I awoke with a start sometime in the night.  The bed was empty next to me.  I looked around and noticed Ripley standing, looking out of the glass wall.  I got up and went to him, “Ripley, are you okay?”  He glanced my way, “I am fine.  Come here and look.”  I stood next to him and looked out the window.  There were dark figures moving around in the snow.  I felt pinpricks all over my body and shivered.

“What's going on?  Who are they?” I asked.  “I do not know,” he answered.  “Does Aris know?” I asked.  “Yes.  I let him know about an hour ago.  He said that they will not be able to find us,” he answered, “The cabin is invisible.”  “Can they see us if we go out to smoke?” I asked, suddenly wanting a cigarette really bad.  “Yaris said to smoke in the hot tub room.  It has a vent,” he answered, “do you want to?”  I nodded my head yes.  He went to the plush chair in the corner and slipped his sweatpants on over his pajama shorts.  I changed to a sweat suit.  He put his slippers on, but went without a shirt.  If I wasn't so on edge I might have admired the view.  He took my hand and led me down stairs, through the house and into the hot tub room.  We went and sat at the table and chairs.  There was already an ashtray on the table with a cigarette butt in it.

“Have you already been down here?” I asked.  “About an hour ago,” he answered.  “How long have you been up?” I asked.  “About an hour and a half ago I woke up with a funny feeling and could not go back to sleep, so I got up and looked out the window and saw three of them,” he answered.  “How many have you counted?” I asked.  “Five, so far,” he answered, “we will see different ones from this vantage point.”  “What will happen if they come this way?” I asked.  “Yaris said that if they figure it out, if we get worried, you know where the safe room is,” he answered.  “Okay,” I agreed.

He lit me a cigarette, then one for himself.  I took a long draw off of it, feeling odd about smoking indoors.  Just then, I saw a figure through the window.  “Do not worry,” he told me, “they are not any closer than they were an hour ago.”  I relaxed a little.  We smoked in silence, then just sat there and watched out the windows for awhile.  “Ripley,” I spoke up.  He looked at me.  “I’m sorry that I’m such a problem,” I apologized.  “Jade, you are not the problem,” he told me, “I actually think that I am the problem this time.”  The confusion must have been written all over my face.  “Those who support Theo, want him to have his position back,” he explained, “They think that he lost it fraudulently.”  “They don't get to decide that, I do,” I told him.  “I know,” he agreed, “but they think that we should have explained it to you before considering the rejection official.”  “That may be, but it didn't happen and I have made my decision.  I am not going to choose Theo over you,” I told him.  He smiled, relieved, “Thank you Jade.  I know that it has not been easy.  I am trying.”  “I know you are.  I am too,” I agreed.

“So what do we have to do to fix this?” I asked him.  “I am waiting to hear from Yaris,” he answered.  “Well, while we wait, can we eat some apple pie?” I asked.  He smiled.  “I need to keep watch.  Do you want to bring it in here?” he asked.  “Definitely,” I answered, hopping up out of my seat and heading for the door.  He caught my hand and pulled me back to him.  I leaned down and kissed him.  He released me, “hurry back and leave all of the doors open on your way there.  Close the doors on your way back.  So that I can hear you if there is a problem.”  “Okay,” I agreed.  I went to the kitchen leaving all of the doors open as requested.  I looked out the window and didn't see anything.  I got the pie off of the counter, two plates, two spoons and a knife.  I shut the doors as I headed back to the hot tub room.  Ripley was waiting for me, watching out the window intently.

“Any change?” I asked.  “No, the same,” he answered.  I set the pie and the plates down and handed him the knife.  He cut me a corner piece then cut himself a side piece.  I took a bite.  I closed my eyes, chewed slowly then swallowed.  I opened my eyes.  He was watching me intently.  “This is the best pie I have ever had,” I told him.  He smiled, smugly, “I am glad you like it.”  “I love it.  Thank you.”  I finished that piece and had another.  He did too.  “I think that I want pie for breakfast too,” I told him, “Then I need to work out in the gym for like an hour.”  He smiled, “You can have pie as long as you eat some eggs first and you do not look like you need to workout.”  “I do,” I told him, “I need to get back in the habit.”

We both stood up.  “I will help you this time,” he told me.  I picked up the pie and he got the dishes.  In the kitchen he fished a lid out of the cabinet for the pie.  We just left it sitting on the island.  He left the dishes in the sink for later.  I headed for the living room, “I will get the wine.”  “I put it in the refrigerator,” he told me getting the bottle out.  I got two glasses and we went back to the hot tub room.  He poured me some wine and some for himself.  Then he lit us both cigarettes.  I tried to drink it slower, but wasn't sure if I was drinking slow enough.  “You are doing fine,” he told me, watching out the window.  “Did they leave?” I asked, not seeing anyone.  “I think so,” he answered, “They probably got cold.”  “Are you cold?  Would you like a shirt?” I asked him.  “I have one over here from earlier,” he told me putting a sweatshirt on.

“Is there a bathroom out here?” I asked.  “No, but there should be,” Ripley answered, “You will have to use the one off of the hallway.”  I got up and hurried, leaving the doors open like before.  Except the bathroom door.  I have rules against that.  I did my business, washed my hands, then opened the door.  I turned and headed down the hallway.  The door to the exercise room was closed and I know I left it open.  I felt the pins and needles all over.  I halted and glanced behind me.  I saw a figure and took off at a run.  I reached the door and glanced behind me.  The figure was coming fast.  I opened the door, went through and locked it.  He smacked the door with force.  I didn't recognize him.  I turned and went through the door to the hot tub room, shut and locked it.  “Ripley,” I turned toward him.  He was sitting in his chair facing the window.  Someone else was sitting in my chair pointing a funny looking gun at him.  Aris help!!!  I am on my way.

