spoke up from behind Alex. "Will you consider staying with me until it does?"

         Zilik added quietly, his grip on Alex's shoulder lightly tightening as he did so. "Us."

         They looked so much like wistful kids that Alex laughed and hugged them. "I'd love to. It would be my choice to stay here. But I don't know if I have a choice. It's complicated."

"Will I ever see you again if you leave?" Zilik asked.

         Gabe walked up behind Alex. "No. That's not how it works." Gabe's eyes narrowed and his gaze was hard as he asked, "Now do you understand?"

         Alex's neck craned up to meet Gabe's stern expression. She swallowed and nodded her head. "Yes. I do."

         Zilik stepped closer, curiosity painted across his face. "What was that about?"

         Alex watched Gabe's retreating back until he disappeared around the corner before answering. "He was telling me goodbye," she said after a brief pause. Her lips stretched into a thin line of irritation. "As well as a snotty 'I told you so' about relationships."

Jerk. I just saved his ungrateful reptilian rear.

"He's not coming back with you?" Zilik asked.

Alex considered. "That's a better question than you know, Zilik. I assumed we'd all go back together, but he's not from my world. They were sent as Guardians to my world. I suppose they could return to their own home without me." A chill seeped into her stomach and spread through her core until she felt frozen.

It never occurred to me I might have to go back alone.

"You're afraid," Zilik said gently, squeezing her hand. "Why?"

"My world would be a dark and dangerous place to return to without any help." The cold inside Alex intensified, radiating from her core and numbing her insides.

Razz tucked himself under her arm and pressed his face into the curve of her neck. "Worse than here?"

"Much worse. I can't fight some of the ones at home who want to kill me." Alex's body tensed at the reminder of the danger she escaped from. Her chest tightened, making it difficult to draw a full breath as images of Hermann and the agency swirling in her head filled her with dread. Fear rose like bile in her throat as she considered the fate that awaited her if they caught up to her.

Am I a permanent member of the team? Or was this a one-shot assignment? What if they're done with being Guardians and are sent home to restart the clan? Then it's back to Earth with me, all by myself.

Zilik quickly sidled up and snaked his arm around her waist, a steady presence of security. "Stay here," he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "Stay with me in InterSpec City."

"Us." Razz stepped closer and ran a soft thumb over the back of Alex's hand to reassure her.

"I want to, but I have to talk to Cale. He would know if anyone does." Alex spun on her heel, dislodging Zilik and Razz.

The brothers, bored with the palace male exit line, were roaming around. Instead of the wise middle brother, Alex crashed into Rile. She stumbled back, barely regaining her balance.

"Careful," Rile said with a smile as he steadied her. At the sight of her frightened expression, his smile quickly faded, and he asked, "What's wrong?" He glanced around the now-tranquil palace and grey flagstone pathways, searching for danger.

"The portal," she stammered, "what will it do?"

"What do you mean, what will it do? It will take us home," Rile said.

"Whose home, Rile? And which ones of 'us'?" Alex's panic was clear on her face. "What if you're done with your Guardian stint and are sent home to restart the clan? What then? You know I'm not part of that plan. What if I'm sent back to Earth alone?"

Rile could feel fear seeping into his chest as Alex's grip on his hand tightened and her knuckles began to turn white. His heart raced as he stared into Alex's eyes, desperately trying to process the thought of being apart from her. "I don't know, hadn't thought of that. We better ask Cale." He slid his arm around the back of her shoulders, a gentle but firm hug. He looked into her eyes, which were full of fear, and said "I won't let you go."

She leaned into him and he could feel her body relax slightly. He knew she was terrified to return to Earth by herself and determined not to let that happen. A smile crept across his face as he considered just how close they would have to be.

Zilik looked crestfallen as he watched Rile take Alex's hand. His eyes clouded over, and his color flushed a dull blue.

Razz gave Zilik's arm a consoling pat and said, "Rile is a better choice than Gabe."

