Grey glanced at the rearview mirror. Nicia slept with her head resting on Sheral's shoulder. Sheral smiled back at the mirror and Grey's reflection. On the passengers side, Nersal sat silently with his eyes closed as if meditating.

"She's asleep," Sheral informed him in a soft voice.

"She was hitting the drinks a bit hard."

"She'll be fine," Sheral reassured him.

"Hell," Grey exclaimed as he pulled up to the cabin and saw Drake's car in front of the garage.

"What's wrong," asked Sheral.

"John showed up early. He wasn't supposed to be here until tomorrow."

"That's your friend who flew with you in your military, right?"

"Yes. He also helped me escape with Nicia, and he helped me find where you were being held," Grey said as he pulled the SUV beside John's car.

"So if he knows about us, where's the problem?" asked Nersal.

"That's just it, I haven't told him everything about Nicia and Sheral or my first meeting with Geheran. As far as he knows, you're all human. I just hope Dariena had her holosuit on."

Grey hurried out of the car and up the walk toward the front door. Nersal and Sheral quickly caught up to him by the time he unlocked the door and was stepping inside. He was surprised to see John and Dariena cleaning in the kitchen.

Dariena stood next to John, drying a pot while John was rinsing another. Her ears had already alerted her to Grey's approach. She smiled at him as soon as he entered the kitchen.

"Hey brother!" Dariena said cheerfully.

John turned to see Grey standing in the doorway.

"Hey Grey, I hope ya don't mind my showing up early."

"No, that's fine," Grey said slowly, uncertain of what was happening before him. "Everything ok?"

Dariena cocked her head sideways as she gave Grey a wink. "Just fine."

"I was a bit worried," John said. "I tried calling to let you know I was going to be early, but someone picked up, said you weren't here and hung up on me."

"That was his fault," Dariena said, pointing a finger at Nersal.

Nersal cleared his throat at Dariena's accusation.

"Hey, where's Nicia?" John asked.

Grey looked around the room. He looked at Nersal then Sheral. "Car," the three said in unison before Grey headed back out the front door.

A few minutes later he returned supporting Nicia on his shoulder.

"I'll help you," Dariena offered as she rushed to help Grey. "What happened?"

"Just a few too many drinks. She'll be fine."

Mumblings in Synacian mixed with Nicia's giggles as Grey guided her up the stairs.

"What happened here tonight?" Grey asked.

"You never told me you had a skilled chef for a friend. He prepared a wonderful meal while we waited for you and the others to return."

Nicia's ears perked at the mention of food as she blurted out, "Yum! I'm hungry."

"No you're not." Grey said as he held back from laughing. "You already ate half a cow tonight and drowned it with a barrel of booze."

"If I could only find a Truphan male that could cook like that," Dariena said as she smacked her lips.

Grey looked over Nicia's shoulder, grinning at Dariena as they guided her into the bedroom. "I can see you and John are getting along now, but what happened earlier when he showed up?"

"John surprised me. I thought he was you trying to sneak up on me again." Dariena said as they laid Nicia across Grey's bed just before Nicia passed out.

"You have your suit on?" Grey asked as he deactivated Nicia's, dispersing the human image to reveal her natural wolfish form. He smiled as he looked at the silly grin on Nicia's muzzle.

"No." Dariena exclaimed softly to keep from waking Nicia.

Grey's smile faded. "What happened?"

"The lights were out. He might have felt my fur when he flipped me."

"Flipped you?" Grey asked as Dariena loosened Nicia's boots.

"I told you I thought he was you. I grabbed him from behind and he flipped me over."

Dariena flashed Grey a toothy grin. "Don't look so worried. I knocked him out before he could get a good look at me."

"Poor John. That's the second time he's been assaulted by a Trephyn," Grey snickered.

Dariena shot Grey a quick grin.

"Undressing an intoxicated Emissary was not something I had ever pictured myself having to do, "Dariena joked as she wrestled the second boot free from Nicia's foot. "How much did she have?"

"The honors of rank and privilege," Grey replied in amusement. "Twelve, I think. She had them pretty quick to cool down. We worked up a sweat dancing tonight."

