Rose was already waiting when Mary dropped Stephanie off at the Del Amo AMC 18 theaters. Rose had changed into a pair of tan carpenter pants and a white peasant blouse. She'd chosen a pair of dark brown sandals, large wooden hoop earrings, and an oversized woven straw clutch to complete the look. Her golden locks, which she usually wore down, had been tied back with a leather thong.

Stephanie walked across from the parking lot, where Mary had dropped her off. As was their custom, she and Rose met downstairs at the Promenade, right outside BJs Restaurant. Neither girl noticed the looks they received from the other patrons.

Stephanie was wearing a pair of denim shorts which showed off magnificent tanned legs. Her top was a simple black tank and she wore black open toe sling backs. She had left her hair down and had donned on a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Stephanie immediately noticed the purse Rose was carrying. If there was one thing Rose hated, it was carrying oversized anything. "Okay, so what's up with the purse, Rose?" she asked immediately as she walked up to her.

Rose looked around and held on tightly to the purse in question. When she made sure no one was within earshot, she whispered, "More info on the situation." They both stared at the purse as if it were a writhing snake.

"Okay, I think maybe a movie is not such a good idea then. I want to know what you found and I, well I need to tell you something else", confessed Stephanie as she started leading Rose up the escalators.

Rose stopped, forcing Steph to return to where Rose stood. "Please tell me you didn't go over there. I thought we discussed this and you were going to try to stay away at least until we know a little more about what is going on", accused Rose. She looked at Steph imploringly as if willing her to give her the answer she was seeking.

Steph's reply came in a harsh whisper, "Of course I didn't. I said I wouldn't, didn't I? It's, well, I think you better be sitting for this. Look let's go grab an early dinner and I'll fill you in. Then you can let me know what you found too", Steph said as she started towards the escalators once again.

This time Rose followed. She was relieved that Steph had been keeping away from Alex. She knew how difficult it must be. Or at least she imagined she had an idea given how she had felt about CJ until very recently.

Once they got upstairs, Rose and Stephanie decided to go into Johnny Rockets. It was still early enough in the day that the place wasn't too crowded. They felt reasonably confident that they would be able to procure a table which offered some privacy.

They sat down in the booth farthest away from the counter. They waited to start speaking about Alex until after they had placed their orders.

"Okay me first", said Rose leaning towards Steph, "I have a large file in my purse which I printed. It comes from a credible source. I still can't believe I got in there. But anyway, the basic rundown is this – About ten years ago, a special task force that's part of the military was in pursuit of two individuals. They managed to corner them; there was a male and a female. Some eye witness accounts, all task force members, said she looked to be in a trance when finally surrounded them. She started muttering things like 'leaving you behind was a mistake' and 'have been charged with rectifying situation' and 'clean-up no evidence left behind'. She then turned on her companion", Rose, unable to continue, stopped for a minute to compose herself.

During Rose's summary, Stephanie had just sat there staring at her. It sounded pretty frightening and from Rose's hesitation to continue, she was sure it was about to get worse. At that instant, their server showed up with their drinks.

Rose took a long sip of her Diet Coke and continued, "Steph, the female killed the guy that was with her. By all accounts, they were at least friends. He had been helping her hide out and evade them. Then when they were trapped she turned on him, she pulled out a knife and stabbed him repeatedly in the chest. Then she just crumpled to the floor screaming. They took her into captivity and she died six minutes later. She never stopped screaming, her organs just seemed to have shut down for no apparent reason. The guy she killed was human. They called her UNK2."

Steph couldn't believe what she had just heard. She reached across the table and gripped Rose's arm. "You think she was. Crap, they're like her aren't they? But why would she kill him? You're trying to tell me they're dangerous", she swallowed nervously.

Rose shook her head. "Steph, I'm just telling you what I read. It's really hard for me to think that Chris would do anything as barbaric as what she... nor Alex. But I wish I knew the whole story. I tried to get more info but I wasn't able to", Rose trailed off. She placed her right hand on top of Steph's which was still tightly gripping Rose's left arm.

"Can I keep the printout so I can read it? Maybe we should share it with Alex and Chris", Stephanie replied quietly as she slipped her hands out of Rose's.

Rose nodded in agreement, "You know I want to help Steph. I mean, I'm looking for information so we can know more about everything that's going on. It does seem like they don't know much about their origins or parents or abilities or anything. But I want to make sure it's safe, that you'll be safe. They're right next door to you and I worry", she gave Steph a smile as she took another sip of her drink. Looking up to make sure no one was paying attention to their conversation, she noticed that their server was heading towards their table. They sat in silence while their food was served.

Steph just looked at her burger while Rose added a stingy amount of dressing to her salad. She had decided that she needed comfort food. But instead of having the chili cheese fries she had been craving earlier, she'd have a sensible salad and then splurge on dessert.

