In his office, Dr. Glick leaned forward, hands open and palms out to Zilik. "She won't eat, she won't talk to anyone, not even me," Dr. Glick said. "I figured if anyone could get through to her, it would be you."

Zilik didn't answer at first, lost in thought. "What about her friends? Have they had any luck?"

Dr. Glick shook his head. "They're on a two day pass with the Anolis contingency."

"Not good. Couldn't you keep them here?" Zilik asked.

"It wasn't up to me. I'm not assigned to their case. It was decided that it would have been bad for public relations to restrict them."

Zilik's color flashed into red. "There's been no trouble restricting Alex."

"Don't snap at me, Zilik, it's not my fault. She doesn't have a country to back her and she's an alien mammal. It's harder to convince the InterSpecs to give her some liberty, especially now that the Anolis Council member is pressing to have her permanently constrained." Dr. Glick patted his pockets and drew out a piece of paper to show Zilik.

The chameleon leaned forward to read it. "Don't the Chameleons have any say in this? Why haven't I heard of this in the Council?" Zilik asked.

"I don't know, but you're dealing with a natural prejudice against mammals. That and the fact the Gilas awarded her szarek status shows she's not harmless," Dr. Glick said.

Zilik hissed, "Cowards. I'll talk to her."

**

Zilik knocked on the door several times before he opened it. He knew that Alex appreciated privacy and that knocking was courteous. He and Dr. Glick reminded the scientists and techs of this repeatedly.

"You didn't answer, so I let myself in," Zilik said in his best conciliatory tone.

The figure facing the wall didn't answer.

"Since your friends are away on pass, I thought you might want some company," he continued.

Still no answer.

He crossed over to her bed and sat down on it, fighting to keep his color a placed brown, but the red kept pushing forward because of his anger at the way she was being treated. "It must be awful to be the only one of your kind around. I know I would hate it."

Alex still didn't answer, but she turned her head to look at him.

"It's no help that your friends have taken off without you," Zilik spoke with heat.

Alex looked at him in surprise. "What do you know of it?"

"That they were allowed a two day pass while you have to sit here. It cracks my egg. We Chameleons used to have a lot of influence in the Council. I don't know what's happened."

"No one wants an overgrown chitterer running loose." Alex turned back to the wall.

"Who called you an overgrown . . . no, never mind, I know. Let Cla rot in her shell, we'll show her. Please get up," Zilik said.

Alex sat up slowly but still faced the wall.

"Do you know what we Chameleons do when we're blue?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye.

"Beat up obnoxious female Anolis?"

"No, but be patient, you may get a chance. How does shopping sound to you?"

Alex looked at him. "That's third choice."

"What's second?" Zilik asked.

"Jazz brunch in New Orleans with lots of champagne, but seeing as that's impossible, let's go shopping."

**

Settled back in the carriage, Alex looked around in interest, no longer depressed and sluggish. "Where are we going? I mean, where can I go?"

"There's a store that caters to Chameleons here in the city. With Dr. Glick's help, I forced them to let you go that far. There'll be guards, I'm sorry to say."

"Don't be. At least I'm outside the Institute for a while."

A Chameleon met them at the store's entrance. He was as gracious as the rest of his species and showed them around. Alex was satisfied to tour the store, but Zilik seemed to have a purpose in mind.

"Over here, Alex, look at these." He waved to a rack of clothes.

She recognized the ornate jumpsuits that most of the species favored in the city.

"These can all be altered for your frame," the manager said smoothly. "Do you see any you like? Please try them on."

"I don't have any currency. I'm just looking." Alex waved off the suit that he was holding.

"Go ahead, pick one out," Zilik urged. "I'll buy you one."

"That's okay." Alex shook her head. "These look expensive."

"Don't worry about that."

"I've been meaning to ask you." Alex looked at Zilik with mistrust. "How do you have all this time to spend with me? How are you able to pay for this? What do you do?"

"I guess I've never said."

"No, you haven't," she replied. "You said you were a hobby sociologist. You didn't tell me what your job was."

"I'm an aide to the Chameleon Council member. I was assigned to you and our government is willing to fund you," Zilik said.

"Assigned? I see." All the life drained out of Alex and she let the material of the suit she was holding slip away. "Can I go back now?"

The manager and Zilik both turned the distressed color of blue. The manager looked at Zilik helplessly, who waved him off.

"You have the wrong idea about me. I don't visit you because I'm assigned to you. After I met you at the party, I had to find out more about you. I had to fight for this job. Lok was dying for it as well."

"I don't know if I believe you."

"Then ask for another aide. You can see for yourself all the volunteers there will be, Lok the foremost," Zilik said.

"I wouldn't ask for another aide. If you want to hang around me, you can. You've put up with enough," Alex said, still looking depressed.

The manager reappeared, his color a calmer green. He held up a plain grey outfit. "I found this most appropriate. It is quite a favorite among trans-species sleep-mates of Chameleons."

"I'm not—"

"Of course not," the manager cut in. "Forgive me if I implied that. I didn't mean to. But try it on."

"Yes," Zilik said with enthusiasm.

