Chapter 5: A Hard Day, Long Night

Anger, fear and worry flowing through her in wave as she reminded herself to breath to keep calm. Taking a deep breath Phoenix lifted his head to her. "I am the leader of the warriors or soldiers as you call them like the head General or whatever higher status you use. I must always protect and put my people first. Anyone who claims to be friends with D'marlians must undergo tests and or earn the trust of either my brothers, other high leaders who get approval from us or myself." Looking at his brother who just nodded his head to him to continue.

Looking back to her. "D'marlians especially royal ones such as ourselves are gifted with certain what you call powers. We have technology like a chip that can go into your neck that will help you understand other languages. However my brothers and I can gift it telepathically. Anyone we deem to be a friend to our people must have the ability to speak our language as a sign of trust. Also I put a little thing in your body to test if you have ever lied to me. If you have lied you would be sore as you are as your body would fight against the work it was doing. If you were lying to me or trying to cause harm to our people your heart would have stopped and it would have killed you." She looked at him like he just betrayed all her trust.

"We also have the gift we will call it once you trust in me or grant us permission to look into your head like we can see in you memories of what you give us access to. That's what we did when you hit the floor in pain Nikolan needed to know more about you and your plans before he put his trust and mate into your hands." Phoenix said in a low but firm voice. "You know if you really didn't trust me this much you could have just said so in the beginning. I thought we were working for the same goal if you really don't trust me than why the hell are you here? Why stay here for months? Why come forward to me at all? Huh? What have I done for you to betray my trust in you to this extent?" She roared to him.

Phoenix put his head down for a moment thank looked back up to her sadly. While Nikolan stepped forward anger. "You are a stranger. You tell my brother you want to stick needles and extract my mates blood from her. My people have been through enough. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH! So many of your father and his people lies. How can I trust you are not the same your blood line comes from his as well right? How do I know you won't do other more test to put her through hell. I won't have it. I won't let you hurt us anymore than we have been. I needed to know your true intentions before I even entertained the thoughts of anything else. We did this to protect ourselves. We have the right!" Nikolan screamed back at her.

"I ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT TO NOT HAVE MY INNER THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES VIOLATED BY STRANGERS! You are also a stranger yet you prodded through my mind without permission. You have already done more damage to me than I have to you. Why the hell would I put myself through all this to lie to you? Yes I have my fathers blood line but that does not mean we have the same ideals or beliefs." She stood up as she fumbled trying to catch her balance shoving Phoenixes hands away as he wanted to help her.

"I also shared my mothers blood. I am the only one who can understand her work because we are one of the same. That thought didn't cross your mind though did it. Tell me. Huh, tell me all the horrible things I have lied to him about. What evidence you have to violate and deceive my trust in an alien I never met before. If I were truly to wish harm or ill intentions to you why would I keep his existence a secret all the way up to now. Why wouldn't I have already turned him in?" Looking at both of them as they looked to each other.

"If I really just wanted to experiment on you why wouldn't I have just entrapped him and started on him. He is the only who knows where you are right because you can't exactly move around so if I took away the main source of your life sources that he brought you it would be a matter of a time before you would appear and then I could easily entrapped you both as well right? If I wasn't serious about wanting to finish what my mother had started why would I even bother telling him to get her blood when I could as easily just taken his? I have never lied to you." She told Phoenix in a choked voice in the end that hurt both males feelings in the end.

"You have no imprinted mate you wouldn't understand the lengths one would go to, to keep them safe. I needed to know more about you and I am not sorry for how we went about it. Phoenix had no choice in giving you the gift in our language otherwise it would be a betrayal to our kind. He gave you our peoples blessing and is able to let you communicate with us freely. That is one of the only few ways I can instill my trust in you. I had to be sure you are not just sprouting lies like your father did. He tormented us while your mother healed us. I will never let anyone o that to me or my family again." Nikolan told her flatly.

