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Chapter 4

For Barnabus setting foot into the same bedroom he had spent his childhood in was a very similar experience to when he had walked into his parent's house. The simple furniture and items lining the walls having been kept in the exact same places they had been in when he had left for Aquarii years ago.

Padding his way into this ancient and personally sacred place the Jack took a deep breath, the memories of days gone by washing over him and the feeling of familiarity making him feel completely at ease as he came to a stop in front of his bed. He could still vividly remember all the things he had done within these four walls when he was a kid.

Nights and days of laying on his stomach on the floor by the old vidscreen watching old earth sci-fi movies he had found at an antique shop in town, of sitting next to his antique music player listening to the classics of the twentieth century, and even though he was embarrassed to admit it, all of the times he had spent in his bed with a box of dirty magazines by his side discovering what it was that made him interested in men.

Barnabus was so overwhelmed by his memories of being back in his old bedroom that he had forgotten that he wasn't alone until Miktes entered the room behind him and tiredly dropped the two suitcases he had been carrying.

"Why the hell did you have to bring all this junk?" Miktes huffed cracking his knuckles. Me might have been a strong Verdomian dominate but lugging around their stupid clothes was getting on his nerves. "It's not like we need all this crap."

Shaking the cobwebs from his brain Barnabus gave his lover a small laugh. "Rule number one when you're on a trip kiddo: Always back enough clothes to keep yourself dressed." He recited. "That's something I have to especially keep in mind when it comes to you."

Miktes narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Fully turning to the younger man Barnabus gave him a teasing look and grinned. "It means... that you have a habit of ruining your clothes." He clarified. "Remember what happened when the two of us went to that fancy restaurant? We still haven't gotten the wine stains out that suit."

Miktes' cheeks reddened at being reminded of that incident. He had spent so much time planning a special date night for the two of them like he had seen in a movie only for it to get ruined.

He had convinced Rana into helping him make the reservations, had Alfred teach him manners, and made Moah take him to buy a special "fancy" outfit called a tuxedo with his own pay so that he would look nice for the event. Of course things hadn't gone exactly to plan, the wine spilling being the tamest thing that happened.

Only consolation that Miktes had gotten from that evening was the smile on Barnabus face by the end and the memories of the human licking the remains of the smelly drink off of his body had cheered Miktes up too

Realizing that he had been quiet for far too long and that he was dopily grinning at his own thought Miktes quickly pretended to be offended by what had just been said and rudely snorted at Barnabus. "Yeah I remember the damn wine." He said grumpily. "Wasn't my fault it spilled."

"If you say so Mickey." Barnabus quipped back. "Still made me laugh."

Pouting at the teasing he was being subjected to by his ever the smartassed mate Miktes decided he rather explore the new room they were in then talk to him and stomped his way over to a nearby baroque. Letting his red eyes scan over the items located on top he found nothing at interest at first but came to a sudden stop when he saw a framed picture. The photo depicted a young looking man, thin and lanky wearing some sort of white uniform with matching cap. What drew Miktes attention however was all the cuts and bruises on the teenager as he grinned at the camera with a missing tooth in the front.

"Who's this of?" Miktes asked picking it up and holding it close. "Another brother or something?"

Curious about what Miktes was talking about Barnabus went over to the Verdomian's side and gazed down at what had caught his attention. Seeing the picture he let out a low whistle and bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud.

"Mick... that's me in the picture." The Jack revealed. "It was taken back when I was sixteen after I got into a fight with another kid on a rival baseball team. Real nasty little goon who did nothing but cheat and bully his teammates. Finally got tired of it and boxed his ears."

"THAT'S YOU!!" Quickly snatching the picture up from its place on top the baroque Miktes held it close to his face trying to deduce if what Barnabus was saying was the truth. It was hard to tell for sure that was true but looking closer he did see his mate's features in the young man in the picture. Same nose, same chine, and of course same amber colored eyes.

"It is you..." The warrior said mystified. "What the fuck happened to you since this was taken? You're so skinny and young in it."

The vein on Barnabus' forehead twitched at Miktes question, the Jack giving him an annoyed expression which the enforcer really didn't seem to notice. "Oh Mr. Miktes you are such the charmer." He said mimicking a southern drawl.

Miktes winced, instantly recognizing the tone that the human was using. He had gone and said something stupid again and after reviewing what he said he half understood where he went wrong. "Stop being stupid, I wasn't making fun of you." He explained with a frustrated huff and an apologetic look. "Just didn't realize how ugly you used to be. You're a lot better now. Nice big belly like a proper submissive and lots of scars on your back to show how tough you are."

Barnabus sighed at Miktes' attempt to correct his words. Leave it to a Verdomian to think being heavyset and covered in scares were attractive traits. Barnabus still couldn't get over all the interested looks and flirting he was subjected to from the other dominates when they visited Verdomo. It seemed that nearly half of Kalaban thought him attractive even though he didn't see it that way.

