Doc shot into an alley once more. "We lost 'em." Doc's words came out as one deep sigh.

"Thank God." Sonia sat back in the car seat.

"Who were they Dave?" Jim asked.

David shrugged. "Probably the guys who were chasin' after me in the hospital." David patted the pocket of his black jacket. The sound of the pills echoed back. "Well, at least I got what I came for." David smiled slightly.

Doc snorted, "Yeah, well we better get back to the house. Maybe Stark and Angie are already there."

"Good idea." Jim sat back.

Doc backed the car out of the alleyway and back on the main street when David crawled up to the passenger's side. "Drop me off at Iris' hospital."

"Why--?"

"Because." David smiled and leaned back.

***

Doc pulled over in front of the entrance. "That figures. I get a good parking spot and I have to leave anyway." He smiled then shook his head. "Be careful!" Doc called out after David as he left the car and approached the building.

"Aren't I always?!" David's voice came back.

Jim looked a tad nervous again, then stood part way up. "Wait!" Jim jumped out of the car. "I'm going with you!"

Sonia glanced at Doc, then after David. "Me too!"

Doc sighed, "I'm going to back tot he house."

----

Imre yawned; she'd had a busy day. She had had to ditch the motorcycle...it was just too easy to recognize. So, she'd sent it back to the compound through one of the Tyrusians' cover organizations. The nondescript rental car that had no style whatsoever.

Her wardrobe had changed, as had her hair color, and she now wore colored contacts. She'd kept her pack, though. Surely he hadn't had time to notice that.

She knew she had to be more careful next time they met. And they would meet again; the hidden tracker would insure that. All that was left was to continue to watch and wait. Speaking of watching... She slapped her forehead in annoyance. The bug in Gordon's office! She knew she'd forgotten something. As soon as she had time (and access to a computer) she would have to download any new audio data the tiny device caught. One could never be too careful.

----

Gordon's cell phone rang insistently. Somewhat annoyed, he picked it up. What else can go wrong?

The voice on the other end of the line whispered, high and unnatural. "It's me."

"You?! How did you get this line? The number's been changed since-" Gordon replied.

The caller chuckled. "You would be surprised what a few friends in the right places can do."

"Would I really?"Gordon's alien eyes narrowed speculatively."I told you once that you were a dead man, but it seems that you're harder to kill than I gave you credit for. Give me one good reason not to correct that little mistake."

----

Enough was enough. Gordon had missed the last three of his scheduled transmissions, the ship was ready for departure, and Dragit could no longer wait. He eased his meticulous body into the solid, straight- back throne, keeping a perfect posture though loading the fixed seat on the command deck. He raised his right hand and pointed towards the "pilot". The young man nodded his head and placed his hands upon a round blue object near his console. A series of beeps flooded the ship. The young man took a moment to clear his throat, to sit up, and moistened his lips.

"Futek! Acont ye sartont." **Attention! Prepare to disembark.** The man lifted his hands from the blue orb and began the ignition sequence. The crew settled into their designated positions and waited for the "pilot". The young man punched a few buttons. The silent hum of the engines filled the deck with their mysterious song. Seconds later, a small blast erupted and the ship was making its way to Earth. Dragit eased back, slightly grinning as they had passed through the clouded region of Venus and saw nothing but a blue marble surrounded by darkness.

----

David casually walked by Ilene, who poked her red head up from over her desk. "Hey, kid! Where are you going?"

"To see the wizard so I can get back to Kansas!" David called down the corridor.

Ilene rolled her eyes. "One day I'm going to--ah, forget it."

Iris was leaning over her desk when David, followed by Jim and Sonia, walked in. She had her head resting on her fist and her eyes shut close. David dropped the pills on Iris’ desk causing a rattling sound that tore her from her gaze.

Rubbing her eyes, she gazed up at him. "Oh David? What--"

"I decided to get the pills myself." David grinned widely.

Doctor Evans picked up the bottle, more awake then ever. "You what?" She gave her disapproving stare then smiled slightly. "I don't know why I'm so shocked. When you vanished like that we knew you probably did something along the lines of this."

"We?" David raised a brow.

"Stark."

David sighed, "Great. Now I can hear the third degree from him too."

Iris filled a proscription bottle with the pills and tossed it to David. "And you deserve it. Not only are you guilty of theft, but I'm guessing you are guilty of breaking and entering." Iris rose from her seat.

David grinned. "Well how else was I to get in?" But his smile faded quickly when Iris glared at him. David’s tone became for serious. "Come on Iris. I didn't want to slip into a coma."

"I don't want that either." Iris sighed, knowing once again she was losing the argument. "I don't like what you did, but the truth is there was no other way." She gave him a little hug, "Just be more careful okay?"

David's grin came back on his face. "I'm always careful."

"Good. Now, I'm going to stop ignoring Jim and--Sonia is it?"

Sonia stuck out a hand, "Yes."

Iris accepted it. "If you remember, I am Iris Evens."

An uneasy look surfaced in Sonia's crystal blue eyes. "I remember."

Jim looked over at David with a confused gesture and the half alien just shrugged.