Loving Change - Chapter Five

"We've only been recently married, actually. And after meeting this little...", Tyron paused looking for the right word - for what he had in mind may not be the most polite option - while looking at the small child. "Gem," he struggled to get out. "I'm even wondering if she would let us extend our," he paused to look Sam in the eyes and spoke as if they were the only ones in the room. "relationship." 'What in the actual hell did he just say!?' Sam screamed in her head. 'Did he just lie that we're MARRIED ans then ask for KIDS!?'

"Awww! Aren't you two just everything newly weds hope to be. Well I hope you both have a splendid life together" And with that she walked off with her son in tow. 'A life together? With her? Doesn't sound completely terrible, I suppose. Wait! What am I thinking? Why did I say all that!? Arrgh! What am I doing? Am I losing me mind?' Tyron was at a loss with his feelings - and how to sort through them or convey them.

"You know what, I'm not even going to say anything about whatever that was. Let's just get you some clothes and get out of here.", Sam could not look Tyron in the eyes at the moment, so kept her head down while she goes to hand him the pile of clothes. "Go try these on while I go buy the jacket." Tyron removed the jacket and swapped it for the large stack of clothes awaiting him and began arguing with himself further as he walked to nearest fitting rooms that Sam had pointed him to.

Dawdling to the checkouts Sam purposely tied to extend the time between now and when she'd have to awkwardly encounter the galactic traveler again. 'Why did he do that? I thought him seeing my panties last night was awkward enough. But is that what he's really wanting? He only showed up here yesterday for crying out loud! I mean talk about moving too quickly in a relationship! Wait - no! We're not in a relationship! Why'd I think that!? Arggh!' Sam's own internal argument wasn't going too well when it came to her turn at the checkout.

"Hello how can I-", the guy working at the check out suddenly looked up at Sam, briefly looking her up and down. "How can I help you?" They guy asked, almost with an underlying tone of boredom.

"Just the jacket, please." Sam placed the leather clothing on the counter between them.

Picking it up to scan, Sam could still hear him - despite his mumbling, "A girl your size would need to buy men's clothes, probably can't fit anything else." Sam stood frozen to the floor, thoughts on replay of what he said as her mind spiraled down beneath the floor under them and delved into the darkest recesses. Hey eyes didn't blink, her lungs didn't breath - nothing. What felt like forever trapped within a cage of judgmental criticism in her own head was in reality only a few seconds.

"$29.95", Hearing him speak again roped her back into the glaringly cruel world.

Pretending she wasn't cracking to pieces on the inside, Sam pulled her card from her purse with a smile so bright even the greatest of minds couldn't tell how much she was hurting. "Check or savings?" The man feigned politeness.

"Savings, thank you." As always Sam kept up the mask of the nice good girl; always nice, goody two-shoes. Paying and grabbing her things as quickly as she could, Sam speed walked her way back to the fitting rooms, not even waiting to hear a very forced "Have a good day".

Fighting off all emotions Sam focused on the sound of her feet hitting the tiled floor. But then she remembered why she was so keen on going to the checkout in the first place. 'Great. I just walked away from one awful situation right back into an awkward one.' By the time Sam finished her thought she was at the entrance to the fitting rooms - and she could hear Tyron cursing from here. 'This isn't going to be good.' Walking in Sam made sure no one else was looking first before slinking into the men's side and quickly going to the last stall where all the hisses and shouts were coming from.

Knocking on the door Sam made sure her voice was hushed - as she had never before been on the "men's" side of the fitting rooms, "Tyron , it's just me - Sam.", After some shuffling noises and some grunts of discomfort, the door was unlocked and Sam pulled it open to find something she wasn't expecting. Tyron, the alien on earth, was tangled up in a long-sleeved shirt and got himself stuck. "Of course. Only you could manage to do this, couldn't you." Sam flashed him one of his own signature smirks - fighting the urge, and knowing better than, to laugh.

"Not. Another. Word...", Tyron looked beyond ready to burn the shirt restraining him. "Just hurry up and get me out of this evil thing."

"What's the magic word?" Sam decided she rather enjoyed the sight of him struggling and chose to toy with the god just a tad while she had the chance.

"Magic word!? I've studied and mastered magic for years and I've never heard of such thing!?", This time Sam couldn't fight off the laughter and almost doubled over with the action. "What is the meaning of this! Just help me!" Swallowing her chuckles Sam grabbed and pulled at the shirt fabric until finally the man was fee from it. But in doing so created a new problem for Sam.

Tyron was now standing tall and shirtless before her, inside a cramped changing stall - together. 'How is it we keep ending up in these kind of situations!?'. Judging by his facial expressions, Tyron only just realised too what kind of situation they were in, again. But what he did next sent a shiver down Sam's spine: that damn mischievous smirk made its appearance. 'Oh no. Whatever is ticking over in that head of his can't be good.' Suddenly the air in the stall became hot and thick, creating the feeling of being un-breathable within Sam.

"Well, I'll just wait outside until you're finished trying everything on and -", Sam thought that her slow backing away had gone undetected but she realised her mistake when her back come into contact with the stall door. Said door being unlocked and open only moment ago, but not anymore.