"Alright Mick I forgive you." The Jack said with a sigh. "But you really got to stop saying all that cheesy stuff. I'm glad you find me a real B.Y.T. but I know I've let myself go."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Miktes said with a lustful sounding growl. Tossing the picture he had been looking at to the floor the warrior reached out and grabbed Barnabus by the sides of his stomach, pulling him close so that he could nuzzle the human's neck, his tusks gently scraping bearded skin.

"Just looking at you makes me so fucking hard sometimes" The Verdomian dominant said huskily, hands starting to travel to places rather improper during a family visit. "Makes me want to push you down on all fours and go at it like a wild beast."

His throat going dry as Miktes' hot breath blew across his bare skin Barnabus shuddered. Months ago the Verdomian saying something like that would have made him angry. But now... after everything they had done and their union it only enticed him with the same veracity that a mouthwatering steak would draw a hungry man.

The only thing that kept him from giving into the building desire to do as Miktes had just suggested was the fact of where they were. He really didn't feel like someone walking in on them in the middle of the act. Though he supposed it would have been funny if it had been Frank.

Reluctantly Barnabus placed his hands on Miktes' shoulders and pushed him away. "Cool it will you, you big green gorilla." He said laughing and walking away. "We're in my parent's house so I'm sorry but the bank's closed kiddo."

"I don't fucking care where we are. Let's rut." Miktes whined petulantly. "If you're so afraid of making too much noise then come here, I got something we can stick in your mouth to shut you up."

"Miktes!" Barnabus hissed incredulously. "Don't say stuff like that out loud."

"You know you love it human." Chasing after his mate with a grin Miktes reached down and goosed Barnabus' bottom, the surprise grope making the older man jump forward with a yelp.

"I'm' serious, take a cold shower or something." Barnabus warned rubbing where he had been pinched. "If you don't I'm going to box your green pointy ears you hear me."

"Oh, I like it when you get like this." Miktes growled predatorily. "I'm going to catch you and throw you on the bed."

Not missing a beat the overly excited man reached down and tried to get a handful of his mate's backside once more. However just as he was about to claim his prize and pounce a timid sounding knock on the door caused both men to freeze in place. "Hey Barnabus I don't want to disturb whatever it is you're doing but we need you out here ASAP." Frank's voice came through the door, shattering the mood.

Relieved to be saved once again from the grabby hands of his lover Barnabus chuckled, reaching out to give Miktes' nose a quick flick before he left the younger man to stew. "Looks your plans are going to have to wait Mick." He smirked. "Better luck next time."

Rubbing his nose Miktes scowled at the all too smug human in front of him. "Don't worry, next time no seducing just grab and thrust."

Reaching the door Barnabus quickly opened the wooden barrier and found himself coming face to face with his older brother again, the older man appearing as if he were embraced to be standing in the hall outside of their old room. "H-Hope I'm not interrupting anything." He repeated sheepishly. "It's just that... that."

"Spit it out Frankie." Barnabus cut in impatiently. When Frank continued to stutter whatever he was going to say the Jack put two and two together. "You were listening at the door weren't you?" He asked giving a questioning look.

"Not like I meant to." Frank replied back awkwardly. "Or that I wanted to. I was just coming to get you and accidentally heard through the door."

"Well if that's the case let me put your mind to ease: No you didn't interrupt anything." Moving to the side and flourishing into the room Barnabus showed the red faced man his partner. "Me and Mickey weren't doing anything naughty in here just joking around."

"Not that we weren't trying." Miktes grumped from his spot across the room.

Barnabus hit his head against the door at the Verdomian's crudeness and opened his mouth to snap at the redhead for his choice of words. Before he could though Frank blindsided him with a small snicker and a big goofy grin.

"You know me and Mary were the same way when we first got married. Always sneaking off to have fun." He said highly amused. "Must be something about us Anderson men that's irresistible to our partners, huh Barn?"

"Must be." Barnabus agreed sarcastically. Pushing himself off of the door the Jack crossed his arms and stared down his sibling. "Now, if you're done talking about my sex life how about you tell me why you're here? Or did you just stop by to beat your gums."

"I'm going to assume that "beat you gums" means chatting which if that's the case then no." Frank said even though he didn't fully understand his brother's odd choice in language. "The real reason why I'm here is because dad's back. Wants to see you right away."

Knowing that his father had returned to the house, Barnabus jovial mood instantly fell like a sack of bricks, his smart smirk disappearing instantly. "Time to face the music I guess." He said scratching an imaginary itch on the back of his neck. "How did he take hearing about Miktes?"

Frank shook his head. "Didn't tell him yet." He replied. "Thought you should be the one to introduce your alien."

"Yippie, thanks." Barnabus said giving a fake cheer. He had hoped that someone would have let the cat out of the bag for him. Give his dad a chance to cool a little before actually meeting Miktes.

Seeing his brother's dour mood Frank placed a heavy hand on the Jack's shoulder. "You really need to stop being so hard on our old man." He advised. "He might be a bit of a hard ass and doesn't say it but he does love you Barn."

