Part 4

“Look!” A voice cried out, snapping Dan awake from the game of solitaire he was playing. Dan turned towards the Monitor 3 and saw the same red light flashing on the same place it had a few days ago.

“Dr. Dover! Come quick!”

The half bald man came running to see the red light suddenly stop. “What the crap is that?”

“I don’t know sir. It all of a sudden started flashing. Only for a minute this time.” Miss Jean Velvet said.

“Very strange. But we still don’t know if it is our machine or really something out there.”

“Maybe we should send a team.” That was Jean again. “To go check it out.”

“Well, I don’t think corporate will like that very much. They want proof remember.” Dan said, swallowing his burger.

“Dan is right. For now keep a watch on it and wait.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When he opened his eyes he saw Star nickering nervously over him. Groaning he blinked several times and sat up. His head throbbed but not as badly as when he was hit with the explosion. Suddenly Travis’ eyes grew wide. He remembered! He remembered everything! His mom, his dad, his childhood! Everything. Yet, he still couldn’t figure out why he was here, on Earth. How had he gotten here? He suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion set in. Star stood still while he mounted and set off at a rocking canter back to Crest Wind Farm.

When Travis arrived, Michelle was just finishing working with a young mare. She frowned as she saw how exhausted Travis looked. He nearly stumbled when he dismounted. “Travis!” she called, dismounting and leading the horse toward the young man.

Travis tried to force a smile, but it came out half heartily. He was just so tired.

“You don’t look so good. Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes, I...I just need a good rest.”

Michelle frowned as she watched Travis disappear into his apartment. She turned to see Star looking at her. She wondered if she should catch the horse before it ran off, but Star just snorted and walked into the barn and into the empty stall. Michelle shook her head as she watched the horse start eating his hay. “You are amazing, Star.” She turned to look back at the small apartment where Travis was. “And so is he.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was dusk and Travis still hadn’t come out of the apartment. Michelle told her dad that he wasn’t feeling good and Mr. Hill bought it. After all of the horses had been fed, Michelle frowned at the unswept hall. Where was that good for nothing Vincent anyway? Picking up a broom, she suddenly heard a groan and she whirled around to see a man laying in a crumpled heap.

“Good gracious!” she cried out and bent over him. “What’s happened?” But when she smelled the alcohol on Vincent’s breath, she frowned and stood up. “You are drunk again, Vincent Butcher, and a pitiful site indeed. You smell like a bar. What do you think you are doing drinking yourself into such as state and lying about in the stables? Wait until my dad hears about this.”

“So, it’s pretty little Mich, eh?” Vincent muttered, his dark eyes dangerously fierce as he pulled himself into a sitting position. “Want to share my bottle?”

Michelle felt dread in her stomach. She had seen the looks Vincent gave her when her father wasn’t around. But her dread was replaced by anger.

“No, I don’t! Now haul yourself up and be on your way.

“Giving orders now, Mich? Too good to drink with me?” He let his eyes slide down her breast and moistened his lips. “Naw, there are more better things to do with me than drink.” He suddenly lunged out and grabbed her shoulders and closed his mouth over hers, the strong smell of whiskey assaulting her senses as she pushed against him.

“God-damn you Vincent!” she spat, now infuriated that he had touched her. “You drunken buzzard, don’t you ever put your hands on me again! Why I....” She was cut short when he grabbed her with such force that her breath caught in her throat.

“I’ll do more than touch you.” His hand clamped over her mouth and he pushed her down roughly in the straw-filed stall. She fought in fury, kicking and scratching as his hands began to bruise her body. She felt like gagging as his lips violated hers. Her blouse ripped away from the shoulder, the sound exploding in her ear. Anger gave way to terror and she struggled more violently. Her nails dug into his arms, tearing his skin, and he cursed with pain and raised his head, her scream pierced the still night.

A hand slapped her hard across her cheek, numbing her face as he closed his palm over her mouth again. She continued to thrash out as his free hand captured her breast and moved over her with cruel purpose. Her strength was ebbing, and she realized she was helpless. She had never had sex and now she was going to have it stripped from her without any say what so ever!

Please somebody, help me, she prayed desperately as nausea swamped her. Suddenly she was released from the crushing weigh. She heard a curse and she desperately made her way to the stall entrance and breathed deep to force back the queasiness. She saw the tall and lean figure of Travis behind her with Vincent in his clutches. His blond hair cascaded over his eyes, but she could make out the anger behind the blue eyes.

“Let me go, you...you freak!”

