Aris helped me down the stairs and to the kitchen table.  He pulled a seat out for me and I sat down.  “Dinner will not be ready for another fifteen minutes, if you would like to have a cigarette first,” came Lia's familiar voice from the kitchen.  I looked up and smiled at her weakly, glad to see her, “It's good to see you Lia.”  “It is good to see you, Jade,” she returned the greeting, “Are you feeling any better?”  “I think so,” I answered.  “Ripley made enchiladas.  I am heating them up now,” she told me.  “How is Ripley doing?” I asked.  “As good as can be expected,” she answered, “He is worrying over you.”

“Would you like a smoke?” Aris asked.  “Yes,” I answered, standing up.  He helped me out to the hot tub room and into a seat.  He handed me a lit cigarette.  “Once this fatigue is over, what happens next?” I asked him.  “You will be sex crazed until either you get pregnant, or the heat ends,” he answered.  “How long until the heat ends?” I asked.  “It is different for everyone,” he answered, “I have never heard of it lasting more than two weeks.”  “What's it like?” I asked.  “I am not sure,” he answered, “I know that your father could not leave your mother the whole time.  They had to go into seclusion, like we have.”  “I was supposed to spend time with Ripley.  Why am I not doing this with him?” I asked.  “Ripley does not heal fast like I do,” he answered, “you will probably get violent.  You may decide to get pregnant to end it.”

That scared me.  “How violent?” I asked.  “I do not know,” he answered, “that is why your mother got pregnant with you.  She did not like hurting your father.”  “And you're okay with me hurting you?” I asked.  “Yes,” he answered, “I am more worried about you hurting yourself.”  “What do you mean?” I asked.  “You have not been trained on any of your weapons,” he answered, “I am afraid that you will inadvertently hurt yourself.”  “Maybe I should just get pregnant,” I said, scared.  “Just wait,” he told me, “We will see how it is.  If that is the route you wish to take, we will do it.  But it may not be that bad.”  “Okay,” I agreed.

We finished our cigarettes and went back to the kitchen.  The enchiladas smelled heavenly.  Aris got them out of the oven and dished them up.  He brought us both some.  He got me a diet Coke and himself a regular Coke out of the refrigerator.  I waited for him to sit, then took a bite.  The enchiladas tasted better than ever.  Aris got us both seconds , then he had a third serving, “Ripley really outdid himself this time.”  I agreed, “I am so full.”  “There is also Apple pie,” Lia said walking back into the kitchen, “I changed your bed and started some laundry.  Is there anything else you need before I go?”  “No, that will be all.  Please tell Ripley that his enchiladas are exceptional tonight,” Aris answered, “I am going to have to wait on the pie, though.”  “Me too,” I agreed, rubbing my belly.

“Well, Max is waiting for me in the car.  If there is nothing else, I will take my leave of you,” Lia offered again.  “Please assure Ripley that I am taking excellent care of Jade,” Aris told her, “That will be all.”  “Goodnight then.”  “Goodnight,” I told her.  “Lia, I will walk you out,” Aris stood up.  They headed to the front door.  A few minutes later, Aris came back, followed by Ripley.  I could feel the smile on my face light up.  He came and sat in the chair next to me, “how are you feeling?”  “Better now that you are here,” I answered.

“Would you two like a cigarette?” Aris asked.  We both agreed, standing up.  I faltered.  Ripley caught me and picked me up.  “I’m sorry.  I don't know what's wrong with me,” I told him.  “It is okay.  You are just weak,” he told me.  I relaxed my head against his shoulder and smelled peaches.  I breathed in deep.  We followed Aris to the hot tub room.  Ripley took a seat and kept me on his lap.  Aris handed each of us a lit cigarette, then lit one for himself.

“You know, you smell really good?” I asked Ripley.  He smiled, “I do?”  I nodded my head yes, breathing him in deep again.  “I was just thinking about how I wish that I had showered before I came,” he told me.  “No.  You smell perfect,” I whispered.  “Is this part of it?” he asked Aris.  “Yes,” Aris answered, “heightened senses.”  “I’ll sniff you later,” I told Aris, “for now, I’ll just sniff Ripley.”  “Is that a promise?” Aris asked.  “Oh, yes,” I answered.  “Are you going to smoke that cigarette, or should I put it out?” Ripley asked.   I sat up and started smoking it.  “How do I smell?” I asked Ripley.  “Wonderful, as always,” he answered.

We finished our cigarettes and Ripley carried me to the living room sofa.  He gave me a kiss, “See you soon.”  Then Aris walked him to the front door.  I relaxed back into the sofa, eyelids heavy, and started to doze.  Sometime later, I felt the sofa shift next to me.  Aris put his arm around me and pulled me to lean on him.  I could feel the heat from the fire on my face.  I breathed him in deeply.  His scent was stronger than ever.  Mixed in with the fireplace smell, I found him to be intoxicating.  “Do I smell good?” he asked.  “Very,” I answered, waking up, “how about me?”  “Very alluring,” he answered, “Are you ready to go to bed?”  “Yes,” I answered.

