ALIEN SHIFTER ROMANCE: Alien Tigers - The Complete Series (Alien Invasion Abduction Shapeshifter Romance) (Paranormal Science Fiction Fantasy Anthologies & Short reads)

by Tanya Jolie

“Are you okay sweetheart?” Brody asked, befuddled by her seemingly Que Sera, Sera attitude about everything. The Allison he knew wanted everything down to the finest detail in writing. Now she seemed as if it wouldn’t matter to her if they eloped and married at a cheesy chapel in Las Vegas.

  “I’m fine,” Karen smiled. She worked hard through the rest of their walk to be as close to what Allison had been, feeling as if Brody felt the difference even if he couldn’t figure it all out. She walked with him back to his apartment before saying goodnight. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Alright,” Brody smiled. “Sleep well.”

  “Thank you,” Karen said, turning to go. Brody caught her hand and pulled her close. His lips took hers sinking into a pool of cool water. Unlike the heat he’d expected, Allison seemed aloof. Pulling back he eyed her suspiciously before deciding he was obviously reading into her relaxed state too much. “Good night Brody.”

  Chapter Three: Memories

  Allison woke to find herself in the hospital. She bolted upright and instantly felt the room spin around her. She lost the little bit that was left in her stomach and fell back on her pillow again. “Miss Dubarry?”

  Allison turned her head toward the voice but didn’t respond. “You were found in a bathroom at a Citgo station. Do you remember anything about your attack?”

  Allison couldn’t comprehend what the doctor was saying to her. Nothing sounded right. They were calling her Miss Dubarry and it sounded weird, but she couldn’t quite remember what her actual name was. She had no idea why her face felt so odd or hurt so bad. What had happened to her? “I don’t remember anything.”

  “Your identification says your name is Karen Dubarry. You live about an hour and a half from here but there’s no emergency contact or important persons listed anywhere that we can find.”

  “My name isn’t Karen Dubarry,” Allison said, her emotions all over the place.

  “Do you know your name?”

  “No, but Karen Dubarry isn’t it.”

  “Okay,” the doctor said, her eyes sympathetic, even though Allison could tell she wasn’t making much progress in getting anyone to believe her. “I’m going to go over your diagnosis and report with you, then we’ll see about your discharge and aftercare.”

  “Alright,” Allison said.

  “You suffered a concussion and massive swelling to your cheek and eye socket structure. The swelling, which was left unattended caused severe pressure to the optic nerve in your left eye. Unfortunately we weren’t able to undo that damage. We need to have you see an ophthalmologist to confirm the diagnosis, but I’m afraid at this point you’ll be permanently blind in that eye.”

  “What?” Allison said, already disbelieving. “I can’t be blind doctor.” The laugh was full of bitterness and unrelenting anger. “You don’t understand I…” Tears welled in her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks as sobs began to shake through her body. They didn’t subside for a full five minutes as Allison tried to sort everything out.

  “I understand that this is a lot to take in, especially in one night,” The doctor smiled. “We’re keeping you overnight for observation. Tomorrow you’ll see the eye doctor and we’ll run another series of scans to be absolutely sure of the results. Tonight the best thing you can do is try and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day, especially if you need to be discharged.”

  Allison tossed and turned through the night, barely getting more than an hour of sleep at a time. Images flashed through her mind as her nightmare dragged on. By the time the sun came up though she had a plan. “I need a sketch artist. Someone who can take my ramblings and turn them into a picture.”

  “I’ve got a friend who does that,” one of the nurses that was passing by Allison’s room said. “I’ll call him and see if he can come by.”

  “Thank you,” Allison smiled. Two hours later she was describing a young man to the guy who was sketching for her. “He’s tall, maybe six foot, two inches or so. He’s got a crew cut and all I keep seeing is a white uniform cap and deep blue vest with a bunch of colored blocks on it. Allison touched her left shoulder and chest to indicate the placement of the blocks she saw.

  “Do you think this man was a soldier?” the man asked.