"I know. It's just I know he's not going to like some of the things I've done since we last talked." Barnabus thumbed over his shoulder to the still brooding Miktes. "And I'm not talking about my big green grumpy hubby back there. Though I know he'll have lots of questions on that subject."

"He got a problem with Ver..." Miktes slowed realizing what he was about to say. They had to keep what he really was a secret even though he didn't like the idea. "He don't like Orcians or something." He finished instead.

"It's nothing like that Mickey." Barnabus began to explain. "Dad was just real critical about my old habit of going to bars and sleeping around with non-human men. Kept banging on that I should stop being such a pushover and settle down with a nice boring human fella. One that he had already picked out for me beforehand."

Ooh, Miktes did not like the sound of that. In his mind no human could appreciate a mate like Barnabus like he could. "Well... he can't do that crap anymore, right?" He pointed out. "You're my mate now so I'm the only one who fucks your ass."

Face palming as Frank made a surprised choking sound behind him Barnabus let out a small sigh. "Yeah at least there's that." He agreed. "But that doesn't mean he'll be real keen that we walked down the middle aisle together. You're the swellest Mickey and I love you but all he's going to see is some young rag-a-muffin that I'm shaking up with."

"Heh, that sort of reminds me of when you were eighteen and dad caught you fooling around with that thirty year old biker Bardarian out in the barn." Frank said thoughtfully "He really blew a gasket. Carried on so loud that the neighbors had to call the..."

Stopping his story when Barnabus shot him a death glare for saying something he shouldn't have Frank shrugged. "What? ... ... Oh I guess I didn't make any of this better, did I?"

"Anyway..." Barnabus continued, his eyes leaving Frank and returning back to Miktes. "That's why I'm worried right now. You're so amazing that I just can't stand the idea of him disapproving of you. I mean it wouldn't matter really, there's no way I'd leave you, but--"

"You don't want him upset with you." Miktes finished finally understanding.

This whole thing with Barnabus and his father was just like him and Daleer. Sure back at Kalaban village he had gone around making trouble and sleeping around but the look on his father's face when he caught him still made Miktes cringe. It was like all of Daleer's disappointment towards him was condensed into that one single expression. There had to be a way to keep Barnabus from having to get that look too.

"If he don't like me at first then I'll make him like me." Miktes announced after thinking hard on the subject. "I've done it to lots of people." He gave Barnabus a knowing smirk. "That's what I did to you."

"After hounding me for sex for five straight weeks and beating up a bunch of guys." Barnabus reminded the Verdomian.

"Wait. What?" Frank asked, his head snapping back and forth between the two. "You mean for once you didn't--"

"--None of your beeswax Frankie." Barnabus interrupted. Pushing Frank out of his way the embarrassed Jack stepped out of his room and into the hall. "Let's just go and see dad alright?"

Not waiting for his brother to reply Barnabus left the flabbergasted man behind and headed down the hallway trying his best to prepare himself for the upcoming meeting between him and his father. Exiting into the foyer of the house the distracted man suddenly found himself bumbling into Rachel as she walked out of the kitchen a can of beer in one hand and a sandwich atop a plate in the other.

"Oh, hello Barnabus." She greeted trying to steady the food in her hands. "Were you able to get yourself and Miktes settled in your room?"

"Yeah they were settled alright." Frank said as jokingly as he and Miktes came up behind his brother. When his wisecrack earned him a growl from Miktes and an elbow in the gut from Barnabus the older man grunted in pain saying, "What? It was just a joke."

"Yes and it wasn't a very funny joke now was it." Barnabus singsong though his clenched teeth. Last thing he wanted was for Rachel or anyone else for that matter to think him and Miktes were doing the backseat mambo in his old bedroom.

Frank finally getting the hint after that and shamefacedly coughing into his hand an apology Barnabus turned back to the reason why he had left the safety of his room in the first place. "Heya Rachel, I heard that dad's home. You happen to know where he is?"

"I was actually bringing him his afternoon snack when I ran into you dear." The elderly woman explained holding up the plate she had. "I know, since I'm so busy in the kitchen how about you give it to him instead? He's in the living room so it shouldn't be hard to find him." Not letting Barnabus say yes or no to her request Rachel handed the larger man both items she had been carrying and then left.

'I'm beginning to think she had that planned.' Barnabus remarked wryly to himself as the stout woman vanished from sight. His amusement ended however when a certain green four fingered hand began creeping over the plate. "Mickey, this isn't for you." The Jack snapped smacking the offending appendage.

"I only wanted to see what kind of sandwich it was." The Verdomian pouted. "Not like I was going to stuff the whole thing into my mouth."

Moving the food as far away from the younger man as he could Barnabus shot him an unconvinced look. "That'd be a first." He said. "And besides, do you really think it's a smart idea to seal food from the person you're trying to make like you? Nothing worse than a hungry old bull dog like my dad."

It was at that precise moment that a gruff sounding voice drifted into the foyer from where the living room was located, its sound making Barnabus' heart pound faster than it already was as it rang in his ears. "Rachel honey, is that sandwich coming anytime soon?" The older man called out. "I know you're busy but I really don't want to miss this game."