“Is this the beautiful Jade?” the man turned to look at me, “come here let me have a look at you."  I felt my clothes change.  I slowly walked around to where I was standing in front of them.  Trust your skin Jade.  “You are quite the beauty,” the man told me, “the rumors do not do you justice.”

“Who are you and what do you want?” I asked, not giving in to flattery.  “I am Ian and I want you,” he told me.  “What do you want me for?” I asked.  “Power, sex.  I want it all,” he answered.  “You can't  have power or sex,” I told him.  “And why is that?” he asked.  “I wear a chastity belt,” I told him, “It won't unlock unless I love you and I want to.”  “So you just need to spend some quality time with me.  That can be arranged,” he still had the gun trained on Ripley.  “I don't think that I want to,” I told him.  “And why not?” he asked.  “You have a gun trained on my boyfriend,” I answered.  “Your boyfriend, huh?  I thought he was just your bodyguard,” he commented.  “He is my second?” I volunteered.  “Who is your first?”  “Yaris.”  “Yaris, huh?”  I saw a flash of fear in his eyes.  “Yes,” I decided to use the fear, “he should be here soon.”  “If he is not already here,” Ripley stated.  Ian glanced behind himself, as if expecting the boogeyman to sneak up on him.  “If you give yourself up, Yaris will go easier on you,” I told him.  “I do not think so,” Ian replied, “my chances are better with you two as my hostages.”

I sat down on the floor with my legs crossed, “take the gun off of him, or else,” I commanded.  “What are you going to do?” he smiled, well a snarl that was supposed to be a smile.  Try to keep him alive for questioning.  Will do.  I raised my hand, palm up.  A small silver marble appeared.  I blew on it.  It flew around Ian, like a bee buzzing around and affixed to his right temple.  He dropped the gun and started clawing at it, but couldn't gain purchase.  “Stop,” I commanded.  He stopped and rested his hands on the chair's arm rests.  Ripley retrieved the gun, “the others have been captured.  I am going to unlock the door.”  I just remained seated and waited.  A couple of minutes later, Ripley returned followed by Aris.

Aris rushed to me and knelt down at my side.  “Jade, are you okay?” he asked, looking at my eyes funny.  “I’m fine Aris.  I’m so glad to see you.”  “Can you see me?” he asked.  “Of course I can,” I answered, “why?”  “Your eyes look like mirrors,” he sent me a picture of what I looked like.  “It is just because of the optical orb.  It will fade soon,” I explained, unsure of how I know this.  I pointed to Ian’s right temple, “Ian will tell you everything that you want to know.  He will also respond to your commands.”

Aris stood and helped me to my feet.  “Ripley, are you okay?” I looked at him.  “I’m fine,” he told me.  It was then that I noticed the bruise on his cheek.  “Your cheek,” I rushed to him.  I reached up and kissed his bruise, “it will be fine soon.”  “I actually hurt worse in other places.  They caught me by surprise,” he told me.  “Me too.  I was just faster than they expected,” I whispered.

I turned to Aris, “I suppose that you are leaving again.”  He looked at me apologetically, “I have to question our prisoners.”  “Will I see you tomorrow?” I asked.  “I will do my best,” he answered.  “Will we still be having that tribunal over Theo?” I asked.  “I am unsure, right now.  I will let you both know,” he promised. 
He commanded Ian to stand up.  Ian stood up.  He gave Ian commands all of the way to the back door.  Antony, Kale and two others stood waiting.  Ian’s men sat on the floor with collars around their necks and handcuffs on.  Kale snapped a collar on Ian and put handcuffs on him.  “Take them,” Aris commanded, “make sure that the orb on Ian's right temple does not get damaged.”  I heard a beep and a buzz, then I felt a tremble in the floor and the room got hazy.  They all disappeared, leaving Aris, Ripley and I alone.  I stared at the empty space in awe.  “Where did they go?  What just happened?” I asked, “And can I try it?”  “They were just transported to the prison,” Aris smiled, “I suppose that if you break the law, you can try it.”  “Seriously, can I try it sometime?”  “Yes,” he answered, “but not tonight.  You need to get Ripley to bed.  He is not looking so good.”

I looked at Ripley.  He didn't look good.  “Are you ready for bed?” I asked him, “do you need help to get there.”  “Some help would be great,” he gritted out, supporting himself by leaning against a wall.  “I will help you,” Aris went to him.  I followed them up the stairs and to the bedroom.  Aris helped Ripley into bed and covered him up, “Jade is going to walk me out.  She will come right back.”  Ripley grunted his agreement.
I turned off the light and followed Aris downstairs.  We went on the back porch to smoke a cigarette.   He lit me one, then lit one for himself.  “Have you two been getting along okay?” he asked.  “Actually, we have,” I answered, “he even baked me the best apple pie.”  “I am glad to hear it,” Aris told me, “be patient with him.  He is a baby when he is in pain.”  “Okay,” I agreed.

We finished our cigarettes and he moved closer to me.  “I miss you,” he told me, putting both hands on each side of my face.  He leaned in and kissed me.  “I miss you too,” I told him, “please come back tomorrow.”  He kissed me longer and deeper this time.  “I will do my best,” he told me after our kiss.  I waited while he got on a snowmobile and watched until I could no longer see him.