  “I don’t know,” Allison said clearly perplexed. “I just know what I saw. He’s handsome with a small cleft in his chin and beautiful hazel eyes.”

  “Alright,” the man smiled. “What about the next person?”

  “She looks like me,” Allison said, except she’s not me. “I know I remember her, but I have no details as to why. I don’t know her; that much is crystal clear. I have no idea why she and I look so much alike. It was like looking in a mirror.”

  “I’m guessing I should take away the swelling and bruising?”

  “Yes please,” Allison grinned. The effort hurt, but she couldn’t help it. The young man was kind and humorous. When he turned the photos around images flashed through her mind again, stealing her breath. “I know this man,” she said, grabbing the picture.

  “A name?” the nurse asked, stepping into the room.

  “I don’t know, but I know I know him. He’s a marine and I think we’re close.” Looking down at her hand she saw the faint ring indentation on her ring finger. “I think I was engaged or married.”

  “Sure looks like a ring indentation to me,” the nurse smiled. “Good girl. I’ll start a search for a Mr. Dubarry and see what I can find.”

  “My name isn’t Dubarry. I don’t know what it is, but I know that’s not it.”

  “Alright,” the nurse said. “I’ll see if anyone’s posted a missing person’s for a woman that matches your description.”

  “Thank you,” Allison said. “Can I keep this?”

  “Sure,” the young man said. “Keep both of them if you want. I’m just glad I could help.”

  Allison spent another day in the hospital before she got the news that she’d be discharged. “I don’t know where to go. I have no money and I don’t even know who I am.”

  “I know sweetie, but we can’t keep your bed anymore. You’re not physically in need of a hospital,” the day nurse said. “Listen. I have some connections at a homeless shelter. I’ll call and get you settled for the next week. You’ll come see me every day rain or shine and we’ll see if we can’t get that memory of yours moving.”

  “Thank you,” Allison said, tears of gratitude filling her eyes. The next week dragged on for Allison as she fought for the memories that always seemed just out of reach. She had a face, a handsome face, and nothing else. She couldn’t remember him, anything about him, except that deep down in her soul she knew him. If they were engaged, why wasn’t he looking for her? And why had she described herself when the man had done her sketches?

  “Hey Karen,” the day nurse, who’d become a dear friend, called out.

  “Hi Rosie,” Allison smiled. “I hate being called Karen. I know that’s what my ID said, but it sounds so odd and exhausting. “Who names their infant Karen?”

  “Couldn’t tell you doll,” Rosie smiled. “But I do have an idea as to how we can jog your memory.”

  “Tell me,” Allison said, taking a seat in the cafeteria with her coffee. She waited for Rosie to join her and then she sighed. “I’m desperate. Nothing’s right. I can’t say why, but it’s just not right.”

  “You’re going to tell me a story. A story about yourself. All I want you to do is keep talking. Close your eyes, start at point A and go full steam ahead to Point B. Don’t think about what you’re going to say or how it sounds, just talk.”

  “Okay,” Allison smiled. “I was once a little girl and I wanted more than anything for my sister and I to get adopted. We were glued to each other and I knew that whoever took me would also love her. We’d grow up to be the best of friends and everything would be peachy. Then the day finally came when I got adopted, but they didn’t take both of us. They only took me and I cried and cried for my sister. She was my best friend and they’d r
ipped us apart.

  Eventually I grew up and memories of my sister faded to the back of my cluttered mind. I’m getting ready for a flight to visit the college I want to attend when a soldier bumps into me. He apologizes and I can’t stop staring. He’s so damn good looking, all dressed up in his uniform. His white hat tucked under his arm. He’s extends his hand and says, “I’m really very sorry ma’am. Private First Class Brody Crowley at your service.”

  I thanked him for his sacrifice and before I knew it we were exchanging emails. He said he had to be gone for a year on deployment or he’d take me out to dinner to make up for almost trampling him. I told him I’d take him up on it when he returned.

  “Stop Karen,” Rosie said, smiling. “I think you found the Marine you remember.”

  “Brody Crowley,” Allison whispered. “I don’t know where he is though.”