"Maybe this wasn't a good idea." Barnabus said suddenly changing his mind. Interrupting his father during a game was something one only did if they wanted their head bitten off. "I'll just go back in my room and wait it out."

"Oh, no you don't" Frank sighed. Getting behind his younger brother the balding man gave him a steady push. "Grow a pair."

Barnabus looked over to Miktes for help but the alien seemed to have the same opinion as Frank did, giving him a disappointed look as he nodded to where the voice had come from. "Move it submissive, I know you ain't no coward."

"Submissive?" Frank asked.

Choosing not to hear his older brother's question Barnabus gave a long drawn our groan and responded to what Miktes had said. "Your right Mickey" He sighed "I ain't no coward".

After making sure the food he had been tasked to deliver was still safe, Barnabus took a deep breath and went to enter the lion's den that was his family's living room, Miktes going to do the same behind him.

However before the Verdomian could follow him Barnabus shot him a pleading look over his shoulder. "Heya, you mind staying back here till I call you Mick?" He asked. "I sort of want to ease him into meeting you."

"I guess I can." Miktes huffed. He didn't like the idea of his mate facing something alone. "Just call me when you need me then."

"Thanks." That taken care of Barnabus stepped forward into the living room with a nervous grin plastered on his face and a thousand bad thoughts swimming in his mind as he did. Looking around he quickly found the person he was looking for, his father sitting inside of the darkened room in his favorite chair a few feet away.

Archie Anderson was a heavy-set man like both his older sons. His bearded face rough looking with a full head of graying hair, and large bushy eyebrows sitting above dark amber eyes and a rather large nose that he absently rubbed as he mindlessly watched a football game on a vidscreen in front of him. But for Barnabus, the most prominent thing he had ever noticed about his father was the nasty looking scar that graced his left cheek. Some old battle wound from his youth that he refused to clarify as to how he had gotten it.

So caught up in taking in every single detail of his dad's face Barnabus nearly jumped out of his skin when the older man spoke up for the first time since yelling. "Are you just going to stand there staring at me or are you going to say hello?"

"H-Hello." Barnabus said with an embarrassing stutter. Why was it that this man's voice could completely disarm him? "Brought you lunch."

"More like early dinner." Archie said back. Shifting slightly in his seat the mature man gave his middle son a long look, the silence making Barnabus more and more nervous as the seconds ticked by on the old clock on the wall.

Then suddenly Archie's grim frown lightened if only just a little, a small Mona Lisa smile appearing as he motioned over to a nearby chair. "Sit down Barnabus; we can talk while I watch the game."

Immediately going to do as he had been "commanded" Barnabus hurried his way over to the spot his father had pointed out. Just as he went to sit down though Archie gave him an annoyed look making him still. "No, no, give me the sandwich and beer first boy I'm starving over here." He snapped

'Same old dad.' Barnabus thought amused.

Handing over both items Barnabus sat in silence for several minutes as his father popped open his drink and dug into his meal. It wasn't until after several large bites that Archie began trying to spark up a conversation again. "So, tell me how you're doing Barnabus?" He said. "Still flying around in space as a Jack or did you move onto another job again?"

Barnabus nearly lost it then and there because of what the other man had just said. Yes, what Archie had said wasn't said as a criticism but there was defiantly the soul of one hidden somewhere inside the words.

"No dad I'm still a Jack." Barnabus responded flatly, fist clenching to keep himself calm. "In fact me and my crew just got ourselves a rise in rank. We're silver level now."

"Really." Archie hummed back disinterestedly. The older man took another bite of his sandwich and then a sip of his drink. "Anything else new going on with you lately?"

His eyes drifting over to Miktes who was still standing out in the hall grumbling at Frank, Barnabus closed his eyes and said as quickly as possible. "Actually, there is one thing I'd like to tell you about." He bit his bottom lip. "A someone really. Mickey! You can come in here now!"

Hearing his mate's nickname for him Miktes glanced away from the bearded human he had been speaking with and into the room Barnabus had gone into. Seeing him motioning for him to enter, the Verdomian grunted a goodbye to Frank and made his way into the darkened space.

The first thing that Miktes noticed upon setting foot inside was the same sent he had smelled on the letter Barnabus had received a few days ago, the second was an unfamiliar pair of dark amber eyes focused on his person which seemed to drill right through him much to his surprise.

Vision going over this stranger in his home, Archie's eyes widened for a fraction of a second with an unreadable emotion, before they returned to their suspicious gaze. "Who's this?" He asked. "Did you bring a boyfriend home to meet the family?"

"He's more than a boyfriend." Standing up Barnabus reached out and put his arm around Miktes' shoulder pulling the green man close to him possessively. He wouldn't let this one drag. He'd tell his father as fast as he could who the man standing next to him was.

"Dad, this here is Miktes Hestry." The Jack began. "Well, he used to be that is. His full name now is Miktes Hestry Comet and well... me and him got married a few months ago surprise!"

