This was supposed to be a Halloween Contest story but real life interfered and I didn't get to submit it until now. I still think it's a good story, tell me what you think. Be warned, no violence, no attempt at world domination, no graphic sex. Just a story.

............................................

They didn't want to go to the party. He had been out of the hospital for just two days, and really didn't feel like partying. His release coincided with the annual Halloween party his family threw every year, and as the whole family was going to be there anyway, they turned it into a welcome home celebration. So costumes were improvised, and Jaime, with Beth beside him, became the center of attention.

There were hugs, tears, and back slaps galore, But Jaime especially appreciated the handshakes and quiet words from men who had 'been there, done that' also. He was moved beyond words when they were presented with a two day getaway to Vegas,

a trip meant to be the honeymoon they couldn't afford when they married. He was also stunned when people pressed cards into Beths' hands, a

"little something for the trip" they said. He knew they contained money. His people were all working class, and in a bad economy they were all struggling, which gave it all a deeper meaning.

Beth stood clutching the cards with tears streaming down her cheeks while Jaime idly wondered if there was a bus leaving for Vegas soon.

The surprises weren't over yet. The family literally dragged them outside. In front of the parking lot was a yellow 2006 Mustang convertible, with a banner draped across the bumper saying "Jaime and Beth, Vegas or Bust!"

Jaime was speechless. Beth was sputtering "How? What, who..."

His grandfather pointed to a man.

"El Patron."

A small man in his sixties stepped forward, using a cane, smiling.

"My brother owns a used car lot. I got him to loan you this for a week. It's got independent dealer tags, and a letter in the dash stating It's covered with insurance for a week long test drive. Have it back by next Friday. It's got a full tank of gas, and a dealer gas card in the console good for three fill ups. That should get you there and back."

He was the owner of the vineyards most of the family worked for, a well respected man. He pulled Jaime in just a bit closer, showing him is drivers license embossed with a purple heart and a silver star.

"Son, a private word. Don't ever be embarrassed what these things bring you. You deserve them. And you earned them, with pain and sacrifice. Your country owes you, we all owe you. Good luck in life. Love your woman well, she shared your suffering too. She's stood by you, not many do this day and age."

Leaning back, he hands Beth an envelope with instructions not to be opened until they reach the Nevada border, and whispers to her he put six bottles of his finest wines in the trunk. They watch as he hobbles back to his Cadillac STS. Jaime recognizes the Vietnam ribbon on the tag, as well as lt. colonel insignia.

Two hours later they've left the smog laden valleys of California for the high deserts of Nevada. Even though Beth wanted to open the envelope right away, out of respect they waited.

The moment they passed the "Welcome to Nevada"

sign he had to pull over. Her scream echoed across the desert.

It was reservations for a full week in the honeymoon suite at a major hotel, all inclusive and paid for. There were also ten one hundred dollar bills, and a note.

"Kids, one of my distributors has this hotel as a client. I told him about you, he made some calls, and this is the result. Everything short of gambling money has been taken care of, even the gratuities. Use the spa, enjoy the shows. And Beth, when you get there ask for Grace. She's been instructed to take you shopping for a wardrobe befitting a beautiful bride, and it is included in the package. Jaime, you'll need a suit or two, it's taken care of."

"The money came from my old outfit. When I told them about you they wanted to do this. And Jaime, when you muster out, call the men on these business cards I've included. Some of us have been pretty successful, and even in this economy we're always looking for a good man. Call me first. Now, enjoy your lives."

It was signed "Lt. Colonel James Marsden, ret., and the men of C Company, 82nd Airborne, 1967.

After recovering they continued their journey. Even though it was cold, she had the top down. With the windows rolled up and the heater going full blast it wasn't warm. but bearable. She had the seat reclined and was looking up at the full moon and the bright stars.

"I feel like I can almost touch them."

Jaime smiled. "They're not quite that close, honey."

She giggled. "I know , silly. But honey, can we stop and do a little stargazing?"

