Autumns P.O.V.

     "I can't believe that people like him exist!" I gush.

"Yeah I know, it's crazy." Clark says. We are both laying down on the bed in our night clothes, starring up at the ceiling. Trying to make sense of all of this.

"So why did Kirana send him to us?" I wonder. "Why would she be the one to lead Roman to us? Isn't that the Leaders job?"

"Honestly.... I have no idea." He shakes his head and lifts his hands to cover his face. I have so many more questions about Roman that I can't even find the words to get even one out. My brain is just going crazy and I can't go to sleep.

"You don't think she's a Leader do you?" I turn to look at Clark and I see that he has his eyes closed, but we both know he isn't going to fall asleep anytime soon.

"I don't know. I mean Roman said that the Leaders give you the job. So maybe she is. But that wouldn't make sense though. If she was from my planet, the Leaders have probably been around for a very very long time. And Kirana arrived on Earth the same time I did supposedly. Maybe she's lying to us. It just seem like she was telling the truth." His voice fades away. If she was lying, then I feel bad for Clark. She told him what his mom and dad were like. And she probably had no idea who they even were. He has no idea who is parents are.

"Well.... we have a lot more, better things to worry about for the time being." I say. I slide underneath the covers and suddenly feel a warm sensation spread all over my body. Clark does the same. He rolls over onto his side, and wraps his arms around me. He kisses my shoulder, then my neck. He lays his head right next to my ear, and the movement sends goosebumps down my arm. I close my eyes, to try and see if I can go to sleep. I don't remember when it happened, but I fall into a deep sleep.

***

I wake up and immediately get up and get changed. I walk into the kitchen and grab myself an apple, and make my way to Romans room to see if he is still sleeping. When I get there, his bed is empty, and the bed isn't made. I look around and see that his stuff is still here, so he didn't leave us in the middle of the night. I walk back into the kitchen, wondering where he could be. Then I see him. I see him sitting in the sand on the beach, through the window of the dining room. That's where I find everyone it seems. I grab another apple with my other hand, and make my way toward him.

"Hey." I say while walking up behind him. He moves his head to look at me, and smiles.

"Hey. Sorry, I just wanted to come out here and watch the sun rise." He says. He takes the apple from my hand, after I silently offer it to him.

"Yeah, I can understand that. The sunrises here are beautiful." I agree. We take a couple bites of our apple before I say anything. My brain is still stuck on the part where Kirana could be a Leader. So I decide to ask him.

"So yesterday," I look to him sharply, on accident, and he raises his eyebrow at me. Patiently waiting for me to continue while chewing a piece of his apple. "You said that Kirana sent you to us?" I question.

"Yeah?"

"Well, I was wondering.... is she a Leader in your world?" I'm dreading this answer so much. He takes a couple minutes to answer.

"Yes. I mean.... who else would give me this "job"?" I was hoping he would say no. I lose all the tension in my body, and my back curves. How am I going to be able to tell Clark that Kirana is in fact not actually from his planet, and that she never knew his parents?

"What? Were you expecting a different answer?" He asks, taking a bite from his apple once more.

"Actually yes." I sigh. "When I was in the hospital-long story-Kirana was my nurse. Anyway, she told Clark that she knew his parents before they died on his home planet. I just don't know how to tell him that she was lying and that he is the only one of his kind." I look to my hands. I lost my appetite.

"I mean I get that, but why is it so hard to tell him?" Roman asks. I look him in the eye, and I try to find the right answer.

"Because he doesn't know anything about his biological parents. And everyone deserves to know that large fact about themselves. When she said that she knew them, he believed her. I mean I believed everything that she told me as well. But he just wanted to know something about his real family, and now none of it is true." Roman sits in silence next to me and rage bubbles up inside of me.

"I mean how would you feel if you grew up on a planet that is light years away from your home. He grew up not knowing who he is and who his parents were. I mean I can't just flat out tell him that."

"It's okay." I hear a voice behind me. I don't turn around. My heart drops. Clark walks beside me, then plops himself into the sand next to me. He puts his arm around my shoulders and kisses my cheek. "You don't have to tell me." He smiles, but I know behind that smile, he's sad.

"Clark, I'm sorry." I say, patting my hand on his knee.

"So she really is a Leader?" He looks to Roman and Roman nods.

"Yep. One of the firsts actually." He takes the last bite of his apple and then tosses it next to him.

"So why would she lie to me-to us?" Clark asks confused.

"Because.... she's a Leader. No human or....you both should know about my kind. She had to lie in order to gain your trust. Now I know that sounds horrible, but.... She does know you Clark. She watched you your entire life. Leaders have the option to look after certain people. Just to watch them grow and become great people. She wanted to watch you. And the only reason she knew about you and your abilities is because-"

"She looked after me." Clark finishes.