"Not trying to leave, are we?" purred the man from outer space, taking ever so low steps towards the trapped woman.

"Tyron? What're you doing?" Sam hoped asking him outright what he was up to would snap him out of it. She couldn't have been more wrong. Before she even knew it Tyron's chest was only millimeters from hers, their breath mingling and eyes locked. Nothing was spoken between the two it, it would have ruined the moment otherwise. Sam wondered in the back of her mind where exactly his was going to go, or more specifically, how far he was going to push - possibly.

But her thoughts had distracted her her so much so that she had failed to notice that a pale strong hand was moving to caress her cheek. Feeling his slightly cold touch against her face, Sam was brought back into focus on him, only to see him staring intently at her. The way he softly held her so gently filled her with this sense of calm. Using his thumb that was against the side of her face, Tyron rubbed small circles on Sam's cheek. Closing her eyes and leaning her head further into Tyron's hand and the sensation created on her skin. Using his other free hand Tyron hesitantly held it against the small of her back against the door.

Daring to get as close as he could before this frozen moment in time was ripped away from them, Tyron closed his own lavender gaze and lovingly layed his forehead on Sam's that still remained fixed to his palm.

"How is it you make me like this?" Tyron whispered in a voice so hushed Sam pondered if perhaps her mind had imagined it. But the hand at her back that also began to move in such comforting circles so that she felt her insides melt reminded her that this was real. The tight space, being held to the bare chest of something that isn't even human, the affectionate touches she was indulging in.

'But why?' Sam questioned herself with what little focus she had left. 'Why me?' Then she remembered all that has happened before this; the reason she, a single young woman, was living alone surrounded by forests, why she felt shame when Tyron had found her panties the previous night, even what the dumb checkout guy had said. Her bones became rigid and her limbs grew stiff. Her world was once again sucked into the vortex of negativity that followed her everywhere in the back of her consciousness like a little storm cloud. Feeling the woman in his arms go taught broke the peace within Tyron and he pulled his head back to look her over through concerned and worried eyes.

Had she reconsidered?

"What is it? Is it something I di-"Sam jumped in before he could even finish giving voice to his worries.

"No, no. You didn't do anything." Sam fought her hardest to keep the quiver out of her voice, keep her thoughts from showing in her voice.

"Then what?" Tyron did not want this moment to end, there was no other side of him to argue with about feelings, there was just him and her.

"It's nothing. I'm fine." Sam plastered back on that mask of a smile no on could tell wasn't genuine. Or so she thought.

"Clearly not.", He countered, tightening his grasp on her to help prove how serious he was being. Sam was finding it harder and harder to keep up the mask - and fight off any tears. With dark thoughts swirling like a storm, she didn't dare say anything in return in case her voice betrayed her. "If it wasn't something I did, then what?", Tyron continued to push, desperate for an answer or a way to make her happy again. "Or maybe who?", he considered, looking down at her slightly from his much taller height. "Sam." Hearing him of all people - in many ways still a stranger - say her name with such genuine loving concern broke her, and shattered her mask. Retaining some distant minute sliver of control Sam only let a few small tears cascade down her cheeks, leaving trails that shimmered under the lights above the stall. Her lips quivered with the silent sobs that ached to be heard but never released. Tyron wasn't certain which came first the sight of his Sam - his only tie to this word - crying and the resulting caving of his soul or the feeling of the cool dampness on his hand that still remained flushed against her face and the numbness that grew in that arm at the realisation of her despair.

Tyron didn't know what happened next, all he remembers is that one moment Sam was crying in his arms and the next he had pulled her as close as possible to him, his arms wrapped both comfortingly and protectively around her beautiful frame. Sam's face was unseen pressed firmly into his bare torso as her silent crying grew into quiet whimpering.

"Can you tell me?" Tyron hoped that he could prove himself someone that she can trust. But for a long time there was no answer, she just put her own arms around him and held tightly to him It was just the two of them in all the world; despite all the movement, voices and noise of the people around them in other stall, there was only a man of another world and a woman of Earth holding firm to one another. When whimpering slowed to sniffles and eventually to silence Tyron was given his answer.

"It's just something stupid, really. This guy on checkout had a go at me abut my weight, that's all. I don't think he even knows I heard," Sam dryly laughed but the pain and hurt were still so evident in her voice.

Sam only saw one thing when she lifted her head back to look into the eyes of the alien embracing her; rage. 'Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. Please don't have another one of those temper tantrums!' Sam begged within the confines of her head.

"Well. That 'shirt' was the last item, anyhow. So let's go buy the items we're taking, shall we?" Tyron hissed through clenched jaws, biting back the urge to head out right then - shirtless and all - to go show that mewling worm precisely why he was once a king. 'How dare some low life scum put down this angel! What kind of disgusting filth would shame her for her beauty!?' Grabbing all the clothes they'd be leaving with Tyron went to unlock the stall door but was stopped by a gentle but firm hand grasping his forearm.

"Tyron, please don't start something. Let's just buy the stuff and go." Sam willingly pleaded, begging for him not to create a scene.