Jaime, who had slept under enough desert stars to last a lifetime, grinned. When they were first getting together, and completely broke, they would scrap up bus fare to as far into the hills as they could get. They each had a backpack and he carried a sleeping bag. The packs would be filled with bottled water, some cheap wine if they could afford it, a few cans of soup, pork and beans, maybe some potted meat and crackers and chips. They would walk to the highest point accessible, find a suitable spot, and set up their meager camp. If it wasn't too dry or too wet they would have a small fire. And if it had rained recently, and if the wind was blowing in the right direction, they could actually see some stars, if they bothered to look up.

This didn't happen too often, as they were busy making each other see stars.

Ten miles down the road they found a pull off and a parking lot designed for people unloading four wheelers for desert riding. There was a small knoll rising about a hundred feet at the edge of the lot. A clearly marked trail started at the edge of the lot leading up the hill. Jaime got out and pulled Beth after him. He got two emergency blankets, a flashlight, and two bottles of wine out of the trunk.

"Come on babe, let's walk to the top. I bet it's got a great view."

She hesitated. "Honey, are you sure? Will your leg.."

He interrupted her quickly. "My leg will be fine.

We're going to walk, not run. We'll use the flashlight and go slow. It will be all right."

Slowly they made the ascent. She tried her best not to hover but she knew he noticed. There was a flat smooth circle at the top, with a great view in all directions. He spread the blanket and said,

"See, just fine. Now let's open that wine."

They sat cross legged on the blanket, facing each other with the other blanket wrapped around them. They had to drink out of the bottle since they didn't have glasses. If he hadn't been a corkscrew on his swiss army knife, they wouldn't have been drinking at all.

It was the first time they had been alone in an intimate setting in almost eighteen months. As the wine took it's effect they touched more often, slowly and tenderly. When they finished the bottle they rolled up the coats to use as pillows and lay down, drawing the blanket over them.

She rose up over him, kissing with an indescribable passion and hunger. He returned in kind, their tongues seeming to draw the very soul out of and into each other. After about five minutes they broke apart and she snuggled into him.

Looking up at the stars again, she said "Think there's any one up there looking at us?"

"I doubt it'" he said lazily "and if there is, they're probably so far in advance of us we would look like trained monkeys in a circus."

Jaime was softly caressing her breast, gently rolling her hardening nipple. Tugging the hem of her shirt up, he lowered his mouth.

"If there is something or someone watching us, let's give them a show to remember'" he whispered just before his mouth made contact.

She lay there, waves of excitement and contentment alternating through her body as she watched the stars. As her hands captured his head and drew him more into her breast she whispered quietly.

"I bet there is someone out there. And I hope they're watching us right now, so they can see what love truly is."

.................................................

At the edge of the clearing was a small bush about two feet tall. Underneath it, even though it was absolutely windless, there appeared to be a small disturbance in the dust, hanging as a haze underneath the leaves.

"She senses us." said the male.

"They all do, at some level in their brain. The females are more intuitive. It will be many thousands of their years before their thought process evolves enough to recognize us for what we are." replied the female.

...............................................

They were called Particulans by other beings that were advanced enough to interact with them. Long evolved past the need for corporeal bodies, they existed as particles of pure energy.

They had no need to eat, breathe, or sleep. They could draw enough energy out of a bush leaf or a star, or anything in between, to sustain them for incredible amounts of time. They seemed almost immortal. They weren't, though, and they were so highly advanced each knew the exact time when they would stop being able to absorb energy, and their particles would unbind and disperse.

Despite being highly evolved and living incredible spans of time, as a race they were dying.

The High Council had noticed this and had taken steps to reverse it. Sending out scouts across multiverses, searching for something not quite definable. Soon all the race was involved, compulsively seeking knowledge without understanding why. Instead of bringing them closer it made them more solitary and less prone to interaction. They were always happy to meet and exchange information, but seemed to lack the desire for anything else. Since there were male and female entities, to reproduce they had to interact, mate as it were, to produce a next generation.

Once a couple mated it bound them together, usually for their lifespans. Occasionally they would change partners, but it was very rare. The few that mated usually produced offspring, usually only one. By the High Council's own projections, they had a 17.5% chance of continuing as a race.

.................................................

The couple in the desert continued their conversation.

"By my projections, it will be 9400 of their years before contact is made, and then it won't be by us. Most likely the Similarians."

