“I’m not sure.” Ezza said holding up some pineapples at the grocery store. Zas sighed in exasperation. They had been in the produce department for almost an hour now. Ezza kept picking up various fruits and vegetables and then putting them down again after debating for a few minutes.

“What aren’t you sure about?” Zas asked.

“It’s just not that great looking. I mean ours are in better condition for sure.” Ezza said putting the fruits down. “I mean they ask us to buy it, but who would buy this quality?”

Rolling his eyes, Zas picked up a pineapple and thrust it at Ezza.

“Then take it home and make it better quality.” He said. Ezza nodded his head and then put the pineapple back. He just wasn’t feeling it. It was taking everything he had to just work the garden now. There was no point in making more work that he just couldn’t handle. Zas clenched and unclenched his jaw as Ezza walked away. After a few moments Zas followed. Ezza could be an annoying prat sometimes.

Finishing their grocery shopping the boys headed for home. It wasn’t a long walk, and it was quite scenic. They talked about the views and life here, comparing it to home. By the time they got home, they had gotten off topic and were laughing uproariously about memories from their past.

“Mates! You are a pervert.” Ezza chuckled, wiping at his eyes.

“You think that was bad? You should’ve seen the look on his face, when she said ok, now it’s your turn little boy.” Both men burst into laughter again.

“Sounds like something’s amusing.” A voice said from the front of their house. Both men looked up and noticed the woman standing in front of their door. Her long dark black hair brushed her bare, porcelain skinned shoulders. Her eyes sparkled a bit, and she had curves that made Zas want to drool.

“Hello, you are?” Ezza asked cautiously.

“Oh, how rude. My name is Bella Goth. I believe you met my husband Mortimer the other day.” She said as came closer.

“Who?” Ezza asked at the same time Zas said “Yes, a pleasure Mrs. Goth.”

That stopped Bella in her tracks, letting out a laugh like the tinkling of tiny chimes, she looked both of them over. She bit her lip and gave Zas a sexy little smile.

“I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions Mr…?” She said.

Careful Zas. I don’t like her.

“Vajjer.” Zas supplied.

I know Ezza. I’m not a complete idiot.

I think I’ve known you long enough to say normally your right. Add in a beautiful woman, no a pretty one, nope doesn’t even have to be pretty. Add in the ugliest, stupidest woman you can find and you suddenly lose brain cells.

Now that’s just insulting friend. When have I ever been with someone like that?

“Mrs. Goth, can I get you a drink while we talk? I’m afraid our house isn’t very big at the moment, and we don’t have much to offer, but you’re welcome to what we have.” Zas said stepping forward and gesturing her ahead of him towards the house.

“Oh yes, thank you. That sounds lovely. Your house is very…unique.” She said perking up as Zas acknowledged her.

MX95-Z4FQJ

Zas chuckled as he remembered that planet. Bella smiled at him warmly. Zas looked behind him and gave Ezza a wink

Yeah, but that was for work. The things I have to do for duty.

You don’t have a duty here, so leave her alone.

Ezza collapsed into one of the chairs outside and dropped the bags by his side. He shook his head to clear it, then got up and went into his garden.

Inside Zas had gotten Bella a glass of water and had just sat himself beside her at the table.

“How can I help you Mrs. Goth?” He asked. He noticed the difference in her posture from the way she’d been outside. She didn’t seem so soft and innocent now. In fact she looked the exact opposite.

“Let’s not play games shall we. When you saw my husband, who was he with?” She said in a commanding tone. This was a woman used to leading.

“When I met your husband, he wasn’t with anyone.” Zas replied. He knew the code, he survived by it. Who was he to rat out another man? No one, that’s who. Besides, technically he wasn’t lying.

“Are you certain? There was no little red-headed floosey with him? Don’t lie to me, I will find out and I will crush you like a little bug. You think this little hovel is a home? I will make it look like a palace when I’m finished with you.” Bella threatened. Zas bristled a little bit.

“I assure you Madam, when I met him he was alone. I was on a date with someone and happened to run into a friend whom I assume he knew. That’s all.” Zas said in a tone that dared her to think he was lying.

“Who was the friend?” She asked.