Alex couldn't see why they were excited about the drab suit. She took the arm of it for a closer look and the material flowed with blue color. She gasped and dropped it. The arm returned to its former grey. She picked it up again, and this time a warm orange spread over it.

"This is weird," she said, examining it.

"It reflects your feelings, like a Chameleon," the manager explained.

"It's a giant mood ring." This amused Alex to no end. "How tacky."

"Tacky?" Zilik and the manager looked at each other in bewilderment. "Does that mean you like it?"

Alex was glad that the word was untranslatable. She could see why a Chameleon's sleep-mate would wear this to fit in. "Where do I change?"

Once she tried it on, Alex did like it. There was an underlying pattern of fine scales and the colors swirled in a dizzy array.

"What do you think?" She modeled before them, carefully holding the tail opening closed.

"Beautiful," the manager trilled. "Look at the play of colors."

"On a reptile, it would only be one color," Zilik said.

"I'm too messed up for it to know what I'm feeling. Since I don't know either, I can't expect it to."

"It's one of the things I like about you." Zilik patted her arm. "Full of surprises, so many thoughts and emotions whirling in your head. Fascinating."

"Fascinating isn't the word I would use," Alex said sourly. "Should we get it?"

"It will be perfect for the party tonight," Zilik said.

"Party?" Alex's suit brightened and gold sparks shot across it.

"There's always a Chameleon party somewhere. Lok accused me of keeping you to myself. A party would be the perfect place to circulate."

"Will I be allowed to attend?" Alex asked.

"I'll make sure the invitation comes from the Council member herself, even if she won't be there. It'll be fun. Most of Chameleons in this city are in politics or higher education."

"I'll make sure it's tailored by this evening. Deliver it to the Institute?" the manager inquired.

"Yes, thank you. We'll return now. I have to scratch some scales for a pass tonight," Zilik said.

**

Alex took a nap after Zilik promised to wake her up in time to get ready. She was worn from her recent battles and healing her leg. She could have sworn she was only asleep a minute when Zilik tapped on her door. He held the grey suit in one hand. She had him wait in the common room while she put it on.

Once at the party, Alex was relieved to see a wide variety of species. True, most were Chameleons, but there were enough others to make her feel a bit less conspicuous. Even better, there were quite a few mixed couples.

The air was musty, heavy with incense and a gypsy mix of spices and flowers. A smiling Chameleon, bright green, heavy gold necklace around his neck, and a large blue drink in his hand, sidled up to Alex.

"I thought Zilik was going to keep you locked up forever," Lok said.

"It isn't Zilik who's keeping me locked up. How are you?" Alex asked, all politeness.

"Wonderful. You've stirred up things in the Council so much that I always have someone to talk to, to argue with." Lok took her hand and kissed it.

"Sorry." Alex extracted her hand but smiled to ease the sting.

"I enjoy the excitement." Lok's tail curled around her ankle. "Tell me, are you bored to death in that musty old Institute? I could arrange for a tour of the Chameleon Quarter." His tail advanced farther up her leg.

"We're visiting there tomorrow," Zilik cut in.

"We are?" Alex asked in surprise.

"Didn't I tell you?" Zilik stepped on Lok's tail. "Move it or lose it," he rumbled.

"Well." Lok swept off with a last whisper to Alex, "Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll make sure we have some time together."

Alex suppressed a giggle and her suit danced with sparks of gold. "Zilik, really. I need all the friends I can get."

"Not like that, you don't. Chameleons aren't the most sincere species. You need to be careful."

"I have to doubt that your intentions aren't the purest?"

"You can trust me," Zilik said earnestly, missing her teasing.

"Introduce me to someone sincere. You said I needed to mingle," Alex said.

Zilik didn't have to move because a brown Iguana and a Chameleon the matching brown, their arms linked, walked up to them.

"Kara, Aen, I didn't know you were back," Zilik said with obvious pleasure.

"Just this morning. These suits are marvelous, aren't they?" The Iguana female indicated her own suit, which was a placid brown like her hide and her companion. "Though I've never seen one do that before." She looked at Alex.

"I confuse it," Alex admitted and looked down at her suit. She tried to smooth away the swirling colors but it reacted with more sparks. Alex sighed.

"It's quite lovely. I remember the first party I attended as Aen's sleep-mate. I was so nervous that my suit stayed orange. There's no need for you to feel that way. The Chameleons are a most accepting race." Kara smiled at her.

"I'm not Zilik's sleep-mate," Alex said too quickly and her suit turned bright orange. "No, really. Quite monogamous." She batted at the outfit which sparked red in response.

I thought broadcasting my emotions was a good idea, why?

"I didn't say that you were," Kara said. "Please, relax. I think you need a drink."

"Just one drink?" Alex asked as Zilik handed her a tall glass of purple liquid.

"There's more where that came from," Zilik assured her.

When Alex finished her second drink, Lok sidled up to her again. "You promised me a dance."

"I always keep my word," Alex said. "Let's go."