"I was hoping it would be me," Zilik murmured sadly.

         "You should have held on tighter," Razz replied. "I wish that I had."

The word "mammal" echoed with an icy chill through the air. Alex gritted her teeth as two royal guards, dressed in elaborate armor, pulled Cla out from between the tall turquoise palace doors.

"Filthy mammal," Cla spat, narrowing her eyes. "I challenge you."

Rile stepped closer and put a protective arm in front of Alex. "Alex, don't."

A smile spread across Alex's face as she shook off Rile's grasp. "Please," she said calmly. "Don't worry, I'll handle this - peacefully too."

Zilik's face contorted in rage; his hide turning an angry shade of red. "This stinks of treachery." He shook a clenched fist. The new Kuni must have sent her out to kill Alex."

Razz nervously twisted his hands together, his eyes wide with apprehension. "Even a captured enemy warrior may challenge one-on-one combat for males," he said, his voice quivering. "I believe that you are right about the new Kuni."

"This is no quarrel over a sleep-mate. This is an assassination." Zilik lunged forward, but he was too slow. Before he could reach her, a line of guards formed in front of him and blocked his path.

"Challenge me? Whatever for?" Alex plastered a fake-innocent look on her face, walking up slowly to the imposing female until they stood face to face, their gazes locked.

"Don't play games, filthy mammal," Cla snarled, her voice low and throaty. "I'll gut you as you stand."

A ring of guards formed around the two women as Cla took another step forward. Rile was cut off from them, unable to help as well. Gabe and Cale ran up too late to intervene, exchanging quick words with Rile before taking up positions on either side of him.

So much for the peaceful handling of this.

"Cla, please control yourself. If you want Gabe, he's standing right there." Alex waved a hand toward him with an air of exaggerated dramaticism. "Of course, I've already emancipated him and the entire palace harem, so you better ask him nicely."

Cla's fists balled up at her sides as she stepped into a wide stance, her voice growing sharp. "You didn't really do that," she said, her gaze still locked on Gabe. "You wouldn't give up all these males you fought so hard for."

Alex winked playfully. "It's all official now; heard and witnessed! Have fun convincing Gabe to become your sleep-mate—I'm sure it will be so very easy." Her grin widened wickedly.

"You're a bigger fool than I thought to give them up," Cla mocked. "Now you are alone."

Rile and Zilik looked surprised to see that barb sink into Alex's heart but Razz's sad expression revealed his empathy for his rescuer.

"Yes, I'm alone." Alex's expression was heartbreaking, her gaze hollow, for a fleeting moment. "So be it." She shrugged and brightened a bit. "But no more mate challenges."

"You're a coward," Cla sneered, stretching her arms and cracking her knuckles in challenge.

Alex tilted her head to one side and squinted, considering the challenge for a moment before replying earnestly. "No, that's not it. I don't shrink from a good fight. I would rather have a mate who comes to me, willing and enthusiastic."

The frustration was clear in Cla's expression as she ground her teeth together tightly. Then she asked in true confusion, "Willing? Who wants a willing male? Where's the blood, power, and victory in that?"

Alex stared, speechless, at Cla.

Over-sexed psychotic was too kind a description. I need a thesaurus.

"You're right," Alex conceded. "There's a marked absence of blood and power my way. Still, it's the way I've chosen for myself and the palace males. And," Alex leaned forward with a malicious smile, "I'm the one who won."

"You've lost Gabe," Cla said. "So instead I issue a clutch challenge."

Alex gasped.

Gabe's babies!

Razz let out an anguished keen that was so loud it drew the attention of the Anolis soldiers. He darted towards them, squirming his way through their legs to reach Alex.

"No! No! No!" He screeched, diving between Cla and Alex protectively.

Cla laughed in scorn. "You can't even control this runt of a male! I'll wring his neck for you, pathetic mammal."