"You'll be working up another one in an hour or so." Dariena said as Grey followed her into the hall.

Grey looked at Dariena with a puzzled expression. "What?"

"We metabolize alcohol differently than you. The intoxicated state passes quickly, and the alcohol provides a quick burst of energy. The alcohol should clear out of her system in an hour or two, and I'm sure she'll find a creative way for you to help her burn off the energy it will leave her with."

Grey looked at Dariena in silence as his cheeks began to redden at her comment.

Dariena giggled at Grey's embarrassment. "You're so cute when you get flustered," she said as she wrapped her arms around Grey and gave him a hug before heading down the hall to her own room.

"Good night, brother."

"Night, sis," Grey replied as he closed the bedroom door and headed back downstairs.

John looked at Nersal and Sheral. He thought the woman had a pleasant enough expression, but the one Dariena had said was Nersal didn't look too friendly. He thought briefly what unusual names all of Grey's new friends had: Sheral, Nicia, Geheran, Nersal, Dariena.

"So, you two are Nersal and Sheral? I'm John. John Drake," he said offering his hand.

Nersal remained where he stood, only offering a polite nod. Sheral stepped forward to accept his handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Drake. You have my gratitude for the help you have provided Greyson."

"Nice to meet you too. Grey's been a friend for a long time. I'm glad everything worked out for him."

Nersal spoke with Sheral in Synacian, excusing himself to check for any new communications back on the transport.

Sheral nodded, authorizing his leave.

Drake watched at the two as he listened to their unfamiliar speech. He wondered where Nersal was heading off to.

"I know Grey said that he had met your family in Colombia, but that doesn't sound like any dialect I'm familiar with. What language was that?"

Sheral turned to give John a friendly smile. "Grey hasn't told you much about us, has he?"

"Not really. Dariena told me that you are Nicia's mother, which I assume makes you Geheran's wife. I know Grey met Geheran in Colombia and that your family allowed him to stay with you until he got past Susan's death. I know for reasons surrounding events that time, he was put on trial. Other than that, he hasn't told me much at all."

"It all must seem like a mystery to you."

"Yes, it does. He never told me where he was from the time between helping Nicia and his trial. And he never fully explained his interest in some guy named Marx."

Sheral sneered as she growled softly. Her reaction surprised John, causing him to take a step backward.

"Yeah, Grey had a similar reaction," John said warily.

The apprehension in John's voice made Sheral aware of her actions. She felt embarrassed that she had let herself react so poorly at just the mention of Marx's name.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Drake." Sheral said sincerely. "I had a very traumatic experience at the hands of Marx."

"And the mystery grows." John said with only a slight hint of a grin. "Don't worry about it. Any friend of Grey is a friend of mine. And please, call me John."

"Thank you, John."

"So, I don't suppose you can enlighten me about what happened to Grey," John grinned hopefully.

"I'm sorry, no. I think Grey should be the one to do that," Sheral told John in a tone that still left open the possibility. "Though, I will encourage him to do so," she added with an uplifting smile.

"Thank you." John said as Grey came back down stairs and into the kitchen. "Hey Grey, Nicia okay?"

"She's fine, all tucked in. What are you two chatting about?" Grey said as he sat down heavily at the kitchen table. "Where's Nersal?"

"Just getting acquainted with another of your friends," John smiled.

"Sleep sounds like a good idea. I think I'll get to bed too," Sheral said as she walked over to Grey. She bent down and kissed the top of his head. "Nersal is in the shannat," Sheral said, slipping in the Synacian word for transport. "Thank you for dinner tonight, and what you said earlier."

"You're welcome," Grey replied.

"Goodnight," Sheral said to John.

"Good night, Sheral." John replied with a smile as Sheral left the room.

John sat grinning at Grey. It had been a long time since he had seen him happy.

"So, how's life in the office without me?" Grey asked.

"Quiet," John grinned.

"Gee, thanks. It's nice to be missed."

"You are. Actually, someone was looking for you."

"Who?"

