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Chapter 3

The ride from the train station to the Anderson family home had been a quiet one for Barnabus, Miktes, and Francis. The two brother's refusal to talk to one another leaving Miktes with no other choice but to sit between them and silently watch the countryside outside as they rode down a highway.

Looking from left to right and back again at the brooding men on either side of him the Verdomian dominate couldn't help but smirk at what had caused this awkward silence. The fight the two had back at the station had been a dozy, both falling to the ground and struggling until an elderly security guard came to fearfully break it up.

Miktes was especially proud of his hairy little mate. He had fought like a true warrior in his humble opinion and looking Barnabus now, staring out the window and pouting while he nursed a bruise on his cheek and a busted lip from a misplaced elbow to the face, he was never more attractive to Miktes.

Francis who was driving the pick-up transport wasn't in much better shape. Face covered in dirt and grass sticking out from his long dark beard from when Barnabus had shoved his face into the ground. Even though he didn't want to admit it Miktes found himself becoming a little impressed with the bald human too. Anyone who could fight like that was alright in his book. But at the same time, seeing his skills Miktes decided that if the shovel talk did turn bad that he could easily take the smaller man.

Speaking of the older man it seemed Francis decided that it was time to make amends with his younger brother, his eyes going off of the road for a moment so that he could pretend to cough to gain the other man's attention. "Sorry Barn." He said when the Jack turned. "I didn't mean to insult you or anything back there. I just thought it was cute is all."

Barnabus sneered at the use of the word cute but finally let his angry bravado dissipated. He knew Frank hadn't done what he did with malice. He was too much of a good man to do that. "Fine I accept your apology." He ground out. "I guess I should have seen all that coming. You are a bit oblivious after all."

Grinning Francis chucked warmly. "That I am." He agreed. Directing his focus onto Miktes the heavy-set man next added, "And I'm also sorry if I offended you by laughing. Like Barnabus said: I wasn't making fun of your marriage just that you got the stubborn bastard to agree to do it. You must be a natural charmer."

Miktes grunted in response to what the human was saying. He knew well enough what Barnabus' thoughts of being with someone long term had before they met from his mate's own words so he wasn't truly angry. Still didn't mean he was happy about all the laughter.

His first attempt at building a bridge between them failing apparently Frank went and tried once more to strike up conversation. "So... Miktes was it?" He began. "You look kind of young. There must be a real age gap between you and my brother, right?"

Reacting instantly to what Frank had just said Barnabus snapped his head towards the other man, a shout of "FRANCIS!" filling the cab of the truck as he glared over to him.

Looking back over to Barnabus in confusion Frank gave a clueless shrug. "What? I was just asking a question?" He said. "It's not like I was laughing again."

Barnabus began grinding his teeth. "That's not the point." He huffed.

Miktes didn't seem to think the question was out of place however, ignoring his mate's ire and answered it with his usual brutal honesty. "I'm eight right now." He stated simply. "But next season I'm going to be nine... I think."

Now it was Frank's turn to overreact to something that had just been said. The bald man making a shocked gasp as he momentarily lost control of the vehicle he was driving, the transport guiding into the opposite lane for a moment and into the path of a carrier transport before he righted them again. "YOUR HOW OLD!" Frank shouted.

"Miktes what did I tell you about doing that to people?" Barnabus scolded the now grinning warrior. Miktes had taken a habit to telling others his age according to the Verdomian calendar to give them a fright when they learned they were married. Usually Barnabus found the looks of pure horror and shock amusing too, his own discovery coming to mind, but right now wasn't the time or the place for joking.

Trying his quickest to explain to Frank the Jack captain reached across the cab and patted his shoulder. "Calm down Frankie. Mickey's not really eight; he's twenty-nine years old give or take. He was counting the years according to his planet's orbit."

Frank let out the breath he had been holding, his features going slack as he recovered. "Crap you two nearly gave me a heart attack!" He said, his heart starting to slow once again. "Still Barnabus... twenty-nine, you lucky old dog."

Barnabus groaned, face heating up and completely embarrassed. What did he ever do to deserve a brother like Francis? Most people would realize that saying that was inappropriate but not thick as a brick wall Frank. "Ok Frankie listen... if of you say one more thing about Miktes' age or something like that I'm going to make you pull over so we can go at it again.

"Now that's something I'd like to see." Miktes said clearly amused by the two. It wasn't often that he got to see his hairy little mate getting a taste of his own medicine. This was making all those times Barnabus had teased him worth it tenfold.

"Sorry Miktes but we don't have the time to dawdle." Frank said disappointedly. "Dad said to get Barnabus home as fast as I could. Besides he'd never win in the long run. Me and him have been wrestling since we were kids and he never beat me."

"What about that time when I was eight and I pushed you into that pond?" Barnabus said trying to defend his honor.