The female was the historian and researcher of

the couple.

"That would be interesting. The Similarians imprint so fast it would be like talking to a mirror.

They mean well, but have lost so much of their own identities from constant imprinting it's hard to tell who they really are anymore."

The male had a little disapproval in his voice. He didn't really care for the Similarians.

"Perhaps it for the best." she mused, "They're harmless, and it would introduce this world to a bigger universe."

"Well, it all may be a moot point, given their penchant for self destructive behavior. Who knows, they may be able to invent some new and novel way to destroy the whole race long before contact is made."

The male changed the subject abruptly.

"Why are we here again? We were just here, have things changed that much?"

By just here he meant 350 years ago, the blink of an eye to their race. He wasn't impressed then and he wasn't now.

He was known as First Scout, because of his ability to find races and planets others overlooked or ignored. She was known as First Scout Mate/Collector. She would find things most overlooked about the races they encountered. They were the most successful team in the history of their race, a fact not unnoticed by the Council.

A far more significant claim to fame, as far as the Council was concerned, was the fact that they had produced 48 offspring. This was second only to the First Prime Mother of legend, who had produced 49. Although she wouldn't have recognized it as ambition, First Scout/Mate always wanted to produce 50.

She replied serenely.

"We're here at the request of the Council. And you well know..."

He helped her finish, the phrase was almost a mantra.

"The Council always has a reason!"

"And to answer your question, much has indeed changed. Amazing really, considering their pitiful lifespans."

"Still, are you sure we have the right time frame?

According to your research their dress is at least two generations off."

She gave the mental image of a smile, happy to share her knowledge.

"We're in the right time frame. We have arrived during one of their seasonal celebrations. It's called Halloween, a ritual steeped in ancient paganism and modern commercialism. One of the offshoots of this tradition is to dress as anything or anyone the imagination can perceive.

These two are dressed as was once called 'hippies'

by their peers."

She was as usual correct. Jaime had on boots, jeans, a tie dyed T-shirt, a fringed leather vest with buttons, and a jean jacket. He had a leather band tied around his head. Beth had on sandals, a peasant skirt and blouse, a matching vest and jacket, and a garland of plastic flowers.

He persisted.

"But why here, with this particular pair? What's so special about them?"

"I don't know, honey. Let's join them in their celebration and see."

As was her practice, she had adapted the subject

race speech patterns. At first it bothered him, but now he was used to it. Still, he was uneasy with her suggestion. He was never comfortable with what she planned. It seemed so...invasive, somehow. But, as usual he was too late.

Several particles detached from the haze under the bush and floated slowly over, entering Jaime's nose when he inhaled. Soon a few more particles entered Beth through the same route.

She had entered Jaime and attached to his brain, as had her mate to Beth. It revealed everything.

History, hopes, fears, joys, were all laid out for examination.

"They're only children! Barely past puberty!" she marveled. Jaime was twenty-one, Beth just nineteen.

"Yes, but they have lived much in such a short time. Poverty, abuse, prejudice, they've all been part of their daily lives, especially the female." mused the male.

He was reading from her childhood memories. One fourth black, one fourth Indian, one half white, Beth had been abandoned as a baby and raised in a series of foster homes. Some had been kind, many indifferent, the last two abusive, physically and sexually. She had run at fifteen, and lived on the streets until Jaime found her a year later.

He was her first experience with love of any kind.

"His upbringing was much better, poverty and brushes with racism to be sure, but he was surrounded by love and a stable family."

She could see his past flow by. A Mexican mother, Korean father. He was surrounded by family, growing up to speak Korean, Spanish, and English.

They were factory workers, farm laborers, some even migrants.

"What are they doing now?"

"Mating" she said, "although they would call it making love. Others call it sex."

"So then, is 'love' a requirement to mate?" He was the explorer, not the researcher.

"No, it is a physical act. It's called love when there is an emotional connection. Otherwise it's called screwing, fucking, banging, the names are almost endless. It's how they produce offspring."

"So then, the purpose is to produce offspring?"

"Yes, but they have ways of preventing that."

He was even more confused. "Then what's the point?"