For several long minutes after his announcement Barnabus and his father remained completely still. Barnabus starting to sweat as his father eyes darted back and forth between him and Miktes, and Archie not quite believing his eyes as he sat there. Finally after what felt like the longest pause in history the older Anderson stood up to his full height, just a little bit shorter than Barnabus, and walked up to the couple with shrew eyes.

"What, did one of you knock the other up or something?" Archie asked with a confused expression.

Barnabus was instantly mortified by what his father had just said and gaped back at him with complete and utter shock. "DAD!" He shouted face beat red. "What sort of stupid question is that to ask!?"

"Heya watch your mouth son." Archie said, dipping back into his role of parent. "It was a valid question. You know the Gunderson's that live down the street? Well their boy Ripley had a one night stand with some alien called a Xeno-something or other and ended up in the family way. Rachel said it was the strangest baby shower she's ever been to."

Rubbing his face with his palm slowly, Barnabus made a frustrated sound and glared at his father. "Jalapeño!" He said tiredly. "Dad, let me assure you, loud and clear, that me and Mickey are both men and that neither of us are in no way pregnant."

"Not for lack of trying." Miktes chuckled dirtily, not realizing what he had said till it was too late to take it back. "W-What I meant to say was--"

Archie held up his hand to stop his olive skinned guest from finishing whatever he was going to say. "No need kid I get it." He said. Placing his meal on his chair quickly the older man gave Miktes another long look and then turned to leave. "Sorry to cut this short Barnabus but I just remembered something I had to do in my room. I'll see you at dinner."

[Barnabus. As I witnessed my father beat a hasty retreat out of the room I swear I could actually feel my heart drop out of my chest and down to my feet. It was just so obvious to me that when my dad was introduced to Mick that he had taken an immediately dislike to him. Horsefeathers, he didn't even give the poor kid a chance before he started acting like he wanted to give him the bum rush!

Why in the universe did I ever agree to come on this stupid vacation? Why did I think even for a brief second that I could handle all of this family malarkey? As I stood there replaying what had just happened over and over again in my head I could feel anger bubbling up in my gullet ready to erupt like old fateful. I was well on my way to making a scene and then hitting the road with Miktes in tow. But just as it was about to consume me I was reminded of the few good things in my life once again.]

Seeing the hurt in his mate's eyes Miktes moved quickly, coming to stand in front of the steaming mad man. Leaning forward he quickly pressed his tusked mouth to the human's trying his best to console him in the best way he knew how. The Verdomian dominate knew that he might not be a wizard with words, but this... showing how he cared for Barnabus was something he could work magic with.

"Don't worry about that bastard." Miktes said once he had pulled away. "Remember I'm going to force him to like me."

"Fine we'll stay." Barnabus relented, surprising Miktes who hadn't realized that was thinking about departing. "But you better not be kissing on him to get on his good side."

Miktes snorted out a laugh at the thought of kissing anyone else but his mate. "I'll try." He joked smugly. "But I bet if I did he'd like me afterwards."

***************

In the past communal meals had been something Miktes had truly despised being a part. The pain of having to take the time to sit down with his family, forced to talk about his day and listening to boring conversation between whatever guest they had that night and his father was almost too much to bear for an active dominate like him with so many better things to do.

His opinion however had taken a radical change in the short couple of months since he had left his old home behind and met his mate. Yes, ever since he had met his new friends and become the resident enforcer on board the Wild Comet Two the warrior had actually come to enjoy having dinner with others around.

Gone were the days of him eating alone in his room, those lonely meals replaced by a joyous new tradition that Barnabus had insisted everyone take place in after they had gotten the new ship. No matter what all five of them would come to the table and enjoy a nice meal together at the end of the day. And unlike those dinners back on his home world these meals were actually interesting.

Miktes loved watching Barnabus and Rana bickering with one another over something stupid, Alfred making surprised gasps and "ooh's" as he read from a book he had brought, and Moah mumbling softly to himself as he worked on some sort of magical device.

Unfortunately... the feast that the Verdomian found himself taking part in his first evening at the Anderson household made him wonder if he should return to his previous state of mind on the subject. Especially if future meals ended up being as horribly awkward and silent as the meal that night was.

Scanning the table as he stuffed some of his new Mother-by-mating's "potted roast" into his tusked mouth, Miktes let his eyes travel from one end of the large table him and all of Barnabus' family were seated at together.

Perched at the far end of one side was Archie Anderson, the gray haired man quietly staring down at his plate and absently pushing around the food in front of him. At the other, closest to the warrior, was Barnabus doing the exact same thing. Both men not realizing that they were mimicking the other as the minutes ticked by uncomfortably.

All in all Miktes didn't like this one bit. Even the meals he had hated back in his family's house had been more enjoyable then this, the noise of everyone talking being a distraction. There had to be something he could do to fix all this. But for the life of the Verdomian he just didn't know how. It wasn't like he was an expert at handling two humans who obviously didn't wish to speak.

Luckily for the warrior there was someone at the table who had experience with these sorts of problems within the Anderson family. Delicately wiping some sauce from her lips Rachel decided that it was high time conversation started up at her dinner table and took it into her own hands to engage the newest member of their family.