"You only grazed me baby bro, only grazed me." Frank replied back with a snort. "And if I recall correctly I got you back by stuffing that frog in your pants." The older man elbowed Miktes in the side much to the Verdomian surprise. "You should have seen him after that. He ended up ripping off his shorts and underwear trying to get it out. Wouldn't have been so bad if we weren't at a birthday party at the time."

Now that was something to laugh about Miktes thought, his body shaking as he began to snicker. Rana and the others would love hearing about all of that. The orc's laughter earned him a light slap on the back of his mohawked head however, Barnabus leaning in close to whisper something in his pointed ear. "Now as for you. You keep giggling like an ossified lush and I'll make you sleep on the floor in our room for the rest of the year."

Rubbing his stinging scalp Miktes refused to stop smiling. "Still worth it." He responded back to the threat. "Now you know how it feels when Mama tells you all that shit about me when I was little."

Barnabus opened his mouth to retort that it wasn't the same thing. But before he did he realized that Miktes was right and that only served to cheese him off anymore. Not that he was going to admit that he thought the alien was right. No if he wanted to keep on teasing him with that dopy grin then he'd just stare out the window again for the rest of the ride. Maybe Frank would take the hint and realize that he was embarrassing him to death.

"Hey Miktes, you wanna hear about the time a friend of our dad caught Barn buying a dirty magazine?" Frank asked eyes twinkling with mischief. "It's how we found out he liked men."

"Yeah." Miktes said, an evil grin forming on his face and his attitude towards the bald human starting to change. "Tell me all about it."

***************

The small town of Olerud was as peaceful and tranquil a place as it had always been. The old rustic style buildings and humble farms nestled in the middle of a large verdant stretch of land that was bordered by a deep thicket of trees, Olerud forest at one side and a sparking lake called sapphire glimmer lake on the other.

It was as they rode into the quaint little hamlet that Barnabus found a knot of worry beginning to grow and fester in his belly with every mile they drove. 'It won't be long now.' He thought to himself. Soon the Jack would have to face the rest of his family again and then... well Barnabus didn't know exactly was going to happen but he had the feeling it would be awkward, drawn out, and most of all scarring.

Sitting next to the fretful man Miktes' reaction to the town was decidedly different. Passing the sights the Verdomian found great interest in looking around at their surroundings. This was his first time in a small human village like this after all. It was strange for him how very different from Kalaban village back on Verdomo it was. Different shaped houses, different creatures, even different kinds of food given what he saw a few people eating at an outside restaurant.

'Sill, it ain't a bad place to grow up I guess.' He reasoned looking over to Barnabus. 'I wonder if I'm going to get a chance to look around later.'

Turning around a corner and onto a dirt road Frank slowed down the transport so that he could point over to a large school building with connected football field in the distance. "That's where me and Barn went to school Miktes." He said playing the part of tour guide. "Can't tell you how many times the two of us got into trouble for taking dates behind the bleachers for some private time."

"What did you do behind the "bleachers"?" Miktes said suspiciously. He didn't quite like the gleam in the older man's eye.

"Never you mind Mick." Barnabus quickly interrupted before Frank could give too much detail. "It was just kid's stuff."

Frank snorted at his brother's attempt to avoid the question. Usually Barnabus loved to brag about the stuff like his past exploits. "Sure, if you call you having a heavy petting session with the star of the football team and me making out with a cheerleader kid's stuff." Frank revealed. "You know Jackson Garrison still lives around here Barnabus. He's the coach for the team now."

That tidbit of information Barnabus didn't know. "Wait I thought he went on the major leagues."

"He did for a few years but they broke his contract after he didn't live up to expectation." Frank told him with a shake of his head. "Wouldn't know that he got canned though with the way he goes on about how he was a master of handling the ball. Heh, of course you know all about that don't you Barn?"

"Wait is that what heavy petting means?" Miktes asked growing angry. "You and this Jackson human slept together!" The Verdomian immediately got an answer to his question when Barnabus' cheeks tinted and he looked away, his mate's actions making him growl with unexpected anger.

{Miktes: So this Jackson is another one of Barnabus' old lovers, huh? Well fuck, I didn't think I'd be running into that sort of thing on this journey. I guess I shouldn't be surprised about it really though. Whenever we go back to see my family we run into submissives I've fucked before all the time. Sometimes inside of my old house counting the servants. Barnabus never gets upset about it now that I really think about it. Says what's in the past is in the past then teases me by saying I'm a regular "Drugstore Cowboy". I don't exactly know what that means but I can tell he's being a smartass. At least I get back at him by dragging his mouthy ass off somewhere to show him he's the only one I care about now. ... ... ... You didn't hear that got it!