The word cut through the silent night like a bell. Michelle could only stare at Vincent as the scrawny man struggled in Travis’ hard grip. Travis suddenly threw Vincent against the wall and watched the body slink to the ground.

Relief flooded through Michelle and as Travis started towards her, she began to sob. She couldn’t stop it. She felt Travis take her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shirt. She felt his hands gently travel over her bruised and she felt him gently, oh so gently, slid her ripped shirt back over her shoulder.

“Shhh, everything will be all right, now Michelle.” he whispered to her, calming her nerves as if she was a nervous horse. Michelle sniffed and looked up into his blue eyes which still held anger and fear from his encounter. He traced her cheek with his soft hand, more anger filling him at the red bruise that dotted her cheek.

“I know. You’re here.” she whispered. She felt the need for his soft touch on her. She wanted his lips on hers. She could feel his soft breaths on her skin as they drew closer.

“Dear god what happened!” a booming voice shouted and Mr. Hill followed by Mrs. Hill entered the stall.

Michelle felt new tears arise and she began crying again when her mom cupped her into her protective embrace.

“Vincent here, drank himself stupid, sir.” Travis explained, standing up. “I came just in time.”

Mr. Hill’s eyes burned in anger as he looked at the groaning stable manager. “Why you little piece of shit!” he bellowed. Vincent looked up and anger was replaced by fear. “How dare you touch my daughter! But I’m not going to waste my breath. The police are on their way!”

Vincent groaned again and fell back down into the straw. Travis’ anger got worse as he saw Michelle sobbing into her mother’s arms. He saw her torn blouse, the bruises already in evidence on the creamy skin. the rich hair tousled around her pale face. How could someone beat such a beautiful creature? He had never seen a girl so beautiful where he was from. Mr. Hill thanked him and Travis slowly made his way back to his apartment. He had slept in his clothes, he had been so exhausted from the encounter earlier that he hadn’t bothered to undress. As he took off his shirt, he sighed and bit his lip. He knew who he was now. But would Michelle understand?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next day, Michelle was back out working with the horses. No classes were scheduled and she was out on the trails with one of the younger horses by the time Travis was done with his work. Aside from the bruise on her cheek, she greeted him like nothing had happened last night. Travis didn’t know whether he should be grateful or sad.

He didn’t see much of her for the rest of the day. He felt disappointed and hoped that he hadn’t run her off. It was eight o’clock and Travis was busy reading a book when a knock sounded on his door. He quickly grabbed a shirt and was buttoning it when he answered the door to see Michelle smiling at him.

“Michelle!” he said in surprise, the buttons on his shirt forgotten. “What...is there a problem?”

“No. Um, may I come in?”

“Of course.” Travis felt like hitting his head on the wall. He gently closed the door behind her and sat on the edge of the sofa.

“I..I just wanted to tell you that my dad is away on business for a few days. He left an hour again and my mom is working double shift, so I’m in charge.”

“Ah. Okay.” Travis could see there was something more that she wanted to tell him.

“Um, Travis. I..I want to thank you for...last night.” Michelle stammered. The sight of the young man with his shirt unbutton, revealing his nicely muscled chest, made her throat go dry.

He smiled and nodded. “Are you feeling better?” “Yeah. Just a few bruises.”

Silence stretched itself through the small room. Neither teen knew what to say. Michelle seemed to study the room’s pictures as she walked closer to him.

“How was your rides?”

“Good. The horses are really coming along. Dad should get a good amount for them.”

Another lapse of silence. This time Michelle was next to him on the edge of the sofa. Their eyes met and Michelle smiled. Before he could stop himself, he lept on her, his lips forcing themselves onto hers. He half expected her to jerk away but to his surprise she met it head on. She wrapped her arms around his neck and crushed his lips with hungry desire.

His arms wraped around her and Michelle could feel the need in him she had not known existed and knew a moment’s delirious pleasure that it was for her. Fire ignited fire. His mouth was hard and bruising and she opened under the pressure, like a flower to the sun. His hand slid to her shoulders, and the soft material of her shirt gave way as he unbuttoned it and let it fall, exposing her full breasts. Her hands fumbled with his jeans and by the time they reached the bed, no barrier of cloth came between them. In a swift, desperate gesture, he gathered her up in his arms and laid her on the bed.

His lips moved over hers slowly, his hands roaming with gentleness over her trembling body, releasing her desire while he kept his own in check. When he made her his, she surrendered, drawing her pleasure from the gift she gave.