"So... Miktes." The plump woman began gently. "I don't think I asked you yet but how did you and Barnabus meet?"

Stopping mid chew Miktes gazed up at the human woman completely surprised that he had been addressed. "Barnabus sort of just ran into me one day." He said carefully. "After that we were sort of stuck together so we had to get along."

For the first time since they had come to the table Barnabus cracked a smile at Miktes for his quick thinking. At least the big green grump remembered that they had to keep his true nature under wraps. Although the words he had chosen were a bit tame to what really had happened.

"Yup that's exactly how it happened." Barnabus added finally speaking out loud again. "Just couldn't get the big pain in the butt to leave me alone after that."

Miktes frowned at his mate, pretending to be offended by his words. "More like you didn't want to get rid of me after that." He said huffily. "You were begging me to stick around after a while."

"Sorry but I remember it differently Mickey." Barnabus said rolling his eyes.

"Well you should think again." Miktes retorted.

Chuckling at the exchanged between the two men Frank turned to his wife Mary, a petite blond woman with gentle blue eyes but a strong demeanor about her, and smirked. "That sort of reminds me of when we met, Remember Mary?" He asked.

"How could I forget?" The pregnant woman laughed. Gazing over at her brother-in-law she grinned, eyes sparkling with mirth. "Francis stopped by my family's coffee shop every day for six months trying to work up the courage to ask me out. Finally I felt so sorry for the big goof that I went over to him and asked myself."

"I didn't mean it like that." Frank frowned while twiddling his thumbs. "I just meant how we used to play argue."

Mary gave her husband a sympathetic awe and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "But that's exactly what happened." She said. "And I couldn't be happier that I decided to ask you out love. Look what it led to."

There was a collective groan of disgust from around the table as the couple's children cringed at the display of affection, Rachel laughing at her grandchildren after. "Oh hush the lot of you." She chided. "Your parents are just showing that they love each other."

Frank nodded, agreeing with his step-mother. "If you sprouts think we're gross now you're just lucky none of you were around to see how lovey-dovey we were when we got married--"

"Tommy almost was." Mary cut in much to her husband's dismay.

"--Ahh... um, yes... heh-heh. W-What I was saying was at least you were spared seeing you parents acting like love sick fools." Frank finished, bearded cheeks tinting. "Nearly ruined our weeding because we couldn't concentrate on our vows."

Picking up a bowl of mash potatoes Rachel scooped some onto her plate and then onto the plate of her youngest grandchild, Frank's two year old Harry before she continued the conversation. "It was still a very nice wedding despite both of you having your heads in the clouds." She said absently. "Thinking about it though... just makes me wish harder that you had invited us to yours Barnabus. Was it a big affair?"

Barnabus stopped dead in his tracks being asked about the ritual him and Miktes had taken part in on the second trip to Verdomo. There was no way in a million years he would have wanted any of his family there witnessing it.

Not because he was embarrassed by all the mushy stuff he said before, during, and after the ceremony or because of the secrecy around the whole thing. No, it was because of the strange and drafty ritual outfit had been enough thank you very much.

Responding to the question he had been asked Barnabus gave Rachel a stiff smile. "We... actually just got married in a small ceremony on Miktes home world." He told her. "It was just the two of us, my crew, Mick's dad, and one of their priests."

"Really?" Archie suddenly asked. "So your alien's father attended?" Placing his silverware down the patriarch of the Anderson family gave the couple at the other end a hard look. "How he take a man your age being with his son?"

Looking back down at his plate Barnabus felt the bubbling urge to tell his father off for saying that. But just as he was about to do so Miktes gave a growl from the seat next to the irritated Jack and spoke up for him.

"My father couldn't be happier that Barnabus became my mate." Miktes informed Archie sharply. And it was true; Daleer had welcomed Barnabus into the Hestry clan with open arms. So much so that Miktes often thought that the older Verdomian liked his mate more than him. "He's actually the reason why me and Barnabus are together now in the first place."

Barnabus stuffed a spoonful of food into his mouth trying to keep himself from cheering on the olive green alien. Miktes might have just damaged his chances of getting his dad to like him, but in the Jack's book he had just scored some serious brownie points.

"Y-Yeah Dal-- I mean, Mickey's old man arranged the whole thing for us." Barnabus added after swallowing roughly. "He's a real nice guy like that."

"Well I suppose it was nice that at least one of you had a parent there." Archie remarked dryly, returning to his meal. "Maybe someday you could describe the whole ceremony to us since we weren't there to see it."

Archie's last sentence once again caused the table to lapse into a long pregnant pause, one that only ended when Miktes said something that surprised everyone at the table, including his own mate. "If you really want to see it that bad I got a picture."

"You... have a what now?" Barnabus said growing nervous. "When did you... no, where did you get one!"

Miktes became puzzled at the panic in his human lover's voice. Why was he becoming upset? "Rana put it on my pad thing before we left." The enforcer explained. "But only after she made me promise to show it to your family sometime. Don't know why she cares about that though."