Anyway... I suppose that since he don't mind it when I meet my old fuck buddies I shouldn't be acting all upset at the mention of his. But the dominate in me still don't like it. Hopefully this Jackson person won't show up and try to seduce my mate while we're here. Course if he does I'm breaking my promise to behave and kicking his ass.}

The truck turning once again, Miktes looked up from his deep thoughts and saw that they were approaching a large dwelling which sat at the end of a narrow gravel covered pathway. Quickly deducing that this must be where Barnabus' family lived the warrior sat up in his seat and leaned forward to get a closer look.

Like most of the other houses in surrounding area the building was weird looking to the enforcer's alien eyes. Light blue in color with large square shaped sections and a pointed room which sat on top of its three stories. There was also a smaller red and white building in the back, its front door missing and a much smaller one high up near the roof. 'Why the hell would you put a door all the way up there?' He wondered.

Seeing if Barnabus could explain what the odd door was for, Miktes turned to his human mate the question on the tip of his tongue. But to his surprise it seemed that the older man wasn't as thrilled to be back as he should be. That was if the worried expression and sweat beading on his forehead was any indication.

"You alright submissive." Miktes asked very quietly so only the two of them could hear.

Barnabus gave a shaky nod. "Y-Yeah just a bit... excited I guess." He lied. "You know it's not often that I get to return to the old homestead."

"Last time was nearly a decade ago." Frank remarked sadly as he brought the transport to a halt. "And the only reason you did was to pack some your stuff then take off to that space colony Aquarii? You were back home then gone in two days."

"I had to get to Aquarii so I could get that job on that Jack crew." Barnabus huffed. "It wasn't like they were going to hold it for me special or something."

Frank unbuckled his belt. "How did that job go by the way?" He wondered.

Barnabus went stiff at the question, eyes darting away guiltily. He guessed their father had never told the rest of his family about him quitting Ekkar's crew. "Never mind that right now Frank." He eventually answered. "How about we just go inside of the house so I can say hello to everyone."

Frank cocked his head to the side wondering why Barnabus had just dodged what he had just asked but shrugged it off anyway. "Sure thing baby bro." Opening the door the large man slid out of the transport. "I know Mary and the kids are really excited to see you again."

"Kids?" Barnabus said exiting the vehicle himself. "Wait... last time I was here you only had one."

"What can I say, I've been busy." Frank responded back smirking. A noticeable bounce in his step Frank hurried his way off into the house, Barnabus hanging back to wait for Miktes to make his way out of the truck and wonder what had the older man so excited.

"So you're an uncle?" Miktes said as he stumbled out of the transport. "That's kind of weird."

"First things first Mick: We're uncles, and second: Yes, it is weird." Barnabus informed the other man. Starting over to the house Barnabus gave thoughtful hum thinking out loud for Miktes' sake. "Let's see... Frank's boy Tommy was three the last time I saw him I think, so that would make him a teenager now. Jalapeño, I really am old aren't I?"

"You ain't old submissive." Miktes said with a playful growl. "If you were old then how could you do half the shit we do in bed, heh-heh."

Barnabus spared his lover a serious look at his dirty words but broke out into a snicker not a moment later. "You better not talk like that when we're in the house Mr. Hestry-Comet you'll give the simple folk heart attacks." He joked. "But yeah I guess if I can pin a big cheese like you to the mattress I still have some spunk left in me."

"You're complaining about what I said and you go and say something worse." Miktes huffed.

It took Barnabus a moment to figure out what the Verdomian meant by that, but at suddenly putting two and two together he rolled his eyes at him. "I meant the clean definition of spunk Mickey, not the dirty one."

"Sure you did submissive." Climbing the steps and stepping onto the porch Miktes began picking up the telltale sounds of children shouting from within the home. "You know I've never been someone's uncle before." He remarked. "Anything I should know?"

"Just spoil them a little so they drive Frank crazy." Barnabus advised. That would teach Frankie to ask all of those embarrassing and stupid questions. "But actually Mick, when we meet them for the first time kind of stand back a little until I introduce you. With Olerud being such a small town they might not be all that used to someone as... ... ... charming as you kiddo."

Miktes didn't know whether or not to be offended by that statement or not but nodded none the less. He liked making people uncomfortable with his mean looking scowl true. It was helpful to his job as an enforcer. But, he really didn't like the idea of scaring little kids with it if he could help.

Knowing that this was the point of absolutely no return Barnabus quickly gathered himself and opened the front door of the house. 'I can do this.' He told himself. 'I can get through this entire visit without anything bad happening and dad disowning me for being a disappointment.'

Entering however Barnabus found his fears and worries about what was going to happen completely displaced by the tidal wave of nostalgia that instantly washed over him the second he set foot inside of his childhood home.