"As far as I can tell, it's quite enjoyable physically. And to those who are 'in love' it

reaffirms the emotional connection."

He was still trying to grasp it.

"Every time we mated, it was for the express purpose of reproducing. Why do they avoid it?"

"Check your memory. This little rock is rapidly getting crowded. If they didn't use controls they would soon outgrow their resources. As it is, the strain is already showing. At least they're making an attempt to be responsible, well, some anyway.

"Besides, how many times have we mated without producing offspring? Do you consider those times wasted?"

Any male of any species was smart enough to not to fall into that trap.

"Now, honey, you know it was enjoyable every time.

It just disappoints me that they can reproduce so easily, while we struggle just to keep our race alive. The unfairness offends, I guess."

He hoped using the earth term 'honey' would reassure his mate.

Changing the subject, he asked, "What's he doing?

her internal temperature and blood pressure is rising rapidly."

Jaime was fondling her breasts with both tongue and hands.

"It's called foreplay. He's stimulating her mammary glands to make her more receptive to mating."

"Mammary glands? Are they important?"

"Their primary function is to provide nourishment to their young. But despite the different sizes and shapes, the males seem to appreciate them. It may be why they have so many names for them. Boobs, tits, rack, hooters, again the names are limited only by their imaginations."

He understood. Most races they've encountered use multiple names for the things they value.

The female noticed changes in Jaime. Blood was rerouting to different parts of his anatomy.

Beth had managed to get his jeans undone and was stroking him to erection, while pulling his mouth from her breast to hers, kissing deeply.

The male could feel it also.

"What are they doing now?"

"The part with their mouths is called kissing.

It is most intimate, especially with tongue play. Her hands are caressing his penis [the names dick, cock, johnson, tool, etc. flashed through his consciousness] to get it ready for intercourse. It is his primary sexual organ."

She touched his mind again, and mentally recoiled. She could see violence, death, extreme physical and emotional pain.

"Why, he is a warrior! One of the fiercest of his tribe. He has been wounded, badly, only to survive and assist his fellow warriors, saving many."

Visions appeared. Honors, presentations of gratitude from his tribe. Their supreme leader placing a blue ribbon around his neck, letters, CMH, A purple heart, no, two, pinned to his chest.

He searched her memories. Visions of fear, not for her but her mate. Alone and lost, waiting his return. Seeing her collapsed on a floor, heart wrenching wails as she clutches the notification of his wounds.

These memories were pushed into the background,

the pure need of each other holding them at bay. Slowly but steadily they were shedding clothes until they were both nude. He felt her tense, then relax.

The aliens were drawn deeper into their subjects, surprising both with the intensity of emotions. Tendrils of their 'bodies' drifting slowly towards the couple.

"She's secreting fluids, is this normal?" One would have thought he spoke out of concern instead of scientific detachment.

Jaime had been caressing her vagina [pussy, cunt, snatch, drifted through her thoughts] to full arousal. She was indeed moist.

"Yes my love. She is signalling her readiness to mate."

Beth, unconsciously thinking of his weakened leg, had gently pushed him onto his back and slowly mounted him. Grasping him, she directed him into her, slowly. Pausing to savor the feeling for just a second, she slowly starting riding him.

The aliens, lost in the experience, barely noticed their own 'bodies' start to intertwine and undulate, forming a loose circle around the lovers. The male was the first to notice.

"Mate, are we-"

"Yes, dear, we're making love. Glorious, is it not?"

It was definitely the most intense mating he could remember. He reveled in the feeling, it had been a long time. Once, he thought their mating days were behind them.

Feeding off the emotions of the humans, their particles glowed, changing colors. If a casual observer would have glanced up the hill as he passed by he would have thought the Northern Lights were brilliant tonight.
Faster and faster they twined, slowly closing their circle around the humans. Drawing energy from their hosts they gently raised them off the hard ground until they were levitating three feet into the air. As they approached climax the alien mating grew more intense.

The energy became more focused. If Jaime and Beth could have opened their eyes they would have been amazed to see themselves defying gravity and twirling in time to the energy surrounding them.