Later, she slept in the warm circle of his arms, the deep, peaceful sleep of one who has been lost and searching and finally found home.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The ringing of a phone started Dan and nearly made him drop his coffee. Grumbling he picked up the reciever. “University of Research, how may I help you.”

There was a moment of silence and then a thin voice answered. “I...I believe I have evidence of a U.F.O. sighting. Actually, I didn’t see a U.F.O but I believe that someone I know is one of them.”

Dan forced back a sigh. “Where are you from, sir?”

“Virginia, Rockville, Virginia.”

Dan swallowed, and cleared his throat. It was the same place where the red dot had been flashing on! “Did..did you happen to see the U.F.O. crash?”

“No, but I heard something a few nights back and the next morning this young man appears, half dead, with this white horse...”

“Sir, can I get your name please?”

“Vincent. Vincent Butcher.”

“Okay, Mr. Butcher. Could you hold on for one moment while I get my supervisor?”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The sunlight streamed warm and loving on Michelle’s face, and she opened her eyes. Travis’s face lay close to hers, and she studied it thoroughly and sighed, her love nearly bursting her heart. His breathing was slow and even, the deep blue of his eyes hidden by lowered lids and lashes which seemed incredibly long and thick against his face. Her hand lifted and swept the blond locks away from his forehead, and she snuggled closer, murmuring his name.

His eyes opened at her movements and smiled into hers. “Hello,” he said simply as his arm tightened around her slim waist. “Do you always look this beautiful first thing in the morning?”

“I don’t know.” she answered. “It’s the first time I’ve ever awakened with a man beside me.”

She rolled on top of him and peered down at his face critically. “You’re not a hard sight on the eyes either.”

He tugged the hair that fell streaming from her head to his shoulders and brought her face down, claiming her lips. After a moment she lay her head in the curve of his shoulder, sighing with absolute contentment as he caressed her back with slow, idle movements.

She looked around the room and saw the clock face staring back at her. The horses were whinnying and she groaned as she read the time. “Can you believe that it is past eight-thirty?”

“Yep, I can.” Travis said beside her.

“Wish we could just forget it.” she said, smiling as she turned to look at him.

“Me too, but your dad hired me to take care of his horses and I will.”

Michelle laughed but she was disappointed to get out of bed. She wanted to stay by Travis all day. But the horses needed them more and so after quickly getting dressed, they went outside to take care of them. Marco only gave them a cocked eyebrow and a grin but at Travis’s frown, Marco quickly turned around and got back to work.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Michelle never felt so good. For the rest of the day, she felt like she was in heaven. Her parents and what they would think only crossed her mind once during the day. Everytime she saw Travis and he flashed his lovely grin, she felt her insides melt.

Travis was feeling just as good. But he couldn’t escape his past. Not anymore. Would Michelle believe him when he told her who or actually what he really was? Would she love him after that? He didn’t know if his parents were dead or alive but he did know that he wanted to start his life over. He wanted to become a citizen of this Earth and live with Michelle for the rest of his life. True, he didn’t know how to drive but he could learn. Everytime Michelle looked at him with her lovely blue eyes, his troubles seemed to vanish. She would understand. She had to.

But as the day went on, he became more and more nervous. How would she react when he told her. He knew he had to tell her tonight. Before things went on any farther. Star had no answers for him. His expression and mind told him to “figure it out for yourself”.

When dusk set in, Michelle invited him in her house for dinner. The talked only small talk, both equally aware of each other and how much they wanted to be together again for another night.

After dinner was through and Marco had gone home, Michelle and Travis sat together on the porch watching the sun go down.

“It is a beautiful sight, isn’t?” Travis said, putting an arm around her shoulders.

“Umm, yes it is.” Michelle sighed as she leaned on him and linked her fingers with his.

“I love you Michelle.” His words seemed like a song in her ear and she smiled up at him.

“I love you too.”

“You know Michelle, I’m...well...I’m different from most people.”

Michelle just smiled. “That you are.”

“I mean...I’m not who you think I am.”

“You’re not a bank robber or a murderer are you?” Her voice had a teasing tone to it. He was going to have a hard time telling her.

“No.” he chuckled. “But, well, I am very different from you or your parents, or even Marco.”

Michelle sat up and looked at him. “What are you trying to tell me, Travis?”

“Well, just that...” he couldn’t force the words to come out. He didn’t want to lose her.

Just then several car lights came into view heading toward the farm. Michelle turned to look at them. “I wonder who that is? Did you call someone?”