"Don't know. I didn't get her name. She was asking around about where to contact you. I think one of the secretaries maybe mentioned your cabin."

"Long, dark, curly hair?" Grey asked with a frown.

"I think so. You know her?"

"No. I met someone tonight that looked like that. There was something about her that seemed familiar."

"What happened?"

"I was waiting for some drinks at the bar. She was trying to get me in a conversation about my work in the service, so I walked away from her."

"If she comes around again, I'll try to get some info on her."

"Thanks."

Grey chuckled to himself, after moment of silence, grinning widely.

"What?" John asked.

"You seem to have made an impression on Dariena."

"How so?"

"You found her weakness, her love of food."

John laughed. "She's a trip. A little odd, but very friendly. Then again, so is the rest of the company you've been keeping lately," John grinned. "Why does she call you her brother?"

Grey shruggged his shoulders. "It's just the way our friendship developed. She's like the little sister I never had."

"What's she doing here? And, what about Nersal?"

"Dariena and Nersal are here, more or less, as security for Sheral and Nicia."

John's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Security? That Nersal, I wouldn't want to go up against him. He seems like your typical bodyguard. but not Dariena. She seems so timid."

"She is a little shy, but she's a lot tougher than she looks."

"I know." John said with a laugh. "She packs a punch."

Grey smiled. "Her kick isn't bad either."

"Think she'd like to go out for dinner?"

"She'll follow you anywhere if you feed her," Grey laughed.

John smiled, delighted. "So, why the security?"

"Sheral and Nicia are here to open relations between our governments. There have already been some problems. That's part of the reason they are all staying here, maintaining a low profile."

Nicia woke to find herself alone in bed. She didn't remember how she got there, but she did remember most of the evening. She smiled to herself as she thought about how nice it was to spend time with Grey without any other worries. It reminded her of the night of the SDF gathering.

She got out of bed and put on Grey's robe before venturing down the hall. She heard Grey talking in the kitchen as she came down the stairs. She had seen Dariena and her mother were both in their respective rooms and figured Grey was taking with Nersal.

"My god!" John exclaimed as he stood up, his chair clattering to the floor as it tipped over.

By John's reaction, Grey already knew what he would see. As he turned his head slowly toward the direction John was looking, he saw Nicia standing in the doorway. She looked lovely as usual; her light gray fur showing through the loosely fastened robe.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know John was here," Nicia said, uncertain what else to do.

"Nicia?" John asked as he recognized her voice.

Nicia smiled slightly as she nodded.

"Christ, Grey, and you've been sleeping with her? Didn't your parents let you have a dog as a kid?"

"Grey," Nicia gasped as Grey backhanded John across the face.

"Don't..." Grey began, pointing his finger directly in John's face. "ever make a reference like that again. You're way out of line."

John rubbed his jaw as he stared through narrowed eyes at Grey. In all their years as friends and partners Grey had never lashed out at him physically.

"Damn it, I'm sorry, John. And don't look at me like that. You know I would have hit you just as hard if it were Susan you had insulted. Nicia is still the same person you knew and liked up until you found out she wasn't human. Hell, we are closer to primates then her species is to being anything remotely canine."

"I'm out of line? So this is what you've been hiding. Is that why you were put on trial? Were you selling us out?"

"You know me better than that. I'd never betray my country. I wanted to explain all this to you slowly. This isn't how I wanted you to find out."

"Well then, you'd better start explaining."

Grey thought a moment before nodding. "Okay, but as long as you hear me out."

"Okay."

"You know what I have told you so far, about meeting Geheran in Colombia. The second impact site I went to investigate turned out to be where his ship had crashed after colliding with the Phoenix. As you probably know by now, he wasn't human. We tangled briefly until the blast. He saved me from the brunt of it by pulling me to safety. Still, we were both knocked unconscious. When I woke up, we were both in some kind of local militia prison."

John picked up his chair, and sat down, listening intently while glancing between Nicia and Grey.

"After a few days I escaped, but went back and freed him. It was then he started speaking with me. I learned a little about him as we headed back, him to his ship and me to find my team and complete our mission. We found his ship first. I went on alone back to the first site. I found two sets of remains close together near a ravine."