Alex snatched up Razz. Gripping him tightly against her chest, Alex raised one hand, sparks cascading from her fingertips. A hissing fireworks show ignited around them as Alex seethed with protectiveness. "Razz! Don't you dare risk yourself against this creature!"        

"This is no challenge. This is an execution. Your execution." Razz's whimper was the only sound as he surveyed the scene. The tension was so thick it felt like a wall between them, and Cla's wicked laughter only added to the pressure.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Alex fixed Cla with a stern glare over her shoulder before whispering, "These are Gabe's babies we're talking about. Even if he doesn't want them, I'll never leave them with that murdering monster. I'm not exactly suited to be a mother, much less a single mom--" Her voice wavered, but she held his gaze firmly.

Razz looked up at her with adoring, passionate eyes. He said in a voice filled with conviction, "If I cannot dissuade you from this course of action, then we shall raise them together. Cla's speed is only in her arms and she plants herself with her feet. Slice her leg tendons and amputate all of her toes. We shall chain her until she clutches our children."

Alex felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. She stared at him, wide-eyed and mouth agape.

I think he just proposed to me! And in style!

Cla arched her back forward, raising her hands and flexing her talons menacingly. "Come out of your den, mammal," she mocked coldly. "Or do you prefer to cower behind that cast-off? Or shall I gut you both?"

Alex retaliated with a blast of searing white flame, which sizzled the ground in front of Cla's feet. "Shut your mouth," Alex growled fiercely. She directed her power towards the guards standing before them, their bodies quivering in terror. "Razz is leaving unharmed or else you'll wish you'd never been born."

The guards parted, and Alex peeled Razz off her. He reached out to touch her face but stopped short, instead planting a quick kiss on her cheek before sprinting towards Zilik. Zilik held out an arm to meet him, wrapping it around his shoulders in comfort as Alex nodded in appreciation.

One of the Anolis royal guard handed Cla a dagger with a finely crafted, double-edged blade and an expertly wrapped handle. The hilt was larger than normal and featured a skull-crushing pommel. Alex watched uneasily as the guard then held out a simple wooden staff to her.

"You give her a dagger but me as staff?" Alex asked, disgruntled.

How can I cut her leg tendons? Did they overhear Razz's advice?

The guard stood proudly, her ornate breastplate glinting in the sun. Her voice held a haughty tone as she replied, "Of course. This is a clutch challenge of one of our royal guard and you are a mere mammal. You must pin her for ten clicks to win. She has the right to kill you since you threaten her children."

Alex scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I'm not threatening her children, moron, just her. I'll be a better mother than that murdering monster. Give me a damn dagger!" She thrust out her arm, impatiently waiting for him to comply.

"Mammal mothers." The guard's lip curled in a sneer and she made a disgusted noise, before spitting on the ground. "Coddling the weak. You disgust me. Stop your sniveling and take that staff."

Alex grabbed hold of the wooden pole and drove it straight down into the guard's foot. "Staff accepted."

The guard went for her sword, drawing it from its sheath at lightning speed. Alex beat her to it, flicking her wrist and sending an arc of energy towards the guard with a roar. The blast sent her flying and as she crashed onto the found, Alex shouted, "Wait your turn! I have a clutch challenge first."

Zilik's voice boomed across the courtyard like thunder, electrifying the air. "Only a coward would allow her opponent to be weakened by a mere soldier before a challenge." He nodded down at Razz, who now had his leg in a death grip so tight that his foot had gone numb. The crowd fell silent, mesmerized by Zilik's words and the tension of the moment.

Alex flexed her fingers, readying herself for the fight. A circle of Anolis, their khaki hides dull in the light, formed the ring. Cla sneered at Alex as she circled around her, her tail whipping back and forth like a furious serpent.

"You've never won against me," Cla taunted, baring her sharp teeth. "Pathetic, soft skinned, soft bellied mammal."

Alex snarled back. "Who just killed your Kuni? How does that make you feel?"