"Steph, you can share any information I find with Alex and CJ. But you need to understand that I can't go with you", she said without looking up from her salad. She delicately speared a cherry tomato and brought it to her mouth. Stephanie noticed that Rose wouldn't meet her eyes. She wondered what else was occupying her friend's mind.

"Rose, I know you're scared. Believe me; this whole situation has me freaked out too. I mean, all I wanted was a normal boyfriend and now all I want is Alex and I wish he were normal. I don't blame you for not wanting anything to do with them. I still can't believe Chris tried to take advantage of you that way. I always thought he was so nice and considerate", Steph trailed off when Rose suddenly looked up at her.

There was something in Rose's look that Steph was unable to decipher. She wasn't sure if it was fear or anger, a combination of both, or something else entirely.

Rose dropped her fork and with it the pretense of eating dinner. "Steph, I should have told you and Gina this a long time ago. I'm sorry I didn't but I just couldn't", Rose took a deep breath, looked her best friend straight in the eyes and came clean. "I've had a crush on CJ for a long time. I think the reason I was always so rude to him was because I was scared that he'd notice. I... I should have told you and Gina", Rose looked away and stared off into the distance.

Stephanie couldn't believe what she had just heard. She didn't know what she had expected Rose to say, but this was not it. She wasn't sure what to say, how to reply. Then, it was as if everything became clear.

"Oh Rose, I'm the one that's sorry. It must have been horrible for you to see me carry on about CJ this whole time! Look, you know that was a mistake. I just got along with him so well and he's so nice, well until recently, and I got caught up. That's all. If you want to", she trailed off when Rose put up her hand to stop her.

"No. Don't even say it. I know how you feel about him and Alex. I was wrong; there is nothing I want to do with Chris. Steph, I don't want to make you feel bad about Alex. But I'm scared of them; I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. When CJ kissed me, it was so different. I felt such happiness, I also felt like he could see every thought I've ever had. I don't ever want to feel that way again. So if for nothing else, I am not getting anywhere near him", she finished in a hurry.

"Okay, I understand Rose", Steph gave her a small smile. With that, both girls reached for their plates. They ate in silence for the next few minutes, each girl deep in her own thoughts.

After all that had been said, neither Steph nor Rose felt like having dessert. They paid for their dinner and left. It was pleasant outside so they decided to go downstairs and sit by the water feature. They sat in silence watching the colors change in the modern water fountain. All the strung up lights were on and they provided a comforting background for the evening.

Steph dipped her hand into the cool water. "Rose, I think Alex has been in my room", Steph said looking at Rose's face for a reaction. Rose looked back at Steph with a look of horror in her eyes.

"You mean like he's searched your room? Wait, what do you mean you 'think'?" Rose asked in exasperation throwing her arms up in the air. "What aren't you telling me Steph?"

Stephanie pulled her hand out of the water and dried it on her shorts. She noticed that some of the people passing by cast a curious glance their way as a result of Rose's outburst.

Stephanie lowered her voice and began, "Well a few nights ago I was asleep and dreaming about a stranger with mesmerizing green eyes, he was beckoning me with his look and I felt drawn to him. I embraced him and when I did, I woke up but I still felt him next to me. I was sure I was holding someone. I jumped out of bed and turned on the light but there was no one there. I figured I was dreaming, except I could still feel the warmth from his chest. I think it was Alex but I don't know how he got there or how he left."

Rose sat there with her hands on her lap, they were balled into fists. There was a look of disbelief on her face. Hurriedly Steph continued to tell her about the other two times when she saw Alex, the latest of which was in her bathroom. She included every single detail she could remember.

"So of course now I am convinced that I really did see him the previous times. But when we spoke he said he couldn't do anything like that, and I've been thinking about something else too", Steph looked scared, confused, and hurt.

Rose reached over and hugged Stephanie in a fierce embrace. They were in deep over their heads on this one. She knew it must be even more difficult for Steph, given her feelings for Alex. It still worried Rose that Steph had fallen so quick and hard for the guy. "It'll be fine Steph, we'll figure it out", regretfully she let go of Stephanie.

Steph nervously toyed with the hem of her top and finally told Rose about her latest theory. She knew her feelings for Alex were very strong. As far as she was concerned, she loved him and wanted to be with him always, no matter what. This had started worrying her. She didn't really know him that well and the things that she did know should have caused her to run from him not towards him. He had the power to transmit his feelings to her. When she was near him, she felt as if she were drowning in emotions. These emotions ran the spectrum from pain to a love like she'd never imagined possible.

But what if the love she thought she felt for him was really just a result of Alex's strange power. He might not even be doing it on purpose. There was the possibility that it was just a result of the projection of his feelings to her. If he was able to make her feel his pain and loneliness, then why couldn't it also be true that he made her feel his love? Maybe she was somehow confusing those feelings for her own when in fact they weren't.