  “Well, seems to me he’d be close by if you’re here.”

  “Camp Lejeune is the only military installment that’s even remotely close to here.”

  “It’s worth a try don’t you think?”

  Allison smiled. With Rosie’s help, Allison called the main office headquarters for Camp Lejeune and requested a connection to Brody Crowley’s room.

  “May I ask whose calling ma’am?” the young woman asked. “It’s a matter of formality.”

  “Tell him it’s an old friend.” Allison tapped her foot in a nervous rhythm as she waited.

  “Brody Crowley,” came a voice on the phone.

  “Brody, you’re Brody Crowley?” Allison asked, her voice trembling.

  “Allison?” Brody said into the phone. “What’s the matter sweetheart? Are you in trouble?”

  “My name’s Allison?” she asked, her mind racing to catch up.

  “Where are you darling?” Allison told Brody where she was and that she’d be waiting in the cafeteria. “You stay right there. I’m coming to get you.”

  Allison hung up and turned to Rosie who was smiling. “I knew we’d figure it out. Now that doesn’t mean that all your memories will come back this fast, if they come back at all.”

  “Will you wait with me?”

  “If he makes it here within the next thirty minutes, I’ll be here girl.” Rosie managed to squeak by and was holding Allison’s hand when Brody stepped through the door. He was in his fatigues and instantly knew Allison.

  “God look at you,” Brody said, his eyes furious. “What happened sweetheart?”

  “I don’t know,” Allison said, taking in his face. She reached out and gently touched his cheek as a flood of memories washed over her. When Brody’s arms came around her to steady her she giggled. “Oh god it’s so nice to remember you.”

  “I could say the same thing,” Brody smiled. “When you left last night I couldn’t figure out why everything seemed so off.”

  “Brody,” Allison said, her eyes dark, serious. “Whoever you were with last night wasn’t me. I’ve been here for two days and three nights.” She didn’t miss how he looked over her head at Rosie to confirm what she’d said.

  “No,” Brody said, patiently holding her hand. “You and I, we…”

  “I’m telling you, whoever it was that was with you, wasn’t me. I’m still trembling from meeting you. Did I seem this nervous last night?”

  “No, but you did seem a little too relaxed.”

  “I’m never relaxed,” Allison smiled. “Especially with the wedding coming up.”

  “What did I give you when I got back this time around Ally?”

  “From Afghanistan?” Allison said. “You bought me a computer, said it was top of the line so I could finally do my writing without losing my work over and over again.”

  “Oh thank god!” Brody said, yanking Allison close to him. He bent his head and kissed her, relishing the shaking in her muscles. “I’m right here sweetheart. I’m never letting you go again.”

  “Good, because whatever happened to me was bad, really bad.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Brody promised.

  ***

  Karen showed her pass at the gate and was asked to pull over to the right for further verification. “Is there a problem?”

  “It’ll just be a minute ma’am,” the soldier said as he waited by her car. Karen tapped her fingers lightly on the steering wheel and hummed as sh e waited. Today was the day she found herself a real man to wind around her finger, preferably she’d hit the jackpot with a master sergeant at least. Hopefully a single soldier with no children to tie him down. She was well into her daydream when a jeep pulled up and Brody got out. The soldier by her car immediately turned and saluted Ale sure lison’s fiancé. Impressive, even if she didn’t care about him. The fact that other men had to bow to him was more of a turn on than she’d anticipated.

  “At ease soldier,” Brody said. “What’s this about?”

  “Sir we received word that this woman was already on post. We detained her to make sure that the facts we had were valid sir.”

  “Allison?” Brody said, bending over at her door. “You okay?”

  “I’m great Brody,” Karen smiled. He smiled back and winked at her.

  “That’s absolutely wonderful.” Brody stood up and nodded to the MP’s who’d arrived while he was talking to the woman he’d mistaken for Allison.

  “Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to step out of the car. Leave the keys in the ignition.”

  “Is there a problem Brody?” Brody gave her a hard, furious look and walked over to the side of his jeep. When he opened the door, he watched the woman’s eyes widen almost unnoticeably when Allison stepped out of the truck.