Cla's nostrils flared with fury. "Very pregnant by your ex-sleepmate," she replied with a smirk.

The other Anolis laughed and cheered as the fight began, claws flashing in the sunlight. Alex held her staff with both hands, one tight around the shaft and the other hovering near the end. She keenly focused her eyes on Cla's movement as she circled. Alex moved gracefully, shifting her weight from foot to foot while maintaining balance. She extended her staff in a quick jab before spinning and pointing the tip of the staff towards Cla. Cla parried with precision, quickly repositioning her staff in time for Alex's next move. In an instant, she leaped forward and delivered a powerful slash.

The steel glinted in the light as the knife descended towards Alex's arm. With lightning reflexes, she lunged forward and deflected the blade with her Chameleon forearm shield. She swiftly slid inside Cla's defensive range and locked her forearm tightly around her elbow, rendering her arm useless.

"How anti-climactic," Alex mocked. "I expected—" Alex's face went slack in shock and then she coughed.

Blood sprayed onto Cla, who had reversed her grip on her knife and sunk it into Alex's back. Alex screamed in pain as she convulsed, white power radiating out from her body. They both crashed to the ground with a thud, and the ring of guards around them took a collective step back.

Gabe reached Alex first, shoving Rile and Razz out of the way. He kicked Cla's motionless form aside and gathered Alex in his arms.

Her breathing was labored and bubbles of blood formed on her lips as she spoke. "Looks like I lost to Cla one last time," she whispered. The crimson liquid slowly spilled from her lips and back, pooling beneath them and soaking into the thirsty flagstones.

Gabe pulled Alex's frail body close to his chest. He murmured desperately, "Alex, don't die. I'll get you back to the Institute - just don't die. I love you."

Alex's eyes were clouding over as her words escaped on a weak breath, "I was trying to win you from Cla.  Who'd have thought you'd be a sucker for a loser?"

Razz fell to the ground, his tiny frame trembling with silent tears. Alex reached out and grasped his tiny hand in hers. He kissed it repeatedly

"Razz, you're free. You can find someone better than me or Cla. Someone kinder and sweeter."

"Please, please do not leave me like this!" he wailed, his small palms clasping her hand tightly.

Zilik knelt beside Razz, his eyes full of determination and worry. Alex turned her face towards him and, with her weak breath managed to croak out, "Protect him, Zilik."

Razz nuzzled against her side as Zilik nodded in understanding. "He has a calling now to help his fellow Anolis males," he said, voice solemn.

Alex coughed more blood into the dirt beneath them, a crimson lake forming around her body. "Zilik!" she whispered.

"I'll make sure he has the finest Gila guards and Chameleon assassins," Zilik vowed. His finger brushed against the hilt of the sword at his waist as he continued, "Including myself."

Alex tenderly brushed Zilik's muzzled with her rough, calloused fingers. A blinding blue light illuminated the area, and a portal shimmered in front of them.

"Worst timing ever," Rile hissed at it.

Cale elbowed him. "No, Alex is still alive, and she defeated Cla. The Portal Guardian only arrives at the end of our mission or if great evil Calls her. Remember, she has millions of Guardians. Let's go. It must take us to the human healers."

Alex's heart raced as she tried to break away from Gabe's tight embrace. Hers voice quivered with emotion as he pleaded, "Put me in and have a nice life." The desperation in her eyes was unmistakable.

Not the four letter 'L' word from Gabe. That's disaster.

Gabe picked her up and, without hesitation, walked into the light. Cale and Rile leapt for the opening before it closed, blocking out the cries of Razz who had been left behind. Zilik held the hysterical Anolis close until he calmed.

Zilik, his color the midnight blue of mourning, said, "Come Razz, back to the Chameleon Embassy. We'll have a few Tailbangers. Then your children and your fellow Anolis males need you to be the hero Alex was."

***

A/N

Dedicated to faithful reader