John's expression softened as he could see the pain in his friend's eyes.

"They were completely burned, John. Right down to the bone in some places."

John watched Nicia approach to rest her hand on Grey's shoulder. Grey didn't seem to notice as he continued to describe what he found.

"One I couldn't identify. The other was face down in the earth. That was the only part of Susan that wasn't burnt unrecognizable."

Grey paused to calm himself. Finally noticing Nicia's hand on his shoulder, he reached up to squeezed it in appreciation for her support.

"I don't know how long I sat there until Geheran approached me. He had followed me, I guess for the same reason I went back to release him. He helped me bury them. Afterward, I didn't care what happened to me. He suggested I come with him."

"So you went with a creature that you had no idea what its motives were. Why?"

"As I said, I didn't care what happened. He could have wanted me for some weird experiment, maybe dinner. I just didn't have the desire to go on with life. Part of me hoped he was taking me to my death. It just worked out for me that Geheran and Sheral turned out to be very compassionate individuals."

"So that entire time you were missing, you were with them?"

Grey nodded. "I eventually felt better and could deal with Susan's death. Then I really started trying to learn all I could about them. Finally, I was ready to return home and I did."

John watched Grey as he got up and went over to the sink, filling a glass from the tap and taking a drink.

"When we were on duty for the president's speech. I recognized Nicia by her uniform. When I heard they were holding her, I knew I had to help her. When we escaped and made it to her ship, I was shot. She saved my life."

"How do you know you're not being used? After all, you have them living here."

"We do not manipulate."

Everyone turned as Sheral entered the room.

"We are an old race. There is nothing we need from any other species. We only seek to learn about the cultures of neighboring worlds. Greyson has received far better treatment in our hands then the reverse."

"What does that mean?" John asked.

Sheral lifted her arm and deactivated her holosuit. The image dispersed to reveal Sheral's snow white form.

"Look at me, John, and look at my daughter. Notice anything?" Sheral said as she indicated the furless patches on her arms, chest and cheek. She maintained a diplomatic tone, even and tempered, informative without being accusing. "These bald spots are not natural. Each was an injury cause by humans. For a half of your year they held me, performing surgical procedures without any benefit of anesthetics. I was prodded and poked to respond to their questions. Not once did anyone try to communicate in a civilized manner."

John looked at the scarred Trephyn. He felt sorry to hear of how she was treated, but his emotions were still to high for him to dwell on it. He turned his back to everyone and stared through a nearby window into the night.

Grey walked over to Sheral and Nicia. "Please," he said softly as he motioned for them to leave him alone with John.

Nicia nodded to Grey as she left the kitchen with Sheral. After they left, Grey turned back to John.

"John, I'm not asking you to like or trust them, but they are good people if you take the chance to get to know them," Grey said, grinning jokingly as he called them people. "At the party, you said you thought Nicia was very nice. She is. That hasn't changed. You got along well with Dariena tonight, didn't you? And, when I came downstairs, you seemed to be having a friendly enough chat with Sheral."

"That guy Nersal isn't very friendly."

"That he isn't," Grey laughed. "He's not very fond of humans because of what happened to Sheral. Regardless, I still trust him."

"I wish I could be so trusting. I just can't believe they're isn't more to their being here than for cultural exchange."

"Well, there is more, but that can wait. Get some rest and let everything sink in. I know it's a surprise, but I'm glad you finally know."

"I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to go find somewhere back on the interstate to sleep tonight."

"You'll come back tomorrow?"

John nodded. "I will. I just don't feel comfortable staying here tonight," John said as he started for the front door.

Grey followed him out onto the porch. He waved as John headed down the drive and out of sight. He headed back inside where he found Nicia waiting at the foot of the stairs.

"Another rough day," Nicia commented sadly. "I'm sorry I caused this."

Grey shook his head. "Not your fault. I should have told him long ago."

Nicia placed her arms around Grey and hugged him close.

Grey happily accepted the hug and squeezed back until Nicia let out a little sigh.

"Let's go to bed." Grey said as they headed back up the stairs.