“No.” He didn’t even know how to use the phone for crying out loud. “But Michelle...”

But he dropped his sentence when he saw the cars coming nearer. The sky was groaning darker but Michelle and Travis could tell these weren’t ordinary cars. Every single one was black and in the back was a van with a horse trailer towed behind it. The four vehicles pulled up and parked in the yard. By then Michelle was standing with Travis right behind her.

A man, looking to be in his mid fifties got out of the first car. “Hello, are you Miss. Hill?”

“Yes, I am. May I ask who you are and what you are doing on my property?” Her tone told them that she meant business.

“My name is Dr. Ben Dover. I’m from the University of Unidentified Flying Objects Research in Vermont.”

Nobody noticed Travis grow pale as the guy continued. Nobody saw Travis clench his hands into fists or see his mouth grow dry.

“I’m here because I have evidence that an, uh, exterestial has landed on your property.”

“You have got to be kidding. I run a horse farm, guys. I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Well a concerned citizen that knows you Miss Hill tells me that you are harboring this exterestial.”

“Has the world gone nuts? I have no clue what you are talking about.” Michelle walked down the steps to talk to the guy closer. His white trench coat gave him the appearance of a Doctor and yet that made her feel worse. She saw several other people come closer, some in white trench coats, others in black attire.

“Look, Miss Hill. It is for your own safety that we search your property.”

“No! NO way! Look, you guys come back another time when you have a warrant because from what I know of our legal system, this is not right and I can have you thrown off my property.”

Ben Dover frowned. “I didn’t want it to come to this, Miss Hill. But you leave me little choice.”

Suddenly one of the big men dressed in black grabbed Michelle’s arm. “What are you doing! Let me go!”

Travis had followed Michelle down the steps, part of him wanting to run, yet the other part wanting to stick by his love. Ben gave him a look that made Travis’s blood turn cold. He half smiled at Travis and then suddenly Michelle was grabbed and yanked out of the way!

“Let her go!” Travis yelled, running towards Michelle and the man that held her.

Ben stepped back as another heavily muscled man grabbed Travis, yanking him away from Michelle. Travis tried to struggle against the man’s hold but the guy was a head taller then he was and wasn’t making it easy. Ben smiled and grabbed something from inside the car. When he came out, he had a syringe in hand already filled with clearless liquid.

The man holding him suddenly wrapped an arm around his neck, pinning him against the steel hard chest. Travis’s other arm was yanked viciously behind his back, causing pain to shoot up his arm and back. He couldn’t move!

“This will be quick and painless.” Ben said, squirting water out of the syringe.

“Leave him alone! What are you doing?” Michelle yelled, and Travis could see the fear in her eyes. Why had he let them grab her?

Suddenly Ben stabbed the syringe into Travis’s pinned arm. He grunted in pain, but he couldn’t move away from the needle.

Michelle screamed his name and struggled somemore. “This will just put you to sleep for the long trip back to the lab.” Ben said, putting the needle back into his black bag. “It will just take a few minutes.”

Already Travis felt lightheaded and dizzy. *Star....Help*

Suddenly there was a scream and a great white horse charged out of the barn! Several of the scientist screamed and hid in their cars as the horse reared up, with teeth bared and ears back. The guy holding Travis, loosened his hold, giving Travis the chance. Elbowing the guy in the gut, Travis broke loose and ran to where the other guy holding Michelle was staring in horror at the horse. Michelle back handed the guy, causing him to cry out in pain, holding his bleeding nose. Travis grabbed Michelle’s arm and raced toward the barn. They could hear Ben shouting to his men.

“You have to get out of here.” Travis said, spinning Michelle around to look at him.

“No! I’m not leaving you.”

Travis shook his head trying to clear his blurred vision. “Please Michelle. You must.”

Michelle suddenly cried out and Travis turned to see Star grunting and stumbling to the ground, a tranquilizer in his shoulder. “Star...” Travis whispered in shock. He tried to walk to his horse but the world spun around him, causing him to sink to his knees.

“Travis!” Michelle called, but her voice seemed so far away. He tried to force his legs under him but they gave way and he collapsed on his back. His whole body seemed numb and unresponsive. He couldn’t move his legs or arms and he didn’t feel Michelle tugging on him, trying to help him up. Her voice kept getting farther and farther away. ‘Michelle..’ He tried to speak to her, tell her to leave him and run. But no words escaped. He could hear her crying and it broke his heart. Then everything went black.

Part 5