Finally, Beth gave a soft scream as her orgasm hit, followed by a groan from Jaime as he released seconds afterwards.

At the exact same time Jaime climaxed the desert was witness to small pops similar to the noise static cling makes when touched to metal. Two small balls of energy about the size of a baseball slowly drifted to the ground, alighting at the same moment as Jaime and Beth released.

The male was stunned.

"Did we just-"

"Yes we did my darling. Two, twins in Earth terms."

Never in the history of their race had twins been produced.

The import dawned on him.

"Two! That makes fifty offspring! More than the First Prime Mother of our race. I'm so proud of you."

"Us, love, us. You were also involved, remember?

Besides, our hosts are also having twins, after the proper gestation period of course."

He felt her satisfied smile, and suddenly became uneasy.

"Mate, what did you do? I felt him, remember. I remember her slipping the condom on him. Wasn't that supposed to prevent offspring?"

She appeared what, sheepish, in his mind.

"Well perhaps in the heat of the moment I may have accidentally weakened the integrity of the contraceptive devise. It may have broken and failed it's purpose."

He was appalled.

"Why would you do that? You read them the same as I. They're at the bottom of this regions socio-economic strata. They are going to have a hard time surviving on their own, much less providing for offspring."

"I would never do that. You felt their fears. He is afraid he won't be 'man enough' for her because of his wounds. She fears she won't be 'woman enough' to help him trough his times of adjustment and healing. The children will make them both see everything is all right."

"Besides, they are on their way to 'Vegas', a center for a foolish pursuit called gambling. I can't explain it, but the odds of financial gain are astronomical. Just before they leave Beth will discover a card from one of the well wishers at the party them just attended. Inside is a barter unit, a '20', with a note to put it in the big jackpot slot machine. She will, and will win 4.5 million units, enough to keep them secure for the rest of their lifespans."

He was intrigued.

"How do you know this is going to happen?"

"I know, my love, because you and I will be around to redirect the energy in the machine to make it so. So until then, let's take our new offspring and rest on that large asteroid that circles this planet. I just wish the rest of our offspring could be here to celebrate me surpassing the First Mother."

This surprised the male. Once their offspring had gained the ability to travel on their own they would leave. Infrequently they would encounter one in their travels and would acknowledge each other, but that was as far as it went.

He immediately sent out a message.

"CHILDREN, COME TO YOUR MOTHER, SHE NEEDS YOU."

He turned his thoughts back to the couple on the blanket.

"What do you think will become of them?"

She responded with great enthusiasm.

"Did you understand the importance of the buttons on their vests? His was the symbol for peace at the time. Doesn't it seem interesting that a great warrior would wear that? He will become a great minister of faith, if he can find one he agrees with."

"And her, you read what she did while she waited for his returned. Working for a group called Hospice, tending the dying. Her buttons were all 'smiley faces', a symbol of happiness and hope. She will become a healer and a teacher."

"Now come my love. Let's take our children and rest until time to search for more planets and races."

The particles straightened slowly attaching the small bundles to them. Twining and twirling, reminiscent of the double helix of a DNA, they reached skyward to rest and wait.

................................................

EPILOGUE 1

Jaime and Beth slept the night through snuggled into the blankets. They awoke to the sound of ATV's, quickly dressed and walked back to the car.

They arrived in Vegas and were treated like royalty. Beth did remember the card on the way out and they became instant millionaires. They took the new found wealth and invested it.

She went back to school and became a doctor and researcher. Her breakthroughs in cause and effects of cancer in children gave many a chance to grow up and lead happy, full lives.

Jaime became a house husband to support Beth through her schooling and internship. He searched for a religion compatible with his beliefs, and when he couldn't find one became a humanist. He believed people should do the right thing simply because it was the right thing to do, not because some religion said to. His belief that if you did the right thing on earth the afterlife would take care of itself struck a chord in many people.

He was asked to lecture and share his views.

It amazed him that people wanted to hear what he said, but he simply restated his beliefs over and over. A friend asked him to write things down to reach more people so he did, thinking it was a vanity project. His slender, 130 page document called "Because It's The Right Thing To Do"

became a bestseller, eventually becoming the third most printed book in history. He gave the proceeds to his wife's research foundation.