[Barnabus: Alrighty then, so when me and Mickey get our tail ends back from this little vacation there's three things at the top of my list to do. Number one: Make sure the delivery of those crates went smoothly. Not that there's any doubt that chore hasn't already been finished. Number two: Check to see if I got any mail. I'm sort of expecting a "special" toy for me and Mick to play with. And lastly number three: Throw Rana out of the airlock next time we go into deep space for giving Miktes that photo.]

Breaking the stunned silence after the Verdomian's reveal, Rachel leaned forward, a smile on her face and positively giddy. "You really have a picture?" She asked. When Miktes bobbed his up and down her smile only grew. "Could you please show it to us dear? I'm sure everyone would love to see it."

"There's no need to see that silly old thing." Barnabus quickly said trying to keep anyone from seeing whatever image Rana had captured. "Hey! How about instead we all talk about the time Frank got caught skinny dipping with that girl down at the lake?"

"What the heck Barn!" Frank cried out, his eyes darting over to his wife who was looking back at him with a raised eyebrow. "You promised me that you'd never tell anyone that happened!"

"Yeah I know but--" Barnabus began.

"You must really not want anyone to see that picture." Frank's son Tommy said thoughtfully. "You sound just like me when I don't want my parents to see my report pad-mail from school."

"You know, your right Tommy." Frank agreed. "Which of course means we all have to see it now. Come on Miktes, show us the picture." There was a murmur as everyone else at the table agreed with the balding man's statement.

Not seeing any reason to deny the request even in the face of his mate's frantic mouthing of the word no, Miktes pulled out his P.A.D. and fiddled with the on screen buttons for a few minutes unsuccessfully. Becoming frustrated after he couldn't find what he was looking for the warrior held the device over the table for someone to take.

"Here, whichever one of you wants to see, you do it." Miktes growled. "It's supposed to be in something called the Pho-to fol-dar."

"Don't worry I'm sure we'll find it Miktes dear." Rachel said eagerly taking the machine and starting her search.

Resigning himself to the fact that he couldn't stop what was about to happen now. Barnabus sank down into his seat and waited for the onslaught that would descend on him as soon as they saw the picture Rana had taken. This wasn't going to be something that he could come back from easily. This was something that tended to remain in a family's memory for years and years.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity the inevitable happened, Rachel seemed to find what she had been looking for and gave a small gasp. "Barnabus..." She began looking over to him, lips creeping upward as he looked away. "Oh, my goodness! This costume you're wearing looks absolutely adorable!"

"Wait, what's he wearing?" Frank asked growing excited by the horror crossing his brother's face. The grown man started to bounce in his seat. "Come on Rachel, let me have a look!?"

Extending his hand out the balding man motioned for Miktes' P.A.D. which Rachel handed over without complaint. Taking the device and holding it out in front of him so that his wife and a few of his children could see, Frank found himself completely stumped, his mouth opening and closing several times as he took in every detail.

The picture was of Miktes and Barnabus standing face to face on top of an ancient looking altar with two other members of the Miktes' race and what looked like a Girunjh standing around them. They were both smiling at one another and being handed some sort of blind folds. That wasn't what had caused Frank's stupefied expression though. No, the source of that aliment was the sight of his brother dressed up in some sort of outfit that only consisted of a pair of snug shorts, arm gauntlets, and what appeared to be a loin cloth which hung down from the front.

"Why's Uncle Barnabus wearing that funny thing?" One of Frank's twin daughters, May Barnabus thought, asked breaking the stunned silence. "He looks silly."

His eyes drifting slowly away from the picture and over to his younger Brother, Frank graced him with the biggest shit eating grin even seen. "Yeah Uncle Barnabus why are you wearing a loincloth?"

Barnabus truly didn't know how he was going to explain what he was wearing in the picture. The real reason why he had been made to dress in that drafty and exposing outfit was because it was supposed to be easy to remove after the ritual. That wasn't something someone would want to tell their collected family members. "Ah... well you see the reason why I was dressed up like that... was... um, because..."

"It's the traditional outfit that my people wear for our Rituals of Destiny." Miktes explained for his mate, having grown impatient. "Everyone who gets mated in my village wears them. It's been that way for thousands of years or something."

"Oh, well in that case I suppose it's very nice." Said Mary after a few moments of awkwardness. "And at least it's better than the light blue tux Frank almost wore at our wedding."

"HEY!" Franks shouted with a pout.

Having observed the entire conversation about the snapshot of his son's ceremony Archie held out his hand and held his hand out for Frank to give him the P.A.D. next. "Could you give it here?" He said more of a command then a request.

Giving the picture one last long look so that he could always remember it Frank passed the P.A.D. down the table from family member to family member until it reached the oldest Anderson. Peering down at the small screen Archie let his eyes scan over the photograph, eyes studying each person depicted in it as he sat there.

It was as the older man did this that Barnabus noticed something strange, his dad seemed to fixate on something in the photo for several long seconds, mouthing something silently to himself as he did. But just as quickly as the spell had struck it apparently passed and Archie passing Miktes' P.A.D. the other way around the table back towards its owner.