"With the gift of the voice of our people or spoken tongue you can know hear us telepathically as well only those with high status or royal blood can talk to you through their mind to yours. However if you grant anyone access to let them in your head they can also read any memories you want to share but unlike us they can't go beyond what you want them to see." He told softly making sure she was aware of everything he was telling her. Looking at him with a blank look trying to grind her jaw or bite off her tongue.

"Little one you may feel angry now but it had to be done there was no other choice for me. You never gave me a reason to not trust you. I still trust you fully. You know as well as I do that sometimes ones word is not enough, it needs to be proven with special cases. I know you understand where we are coming from when ones family safety is on the line. Our imprinted Mates are a whole other issue. They are connected to us on a soul to soul level. Once a D'marlians mates we mate for life. Once we imprint on a mate our emotions and minds connect we can hear them in our head, we can feel what they feel. We can give them our energy to help heal them. Depending on the couple some even get cut when one gets cut. They share wounds and pain. If one dies depending on the couple the other one will soon after too."

"You will also age the same as we do and a lot of other things. I had to do this because its not just my people or my brothers mate its my brother as well who is effected by everything you do to her. You are effectively doing twice. You are not healing one person you are healing two and a family behind them. This work you are doing goes way beyond so much more than one person." "You put my body through hell right now. You had no right to physically harm me. That's exactly what you did. You know how many other ways we could have gone about this." She told him softly in anger.

"Like how?!" Nikolan asked her with a scoff. "You could have asked me you ass hat. Your royal blood you would be able to see into my mind as long as I gave you access to it right? Can't hide nothing after that. If you would have approached me and spoke to me I would have done whatever I could to get you comfortable with the situation. I know humans have a lot to make up for you people. But this. Doing this what makes you any better right now? Did you not only attack me on sight but experimented on my mind without consent. What makes either one of you better? That's the thanks you show my mother. Hurting her daughter." She asked them as they both quickly turned away.

"It only hurt because you lied." Nikolan mumbled low but loudly. "The hell you just say. I've NEVER LIED TO HIM!" She pointed to Nix. "Not us Ana. No you never lied to us. You lied to your friends and worse off yourself. For a lot of things. My heart breaks for you little one. You truly don't deserve the things you are going through. The thing you were told. You a truly a fighter every possible. It has earned both our respect." Phoenix told her. Nikolan nodding his head.

"It is true I do have respect for you little one I know and understand everything you are trying to do now. I am not nor will I ever apologize for how I had to go about giving it to you though. I don't care what species you are you always go to extremes to make sure your family is protected. You have earned the trust of the people. It will make things a lot easier now." Nikolan told her with a small slight smile like he was proud. He was proud they just introduced another human to their kind. She now had a place in their society it was a special thing to their kind. Only few humans have ever been granted permission. Now she could be given a tattoo to be a member of their world as she was not only a soldier but one helping the royal family. She defeated Nikolan that gave her soldier status. Worthy to guard the royal family another highest honor.

Looking at them both she was now completely pist. Not caring anymore if she was being reasonable. "Get out." She told them looking back and forth at them. "What?" Phoenix was confused never hearing this tone of voice off her unless her father came. It was anger, hurt. The feeling of betrayal he only heard it when her father would visit as he watched silently as she spoke to him the statue of the wall. He knew the tone. "I said get the FUCK OUT! Don't come back without permission to be here. If I grant it to you. You attacked me. You shoved unwanted things into my body with out any warning or consent. I no longer give a flying fuck about your trust when you shatter mine. So get the fuck out and go and do what ever the hell you want. For right now I am not helping you do shit but leave." She looked at Nix in the eyes.

"Are you being serious little one?" Nix asked her a little shocked. "Deadly serious. You did this. You did this to me. Your good with human phrases well here's one for you. You made your bed now you can lie in it." Grabbing her things. "When I come back tomorrow none of you better be here. Find another place to live in. You better be not here or trust me you'll be sorry." She was barley holding together walking out the door. "Little one wait a minute just." "MY NAME IS ANALEIGH! So help me if you try to push me anymore right now I will send you directly to whatever fucking higher power you think you believe in. Just stop." Getting in the elevator and getting off Eddie rushed to her.