She rested her hand in Lok's and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. She watched the swaying reptiles and placed her arms on Lok's shoulders, keeping a space between them. She followed his lead dancing and studied the other dancers. When the music throbbed a slow tune, Alex raised her hands over her head and closed her eyes. She touched her jaw, her collarbone, and then outlined her body with her left hand. When she reached her hip, she rested it there and her right hand lightly brushed her shoulders and her left arm. She looked at Lok through heavy lidded eyes and extended her hand. He kissed it and drew her close.

"Is it working?" Alex whispered by his tympanum.

"That depends on what you wanted to accomplish," he whispered back.

"I wanted to show how non-dangerous I am," Alex said.

Zilik walked over and leaned close to them. "My turn. I don't know if you showed them that, but you certainly showed them much. You should dance with me now."

Alex transferred her arms to him, again with a space between them. She danced a slow, swirling pelvic motion, causing quite a few males to stare.

"I'm tired of being a dangerous animal that's locked up," Alex whispered to him. She placed his hands on her hips and rotated them to the music.

Those reptiles can sway, but they can't roll their hips. Now watch and see how friendly I am. Not dangerous at all.

"I think you can count on the male vote of several species," Zilik whispered back.

"Good," Alex said. "By the way, I'm from a monogamous species and already taken."

"We call that a tease," Zilik said.

"Better that than a dangerous animal that's locked up," Alex said more sharply than she meant to let slip. "Sorry. Should we stop dancing?"

"Absolutely not. Your plan is working well. Give it more time." Zilik spun her slowly.

Alex made sure to keep space between herself and Zilik as they danced. When the music paused between songs, she dragged him off the dance floor. "I'm thirsty." She made a beeline for Lok.

Safety in numbers.

"Another two Tailbangers," Zilik told the bartender.

Alex leaned against the bar and Lok was quick to lean next to her. Zilik frowned and handed Alex her drink.

"I've garnered two votes for you," Lok sipped his drink, gaze intent on her over the rim of his glass.

"Thank you." Alex took a long draft off hers. "Before you go to any more trouble, I'm from a monogamous species and already taken."

"Interesting." Lok drank more. "Who's the lucky male?"

Alex downed the rest of her drink.

"One of the three that's off with the Anolis contingency," Zilik said. "Am I right?"

"Let's dance, Lok." Alex walked onto the dance floor without a backward glance.

She was glad that the music had sped up. It was easier to dissipate anger with fast dancing. Fists in the air, Alex showed them how hard and fast her hips could pound out the rhythm. She didn't stop until Zilik begged the bandleader for slower music. Then he led the tipsy Alex back into the carriage, warning off Lok.

Zilik kept his arm around Alex's waist, ostensibly to steady her, as they walked through the Institute. He guided her back to her bedroom.

"That was fun." Alex fell onto her bed face first. "Goodnight."

Zilik stared at her, nonplussed. "A few Tailbangers and you're scrambled." He pulled back the covers and tucked her in. "Goodnight to you, too."

"Mmm." She patted his hand, her eyes closed. "Thanks, Gabe."

"Still dreaming of your team mate?" he asked sadly, but she was asleep.

**

The next morning, Zilik eyed the brothers when they entered their common room.

"I trust you enjoyed your two day pass with the Anolis contingent," Zilik said with a measured trace of sarcasm.

"What are you doing here?" Gabe asked.

"Waiting for Alex to wake up. You do remember her, don't you?"

"Who do you think you are?" Gabe filled with righteous indignation.

Rile nudged Cale and looked amused. Cale frowned and shook his head at his younger brother.

"Oh, Zilik." The voice came from the hallway. "Tell me I had enough fun to deserve this monster headache this morning." Alex opened the door, holding her head, her suit a dull grey. "Welcome back, Cale, Rile." Her face and suit brightened simultaneously. Then a flash of red shot across her torso and she said stiffly, "Gabe."

"I thought you might be feeling the after-effects, so I brought an ancient Chameleon remedy." Zilik held up a glass of pink liquid.

"I bet it's effective, too, considering how much you party." She took the offered glass and sat next to him.

"Aren't you all cozy with Zilik," Rile said, still grinning and one eye-ridge raised.

"Don't drink that, Alex. You have no idea what the effects will be," Gabe said.

Alex met his eyes and lifted the glass to him. "Bottoms up," she said and drained the glass dry, daring Gabe to stop her.

"You should have told her," Rile whispered to Gabe.

"I can see you haven't been idle while we've been gone," Gabe said, ignoring his brother.

"Why should I be? Are you ready to take me on that tour, Zilik? I'm sure the boys here have somewhere to go. They always do." She stood up and pulled a willing Zilik with her out of the door.

After they left, Gabe fumed, "I cannot believe this."

"Serves you right," Rile replied. "We should tell her."

"No! I will not see Alex slaughtered like the rest of our clan." Gabe poked Rile's chest with his claw, which Rile batted away.

"Alex is a Guardian," Rile said. "She's our teammate."

"I don't care," Gabe said. "She doesn't belong here. She's a huge target on this world and I won't have her blood on my claws. Let her have fun with the Chameleons while we complete our mission with the Anolis females."

"The last thing we need is you two at each other's throats." Cale said. "We have much to do and little time."