"Yes." Roman says.

"So how old is she?" I ask. Roman shrugs.

"I don't know. No one knows. The Leaders kind of like to keep to themselves and spend their days banishing bad Guardians and sending other Guardians to their new assignments. The only thing that we know about the Leaders is that they are able to kill us with a snap of the fingers." Roman demonstrates. "Not literally, but you know what I mean."

We sit in silence while listening to the sound of the waves crashing to the shore. Silence, I think, is becoming a tradition between us three. No one knows what to say or do, so we just don't say anything. It is killing me, the silence, but I kind of like it. But it is true, I don't know what to say. So many things are chasing each other around in my brain, racing to see which one would come out of my mouth first and win and I can't think straight.

The twins are my priority, worrying about their futures and how we are going to care for them when we are trying our hardest to take care of ourselves is the thing that I am thinking about the most.

Roman and who he is, is another thing. None of what he tells me makes sense. I mean I'm used to the whole powers thing, but this? This is crazy.

Kirana not being from Clarks planet, and actually being a Leader in Romans world. Is she going to be a threat to us? Or is Roman going to be a threat?

How am I going to have these twins? All this stress of the humans and everyone searching for Clark and I is stressing me out. I can potentially kill them. And with everyone out there to kill me, I can die and kill them in the process because I'm too weak. I keep giving myself headaches thinking about all of this, and it just confuses me too much. I don't know what we're going to do.

"So what's the plan?" Clark asks, looking to Roman. Both Roman and I are taken aback by his voice. No one has spoken for a good fifteen minutes.

"What?" Roman shifts his body to get in a better position. I want to do that myself because my legs are becoming numb, but I don't want Clark to take his arm off of me.

"The plan? What you are going to be doing for the next 8 months and every month after that?" He is talking about how he's going to protect the twins.

"Well.... for the next 8 months, I'll be protecting both of you. Autumn is not able to protect herself and if you both find yourself in a situation where you can't protect her and yourself, then I'll be there for back up." Clark nods.

"Annnd what about the twins?" Clark persists the question, trying to get Romans answer. Roman rubs his hands together.

"Then I'll be their protector. My one priority will be to keep them safe. And if something were to happen to the both of you..." Roman points his fingers at Clark and I. "Then I would be the one to care for them." I don't know what to say to that. Now I know why Kirana sent Roman to us. We are in a very dangerous situation right now, and if something were to happen to Clark or myself, the twins would have no one.

"Can Leaders see the future?" I turn to Roman and ask. His facial expression turns into a confused look like he doesn't know.

"I guess so.... I mean I don't know really. I've heard them talking to other Guardians about how, if they don't shape up they'll end up like this or like this. I mean I don't really know how to explain it, but.... yeah I think. The Leaders are very powerful people, so who knows what abilities they have." What if Kirana knows what's going to happen to us? That's why she sent Roman our way because the twins will need him? I suddenly feel sick. My heart is pounding and I feel like I am going to throw up. Another thought pops in my mind. Did she know the world would flip about Clark giving me powers and turning me into him? Did she know the outcome of everything? Is this her plan? I taste bile on my tongue but I swallow it, not having the energy to spit it out.

"Hey are you okay?" Roman asks, putting his hand on my shoulder. I shake my head no, I start to get up. Clark helps me and I put a hand to my stomach.

"What's wrong?" Clark slightly whispers. I can't speak because I think that if I had, I would've puked right then and there. I just shake my head. I start to feel my stomach tighten like I am about to be sick and I use my super speed to get into the bathroom as soon as possible. I feel dizzy and I know I am going to pass out. I feel hands on my neck and my hair lifts from my shoulders. Clark rubs soft circles with his hand on my lower back. I hear footsteps coming from the bathroom door, Roman. After I have finished throwing up the only thing I had in my stomach: and apple, I feel so tired and my stomach aches. I don't feel Clarks hands on me anymore, and my hair is on my shoulders again. I reach up weakly and flush the toilet. My head feels heavy and my vision gets blurry and I feel my chest start to tighten. I see a figure walk towards me and grab my legs underneath my knees. Then I feel a strong arm wrap around my upper back. They pick me up, but don't move. I wrap my arm around the figure. I'm not sure if it is Clark or Roman, and I rest my head on their shoulder.

"Hey let me take her?" I hear someone say. It is Clark.

"No I got her." I hear Roman say. I feel the vibration of his deep voice on his chest. All I want to do is go to sleep.

"Just let me take her Roman." Clark is starting to get frustrated and I can tell by the tone of his voice.