"What the hell happened to you? Do you need a doctor?" Eddie face colored paled looking at her she looked bruised and like she need to vomit. "I'm fine. I had a little fall earlier while hiking. What you see is the glorious look of the after effects." Ana said practically musically. "You seriously think I'm dumb enough to buy that?" "I live in a cabin in the damn woods Eddie. I went hiking and since its been so long I didn't notice the damn hill and hole." She sighed telling him in the voice that he would believe.

"Fine. Guess that's why you came in so early than. Must be hard to move around. You have got to be feeling it. Analeigh you really need to go home and rest up." Eddie told her leaving no room for argument. "You are absolutely right. I just needed to come in real quick and check on some things. I am leaving right now. Have good shift Eddie. Call me if anything happens." She teased as Eddie had probably already sent a mass group text out to everyone about what I look like. "The fuck I will." He mumbled.

Walking out with her glasses on and doing her best to avoid everyone which is why she went when there would be the least amount of foot traffic roaming around. Quinn and Jaxon both at the door to meet her both out of breath. "Are you guys alright she asked worried about the two full grown men huffing and puffing bent over holding their side. "Are we… Are you serious have you seen you?" Quinn was gasping out to her. "Babe what the hell happened? Did someone hit you?" She has never seen or heard Jaxon sound so… pissed. The anger raging off him was so foreign to her. Noticing now she needed to get them to calm down.

"Look guys I went hiking really early this morning it's been a long time since I went down an old trail and didn't see the little hole and apparently it help me trip down a hill. It was just a stupid accident alright. I just thought I needed some air and didn't pay attention. Ok. Calm down it looks worse than it is." She smiled at them. "It looked like some one tried to beat on you. Seriously cuz you look like you got you jumped unsuccessfully." Quinn told her standing closer to her as Jaxon had one of his hand on her biceps, and one hand carefully holding her face looking at her over at all the little cuts, scratches and bruising both light and noticeable.

"Ana." Jaxon asked her as quiet as he could. "Answer me honestly. Did some man hit you?" Looking in his eyes she felt bad but she would give him honesty. "No Jax no other human laid a hand on me. We both know I could handle them easy. This was a surprise freak accident. I swear there was nothing I could do to stop. I never saw it coming but I promise I will be more alert and aware in the future." She held her fingers as mocking promise salute. Both men looked at each other knowing she was telling the truth.

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?!" Her father roared marching up to her as he saw her from across the way doing aa double take before storming up to her. "Please scream louder dad I don't think anyone from the upper floors are looking yet." She growled to him making him reel back his shock and anger to lower his voice he didn't want to cause a scene. "What the hell happened?" He asked again. "A hiking accident. I feel down a hill. I am fine. I already checked on my projects and." "To hell with the projects are you alright? Do you need the doctor?" Her father was racing questions out. She's never seen him look so concerned and worried. Well at least not since her mothers funeral.

"I'm fine. I am going home now to rest up for about three days. I'll be back Friday." To be honest with her self she was a little sore getting tossed around the lab did leave her bones in some pain. "You can take the rest of the week and come back when you are able. Not a day before." Her father warned her. "I'm taking today off." Jaxon said looking in her eyes. "I'm really fine and ok." She pressed again. "I'm going home with you. You are walking a little funny and need to address these wounds and I can bet there are some you can't reach like the one between your shoulders and upper back. Damn it he's right. "That's good Jaxon get her settled at home and take care of her." Her father said one last time as all men begin to walk away leaving no room for protest.