It was as if nothing had changed since the day he had left for Aquarii. The well-worn and ancient looking furniture him and his brothers played on when he was little was still in the living room, his father's old recliner in its scared place in front of the vidscreen. The pictures sitting atop the mantel which displayed several old family memories were still being displayed. Heck even the same mouthwatering smells were drifting down the central hall from the kitchen, the aroma accompanied by the sound of motherly humming just out of sight.

Of course Barnabus eventually found out that not all of the things within the house were the same as when he had left. Just as he was about to take another step deeper into the dwelling he found himself grunting in pain as a small dark haired blur barreled into him full force from an adjacent doorway.

"Daddy!" The blur said giggling as it hugged his leg. "I-I gots to tell you what April did! She..."

Looking down to see who or what had exactly attached itself to his leg Barnabus was surprised to find a little girl clinging to him. Raising her head the child looked back up at the Jack, her eyes going wide for a second before she shifted her vision over to Miktes. Then suddenly with a gasp she screamed bloody murder and took off down the hall yelling "Grandma" before she disappeared from sight into another room.

"What was that about?" Miktes said clearly alarmed by what had just happened. He wasn't used to having such small children around him.

Barnabus gave the alien a grin. "I... think that was one of the kids Frank was talking about." He said amused. "Guess she mistook me for him at first."

"How could anyone mistake you for that Frank guy?" Miktes wondered. Sure they had some similarities but Barnabus was the more handsome one in his opinion. "Should we follow after her?"

"I think it'd be best since Frank went gonesville on us." Walking in the direction the young girl had vanished Barnabus and Miktes traveled the short distance down the house's main hall and entered the kitchen.

As expected this room too hadn't changed on single bit Barnabus observed. Well that was unless you counted the little girl hiding behind the counter or the graying Native American woman dressed in a simple pink blouse and jeans standing close to here looking mildly worried.

"May, honey." The woman said wiping her hands on the apron she was wearing. "What on earth had gotten into you?"

"Them!" The girl, May apparently, said angrily as she pointed across the room.

Following the child's hand with her eyes, the woman raised her vision to gaze across the room and spotted Barnabus standing in the kitchen door watching them back. Seeing him her eyes widened for a fraction of a second before let out a loud squeal of joy and raced forward to wrap her arms around him the best she could.

"Barnabus!" She cried out. "I can't believe my eyes! You actually decided to come home and visit your poor father and step-mother for once!"

Giving a grunt as he was squeezed for the second time that day Barnabus confused chuckled and embraced the woman as well holding her close. "Yeah, I came home Rachel" He said. "Didn't Frank tell you I was coming? I made plans with him to drive me out here a week ago."

"No he didn't!" The woman hugging Barnabus, Rachel huffed. "The big sweet fool must have wanted to surprise me and your father."

"Figures he would make me a present." Barnabus sighed. Frank had a habit of doing stupid stuff like this even though he knew Barnabus would have hated the idea of his visit being a surprise. "I'm going to have to have a talk with that mook later about this."

"We both will." Rachel agreed. Backing away from her step-son the older woman looked him over with an affectionate smile. But then suddenly her expression soured and she struck him lightly on the chest. "What is wrong with you not coming to visit in over a decade?" She snapped. "Do you have any idea how much you were missed in that time!?"

Wincing at the sting from the smack he had just received Barnabus gave a shaky laugh and tried to explain himself. "I'm really sorry Rachel it's just that I've been really busy these last couple of years and all."

Unfortunately for Barnabus his excuses seemed to fall on deaf ears, Rachel frowning at him even more and proceeding to strike him several more times comically for good measure. "Alright, Alright I'm sorry I won't ever do it again!" Barnabus exclaimed to stop the beating.

"Good I'm glad you learned you lesson." Rachel said finally stopping. "Now come here and give me another hug."

Barnabus huffed out a laugh as he was once again pulled close by the older woman and crushed in her iron grip. How in the universe did he get into situations like this? Looking down to where the little girl who had led them to his step-mother was still standing the goateed man waved at her best he could.

She continued to give him the evil eye for scaring her though and went to run away again. But thankfully before the little one could make her get away Frank made his reappearance by walking into the kitchen from the house's back door with three children by his side. Two boys who stood at either side of him, one a teenager one just a little younger and another young girl identical to May who he carried on his hip.

"What's the big idea with the two of you running off?" Frank huffed good naturedly as he glared over at Barnabus. "I wanted to introduce both of you to the kids at the same time."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have disappeared on me then." Barnabus was quick to point out through gritted teeth.

"Maybe I wouldn't have Barn if you hadn't been such a sour puss on the ride here." Frank argued back. "You won't believe how grumpy he was Rachel."

Snickering into Barnabus' chest as she heard her two step-sons beginning to bicker like they had when they were children Rachel let go of the Jack to look over to his brother. "Oh Frankie leave Barnabus alone will you?" She chided in a motherly tone. "He just got here and I won't have his visit ruined with the two of you fighting."