"No, she's my responsibility." Roman says. He starts to take a couple steps then Clark stops him.

"She's mine responsibility too, so back off and let me take her." I could sense the hostility in Clarks voice. I can't believe that they are fighting over me.

"Guys." I breathe, but it comes out more of a whisper. They both stop talking and I can tell that they looked to me. Romans breathing started to quicken and I can feel his heart beat.

"Please.... just take me to my bed." Roman starts to walk, not even looking to Clark who was standing in the doorway of the bathroom, watching Roman put me into bed. He lays me down gently and covers me with the comforter. I thank him and then start to force myself asleep. My stomach feels horrible and my head is pounding. I watch as Roman walks out of the room and Clark follows close behind, looking very irritated. I try to listen to what they were saying in the other room.

"Look..." Clark spits. "I get that you're a protector Guardian thing-" Clark is not happy. I hear Roman pipe up.

"Hey! You don't get to talk to me like that!" I can just imagine them getting all up in each others faces.

"Sorry." Clark says sarcastically. "I get that you're a Guardian, but you know what? She's my fiancé and you don't get to treat her like she's yours."

"Look Clark, I am trying to help. That's what I'm here for."

"Yeah well, I can do the little things. Like what you just did. I'm not incapable." There is silence.

"I'm sorry." Roman whispers. No response. "The last thing I want to do is get in your way." He says. He sounds sad.

"I'm sorry too." Clark sighs. I am a little surprised by what he said.

"What do you mean?" Roman feels the same way I do.

"Ever since you got here, I've been a bit...rude to you when you were just trying to do your job. And I'm sorry for that." Roman doesn't say anything. "But I am very protective of her.... and I just can't imagine anyone else taking care of her than me." I kind of feel small after he says that. I don't need a man to care for myself. I can take care of myself.

"Well, I'm sorry. But you should get used to me taking care of her too. That's why I'm here. I know she can take care of herself, but now that she's pregnant, she's even more in danger." Roman says. At least he knows I can take care of myself.

"I know.... just don't flirt okay? Or I will punch a fist sized hole into your face." I imagine Roman looking terrified.

"Deal." Roman says. I hear what seems to be one of them slapping the other person slightly. Man hugging I guess. A couple seconds later, Clark walks in. I pretend to be asleep. Clark doesn't think I can take care of myself? 

Clark leans over and kisses my forehead, then wraps himself in the sheets. I watch as he reaches up and turns out the light on the lamp. I spend the rest of the night thinking about what Roman said. What is going to happen to us? If Kirana can see the future, then she must know that something is going to happen to us. I'm so scared of the future now. What are we going to do? That seems to be the question that I'm asking myself a lot more now. What are we going to do? And I hate that question even more because I don't have the answer to it. 

***

I want to talk to them. To tell them that I am not this weak, little girl and that I can take care of myself. So I quietly get out bed, and tip toe to the kitchen. I decide to talk to them over breakfast so I get everything that I need out of the fridge. Eggs, bacon, bread. I get out 4 pieces of bread and put them in the toaster. I turn the stove on medium high and set the pan on the circle and added a little bit of butter the the pan.

I am almost done with everything, when Roman walks in. His hair is ruffled and he is still in his night clothes. He rubs his eyes while he walks over to the table.

"Good morning." I say without looking away from the eggs I'm stirring. 

"Good morning." He mumbles. I laugh a little before I hear a thud coming from the table and I turn around to see that Roman slammed his head onto the table. He looks so tired.

"Did you not sleep well?" I ask. I don't hear a response. He must've shook his head no. I finish up with the eggs and put them in a bowl. I bring over the plate of toast and the eggs and set them on the table. I then place the bacon and the plates and silverware on top of the nice tablecloth I set out. I set the table and then leave to get the drinks. I fill three glasses with orange juice and quickly but smoothly set them beside each plate. Roman is now starring out the windows. The sun hasn't quite come up all the way and I am guessing that he is watching the sun rise. Once I am all finished, Clark walks in looking the same as Roman. His hair is a mess and there are bags underneath his eyes. He yawns then walks over and kisses me on the side of my forehead. 

"So I've made breakfast for the two of you this morning because I want to talk to you." I say as they are filling their plates. I look at Roman then at Clark and it's like they don't  hear me at all.

"I heard you guys talking last night..." I finally say. They both stop and look at each other. At the same time, their eyes dart to me and they chew their food slowly. 

"Oh?" Roman stares at me. I nod my head yes. They both look at each other like they have no idea what I'm talking about.

"I don't think I follow." Roman says, taking a bite of his eggs. Clark nods his head in agreement. I sigh and put my hands together in front of me, on the table.

"I heard you both tell each other that I can't take care of myself. And that I need someone else to take care of me." They eat in silence without looking up from their plates.