  “Actually, you’re under arrest for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Be thankful that Miss Duvaine isn’t military personnel or you’d be under arrest for impersonating a member of the armed forces as well Miss Dubarry. Don’t forget her Miranda rights.”

  Brody watched the arrest to be sure it was done by the book and then he walked Allison back to the jeep. “You’re shaking,” he said to Allison as he helped her up.

  “I’m angry,” Allison said. “I’m angry that she tricked you. I’m angry that she nearly got away with changing my life forever. She made me lose my memory and everything I knew. She made me think I was crazy.” Brody pulled her close as tears welled in her eyes.

  “It’s alright now sweetheart,” Brody said. He returned Allison to his apartment and headed over to his CO’s office.

  ***

  “Come in,” Brody heard when he knocked on his Commanding Officer’s door. Brody entered at attention and stood saluting his CO. “As you were. What can I do for you sergeant?”

  “Sir, I just had the MP’s arrest a woman who impersonated my fiancé. She not only impersonated her, but she assaulted my fiancé when she was off post and stole her car under the falsehood as well.”

  “Have we turned her over to the police yet?”

  “Not that I’m aware of sir.”

  “Alright,” Lieutenant Johnson said. “I’ll see that she’s properly handed over. Is your fiancé alright?”

  “She’s a little shook up sir, but seems to be alright otherwise.”

  “Good. Take the afternoon to see that she’s comfortable. We’ll see you back to work at 0700.”

  “Yes sir,” Brody said, snapping to attention and saluting the Lieutenant before turning a one hundred and eighty degree turn and exiting his CO’s office. Brody made a stop by the Commissary to pick up some things for dinner and headed over to his apartment. He walked in to find Allison sleeping soundly on his bed. Love swamped him as he put the cold food in the fridge. He left the dry goods where they were and moved to the side of his bed to watch Allison sleep.

  “I love you Ally,” he whispered against her ear. She stirred and turned sleepy eyes on him. Her smiled was slow and warm, irresistible. Moving an inch or two, Brody took her lips under his, drawing out their kiss until Allison moaned. She pulled away first and smiled broader.

  “I love you too sergeant
,” Allison grinned. “But just now you’re going to want me to brush my teeth.”

  “Hurry,” Brody said, tapping her on the butt as she got up. He heard her brushing her teeth and laid on the bed waiting. It’d been forever it seemed since he’d touched her. With the events of the last week throwing their lives into upheaval, Brody planned to make use of his day off and enjoy spending much needed quality time with Allison. He thought momentarily about asking her if she’d like to go for a walk or to the beach, but when she stepped out of the bathroom in just her bra and panties, every thought in his head flew out the proverbial window.

  Stunning didn’t begin to describe her, with her long legs and smooth, toned stomach. Her breasts rose off her chest like offerings to the gods and Brody was sure he must have done something right in life to have a woman like Allison agree to be his wife. He wasn’t boastful, but damn she was beautiful. “I guess a walk is out huh?” he smiled.

  “Not entirely,” Allison smiled. “But just now I have a craving for a different cardio workout.”

  He was sitting up on his bed now and slid his hands up her thighs and hips when she drew close enough. Her honey blonde hair fell over his face when she bent to kiss him. That first contact rippled desire straight to his toes as he allowed Allison to lead him. She climbed onto his lap and sat back, lifting his white t-shirt over his head. “I’ve missed you,” Brody found himself saying. He didn’t want to think about how close he’d come to losing her, how close he’d come to marrying a woman he didn’t even know, didn’t want to know.

  “The feeling’s mutual soldier,” Allison smiled. “But you’ve committed an atrocity in the eyes of the military. I’m afraid I’m going to have to punish you for that.”

  “I won’t be court martialed will I?”

  “That remains to be seen,” she chuckled. “But I can guarantee you’re going to suffer some. Push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, running. It’s all on the menu for you.”

  “I’ll give you a push-up,” Brody laughed, lifting Allison into the air until she squealed. “You want more?”