"Yes ma'am." Both brothers chorused. If there was one person who could reign in the Anderson brothers, all three of them, it was their mother.

Falling into an awkward silent after getting scolded Barnabus tried his best to think of something to say or do to break the tension. Looking around he quickly settled on finding out who exactly all these kids in the room were. "Heya Frankie, you going to introduce me to all these kids anytime soon?" He asked.

"Oh yeah almost forgot." Frank said sheepishly. Walking into the room fully the older man nodded to the teen next to him first. "Barnabus this here is my oldest Tommy who you already know. Ronny you remember your uncle Barnabus right?"

The taller of the two boys, thin and lanky with dirty blond hair and the Anderson amber eyes, gave Barnabus a confused look. "Yeah sorta." He mumbled barely making eye contact.

"Um, good then." Continuing Frank patted his other son on his dark haired head and then motioned to each of his girls. "This other young man is Richard and the girls are my twins May and April."

Looking over the four children in the room Barnabus shook his head not believing really his eyes. He had assumed that at least one of them had to be a friend or second cousin or something. "Jalapeño, Frank you were right, you were busy." He managed to say.

Placing his daughter down on the floor Frank let a very smug expression cross his features. "You don't know the half of it." He said. "I got one more; a two year old named Harry who's off with his mother right now visiting the in-laws. Oh, and Mary and me are expecting our seventh around August."

"You're going to have six kids!" Barnabus exclaimed trying to wrap his head around the number. And here he thought Miktes' parents Daleer and Velloy having five was a lot. "You really need to get another hobby Frank. I'm sure Mary could use the rest."

His bearded cheeks flushing at Barnabus saying such a thing in front of his children Frank coughed into his hand and looked away awkwardly. "I got hobbies." He mumbled embarrassed. "And the only reason why I got so many young'uns is because I have to pick up the slack since you and Issy are into men"

"Well you certainly succeeded in that and then some." Barnabus chuckled. "And look at all these kids I get to spoil with presents."

Looking over to Rachel, Barnabus went to ask her how she handled having this many children in the house at once. But instead of asking his question the Jack found himself on the receiving end of a curious look. "I-Is something wrong?"

"Yes I believe so. " Rachel said tapping her chin in thought. "I thought I heard Francis say the words "You two" when he came into the room."

"Oh yeah..." Barnabus said shuffling his feet a little. "I um, I sort of brought someone with me to meet the family Rachel."

Like Frank had done earlier Rachel made a surprised face at this little reveal. "Oh my. Well then where is this mystery person?" She said. "Bring him in here to meet me. I'd love to see who you deemed important enough to bring home."

"What do you mean bring him? He's right... oh" Turning to point to where Miktes was supposed to be Barnabus found Verdomian warrior missing. 'Where the heck did that big stinker run off to?' He thought growing irritated.

Looking back to his family Barnabus ducked his head in apology. "Um... could you all excuse me for a minute?" He said backing out the room quickly. "I have to go look for a certain pain in my caboose."

Exiting the room and going back into the hallway Barnabus readied himself for a long and drawn out search for Miktes, previous times of him vanishing on him fresh in his mind. But instead he quickly discovered the younger man standing quietly at the far end of the corridor, the alien doing his best to pretend to be interested in a potted plant growing in the corner.

"Mick, what in Flash Gordon's name are you doing back here?" Barnabus asked visibly upset that Miktes was being rude. "My step-mom is asking for you."

"I was just looking around." Miktes answered with a rude huff. "Didn't want to get in the way back there."

"What do you mean get in the way? Your family now so... Wait." Stepping closer Barnabus looked up into the younger man's dodgy red colored eyes. To his surprise he saw nervousness in them for the first time since they had been on this trip. Seeing this Barnabus felt a little more relieved that he wasn't the only one who was anxious about this visit, but at the same time he immediately felt bad for him too.

"You're scared." He said as if it were novel. "I can't believe it."

"I'm not scared." Miktes growled back at his accusation. But even as he said it he could see that his mate didn't believe him for a second. The human giving the warrior certain look that he hated to see every time. "Fine, I got nervous when I saw all them other human's." He assented. "It's fucking Alfred's fault though. Said a bunch of shit back at the spaceport that got me all worried. You know me, what if I do something stupid or something."

"And just would you say that would be stupid young man?" Rachel suddenly said from behind Barnabus. The older woman had been listening to the hushed conversation between her step-son and their mystery guest and had become interested at hearing that he was afraid of embarrassing himself.

Pushing Barnabus out of the way Rachel walked over to where Miktes was nervously standing. Looking him up and down she took in every aspect of his appearance from his olive green skin to the bright orange and unruly mohawk atop his head. "So this is the one you brought with you Barnabus?" She finally said over her shoulder. "Sort of rough looking isn't he?"

