Shannon wasn't sure how long she hid. It was enough time to realize that no one was coming to investigate what had transpired in the room. In fact, she heard nothing outside in the hallway, and none of Them seemed on the verge of waking. She crawled out from under the table and looked around, finally able to take in her surroundings.

Lining one wall was a set of monitors, each showing a different scene. She didn't understand most of what she observed. But, on one showed the view of the room she'd been in with the other women. About half of the women were gone. She hoped that meant most of the canisters had been released.

The scenes on the monitors flipped to new views. She found herself staring at Their ships, small scouts in her estimation, being obliterated by Earth's forces. How did They get here? she wondered. They had barely entered the solar system the last we checked! She watched the display, heart pounding, hand over her mouth and tears running down her face for many minutes before continuing to look around.

On the other wall was an expansive window looking out over the Moon's terrain. The sight thrilled Shannon; it was eerily beautiful, and she had long dreamed about visiting the moonbase they were building on the other side of the moon, the side which faced Earth. The sunlight behind them created shadows with the mountains on the edge of the crater they were nestled into, settling the facility securely in darkness. She wondered if their location got light at all. Certainly, it would be a way to help camouflage Their base if it were true.

A loud banging on the door caused her to jump, and she scrambled back under the table.

"Shannon!" she heard, muffled through the door. "It's Ben. We're coming in!"

As fast as she had dived under the table, she emerged from it. "Ben!" She ran for the door as he threw it open, crashing into his arms before he could fully come into the room. The hallway was full of human soldiers, and Ben was in the lead, dressed in the same battle dress as them, complete with tactical vests and weapons drawn. He'd had the good sense to hand off his rifle before she'd jumped him.

He pulled her out of the way so those with him could enter the room and secure the aliens they found there. She clung to him and shook, overwhelmed.

"Shh," he murmured into her hair. "It's over. You did well." He held her a few moments more. "Come on. Let me get you out of here."

She drew back. "What about the others?"

"Our teams are still arriving and will take care of them."

"Okay." She looked up at him. "Take me home?"

He cupped her face and kissed her forehead. "How about my home first? Before they bury you in debriefs and such? You've got to be hungry..."

She nodded. "Yeah, but mostly, I want a shower. And some clothes." She blushed to realize she was still in her bikini and sheer coverup from the beach.

"I can arrange for all that. Come on." He took her hand and led her down the hall until she came to a large enough space to accommodate Vic. It seemed both surreal and natural to see the big horse in the foreign area.

They mounted, and Vic leaped. Shannon thought the darkness between one location and the other seemed to last longer, but just as she started to think about it, they were reappearing at Ben's house in Sedona.

Unlike her last visit when the house was empty, there was a flurry of motion; it was full of numerous people coming and going, all in military uniforms of varying nature, some more high ranking than others.

Shannon slid off of Vic into Ben's arms but was distracted by all the commotion. "What's going on, Ben?"

He kissed her quickly when she turned to him. "Get cleaned up, and I'll explain over some food. I had someone bring our things up from Brazil, so there's more for you to wear than fatigues," he explained with a lopsided grin.

"Are you..." Shannon's voice trailed off, afraid to ask.

"War?" he filled in for her.

"Yeah."

"I'll explain over lunch, I promise."

She followed behind him, moving through the people who made way for him, stepping smartly out of his path, and nodding at her as if showing respect. She attempted to quelch the rising hope in her that Ben had embraced being War once again.

He led her into his bedroom and through it to the other side, swinging open double doors into an enormous bathing area. Central to the room was a pool about three feet deep big enough for at least a dozen people. Around the edges were tables, each holding a collection of antique-looking glass bottles of liquids mixed with pots of who-knew-what. Towel racks and stacks of washcloths were also present situated between the tables. Near the entrance, robes hung on hooks, ready to be put on before leaving.

Pointing across the pool, Ben explained, "That door over there leads to a modern bathroom with a jacuzzi tub and shower. Unless, of course," he turned to her and stepped close, "you'd rather be bathed in the pool?" The hunger in his eyes made it very apparent the idea appealed to him.