World leaders sought him out for advice. It was always simple and to the point. "Is it the right thing to do?" Once asked to intervene for a political prisoner in a third world country, he said he would only go if the dictator would invite him. Bowing to world pressure, the dictator did. The interview was filmed.

Jaime never said a word about the prisoner or the political climate of the country. He talked about the leaders' family, particularly his younger children. About five minutes into the conversation he reached out and held his hand. The

dictator seemed not to notice, Jaime stopped talking and just kept holding his hand. Twenty minutes later the man was crying tears of shame. The next day he released all political prisoners on the condition they leave the country. The interview became the most popular site on YouTube for 15 months.

The twins, a boy and a girl grew up to follow in the footsteps of their parents. The boy became a doctor and carried on his mothers' research. The girl continued her fathers' legacy and became almost as popular as her father.

...............................................

The Particulans did rest on the moon for six days.

Heeding the call of their father, the offspring did come. The few that were mated brought them along, and many others came, for reasons they couldn't quite define. By the end, it was the biggest gathering of Particulans in recent history.

The two newest members of the family approached one of the oldest siblings.

"Hi, I'm Beth and this is Jaime. What's your name?"

"I am spawn 33 of First Scout and mate."

"That means you're our brother, but doesn't give us your name."

"I don't understand."

"That's o k, you look like a Walter to me. That sound right to you, Jaime."

"That's cool, sis. Walter it is."

Spawn 33 thought a name was an excellent idea and approached his mother about it. Surprised , she agreed to naming him Walter.

"Why did you ask my permission?" she asked.

"Because you are the New Prime Mother, so designated by the Council. Asking just seemed the right thing to do."

Although she had difficulty at first with her new role in her society, she soon settled in and became accustomed to their deference.

By the end of the second day she was running out of Earth names. The unattached soon began to court and choose life partners. Matings began, and offspring appeared at a record level.

This did not go unnoticed by Earth astronomers. No one could explain the freak dust storm on the Moon. The last day an event occurred that had scientists and religious leaders looking for an explanation for centuries.

The dust storm had been increasing in intensity for days. Then suddenly it became calm, clear for an hour or so, then rising up in a mighty column. Gradually it changed shape, until it looked just like a peace sign and a smiley face, the circles interconnected. People feared the end of days. Others saw it a sign to mend their ways and look for peaceful solutions to world problems.

Jaime put the symbol on the cover of his book.

................................................

EPILOGUE 2

Beth awoke in a panic.

"Jaime! Jaime, where are you?"

"Calm, child. Jaime isn't here, but he'll be joining you shortly."

Beth had never heard a voice as calm and soothing before. She felt instantly safe, surrounded in a cocoon of love.

"Am I in Heaven?" she asked.

She remembered being sick, old. Remembered being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grand children, old and new friends, and world media. But most of all she remembered holding on to Jaime, apologizing for leaving him.

"No," continued the calm voice, "We've brought you an alternative. Hear us out, and if you still want to go back to to your old reality you can."

"We're called Paticulans. Once, long ago in your time parameters, you and your husband had an interaction with us that altered our outlook on the universe."

"You showed us what was missing from our make up.

We had outgrown love and the joy of life, and it was moving us towards extinction. One night on a desert hilltop, you and your husband reminded us that love is universal and could overcome most problems. Because of you, we moved from a 17% probability of extinction to a 63% chance of survival."

"What we want to offer you is a chance to help us on this path. We'll offer Jaime the same thing when he joins you. There is much you could teach us. Please stay. We need you."

She could feel the presence of millions, as a collection and individuals. Two were almost strident in their need to be recognized.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"We're your namesakes and god children. We were born the same day your children were conceived. I'm Beth, and this is Jaime. Please say you'll stay. We need teachers."

The childlike earnestness moved her.

"Thank you for your offer. I would like to stay awhile if you don't mind. That is, if you're sure Jaime can come too."

The calming voice was back.

"He'll be along shortly, my daughter. Now come, there are others for you to meet."

She found herself following the voice. Yes, she thought, this is the right thing to do. I can't wait to show Jaime.

The end, or the beginning?