Barnabus had to suppress a chuckle at the astute assessment of his spouse. "You have no idea Rachel." He smirked. "But you don't have to worry. The big green guy is more of a teddy bear then anything."

Growling in irritation at the notion that he was in any way cute and fluffy like a human toy Miktes briefly wondered how he would make Barnabus pay for saying such a thing. Maybe making doing that thing he hated when they were in bed.

Miktes was unable to completely plan his revenge however because before he knew it he was once again under the intense gaze of his mate's female relation. "Well if he's that sort of man then I suppose I don't mind you bringing him along." She said. "I'm Rachel Anderson, Barnabus' step-mother. And you are..."

Body going a little stiff under the older woman's scrutiny Miktes held out his hand in what he thought to be the proper greeting. "I'm Miktes Comet, Enforcer of the Wild Comet Crew."

"My, that certainly is a long name isn't it... wait, did you say Comet!?" Turning to Barnabus quickly Rachel stared him down with a questioning look. "Isn't that what you had your last name changed to?"

Barnabus nodded awkwardly and started to think of the best way to reveal why Miktes had his new last name. Before the Jack could do so however he found his words getting drowned out when Frank who had been listening to the conversation in the hallway too, picked that exact moment to speak up again.

"Oh, you didn't tell me he took your name when you married him." He blurted out. "Guess that makes sense though Mary took mine. Just didn't think you two men couples did that too."

Slowly looking back at his dimwitted brother Barnabus felt the overwhelming desire to smack the big dummy over the head for being such a blabbermouth. Thankfully for Frank's bald scalp Barnabus never got the chance to act on this impulse because before he could the younger man found himself getting yanked downward by his polo shirt and forced to look right into the hurt eyes of his step-mother.

"You went and got married without telling any of your family?" The elderly woman asked visibly upset. "Why did you not invite us to your wedding!"

Barnabus felt himself instantly put on the spot at her angry words. His mind going back to when he was younger and got in trouble with her and his dad many, many times. "I-It was sort of a spontaneous thing! Me and Miktes met and got hitched real quick so we didn't have time to make any plans or anything." He said chuckling with a bit of fear. "And b-besides someone did know! Yeah, Issy met Miktes right after our ceremony six months ago."

"If that's true then it looks like Isidore is in trouble alongside you." Rachel huffed. Turning away the small woman crossed her arms and muttered to herself angrily. "I swear Issy better not be hiding anything else from his poor mother."

'You mean like a Girunjh boyfriend?' Barnabus thought amusedly.

Any amusement Barnabus felt instantly shattered though as Rachel gave a gasp and yanked on his shit again. "SIX MONTHS!" She exclaimed. "You have only been together for six months!?"

When Barnabus nodded slowly to the question Rachel's mood did another one-eighty like It had done earlier, her hurt expression quickly transforming into a frustrated one as she went back to hitting Barnabus with several more soft slaps to his chest and arms.

"Of all the... you are still newlyweds and you didn't think to say anything to me right away!?" She accused. "I could have been planning an extravagant dinner for your homecoming while we were standing around talking."

Watching as his mate was pummeled by the short human woman in front of him, Miktes came to the conclusion that he liked this lady. Anyone who could make Barnabus this amusingly uncomfortable was ok in his book. At least that's how he felt until she turned her attention back on to him.

"Now as for you my new son-in-law." Rachel said advancing closer, Mikes growing more and more nervous with each step towards him. "Welcome to our family." Opening her arms Rachel wrapped them tightly around the Verdomian. Miktes giving a panicked yelp as he was embraced, his eyes going over her head in a silent plea for help.

Barnabus refused to help him however, enjoying the look on his tusked face too much to interfere. The expression only got better too when Rachel took the large enforcer by his beefy arm and pulled him past the Jack and his brother and into the kitchen talking about getting him a bite to eat.

"H-Help!" Miktes said in a hushed tone as he disappeared into the next room.

"I think I'm still in trouble but seeing that was well worth it." Barnabus remarked following after his step-mother and lover.

Scratching the top of his head Frank nodded slowly to what Barnabus had just said not completely understanding but relieved that he didn't seem to be upset with him anymore. "If you say so Barn." He said letting the other man pass by him

Reentering the kitchen, Barnabus wasn't the least bit surprised to see that Rachel had forced Miktes to sit down at the kitchen table and was proceeding to set out a glass and a plate so that he could have a snack. This sort of thing was common response for the older woman when someone came into her domain. In fact Barnabus and his brothers had often joked about her trying to fatten up any friends they brought over to the house when they were little.

