Into Friday. moving on

Ellen and Steven rested peacefully. They hadn't moved since they laid down together. Steven had his arm around Ellen the whole night. Ellen slept with her head on his chest and one of her long legs across his. Ellen was also given a nightshirt by Jade so she didn't have to sleep in her clothes all night. They both woke up together, Ellen lifting her head to turn to Steven as he lay there holding her. She smiled at him and they both cuddled up.

"You sleep well Ellen?"

"Yes. I did. I felt safe with you. After everything that happened last night with Robotech. I needed it."

Steven kissed her on the forehead. "Well I'm gonna go and put the kettle on. How'd you fancy a bit of breakfast in bed?"

"I'm never really hungry in the mornings. But tea sounds nice. No sugar and milky please."

Ellen moved to allow Steven to get up and make her a cup. As he left she lay back down and relaxed. Taking a look around his room, she noted it wasn't a normal teenagers room. It was free from posters, everything was tidy and in order. Turning over to her side she took a pillow and held it too breathe in Steven's scent.

Steven was now in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil when John came in through the front door. John heard the kettle going and went into the kitchen himself. "I'll have one if you're making bud."

"No probs mate. Just got up myself. Going to take a cup up to Ellen before we get on with anything else. Where you been anyway?" Noting the carrier bag in John's hand.

"Jade wants to go out tonight. But considering the situation, that's not exactly easy. So I had an idea. You'll see later. Better go and give her this." Lifting the bag to emphasise what he meant.

"Can't wait. Love to see what you got planned in your head. Baseball cap knowing you," John shook his head then put his finger up to his nose to indicate he wasn't saying a word. The kettle then clicked and Steven proceeded to make the teas. When made, he handed John his. "I'm going back up and taking this to Ellen. I'll see you later mate." Steven made his way back to his room and handed Ellen her tea. "There you go."

"Thank you Steven." She took a sip and cradled the cup in both hands. Steven then sat back down on his side of the bed. his back on the headboard.

"You ok Ellen? I know you've had lot deal with recently. Both of us have been shot at, and survived it."

Ellen turned her head to Steven." Yeah, I'm ok. Just been a lot to take in. From everything you told me last weekend right up until last night. Been a massive whirlwind. Why'd you ask anyway. You can read peoples minds." She had a slight smile as she said this.

"Yeah I can. But, I'm not going to **** my powers. If people don't want to talk. It's not always best to make them. Besides, Once I go down that road. Temptation could destroy me. I'm not gonna let that happen."

"That's why they chose you Steven. You're the epitome of humanity. If everyone had a kind heart like yours the world would so much safer for everyone."

"It's still a massive weight on my shoulders Ellen. I mean, I can only be in one place at any given time."

"We can deal with this together Steven. Your family love you. I love you. And you have a friend down stairs that loves you like a brother. We can all deal with whatever comes up together."

"I know Ellen. Thank you." He then held her. "We better get up. Start figuring out how we can live a normal life. Well, as normal as possible considering." Steven got up and started to get dressed. When he was done, He turned to Ellen and held out his hand. Ellen took it and got up.

"Could you take me home for a little while Steven. I don't have a change of clothes with me. Don't fancy wearing the same work clothes everyday."

"Good idea. Let me know when you're ready and I'll take you home."

"I need to make a couple of calls. I need to speak with my boss and tell him I won't be there for a little while. If he knows I took a bullet in the chest then he might ask questions. So I need to come up with something good but close to the truth."

"Take your time. When you're ready, let me know." He kissed her on her head and went to go downstairs. Ellen fished for her mobile in her lab coat, and made her phone calls.

Half an hour later, Ellen emerged from Steven's room and entered the living room. Jade was cuddled up to John on the couch. Jane was sitting in one of the armchairs and Steven was in the kitchen making more tea. Jade looked up and smiled at Ellen. "Come. Sit next to me. Don't worry, I don't bite." Everyone was trying to make Ellen feel at home. "Did you sleep ok last night?"

"Yes, very well thank you. Surprising considering last night. Not every day you get shot and walk away from it." Ellen shuddered at the thought.

"You got shot?" Jane snapped her attention straight to Ellen. "My god Ellen. No wonder you looked so shaken last night. Steven use his powers to save you then?"