"It looks like a nice little ceremony." Archie said casually. "You're going to have to make a few copies for all of us before you leave Barnabus."

"I... s-sure dad." Barnabus replied back. "I don't suppose that shouldn't be too much of a problem to do."

Giving his son a nod Archie moved on from the subject and quickly drew Frank into a conversation about the bald man's work down at the police station. Only half listening Barnabus narrowed his eyes and watched his father closely. What was it that he had seen in the picture that had interested him so much? Was it the way he was dressed, was he amused like everyone else? Or was it something else, something Barnabus wasn't catching.

'Well, whatever it is I guess I'm not going to find out.' He reasoned returning to eating. 'Probably nothing anyway.'

Pushing the curious behavior of the head of his family Barnabus decided that he better try his best to enjoy the rest of the meal and began to lightly tease Miktes about the way he was stuffing food into his tusked mouth. He had to get some sort of retribution against the Verdomian for showing off that blasted picture after all.

***************

Flopping down onto his back atop his bed Barnabus let out a long groan and rubbed his aching belly. He had defiantly eaten too much food at dinner. But he just couldn't help himself. There was just something about Rachel's cooking that led a man to overeating. Must be why him, Frank, and their dad all had pot bellies now.

"I think I'm going to pop." The Jack remarked as he peered up over to where Miktes was standing. "What about you."

Miktes snorted at his overstuffed mate, starting to remove his clothing as began speaking. "I could still eat another course." He said smugly while pushing his pants down. "I'm not some weak stomached human who has to stop eating after the first seven plates. I eat like a real man."

"Mick, you eat like a dump truck not a man." Barnabus was quick to say back. Rolling onto his belly the older man chuckled warmly. "I swear I really have no idea how you manage to put that much into your mouth at once."

"I'm good at putting lots of things into my mouth submissive." Finally free of every single stitch of his irritating clothing Miktes ambled his way naked over to the bed and sat down, his hand going to Barnabus backside which he patted a few times. "Also real good of putting things in other places. Nice big things."

Barnabus felt his heart begin to race as the large hands of his lovers swatted his upturned bottom. But as much as he enjoyed it he just didn't have the energy. "Ugh, enough with the single entendres kid." He sighed. "I really don't feel like it tonight."

"Fine I'll stop." Miktes huffed. There wasn't any reason to push the other man into sex that night. Barnabus always made it up to him when they weren't able to fuck like he wanted. "But I still don't see why you're so tired. All we did today was sit and talk to people."

"You say that as if it was easy." Pushing himself onto his elbows Barnabus rested his head on the covers for a moment his eyes closed. "You have no idea what it's like having to deal with a family like mine."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Miktes growled. "My family is a hundred times worse than yours."

Fully rolling over so that he could look at Miktes properly Barnabus tilted his head to the side, one eyebrow raised. "Mickey you family is wonderful." He said. "Velloy is the kindest woman I've ever met, your brothers and sisters are just the bee's knees, and your dad treats you like you're a prince."

Miktes rolled his eyes at that. "You have got to be kidding!" He cried out. "They're all pains in my ass. Well... except for Mama that is. Your family is the one that's interesting." When Barnabus' face went blank to his statement the Verdomian quickly explained. "Your brother is really funny, I like how everyone pokes fun at him but he don't mind it. Fuck even his brats and wife ain't that bad. Then there's Rachel woman your stop-mom--"

"--Step-mom." Barnabus corrected absently.

"Yeah, step-mom, that's what I said." Miktes growled condescendingly. "Anyway, that woman can really cook good. I can't wait till breakfast tomorrow!"

Both growing quiet after Miktes speech, the two men stared into each other's eyes challenging the other to argue. Then suddenly Barnabus broke out into a deep belly laugh. "Jalapeño, listen to the both of us." He chuckled. "We sound like two spoiled teenagers complaining about our families like this."

"You're the spoiled one not me." Miktes said grumpily. Scooting back more the Verdomian motioned for Barnabus to move with him on top the narrow bed until the two of them were lying side by side with their heads resting on the pillows.

"So, you really want to just sleep?" He asked one more time just in case. "Cause I don't mind you just laying there while I..."

"Go to bed Mickey." Barnabus interrupted. "And if anyone was going to be doing the laying still when we mambo it'd be you. I need a pick-me-up."

A long sigh escaped into the air as Miktes finally gave up, his arm going around his mate and pulling him close as they. "Fine, but you better do a good job." He insisted. "This is the third time you've gotten out of a good rutting and so we need to make up for it."

Getting comfortable Barnabus rested his head on the warrior's bare chest. "Don't worry; I'll give you the works next time we get frisky." He mumbled, his eyes drifting shut. "But only if you promise to behave tomorrow."

"I'll try." Nuzzling the top of his human's head and breathing in the sent deeply Miktes felt his body completely relax. Soon he felt the telltale signs of sleeping coming upon him. Content and happy as both him and Barnabus fell into a deep slumber after the events of a truly busy day. A day which Barnabus realized was only the beginning