"I can take care of myself...." They are saying anything, it's like I'm talking to two brick walls.

"Look, both of you. I heard the whole little conversation that you both had last night and I feel really hurt. Yes I'm pregnant, but I can still take care of myself. I'm not completely powerless. You of all people should know that." I look to Clark and he glances at me. I see a change in his eyes. Guilt. "I know I can take care of myself. I really appreciate and love that you both finally agreed on something, but I don't agree with it. Let me have some freedom. I don't need you two riding my ass all the time." I notice as I am looking at Roman that Clark smirks a little. He knows I'm right. 

"I'm sorry." They both say at the same time. I sigh loudly and slump back into my chair. I start to feel another wave of nausea strangle me to death so I stand up and shove my chair into the table. I start to walk towards the balcony door, but Clark stops me.

"Where are you going?" He starts to stand up, so I raise my hand to tell him to stop.

"I just need some air." I whisper. I hold my stomach with one hand and open the balcony door with the other. The cool, morning air it's my face like a slap in the face. Goosebumps race across my skin as I realize I'm only in a thin cami and small pajama shorts that stop half way down my leg. My feet step on the cold concrete and another wave of goosebumps race up my arms. I use my speed to run inside and change quickly into a pair of jeans and a sweater. I decide that I need a few minutes alone, so I run for the other side of the island. For the millisecond I was racing past Clark, I hear him say Autumn? I ignore it and in seconds, my butt is in the sand on the other side of the island. It's a little warmer here, the sun is facing me. The shivering stops, which I'm thankful for. The wind pushes my hair off my shoulders and I suddenly feel a sort of relief. The sound of the ocean water is soothing and I calm down. The nausea is gone and it now replaced with relaxation. I sort of have this place near this cave that I hang out around all the time. I've found different things like seashells, sand dollars, flowers and pretty weeds to decorate the little area. It's a place that I go to when I need to feel peace within. I mostly read here. I sometimes write when I'm feeling creative. For the first few months of living here, I spend most of my days sitting in my little area. Just watching as the day flew by before my eyes. It's very calming, very Zen if you will. It's mine and no one can take it from me.  

***

I was out there for a while. The sun is now directly above me, so I'm guessing it is around noon. Slowly, I started to wonder if I shouldn't have had that "talk" with them. I mean, they know I can take care of myself, but it's Romans job and it's Clarks oath that he made. He promised he would protect me at all costs the first time he came back to me.

I suddenly hear footsteps coming toward me slowly, but I don't look to see who it is. 

"Hi." Clark says softly. 

"Hey." I smile slightly. He plops himself down next to me and he wraps his arms around his knees. He doesn't say anything for a few seconds, just stares as the ocean.

"I know you can take care of yourself." He finally says. He doesn't look at me when he says it. "I just want to protect you." He looks at me this time and I take a glance at him. He's dressed in a light blue t-shirt and some dark blue jeans. A small little thought runs in and out of my mind for a second, he is so attractive and he's all mine. I shake the thought out of my head and continue to sit still. 

"I know you do. I just-" I stop short, not sure of what I'm going to say. 

"I know what you're going to say, and I agree. You don't have to say it at all." I look at him confused, but I soon realize what he's talking about. A few hours ago, a thought crossed my mind. I am strong. I took care of myself when no one else did when he left. Both times, I gathered all the courage I had to keep going and I did. Roman must have read my mind. Literally. 

"We came up with a plan." He says. I look at him with my eyes raised, ready to hear whatever he has to say. 

"We? As in you and Roman?" I question. He nods his head like a child, making me giggle. "Wow that's a first." I retort.

"Our plan is this. First I leave. I leave the island, find help with Kirana. If she wanted to hurt me in anyway, she wouldn't have let me save you in the first place. Anyway-" I cut him off.

"Wait, you want to pair up with the woman that lied to you about her identity and your parents?" I inquire, turning my body to face his, feeling a sort of anger bubble up inside me.

"I know that doesn't sound like a good idea, but it's all we have." He says. I look into his eyes for a few seconds, trying to find any sign that he's actually messing with me. I don't find anything. 

"She can help us. You know how Leaders and Guardians can change the moods of the people around them?" He asks and I nod my head, knowing where he's going with this. "Roman suggested that I find her and ask her for her help. We think she can slowly change the worlds mind. She's a Leader, so the power is a whole lot stronger than a Guardians. So it lasts longer. A lot longer. That's why they don't use it very often. While her and I are doing that, you and Roman are going to travel to his "world"." He explains. I just stare at him astonishment. 

"Okay." I finally say. "Okay, let's do it." 

***

Thanks for reading!