Walking outside she saw Sienna and Jace as they leaned against her car as they always parked close to her. Jace reaching out his hand for Ana to slap him a low five. "Keys Ana." Jace grunted to her I am fine. "Your hobbling a little on your driving foot your not fine enough to put pressure on it." He pointed out. "I am seriously fine you guys are over reacting. I live literally minutes from here." They all just gave her a look. Sienna got in her and Jace vehicle and Jaxon lifted her bridal style to his truck and buckled her in.

"I can't believe how over the top and ridiculous you all are being. You guys are nuts you know that right?" She told him crossing her arms looking at him for him to give her a look that he was not amused. "Do you have any idea what you look like right now. What your body looks like right now. My god some of those scratches are still bleeding Ana you said you feel this morning like HOURS ago. You look like you tried to fuck around and find out with something twice your size." He told her as they were driving down the road.

"What if something worse happened to you. What if you would have slammed your head you know how many boulders are around there? What if you would have damaged you stomach or your lower half. You know how big a deal it would be if you had to get reevaluated and tested for fertility capability?" That caught her attention quick for a moment she really believed he was worried for her. "Is that really what you're worried about? That's the whole issue right. My God." She said shaking her head with a tear starting to roll down.

"No Ana that's not the main issue but it could have been one of them." He tried to get some control on the conversation knowing how this sounded. "You right because what could be worse than getting engaged to someone who had a stupid accident and took away your chances for children right? That would be just so disgraceful. What a laughing joke you would be than right?" She mocked him with a scoff at the end.

"That's not what I meant and you know it. If by some chance or act of God either one of us can't have kids than so be. I don't care. If we have them in the future great if not that's just the way it's going to be. The most important thing to me is you. That you're healthy, happy and safe." He told her passionately looking back and forth to her and the road. Making her heart flutter a little. "So you're telling me you're parents would give their blessing for you to marry a woman who couldn't give them grandchildren?" She asked him with a slight tone.

"I don't give a flying fuck if our parents bless us or agree to us or not. As long as you are safe and healthy we will be fine. Look I know what I said right now came off sideways. BUT OUR relationship only needs to concerns us. Our wants, our needs, our dreams. We are building on the foundation of friendship and love here Ana. I know you aren't exactly on my level but that doesn't mean after all the years we spent together you don't love me in some type of way because I know you do. I just. Please in the future be more mindful of your surroundings. I can't handle it if something happens to you." Jax said as he stopped the car and turned it off. He waited a minute before turning to her and looking up.

He was right she did love her friend. A good marriage should always have that as part of a check list. I mean isn't that most people dreams to marry their friends. Well I think it's best friends but ew no can't do that. Gross. Making my stomach turn at the thought. FOCUS ANA! It was quiet as she was about to speak he beat her to it. "I know you were a soldier and there are probably times where you took on worse than this." He used his hand to signal how she currently looks. But you aint there any more Ana. You are scientist now doing the legacy your mother left you to complete. Think about it would she wish this for you. She would just want the same things for you as we all do." Jaxon said getting out of the car stretching for a minute trying to calm himself down.

Thinking over his words she wondered if he knew how hurtful they were. Slowly getting out of the car. Her car was already there guess Jace and Sienna already saw an uncomfortable fight and avoided it. "You know what Jaxon I want you to go." "WHAT?!" He was confused and a little more mad now. "I don't need you to sit around like some damn judgmental babysitter. You're right I am not was am a soldier. AND I have been through worse than this. Which means I am a big girl who can take care of herself." She said stepping half to him.

"My mother would have wanted me to follow my own dreams not chase hers and what my father wants for me. She would want me to be true and honest with myself. She would want my real happiness. Is that the same things you all want for me as well because if so you and my father have a real shitty way of showing it. Definitely on how you word it. Everyone wants me to finish off my mothers legacy you know how stupid that sounds when you really think about it." She asked snapping at him.