Ignoring Miktes' second silent plea for help however, Barnabus decided it was high time he got to know his nieces and nephews better and headed over in their direction. All four of Frank's children were sitting a good distance away from Miktes and their grandmother, each of them munching on cookies or other snacks as they eyed the large alien being fed across the room.

It was Tommy who spoke up first as he and Frank got closer, the teen looking to his father for an explanation. "Ah, Dad... who's that weird alien over there?"

"Tommy that's rude." Frank said, scolding his son. Stepping up behind Barnabus the older man patted his brother on the shoulder then nodded over to their new guest. "That over there is your new Uncle Miktes." He said introducing the warrior. "Him and your Uncle Barnabus are married."

"You went and married an alien?" Frank's second oldest, Richard said with wide eyes.

Ronny seemed to be surprised by this too. "What's grandpa gonna say when he finds out?"

Realizing for the first time that his father hadn't been present during the reunion Barnabus searched the area for the older man. "Heya, where is the old man?" he asked. "I would have thought with all the commotion he'd be out here complaining by now."

"Your father is out at the moment Barnabus. Just left before you came home." Rachel answered. Giving Miktes the sandwich she had just made, which he hesitantly took the elderly woman went to join her step-sons. "He's picking up the cake for the big family picnic we're having the day after next."

"Big family picnic?" Barnabus asked growing worried.

"Yeah Barn, Big. Family. Picnic." Frank said again as if talking to one of his kids. "We thought that having a big old get-together would be the best way to celebrate Rachel and Dad's anniversary. Everyone's going to be there." Holding out his hand the older man ticked off each name as he recalled it. "Aunt Gwen, Uncle Alder and their family, our Cousin Vinnie and his wife, Aunt Gretchen and Aunt Rose, Uncle... ... ..."

Listening at Frank checked off every single relative that would be attending the party tomorrow, Barnabus felt the blood begin to drain from his face. Just the thought of twenty-seven or so Andersons all in the backyard at once was starting to give him a bad headache.

All the awkward questions about his life. All the explanations he would have to give about his life choices, and worse of all Miktes having to be surrounded by so many people wondering who he was. The Verdomian didn't do too well being in large crowds, still not used to more "modern" people and their ways.

Barnabus had to get them out of there and fast so they could prepare themselves. Looking over to the alien Barnabus reasoned that it was time for him and Miktes to go and check into the hotel room he had arranged in town. Maybe if he got enough rest that night he would be prepared enough to survive the next two days.

Interrupting Frank as he continued to announce the guest list for the picnic Barnabus gave a rough sounding cough. "Heya Frank I hate to interrupt you and everything. But would you mind giving me and Mickey a ride?" He asked once the older man stopped talking. "Me and him need to get check in at the hotel I booked before they give away our reservations."

"I'd be happy to do it." Frank said looking puzzled. "But why now? Olerud is a small town, it's not like anyone is going to be spending the night here besides--"

"--It doesn't matter Frankie." Rachel quickly cut in before Frank could finish his thought. "Barnabus and Miktes will be staying right here at the house during their visit."

When Barnabus tried to tell the elderly woman that they couldn't possible stay at the house Rachel efficiently shut him down with a firm shake of her head. "I won't have my step-son and his husband spending their hard earned credits on a hotel room when he has a perfectly good room right here to sleep in." She said. "And besides you have been away from home far too long. There is no way I am allowing you to spend a single second away from us while you are here."

Barnabus felt himself going through a very serious case of déjà vu as Rachel gave him a firm look. This was nearly the same argument he had with Rana days ago where he had been forced to go on this whole zany trip. And seeing as it was the Jack captain knew there was no use in fighting it.

"Fine we'll stay here." He said, resigned to obeying his step-mother's gentle but very stern request.

Rana smiled at finally convincing her stubborn step-son to stay with her and his father. "Good boy." Getting behind Barnabus she began pushing the large man towards the kitchen door. "Now that that's settled, go and get your bags from Frank's truck and bring them into your old room. You may rest after that for a bit but I expect you and... Miktes was it? I'm sorry I'm a bad with names."

"Yes ma'am." Miktes said quietly as he stood. There was no way he was going to be left alone with this woman and all these small humans. Miktes might have been a dominate Verdomian warrior and a Jack enforcer but he just didn't know how to handle this sort of situation.

"Yes Miktes, got it." Rachel gave a thankful smile to the alien and then continued in her instructions. "I expect both you and Miktes to be ready for dinner at six. Now both of you do as I say and scoot!"

[Barnabus: Jalapeño, how the heck do I always end up in these sort of messes?]

***************

Looking up at the crate in front of her and then down to the small device attached to its side, Rana felt a small bolt of worry go down her spine. This was so a bad idea. A stupid, most likely going to cause some sort of collateral damage, kind of idea.

