“What would that be,” he asked nervously.

“You sent Zyphorian down here to watch me.”

“Well … I … you see … oh holly Zygot I was worried about you,” Raife explained. “I know you’re safe in the Carlin’s home. But at a human high school it is a completely different story. You need someone to look after you there. It’s a jungle.”

“Thank you for your concern daddy, but, you must know that ….”

“I know, I know,” Raife said holding his hands up in surrender. “You are old enough to look after yourself. I know I am sorry. I am just being a good Dad is all. I miss you.”

“I miss you too daddy,” Ashley replied. “But, I am here on a mission you know that.”

“Speaking of mission how is it going,” he asked curiously. “Have you found a human worth courting?”

Ashley ducked her head shyly. “Well there is somebody …”

“Who is she? Give details.”

“She’s part of the host family. Her name is Spencer.”

“Spencer Carlin,” Raife said with a nod. “Yes, she is beautiful. Have you made any, as the human’s say, ‘moves’ on her?”

Ashley shook her head, “No not yet. I do not know what to say to her. When she is near me my mouth becomes dry, my hearts pick up speed, my palms and … other things get wet.”

“Sounds like human love to me,” he said with a nod and smile. “Why don’t you just go up to her and tell her what I told your mother when I began to court her?”

“Do you think it will work,” Ashley asked.

“Of course it will work,” Raife boasted. “We were married for ten zygots were we not?”

“You do have a point daddy.”

“I know I do. Now I demand that you go tell her right this instant before you loose your nerve.”

Ashley nodded,” I will thanks daddy bye.”

“Bye my little Martian,” he said before he faded away.

Ashley cleared her throat and shook off her nerves. Puffing out her chest she marched next door to Spencer’s room and knocked.

The blonde opened the door and scowled, “What do you want?”

Ashley smiled, “Spencer will you mate with me?”

BAM! Spencer slapped Ashley across the face so fast she didn’t know what hit her.

“Freaking pervert,” Spencer growled as she slammed the door on the Martian’s face.

The brunette gently held her swelling cheek and frowned. “I do not believe that was my mother’s reaction when Daddy asked her that.”