"Oh don't worry about me 'starting' anything, darling. He already has." Tyron kept his eyes focused dead ahead, as if he could see through all the walls and straight to the guy on checkout. Next thing Sam knew the door was unlocked and Tyron walked on while a veil of shimmering bronze encased his upper half and then vanished again leaving the once shirtless man fully clothed by some means of magic. 'Considering he got here via a sky tunnel thing, I'm not even going to ask what all that was'. Sam concluded in her head. Throwing her thoughts away in favour of picking up her pace so as not to be left behind, Sam chose to remain a few steps behind Tyron and watched as people purposely moved to be out of his way after seeing the hell-bent look of determination on his face - not to mention the flames of rage in his mauve eyes. 'What exactly is he planning to do once we reach the checkout? He's not stupid enough to actually try and attack the guy with people and security cameras around in broad daylight. Is he?' Sam suddenly felt even more uneasy of the current situation, seeing the multiple checkouts fast approaching - with the awaiting exit just beyond - Sam felt anxiety swell within her as if it were filling her stomach, and then her chest, and continuing on and on to fill like she was a glass bottle.

'Please no confrontation. Please no confrontation. Please no confrontation.' Now they were so close Sam could see the guy's eyes from where they now stood in the line waiting for their turn.'

"Please, Tyron, let's just be calm about this." Sam whispered to him beside her. All the extraterrestrial did was turn to look down at her and throw up his smirk before moving ahead to their new space at the front of the line. Time seemed to go too quickly and Sam's gaze flickered between the dreaded guy and the nice elderly woman serving at the next register, praying that the lady would be available first. But her silent plea went unnoticed and the guy looked over to see who was next in line but instead came face to face with a raging and vengeful alien. Glittering gleams of anger flashed across is iris', daring the weasel quaking in front of him to defend himself so that Tyron can take even more joy in absolutely destroying the light in the eyes of this pathetic excuses of an intelligent life-form.

"Ummm... Can I help you, sir?" 'Jack', as his name tag read, looked around for some kind of help but met the nervous onlooking of Sam and realised why he had an intimidating giant starring him down.

"I believe you completely disrespected my - ... Sam, and insulted her when you were in fact meant to be serving her, as is your role here, yes.", 'Jack' opened his mouth ready to say something in return - whether to apologize or retaliate will never be known - when Tyron continued his tyrant. "I will speak with your superior." With that final order Jack's face paled in fear then nodded in defeat and scampered off to fetch his boss.

Tyron smirked in silent victory and looked back to see Sam's response but became disheartened to see her shifting her weight from one foot to another in anxiety of the continuing confrontation. 'I'm ruining the boy that put her down and yet she's still nervous!? After everything this mutt has said! Considering how he has made her feel why does she do nothing!? Why? Fine, for however long, I'll be the one protecting her.' Now approaching them was a man - tattoos stretching over all his limbs - muscles large enough to make Jack look puny but thankfully not enough to out do the alien prince.

"Now what seems to be the problem, sir?" Peaking out from behind muscle man Jack made the mistake of making his presence known.

"Your employee, here, as purposely made an effort to insult and upset my - ... Sam." Once again Tyron had to stop himself from saying too much. Tattoo guy looked over Sam who stood by - but just a step or two behind the safety of - Tyron.

"Is this true, ma'am?" Sam swallowed her nerves and looked the man in eyes while firmly speaking out, "Yes, sir". Seeing her still slightly red eyes from crying the man nodded and turned slightly to speak to Jack, "Take your break now. We'll discuss this later." The look of betrayal on Jack's face made it clear he had hoped for the muscle guy to take is side.

Throwing an apologetic glance in Sam's direction before turning to back away from the incident, however Tyron's voice called him, "Mind if I have a word with him?" Tyron asked tattoo man in front of him, referring to Jack.

Contemplating the safety of the situation he gave his answer, "Of course, but please be quick, sir. In the meantime I'll scan your items." Walking a few paces away to Jack - Tyron also knew that over here they wouldn't be overheard.

"If you ever so much as look at her again, let alone speak to her, and I will make sure the only thing you will ever fell again is suffering." Tyron hissed out, his eyes glowing bright to show his extraordinary power. Too afraid to speak Jack violently nodded his head and basically sprinted away to the safety of the staff room. In the meantime while that was all going on, muscle man - that has a name tag reading 'Nick' - was scanning all the clothes as quickly as humanly possible while continuing to apologize.

"To apologize for such a terrible occurrence please allow the store to pay for your purchases today." Shock erupted across Sam's face and quickly parted her lips to argue how that was unnecessary but another voice beat her to it.

"Thank you very much." Tyron put one arm around Sam and waited for the last of their items to be placed into bags.

"Again, our deepest apologies. Thank you for shopping with us." Taking the bags in one hand, Tyron thanked 'Nick' and pulled Sam with him towards the exit.

With a quiet whisper Sam nudged Tyron's side that was pressed firmly against her own, "Thanks... for all of that.", Tyron's signature smirk morphed into a genuine smile as he looked upon the beautiful woman beside him. Moving on and leaving behind everything that already happened today Sam looked around all the shops, lights, and people that were surrounding them. "Well, what next?" Sam asked.