"To finish something that will never be finished?" Looking at him like he's dumb. "You are scientist you know with all the damn advancements people make everyday in this damn profession that the work is never fucking down it's always been upgraded and improved. Since she is no longer here to keep up with your advances in the world my dad roped me in to do it for her. Even if it's on work she never would have done. What about me? Huh. What about any work I would want to do after being dragged here to do this? What if I wanted to build something of my own. What if I wanted my own damn legacy to pass down. Do you really think you or my father would let me work in the technology of weapons? The testing of them out in the field. Aren't those things scientist also do?"

Jaxon was getting a little more mad now from the guilt of knowing that would never happen. He would also never encourage it to. He would never willing let her do things to put her life in danger anymore. This was not only his friend but his future wife he had a responsibility to her. To protect her when he could and he would do so by all means necessary even from herself. The annoying question ringing in his mind. But is it right? "You don't even need to say anything I already got my answers off you." Shaking her head in disappointment that made his heart sink.

"I don't want to fight with you when you're in this type of condition." He said lowly. "What condition would that be honest? You the one who said this relationship is going to work by talking about things that bothers us and working it out. Apparently though the solutions are easy to work out for you. When all the answers are based on your terms right? That's how this whole thing has been going so far. Everything has been based on your terms Jaxon and I just have been along for the ride. I have been trying so hard have you even looked up to see how any of it is really effecting me though?"

"I see you Analeigh. Ok baby I know and seen and watched you coming through for us. I appreciate that so much. But you can't expect me to be happy when I look up and get a picture showing me you all battered up without being worried or concerned or with so many questions. You can't expect for me to be ok with you looking like this not being able to have stopped it or feeling a like a failure some way because I couldn't protect you from it. That's a big part of my job now Ana. It hurts me to see you like this. It hurts even more that you didn't even call me when it happened and tell you had gotten hurt. You knew how I would react a heads up would have been nice. IF the roles were reversed wouldn't you be angry if I didn't tell you what happened to me and seeing me battered up, face and arms and back all torn to hell and still bleeding."

"I wouldn't be mad." She spoke in honesty and he looked a little hurt for a second. "I wouldn't be mad or angry at all. I would be concerned for you. I would be sad for you because you would be sore in pain. I would clean you up. I would be next to you for support in any way you need it. I would ever be angry because I would trust you would tell me what happened and how when you were ready to tell me." Looking at her he finally felt nothing but remorseful. Analeigh was still the same as she has always been for years. He has been watching her try to change for him, but that's not who he fell for. This woman infront of him was his Ana.

"I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." She answered back. "Well we both said a lot of things. For now though. You don't hav eto worry about your job. There is no work for you here right now. The heavy burden of me can take care of myself and I still want you to leave." She said walking into her house away from him. "Ana I didn't call you a burden and that's not what I meant. You can't keep twisting my words around that's not fair." He tried grabbing her arm.

"No it's not fair when your partner describes you as a job. I get worrying and being protective is part of your role now in your new position in being in a relationship. I know all the stressing new parts of the duties it will entail. I never thought of us as being a job and I never wanted to think of my marriage as one. I know how much work it is and will be but I don't know if that's something I want to view my life as down the road. Maybe you should go home and rethink things over as well. I don't know if I can just be happy making my whole life around someone else's vision. I don't think I want ot life my life living in someone else shadow never being able to reach out for my own dreams because they aren't good enough in everyone else's vision. Maybe I don't want to live up to everyone else's ideas for me because the real version the real Analeigh just isn't enough. Tell me honestly when you think it through. If the real Analeigh is good enough for you or the one want me to be." Slamming the door in his face as he still stood closer to his car.

Shocked. Anger, hurt, guilt, sad heartbroken. How did it get this? How did I push her that far to think she isn't good enough? Does she really think that? Have I pushed her like her father to much into this. Making her try to hard. Am I that much work to please? Maybe I said some things I shouldn't have but people do that in the heat of the moment, right? How did it get to the point she rethinking everything. IS she just looking for a way out. No. She wouldn't have tried this hard if she wanted out all the way to now. Fuck! I FUCKED UP HARD!' Pacing for a minute with both hands behind his neck as he looked up at the door.