“None of your business. I think you should leave now Mrs. Goth.” He said picking both their glasses up and putting them in the dishwasher. Bella looked at his back turned to her, then blinking her eyes a couple of times rapidly, she began to sniffle. Damn, Zas thought. Turning, he could see the tears falling down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, ” it’s just that Mortimer is such a great man, and we’ve been together for a long time. We have two children together and he’s always been a doting father and husband. It’s just that lately, he hasn’t been coming home until very late. Friends say they see him at the club where that Katrina Caliente works, and I just…”

Zas felt bad for her. He sat beside her again and placed his hand over hers. He hated woman crying. It reminded him of his Aunt. She had always cried because of his Uncle. She had hated his little sister Mai’illi with a passion. Zas had never understood it as child. It was only as he gotten older – Mai too, that he had finally clued in as to why she looked so much like his Uncle, and why his Aunt and Mother had never gotten along well even though they were sisters. He had sworn he would never be like his Uncle. Which is why he had never Mated. Can’t hurt your Mate if you don’t have one.

“I swear he was alone when I met him. You have nothing to worry about.” He said giving her hand a squeeze. Bella nodded and wiped her cheeks with her free hand. Her tears immediately dried up.

“Thank you for your honesty Mr. Vajjer.” She said in her business like tone. Then she got up and walked out of the house. Zas followed her to the door in shock. What just happened? He thought as he watched Bella exchange a few words with Ezza before leaving their property.

She looked to be in a good mood.

I think I am… I don’t know what just happened. She wanted to know who her husband was with the other day. I told her he showed up with no one. She had questions about Katrina.

The girl you met the other day?

Yeah, I think my heart broke. She’s involved with Mr. Goth.

I’m sure you’ll heal in a couple of days.

You can be a cruel man my friend. Zas said heading back into the house. He started putting his purchases from earlier away.

Not cruel, I just know you. Ezza said heading inside with his bags. After putting everything away, they had a quick supper and headed to bed.

The next couple of days passed uneventfully for the most part. Ezza had been given a Mixology book from Clara. She had noticed his ability at running the bar sections of their catering jobs. Zas had been busting his butt doing most of the socializing and cooking. It was taking a toll on him, and it showed when he passed out in front of their house. Ezza just picked him up and threw him into the bed. Then sat down and played a game of Don’t Wake the Llama by himself. It was getting frustrating, the object was to get all your pieces without toppling it, but it was impossible. Feeling more frustrated instead of relaxed he headed to bed.

The next morning Ezza woke up and started stumbling towards the bathroom. He let out a curse when Zas zoomed passed him into the bathroom, locking the door behind him. Sighing Ezza went and looked out their only window while he waited. He straightened up when he saw a strange man in his garden and then went outside.

“Excuse me!? Excuse me! Who are you?” He was practically shouting at the man who had turned and looked at him like he was crazy. Ezza reached the man and stood huffing. The man who obviously thought Ezza had lost his mind smiled in a disarming way.

“I’m Layne Burgess, Professional Gardner.” He said in what he hoped was a friendly and calming tone. Ezza stood there with his bedhead and in his pyjamas glaring at him.

“I don’t remember hiring a Gardner.” He said scratching his head.

“You didn’t,” Layne said. “Mrs. Goth did.” He took an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Ezza. It was addressed to Zas. Sighing he started heading back into the house.

“Don’t touch anything.” He called over his shoulder. Layne sighed. Why were rich people and their friends so crazy? He should have become an accountant like his mother had wanted.

Ezza pounded on the door until Zas opened it.

“You know, it’s a bad sign when someone our age can’t hold it for a bit. Do we need to take you to the vet?” Zas joked as he came out of the bathroom. Ezza shoved an envelope into his chest and then went into the bathroom.

“Deal with it.” He said before closing the door in Zas’s face. Zas looked curiously at the door for a moment and then opened the envelope. Inside was a letter from Bella Goth.

I’m very sorry about my behaviour the other night.
I realize you probably think very badly of me.
I wish to apologize, it’s just that I’m driven crazy
With thoughts of my beloved husband cheating on
me.

So I hope you will accept my gift. I noticed that
you have quite the large garden. It must be hard for
just the two of you to maintain. I offer the services of
Layne Burgess. He apprenticed under my Gardner.
He is very knowledgeable and skilled. I hope you make
good use of him. Also, I put your name on the list
at a very popular club. Feel free to treat yourself and few
guests on me for a night.

Closing the letter, Zas opened the front door and headed outside. There stood a very confused looking man. Zas walked up to him and introduced himself. The man actually looked relieved to be talking to him. Layne explained what had happened earlier. Zas laughed.

“Forgive my friend. He guards this garden zealously. It’s almost like a child to him.” Zas said patting Layne on the shoulder. Layne nodded.

“I understand completely. It’s very high quality, and he has plants in here that I haven’t seen before. I would be upset if I found someone messing with it too.” Layne said gazing with happiness at the garden.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Ezza asked coming up to them. Layne stepped back at the sound of Ezza’s voice. He nodded his head and then looked at Zas, almost pleading with him to talk with his friend.