"Umm... well, the pool sounds nice, but in the interest of time, I'll take a shower."

He indicated his agreement. "Reasonable, but, one day, I want to have you in the water," he growled.

Grinning, she purred in return, "Well, I think that can be arranged."

He pulled her into a passionate kiss, lingering there until they had to step back or get preoccupied with other things. "I'm glad you're okay, Shannon. I was worried."

"I'm relieved you found me," she stated quietly.

"I am, too, in more ways than one. Now," he pushed her gently toward the smaller bathroom, "go take a shower. What do you want for lunch?"

"Whatever you're having is fine."

"Steak it is."

"Steak? But I thought you were a vegetarian?"

He shooed her again, "Go. I promise to explain."

She recognized she would get nothing substantial in explanation from him and turned to the bathroom.

"I'll have someone bring your clothes in a few minutes, okay? They'll be just outside the door."

"Thank you!" she called as she shut herself into the smaller but still expansive bathroom. Double sinks, a toilet, a bidet, a huge tub, and a gorgeous walk-in shower were situated in the area, with room to spare.

She didn't know what felt better, just being able to pee or standing under the warm spray in the beautifully tiled alcove. It seemed odd to be in an open shower, but it was certainly large enough to not have to worry about the water going everywhere.

Realizing she'd been lingering when her fingertips pruned, she finally turned it off and grabbed a towel, more than a little happy the rack was also a warmer. On another shelf, she found a fluffy robe and donned it. It, too, was warm.

She located all the things she needed for her routine; she had a suspicion he'd prepared the bath for her some time ago. Finally, she opened the door to find her clothes hung on yet another rack, freshly washed and pressed. The weather was much warmer than in the city, though not quite like Brazil, so she chose a free-flowing shift but added leggings underneath. She slipped her feet into her sandals and began to leave.

Just as she was coming around the pool, a woman in camo stuck her head into the bathing area. "Are you ready for lunch? He's waiting if you are."

"Yes, I'm coming now."

"Very good. I'll take you to the dining room. Things are a little chaotic, and it's easy to get lost here."

Shannon followed the young woman around the edges of several rooms full of bustling people and equipment. She was surprised to see the men from her surveillance team sitting at one bank of monitors. Similar images to she had seen in Their conference room were on the monitors. One of them looked up and nodded to her before going back to the involved conversation they were having with an older man in sand-colored desert fatigues.

At last, another set of double doors were slid open, and she entered what appeared to be a guesthouse. She was in a living room area. Off to one side was the kitchen where two people were cooking. At the round table near them, set nicely with a not-quite-formal leanings, Ben sat sipping a glass of red wine. He signaled to the two behind him with a nod, and they began to plate lunch.

He pushed back his chair and rose as she approached. He pulled out a chair next to him at the table. "Would you like a glass of wine?"

"Yes, please," she requested as she sat.

They were silent as a third person who seemed to appear from nowhere poured for her, then the others from the kitchen set the dishes in front of them. It was all very formal and made her even more curious.

Ben nodded to them once again. They flowed out of the space, the grace of their walk beautiful to watch.

He started to cut his steak, and she followed suit. She realized she was starving and popped the piece of steak in her mouth, moaning in appreciation. They ate in silence for a few moments. After a few bites, however, her curiosity overcame her.

"Are you—" she began.

"I don't—" he started at the same time.

They laughed, and she indicated he should speak first.

He admitted his quandary. "I don't know where to start, honestly."

She took another bite of steak. "The beginning is usually a good place."

"Actually, let me start near the very end." He put down his fork. "We've won the war."

Shannon was glad she had swallowed just a moment before because a lump rose in her throat as tears filled her eyes, spilling out quicker than she could react. She wiped at them with her napkin fighting the sobs of incredulous relief threatening to flood her.

"How—" she stammered, "how do you know?"

He cleared his throat and replied, voice quiet and gaze intense. "I always know these things, Shannon. I am War."