He stood up, then helped me to my feet, “Can you walk?”  “I think so,” I answered.  He took my hand and led me upstairs and to the bedroom.  “Are you ready for this?” he asked.  “I think so,” I answered.  “If you are not sure, than it is not time,” he told me, “We need to sleep, if we can.  We may not get much over the next few days.  I will just push you to sleep.  Okay?”  I nodded my head in agreement.  We took off the robes and got into bed.  I snuggled close and laid my head on his chest.  At least I no longer have the body aches.  He didn't either as my hand didn't move anywhere.  I lifted my head and looked at Aris, “are you ready for this?”  “I will be ready when you are ready,” he promised.  I kissed him and put my head back on his chest.  My eyes grew heavy and soon I was asleep.

I awoke screaming and fighting from a bad dream.  Aris hugged me tight and said soothing words until I calmed down.  “What was the dream about?” he asked when I had calmed.  “I was with Ripley, making love, and he turned into a monster and I got scared and just couldn't get away,” I answered.  “What did the monster look like?” he asked.  What a strange question.  “Still like a man, but blue and covered in hair,” I answered, “sharp teeth.”

“Jade, has anyone discussed shifting with you?” he asked.  “What's shifting?” I asked.  “It is the ability to transform into a different physical form,” he answered, “we can all do it, including you.  I think that it was still Ripley that you were with.  You were having a sex dream.”  “Oh,” I said, not sure how I feel about having sex with an animal.  “He is not an animal,” Aris explained, “Ripley only changes when he is threatened or feels a strong emotional response.  He very well may change when you make love.”  “When do you change?” I asked him.  “I am much older and have more control.  I change when I need to,” he answered.  “When do you need to?” I asked.  “I never do,” he answered.  “Oh,” I said, disappointed that I won't get to see him change.

“I can change so that you can see,” he told me.  “Would you?” I asked, getting excited.  “Yes,” he answered, “I do not just do it though.  I can while we make love.  I will allow you to change too.”  “Do you keep me from changing?”  “Yes,” he answered, “Nathan said that you shifted with him.  So, I know that you have before.”  “Do you mean when I turned black and scaly, then changed to white and scaly?” I asked.  “So, you have shifted twice then,” he answered, “shifting can be a response to pain too.  You two bonded over pain.”  “I’m bonded with Ripley too, right?” I asked.  “Yes,” he answered, “You should not have any issues with making love to either of them.  Would you like for Ripley to come stay with you for a couple of days?  The dream signifies that you are ready for him.”  “What about my weapons?  I don't want to hurt him,” I answered.  “I have put a lock on your weapons,” he explained, “you should be fine.”  “Will you be upset if Ripley is here instead of you?” I asked.  “No,” he answered, “I will have my turn.  I will be surprised if Rip lasts two days.”  “Okay,” I agreed, “have Ripley come.”  “Okay.  He will be here as soon as possible,” Aris told me, “I suggest you go take a cold bath, while I get ready to go.”  “Why?” I asked.  “Because it has started.  A cold bath will help keep it at bay,” he answered, “The sex dream was the beginning.  I am helping you control it, but I can only do so much for you.  Go take the bath.”

I got up out of bed and went in the bathroom.  I turned the water on and got the toiletries out of the closet.  I put bubble bath in and got in the water.  It was a bit cold but felt refreshing.  I went under to wet my hair.  I washed and conditioned it, then washed my body.  Then I floated for a little while.  Aris brought our robes in and hung them in the closet.  “Ripley is at the door,” he told me, “I will be leaving now.  “Do I get a kiss?” I asked.  I stood up, in the tub, and he knelt down to meet my lips, “be a good girl.”  “You know me,” I replied.  He left to go let Ripley in.  I got out of the tub, put a robe and slippers on and wrapped my wet hair up in a towel.

I sat on the edge of the bed and took the towel out of my hair.  I rubbed at it with the towel, then brushed it.  I went downstairs and to the kitchen, where I heard voices.  Ripley was getting breakfast started.  “Mornin' Ripley,” I greeted.  I went and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  “Good morning,” he replied.  “It's kind of early for breakfast,” I told him.  It was still dark outside.  “You both need to eat,” Aris told me, “you will both burn a lot of calories.”  “Are you staying to eat,” I asked him.  “Yes,” he answered, “just to eat.  Then I will go.”

Ripley made French toast, bacon and sausage.  It tasted just as good as it smelled.  I ate extra, remembering Aris’ many warnings about needing to eat.  I waited for them to finish eating.  Then when they were done, they both stood and began cleaning up.  “You can go now,” Ripley told Aris.  “This will not get done if I leave,” Aris told him.  He stopped what he was doing and looked at Aris, “Is she ready right now?”  “Yes,” Aris answered, “when I leave, I will not control her anymore.  She may be aggressive.  Do not get angry with her.  She can not help it.”  “Okay,” Ripley went back to loading the dishwasher.

“Can I help?” I got up from my seat and walked to Ripley.  He grabbed my thighs and sat me on the island, “no.  You can talk to us, though.”  “What should I talk about?” I asked.  “Whatever you want,” he answered.  “Aris told me that I need to be a good girl,” I started, “I don't know what he means by that.  Aren't I always a good girl?”  Aris looked up from sweeping the floor and smiled at me.  “Most of the time,” Ripley muttered.  “What do you mean ‘most of the time?’” I asked.  “Are you picking a fight with me?” he asked.  I just smiled at him mischievously.  “Talk about something else,” he told me.  “I don't have anything else to talk about,” I told him.  “Then sit quietly until you do,” he told me.