Perplex Vision 2000

While undressing and setting the hot water temperature in the jaccuzi, she realized that she had to give a statement to the police, to help them nail down the bastards. "The police and the army," she whispered, stepping into the bubbling, relaxing waters.

When she finally immersed in the relaxing jets of their large hot tub, the hot water encasing her in an aura of steam and bubbles, she suddenly felt like she was going to melt away from herself. As the hot jets massaged the aching muscles in her body, Diane started to relax. It was now that she realized how exhausted she really was.

In a last effort of the day she tried to sort out the series of bizarre events she had experienced. First, the crazy abduction, and the mysterious presence and help of the two aliens, secondly, the shocking conversation with Uvigadva via this new communication media, then the Geoffrey-Vaton duality, and finally, the mesmerizing escape with the aid of a giant, bullet-proof blood drop. The hot jets finally stole the better of Diane. Stretched out comfortably in the whirling waters, she fell soundly asleep.

Several minutes after the timer of the hot tub shut down the pumps, she woke up, looking dazed around her own bathroom, trying to anchor herself. She'd had an intense dream, which was still lingering on the edge of her awareness giving her an eerie and awe inspiring feeling that there was something very important for her to remember. In spite of her efforts, the dream's residues gradually faded away leaving her empty and tired. To her frustration, she could not recall any parts of it.

Getting out from the tub and drying herself off with a large towel, she walked down to the living quarters of the house. She was not surprised to find both, Geoffrey and Peter sound asleep.

They had changed out of their dirty, stained, once white, hospital coats. Peter was wrapped in one of Geoffrey's large T-shirts that nearly reached his skinny knees.

Vaton-Geoffrey was stretched out like a frog on the tan leather couch, his right leg hanging over the edge, almost touching the carpet. Peter was snoring away tucked in the matching love seat, adjacent to the leather couch.

Diane watched the two silently for several minutes then finally locked the main door, turned the lights off and walked up to their main bedroom.

The rustling of the clean, wind-dried bed of the Henshaw residence sheets wrapped around her body in a gentle hug, Diane fell asleep almost instantly.

The early morning sunrays penetrating through the drawn curtain, cast a small, liquid-like circle of light on Diane's sleeping face. Her eyes twitched rapidly a few times and she finally opened her eyes, looking around the place. A deep sense of security filled her heart when she recognized the familiar surroundings. Releasing a light sigh she entered the en suite, and woke herself up by splashing cold water on her face, the way she always did.

The living room of the large, sun-filled house was emanating a strong, familiar aroma Diane instantly recognized. It was Geoffrey's Saturday morning cappuccino he always made with freshly ground mocha Java coffee. Geoffrey loved this blend and he always saved it for Saturday mornings.

As usual, Vaton was seated in Geoffrey's favorite armchair watching Peter, who sat beside him devouring a bowl of breakfast cereal. She noticed one small difference though. Geoffrey wasn't smoking this morning. She knew all too well that this was the only time, according to Geoff himself, when he enjoyed, to the fullest, the "dramatic killing drug" both of them had been addicted to for several years.

Not making any comment about the small change, Diane joined the two on the sundeck, poured a cup of the aromatic coffee, and lit up a cigarette.

"Good morning, Diane," Peter welcomed her as soon as she sat down at the table.

"Good morning, gorgeous," Vaton said smiling, the way he always greeted her on Saturday mornings like this one.

"Good morning, boys. I hope you guys rested well last night. When I got out of the hot tub, you two were already sound asleep. I didn't want to wake you up."

"I passed out like a rock myself, the moment you went upstairs," Peter said looking at her.

"Same here. I feel really good now. All rested up," Vaton said and Diane immediately noticed the genuinely cheerful tone of his voice.

Geoffrey's features indeed looked completely relaxed and his deep blue eyes were shining with new energy and vitality.

"You boys look as good as you sound," Diane said, sipping from her coffee and watching the two.