"No. It turns out I have some of the nanobots in me too. They repaired the wound before I could bleed too much. Then Steven showed up."

"Well if anything. You're in good hands with him. My brother has always been there for me when I needed him. Now it's our turn to be there for him, and you as well Ellen."

"I appreciate that. I really do." Steven walked back into the living room with a tray loaded with cups for everyone. "I borrowed one of your T-shirts Steven. Hope you don't mind."

"Yeah that's fine. Your top has a bit of a hole in it anyway. And it's a bit bloodied. Right. Jade, What has John got you so you can go out later."

"I'm not saying. You'll see later."

"Baseball cap and shades it is then." Steven's sighed. Although he could read minds, he refrained from doing so.

"Oh It's a lot better than that. Look, I'll go and have a bath after my cup and then you'll see."

"Can't wait." Steven then went to sit on the floor in front of Ellen. But before he did. She rose up told him to sit and then sat on his lap and put her arm around his neck and head on his shoulder.

Jade then broke the short silence. "So, how did you get into the robotics thing then Ellen? Think it's about time we got to know each other."

"I'm not really sure to be honest. I'm originally from Sheffield. My Dad loved his sci fi and I was always a daddy's girl. So I saw quite a bit of it as a kid. Star trek, Babylon 5, Stargate. loads of it. It stuck in my head and then when I got to my teenage years I selected physics for my science classes. When I left school I applied for Cambridge university. Topped the class every year and earnt my P.H.D. in robotics a couple of years ago. As for my job. I got head hunted by the government to work in the lab. However, everything there is top secret stuff. I was quite surprised that the Prime minister had very little knowledge of our work until a couple of weeks ago. He made an unannounced visit to the lab and we told him everything we was doing. Not much else to tell really." Ellen raised her head. "How about you? I don't know much about any of you. I only know about Steven through his profile I got at work before the treatment. Since then, We've grown closer and closer together."

Jane was first to answer. "We've lived here all our lives. I was born and raised in Cambridge as was Steven and Jade. Started work in the local corner shop until I was 18 and then got a another part time job working behind the bar at one of the nightclubs in order to fund my way through college. Went to college in one of the university campus buildings doing secretarial skills. It was in the nightclub that I met the father of my two children. It was only going to be a one night stand, but the condom broke and I fell pregnant with Steven. Their dad stayed true to his word and kept in contact with me just in case. When I told him I was pregnant, He said he'd stand by me. As it turned out, we got on really well, and we married when I was 3 months pregnant with Jade. Sadly, he died when he trod on a mine or something in Afghanistan. They reckon he never knew anything about it so didn't feel much pain. My parents had always helped since then so I could still work. Finished my college degree and got the job at the solicitors about 3 years ago. Talking of which. If you want, I'll speak to Robert. He's never lost a case so he's probably the guy you'll need to speak to."

"Thank you Jane. He may need to take a trip to the states too though. It's probably big news over there too."

Jade then spoke in her usual manner. "I got born. Went to school. Just turned 18 and still looking for a bloody job. I admit, I'm not that clever. But I get by."

"That's a bit vague Jade. You know you could tell Ellen more." Steven was trying to get Jade to open up a bit more.

"Stevie. You know I got bullied at school for being pretty. I don't like talking about it."

Ellen was surprised. "You got bullied for being pretty. That's horrible. You're a beautiful young woman Jade. How could people do it."

"It was cause my dad was dead and they knew it. Only good friend I had at school was Jessie. She gave a few of them a beating looking out for me. But I have enough friends now that I can trust. And I don't trust easy. But with you. I already do. I don't know why. But I do trust you, already."

Steven spoke. "Maybe because you both have a kind heart, but don't back down easy when someone gets in your face. I know you didn't start out like that Jade. But now you do." He then turned to Ellen. "You ready to go home and collect some bits. Mum said you can stay here as long as you need to."

"Yes. I do need a change of clothes."

"Anyway my tea is finished. I'm gonna run my bath and put on my disguise." Jade then got up and gave Ellen a hug. "Welcome to the family." She then went to have her bath."

"Mum, We'll be back soon. Just going to take Ellen home to get some bits, We'll be back as soon as we can." With that said. They both vanished before Jane and John's eyes.

"That's gonna take some getting used to Jane."

"Tell me about it John. Tell me about it."