When Jessica landed the ship, my body sprang into action. I ran as fast as my legs can carry me to Tristan. It's been months since I've seen Tristan. I need to know what happened after the beach. I need to know if he's okay. When I finally got to him, my arms coiled around his shoulders like a spring. My head against his chest as I feel his arms coil me into an embrace. As we hugged, my embrace became tighter and tighter. It wasn't until Tristan tapped me on the shoulder that I realized how tight my hug was. Immediately, I loosened up but I would not let go. We stood there in silence. We said nothing about what happened to us. It was like we both wanted to acknowledge what happened in the past and move on without words. However, my curiosity wasn't satisfied with just a hug or silence. Silence won't resolve what happened on the beach. We need to talk. But should we do it here? Or should we wait and do it when the Plexions aren't trying to invade Earth? I don't know; but one of us must speak. I look up at Tristan. His bleeding green eyes meet mine. We both know we need to address this. But how? Who's going to clear the air? I moved my mouth to speak just as Tristan did to. However, no words came out. When I tried to speak, my throat had suddenly felt like sand paper. I couldn't do this, but I have to know. I must know what happened to him. Again I try to speak and again I couldn't do it. This is impossible! Why can't I just ask him? There's nothing to be nervous about. I don't know, but I just can't. Suddenly, a loud voice broke my contemplation. I look over to where the voice sounded.

"Awww! Rain! I didn't know you had a boyfriend!" Jessica yelled. Immediately, embarrassment flooded through my face. Heat rushed from all directions to my cheeks. While I couldn't see it, I could tell I was blushing. Jessica came over to us. When she did, I felt her hand rub through my brown hair. Even more heat rushed to my face. Me and Tristan are not together! We are just friends!

"You two are the cutest! I think I approve." Jessica smiled at us. Immediately, I buried my face in Tristan's chest. I can't take any more of this. It's so embarrassing! However, me wanting to hide seemed to make Jessica tease me more.

"Aww, don't be shy Rain. I won't tell anyone. I promise" With that, Jessica took her leave. Of course, when she left the embarrassment instantly went away. With the embarrassment gone, another emotion came to take it's place. An awkward silence filled the void between us like an expanding balloon. What we wanted to talk about was pushed away. It wasn't until Tristan spoke that the awkward silence finally disappeared. When he spoke, I could hear the awkwardness in his voice.

"So... who's she?" I took my head out of his chest.

"Her name's Jessica. She's the Plexion I healed earlier" I said as I tried to mask my awkwardness. Tristan nodded and looked at me. Again our eyes met and again we knew we had to talk. Tristan opened his mouth.

"Rain, are we going to stop hugging or...?"

"Oh! Sorry..." Tristan uncoiled his arms and looked at me. I tried to uncoil mine but I found they couldn't move. I tried my best to pull them off, but I couldn't. Are my arms asleep? This is a bad time for them to be asleep. This is going to make things more awkward. Seeing me struggle, Tristan offers me a helping hand. He grabs my arms and uncoils them. When he did, my arms went numb and fell at my side like rocks.

"Thank you" I say, my voice still riddled with awkwardness. Tristan nods. Because of the awkwardness, I turned my head toward the ground. Meanwhile, Tristan turned his head.

"Looks like it's going to rain again. We should get going." Tristan walked forward and I followed him. Our path lead us through several thin areas. Each area we went though was lined with white tents. When I looked inside, I saw several people inside beds. This must be a medical camp. My eyes scanned the people for any signs of infection. After about a minute, I didn't see anything so I just went on. As I continued to follow Tristan, my pace began to slow down. Pain surged through my feet and knees like a monstrous wave. I can't stand anymore, I have to find a place to rest. With my pace far behind his, I notice Tristan come back. A look of concern flashes through his eyes.

"Are you okay, Rain?" Tristan asks. I shake my head.

"I have to find a place to rest. My feet can't take anymore." Tristan nods and starts to walk beside me. We took a few more steps before I felt something hit my head. On instinct, my hands reach up into my hair and find water. Rain... we need to get where we're going soon or we'll be soaked. My feet swiftly start to walk faster. Each step I took felt like I was standing on hot coals. Despite this, I pushed forward and we finally made it inside a small trailer. On the outside, the trailer looked very small and narrow. But on the inside, it was larger and more spacious than I thought. When we entered, a harmony of voices all quieted at once. Everyone's eyes were on us. Me and Tristan find a seat just as one more person comes in. When we take our seat, I see Jessica come near us. She sits down beside us. In this room, there were about seven people. Besides us and Jessica, the rest of the people were government officials. Out of all of them, I recognized Agent Jackson. When I saw her, a feeling of relief swept through my being. I see she's made it out alive. Thank goodness. Suddenly, the lights in the building dimmed and a woman stood up. While I didn't know who she was, I could tell she was important. After all, only she was the only one wearing a clean looking military outfit. When I looked at her, my bones instantly chilled. Her very look put ice through my veins.

"Good afternoon everyone. For everyone not informed, I'm Secretary Amelia Jefferson. And I'm the head of the Department of Homeland Security. As you all know from the broadcast this morning, we are not alone in this universe." Beside me, I heard Tristan grunt. Obviously we aren't alone in this universe. When my eyes turned to look at Tristan, I noticed how stern his gaze was. That gaze instantly brought memories of the beach. Speaking of which, I need to talk to him about that. Anyway, I refocus on what the Secretary is saying.

"These aliens plan to invade our planet if we don't find Rain Everest. Fortunately, we have Rain right here." The Secretary gestured toward me. Instantly, an entire room's gaze fell on me like a sack of bricks.

"Rain Everest, I'm sure you and your friends have experience in dealing with these aliens. Do you mind sharing with us?" Knowing this wasn't optional, I stood up along with Tristan and Jessica.

"So tell us, what can we do to stop these aliens?" The Secretary said, her voice disguising desperation. Tristan spoke up first.

"These aliens that you refer to are called Plexions. And unlike what you think, you cant stop them." Instantly, whispers of worry and astonishment went through the room.

"You can't be serious! No way are they unstoppable! Can we shoot them?" An older gentlemen said. Tristan shook his head.

"Bullets won't work on them. You can't stop them using guns. The only way to stop them is to let Rain take care of them. That's our only option. And since they want Rain, we might as well should give her to them. Right Rain?" Tristan's eyes floated to me. When he said that, it was like the room exploded. Every government official got up and was yelling why we shouldn't give me away. To be honest, I was glad that these people cared for me. But Tristan had a point, I can't stay here. The Earth will be invaded and infected if I don't.

"We can't let you leave. It's too dangerous! We can fight them!" Agent Jackson said, confidence in her voice. Tristan's stern expression loosened a bit.

"Do you think so? Let me tell you, you can't. Those Plexions have advanced weaponry. Not to mention they have a virus so powerful that one drop can destroy an entire country. I don't want to crush your bubble, but you can't win. You saw what happened in Weddington, that will happen all over the world if we don't go to the Plexions with Rain! Right Rain?" Tristan said. I nod.

"Look, we can't defeat them. You might as well should just let me go up there anyway." Voice of agreement and disagreement go through the room.

"All those in favor of letting Rain go?" Agent Jackson said. Slowly, hands rose around the room. With almost all hands raised, it was guaranteed. Me, Tristan, and Jessica will be going up to the Plexion ship. We will finally stop the Plexions from destroying Earth.