"Even when I'm not around him I feel a special bond to him, I miss him, and I want to be near him. But how do I know it's not just an after-effect or a residual feeling or something? I'm really confused and I'm scared. I feel as if everything is spiraling out of control and there's nothing I can do to stop it", Steph finished as she wiped tears from her eyes.

Steph had obviously given this a lot of thought. Rose had to admit that it made sense. But she also saw that it was tearing Steph apart to think that she was somehow being manipulated even if it was inadvertently.

"What you are saying makes sense Steph. But you have to remember that you started having feelings for him before you even touched. You said there was something about him when you first met. Based on everything I've found and read, and everything they've told us, they're not capable of anything like that. I know that means we have to trust them. You know I'm really worried and scared about all this. But I still think CJ and Alex are being truthful with us", Rose hopped her friend could find some comfort in her words. She started to reach into her purse for the report when Steph stopped her.

"No, I don't want it yet. None of this explains how Alex can get into my house. Or why he's doing it. That's not a known power or whatever, so that means we have no idea what he's capable of, or CJ for that matter", she turned to look at the water once more.

The lights were purple and it gave the water an eerie incandescent glow. Steph shuddered and looked at the people milling around. It was starting to get late and she knew it would soon be time to call her mom to come pick them up.

Rose held her purse to her chest. She flicked at her hair absently only to discover that it was tied back. Tossing her hair back over her shoulder was an ingrained habit she wasn't even aware of possessing. It was only on the few occasions when she put her hair up or tied it back that she even noticed it.

"Okay, look, maybe you need to talk about this with Alex. But please promise you won't go over there. Maybe you can just call him on the phone or meet him somewhere in public. I'll just feel better knowing that you won't be at his place by yourself", Rose saw that Steph was about to chime in so she continued before she could, "No, I won't go over there. I just can't get any more involved than I already am. I'm sorry; I know I'm letting you down when you most need me. But I just can't", she finished and her voice held a note of shame in it.

Stephanie patted Rose's hand, "It's okay Rose, you're not letting me down. It's a lot to deal with but I'll be fine."

"Steph, you know I love you and I'd do anything for you. You're like a sister to me. I just need to stay away from Chris for a little bit. I can't risk another incident like the previous one."

Rose had planned on telling Steph about the stranger in Vegas. She was sure that he was a piece of the CJ and Alex puzzle. She was also sure that the guy was up to no good. The guys needed to be warned and avoid encountering him at all cost. As she thought back on him she realized he reeked of danger. A slight shudder ran through her at the thought. Rose decided to wait a little before adding more cause for concern on Stephanie. She was already dealing with so much.

Steph agreed that she would make arrangements to speak with Alex. She'd ask him to meet her at the Starbucks by their complex. It was always busy and it should be safe to sit outside under an umbrella having a drink.

By mutual understanding, they tried to make the rest of the evening a 'normal' as possible. Once they had agreed on their course of action, they walked into the mall. They still had time for a quick stop at Claire's. Rose wanted to pick up some new earrings and Steph loved looking through their collection of bangles.

Steph asked Rose if she thought her parents would let her sleep over for the night. She was still feeling nervous and didn't want to sleep alone. Steph called her mom to ask if she could pick them up and stop by Rose's for her to get an overnight bag. Mary readily agreed and said she thought it was a good idea for Steph to have company. Rose spoke to her mom who said it was fine as long as it was only one night as they had plans for the following evening.

Rose managed to pack her overnight bag in six minutes, while Steph and Mary waited outside in the car. The drive back to Stephanie's place was full of carefree chatter. Mary started to relax. Maybe Steph was okay after all and she was just acting like an overprotective mother. Being a single parent was very hard, especially at times like these when Mary didn't have her husband, Jeffrey to lean on for support.

When they got home, Stephanie and Rose agreed to just enjoy the rest of the evening. They were going to leave all their 'out of this world' worries aside and just enjoy each other's company. They looked through Steph's Tiger Beat and BOP issues. They even called Gina to check up on her. She hated being stuck at home but was glad that they had called her; she was bored out of her mind. The only good thing was that she had written a few more poems.

Steph was exhausted; she unsuccessfully tried to stifle another yawn when Rose decided to call it a night. The girls were sitting at Stephanie's desk looking over a scrapbook. Rose reached over and closed the book. "Okay, let's hit the sack. I'm so tired", Rose said getting up.

Steph was glad to be going to bed. Yet in the back of her mind, she was a little anxious. She really hoped nothing weird would happen. She found some comfort in the thought that Rose was with her. The girls each got into one side of Steph's queen size bed and lay down. "Good night", they said in unison as Stephanie reached over and turned off her bedside light.