Wanting nothing more than to tare it down hug her waist and apologize to her. TO hold her close to him. To take care of her. How she going to reach those cuts on her back. So many things rushing through his head. Hating the only thing he could do right now is leave because she would never open the door for him now anyway she needed to feel what she feeling until she calmed down. Getting in his car he went home silently with a few tears rolling down his cheek thinking everything over.

Hearing his car drive away she finally felt herself breathe. Well that was a fucking mess. Went from 0 to 100 real quick. I guess it was my fault first but fuck how do I stay with him. He really isn't that bad. He was just stating facts now matter how shitty some of them were he was honest just like he promised he'd be. Well at least I was open and communicated like he wanted. "UGH!!" She grunted throwing her things down towards the living room and the hall when she heard it hit she noticed how wrong it sounded. Looking up grabbing her things picking them up.

Looking at her bag than the floor. Dropping it behind her just as hard She heard the firm hit. Picking up she was confused looking back to where it first landed. Throwing it down with a little more force to the first spot she heard it and saw the wooden part of the floor move a little. "Holy Shit!" Going to the kitchen for a flat headed screwdriver, and a thin crowbar she rushed back to the spot. Lifting the hidden wooden piece up she noticed there was a door handle over a big piece of what looked like an escape door. Holding her breath she never remembered this being here.

Looking at the floor a little more she put the board back looking at it closer. You could never see it with the naked eye unless you were looking for it. Walking over to the wall she saw a photo of her and her mother in front of a tree in the evening at sunset smiling to the camera it was about 11' x 15' it was different now. She never noticed how much the middle popped out little. Moving the picture to the side is when she saw a tiny black button looking like a dot on the way. Curiosity took over and she pushed it in.

The floor immediately popped up. "Holy Hell. Mom you neve fail to surprise me even after all these years. You more naughty than I thought." Shaking her head. Looking out the window as she closed and sealed every blind. Locking every door and window. Walking back over lifting the crow bar and her hand gun. It's been years who knows what is in there or found it's way in this thing. She looked down the handle was special it read your hand or finger prints as you grabbed it. As she grabbed it, a green light came on quickly and went off as she was able to lift the door. Going down the staircase that came to sight.

Looking around her mouth dropped at the full on lab and computer system she had just under the house no way anything had picked this up what technology was she using to not be able to detect anything. Looking over everything from pictures, to open books, journals. Whatever happened here happened in a tiny bit of a hurry. Turning around to a keyboard. She saw a scanner. Placing her thumb over it the screen brought its self to life. Her face held tears as she saw and heard someone she never will again. Her mother smiling to her. "Hello Ana." "Mom." She whispered.

"If you are watching this it means I am gone and it took you long enough tot come home and even longer to find my little club house. I am sure you are uncovering a whole mess of secrets right now. I am sure your father might even have lined up your fiancé and I know he's probably still being… well like your father. I am sorry I can't be with you through this honey. But I promise for now I will get you through as much as I can. I know Jaxon has given you my box and letter or you wouldn't have come this far. There are lots of things you will learn and uncover down here. I have devised many things to help you along the way. I will still always be right here for you my sweet girl." Tear rolling down her face as she nodded to her mother like she could still see her.

"You'll notice the door handle on the way. It is based on the skin cells and DNA. Basically only certain people or certain species can come into this little sanctuary and for good reasons. You must never tell anyone especially your father about this place Analeigh. It's very important. Those who are allowed in this place already know of this place. You won't have to seek them out they will come to you and they may be stand offish while they approach you. I swear no matter how offended you may get please trust it's for good reason. I'm sure by now you found some other little secrets of mine. There is so much I will go over with you. So I hope your grabbed a tea love because this may take a while. First things first. D'marlians." Her mothers face looked hard and sad at the same time. As Analeighs dropped. Better grab some sweet tea. This will be a long night.