"Are you sure these things of yours are going to work Moah?" She asked as she leaned down and inspected said devices attached to the bottom of their boxes. "I don't want anything getting broken."

His head popping up from behind another crate, Moah responded to the doubt in the human's voice with a grumbled word in Girunjh and a huff. Like one of his inventions wouldn't do what it was made for. Sure sometimes they malfunctioned or exploded a little but it wasn't like they didn't work in theory. It was just bad luck.

"He says it should work Miss Najjar." Alfred clarified from his spot next to his large friend.

Stepping away from the large boxes still sitting on the spaceport dock Rana put her hands on her hips and gave the mechanic and doctor an unconvinced look. "Just what exactly are these things supposed to do again?"

Moah went to open his fanged mouth to explain what his genius invention would do but remembered at the last second that Rana couldn't understand him. Instead he looked over to Alfred who he had told earlier and motioned for him to speak. "Alfred. Tell."

Nodding to the request Alfred turned back to his temporary captain and tried his best to repeat what he had been told about Moah's deceives. "They're supposed to be miniature anti-gravity devices." He began timidly. "Using them we can lift the crates off of the ground and then since they're floating we can gently push them into the cargo bay."

Hearing what exactly Moah's inventions did Rana gave the Girunjh an impressed look and mouthed the word "Oh". Rana hadn't seen an anti-gravity device before but she had heard about them being used in ship and cargo yards to move things ten times the size of their current problems. But of course those ones were larger themselves. For one to be built this small and work was truly amazing and a testament to how much of a genius Moah was

"Alright Zash I apologize for doubting you." Rana said to the mechanic. "Just tell me when you're ready to turn the little guys on and me and Alfred with start moving them."

"Yaggho Garzzo!" After Making sure Rana and Alfred had stepped back Moah reached into one of the many pockets in his overalls and pulled out a comical looking remote covered in loose wires and blinking lights. With a manic grin crossing his muzzle the hairy alien dramatically pressed the big red button on the device. Unfortunately the effect was instantly ruined when nothing happened afterwards, the crates remaining in place after the anti-gravity devices gave a series of pathetic pops and crackles.

"I'm having second thoughts again." Rana complained.

Moah grumbled at the human and pressed the button on his remote again. There was no way he was going to give up that easily. Thankfully this time the remote did its job when prompted, the anti-gravity devices making loud whizzing sounds as they lit up and ever so slowly began lifting the boxes an inch or two off of the ground.

"And you doubted Moah!" Alfred said watching the crates float.

Rana gave a reluctant no agreeing with the doctor. "I hate to admit I'm wrong but your two were right. This is an amazing Zash." Walking over to pat Moah on his shoulder the pilot gave the Girunjh a small smile and then clapped her hands together. "Alright now that we got them up in the air let's get started pushing them into the ship. We're already behind schedule so we have to hur--"

Before Rana could finish giving out her orders the remote in Moah's hand suddenly came to life again. The small object making an annoying buzzing sound as all of the lights on it began to blink wildly. Quickly covering her ears Rana glared up at Moah for an explanation. "Why's it doing that!?"

Moah gave his friend a shaky grin in response and hurriedly ripped open the remote trying to fix it. "Firo, firo Moah fuddo tuzaru!" He said panicky.

Moah never got his chance to repair whatever was wrong with his device though, something happening before he could complete his task that sent all three members of the crew running for cover behind a nearby dumpster. With a great spark all of the anti-gravity devices suddenly detached from the sides of the crates at once and went shooting off into the air.

Some exploded high in the sky with loud booms as soon as they got too far away, debris and flames raining down on the dock while the ones still not destroyed careened off out of sight, smoke trails leading off into the boardwalk where the sounds of breaking glass and cries of panic echoed back to the trio making them wince in sympathy.

From her hiding spot behind the dirty dumpster, Rana covered her face with her hand and gave a long shuddering groan. "Please tell me there's no way anyone can track those back to us." She begged the two men next to her. "Even if it's a complete lie just tell me that."

Moah remained oddly silent after the question had been asked, his eyes drifting away guiltily so he didn't have to respond. Luckily or unluckily for Rana, Alfred was there to chime in his opinion, the doctor placing what he hoped was a comforting hand on her arm. "Look at it this way Miss Najjar at least the crates moved a few inches closer to the ship."

These words apparently didn't help the Jack pilot's mood, Rana screwing her eyes shut and pinching the bridge of her nose as chaos erupted around her. "Keep calm Rana you can fix this." She said more to herself than to her companions. "You don't need to call Barnabus back for help. The three of us can fix this mess. Right guys?"

Moah and Alfred shared a long look between the two of them then turned back to the distraught woman the mechanic shaking his head from side to side while the doctor nodded. "Great..." Rana sighed.

(Rana: How the hell do I end up in messes like this?)