“Layne was sent by Mrs. Goth as an apology for her behaviour yesterday. He’s here to help you.” Zas explained. He smiled at Ezza and then jumped a little as his phone rang. Excusing himself he headed inside Maria’s name popping up every once in a while.

Ezza looked at Layne for a few moments and then went and got his water can. He started watering his plants, Layne coming up beside him pulling weeds. At first silence reigned, but slowly the two started talking.

“Seriously? That stuff actually works? Do they know what’s in it?” Layne asked Ezza.

“Yup, I’m upfront about all of it.” Ezza said. He was actually enjoying Layne’s company. “The higher the quality, the better the product. I mean these are great quality, but they could be better.”

“You have better quality produce here than more grocery stores.” Layne said giving a whistle. Ezza laughed and agreed with him.

“There’s so much of it, we have no room inside the fridge anymore. We’re trying desperately to cook everything I harvest now and trying to use as much as possible from the stored ones as well.” Ezza confided in Layne.

“Why aren’t you selling it?” Layne asked. Ezza looked up at him.

“Sell it?” He asked.

“Yeah, a lot of small grocers like the one in town will buy local produce and sell it, or sometimes if you have a really good relationship with a restaurant they’ll buy it.” Layne said. Ezza asked a few more questions about it, a plan forming in his mind.

Just after sunset Layne called it quits for the day.

“Too bad it was only for a day. You have an amazing garden Ezza.” Layne stood for a moment lost in thought. “Do you think I could help you here again?”

“I’d say sure, but I can’t afford you Layne.” Ezza said with a sad smile.

“Can I maybe come over for free on occasion? I wouldn’t mind the practice, and maybe some day you could actually hire me.” Layne said. Ezza laughed, then agreed. He really did like Layne’s company. He reminded him a bit of Nigel.

“Oh before I forget. I’ll give you a couple of these, see what you can do with them. They’re called Glowfruit, and they’re all the rage right now.” Layne pulled a few small fruits out of his apron pockets. Ezza took the fruits, and looked at them funny. I’ve seen these somewhere before I think, but where? Waving goodbye Layne left.

Ezza walked back into the house where Zas was reading his Mixology book from Clara.

“Enjoying it?” Ezza asked him.

“Not my cup of tea, but I can see where Clara thought you might enjoy it. All those precise measurements, the science of all that mixing and stuff.” Zas said closing it. “What have you got there?”

Ezza told him about his gift from Layne and how it all felt so familiar. Zas listened as he cooked them dinner.

“Maybe you should grow one. Then you can do your sciency-stuff to it.” Zas suggested. He served dinner and the two of them talked about it some more. Ezza also brought up his idea about the produce to Zas. He agreed it was a good plan if he could pull it off.

Later that night as Ezza was cleaning himself up after planting the Glow fruit, Zas went outside into the garden. He was staring at the spot Ezza had just dug up and seeded. He stilled himself when out of the corner of his eye he saw a faint glowing. Turning his head he stared in the direction of the glow, but there was nothing there. Looking away, the glow returned in his peripheral vision.

Slowly Zas made his way over to where he had seen the glow. It was the stand of trees behind their house. He had almost reached them when he felt the air around him slowly starting to thicken and push him back. Pressing forward he had made it about two more inches before there was a popping sound and all the pressure that had been pushing against him left. Zas bent over and gasped for breath, he felt as if he had just survived some huge battle. Looking up he saw the glowing fruit on the trees. Weird, it doesn’t glow normally. When did it start glowing, and why can’t we see it all the time?

Zas examined the trees for a bit, then started heading home. He was just coming out of Ezza’s garden when a bright light shine down on him. Zas looked up, and then felt his feet lifting off of the ground. Struggling to get away, he slowly rose higher and higher against his will.

 

The light was harsh, and the air was a bit cold. Shivering Zas wrapped his arms around himself. What are they doing here? He asked himself. Suddenly bright lights shone on him from every direction, blinding him.

“Well, you’re a bit more of a pain than your partner, but nothing I can’t handle. You two are really stupid at times. Now hold still Muffin.” Said a voice beyond the lights.

Zas felt like screaming into the sky. He had no idea why, but he was ticked! More ticked the he’d been in a while. He slammed open the door and making Ezza jump at the game table. He stomped his way into the bathroom and started a bubble bath. Ezza began cleaning up the pieces to his game. After a bit Zas came out and Ezza asked him what was wrong.

“I have no idea!” He snarled at Ezza. “Just leave me alone for right now.”

Zas crawled into bed, and rolled onto his side facing away from Ezza as he crawled into the bed. Sighing Ezza turned off the lights and lay awake until he felt the tension in Zas drain away, and heard his peaceful snores. What happened?