Animorphs 2.0

Elfangor

A/N: Just FYI, I'm naming this chapter, Elfangor, just cause we haven't seen him in a while. Personally, I'm thrilled to have him back. Only a few parts left! Enjoy.

I have spent the last two months "getting to know" Loren. Tobias' mother. The love of my life. That first meeting was hard. It hurt that she didn't remember me. But seeing her alive, and smiling and happy helped ease the pain. Now I'd just have to get her to fall in love with me again. I knew it wouldn't be easy, and without the benefit of having gone through a lot together, perhaps she would be uncomfortable with having a relationship with someone of a different species. I just knew I had to try.

As a cover for spending so much time with Tobias, I was to be his teacher. In reality, I did tell him about my people, but mostly we just spent time in one another's company. We'd take walks in the park, sit, in my case stand, in the shade of a tree; it was the most fulfilling time of my life. I told him of my people, and he in turn told me what it was like being raised by me. I was happy to hear of his childhood. Even though I hadn't raised him, there'd been someone who did, and that was all that mattered. I didn't have to worry about a war, or how to keep my family safe; all I did was bask in the sun and the enjoyment of each day I got to spend with my son. I still couldn't believe it. Every day, when I woke up and saw Tobias I marveled at my luck. I got the chance to speak to my son for hours each day. All we did was spend time in each other's company, but that was all we needed. I saw how much my son had missed me, or rather his father who had raised him, and I could not be happier to be able to get to know my son. Ever since I had left him, as a child, I had felt a hole in my life. One that he now filled. My life was complete now that I could spend it with him.

At about five thirty, Earth time, Loren would pick Tobias up from the local university. It wasn't needed. Our walks didn't take us particularly in that area, yet Tobias insisted. I thought it was for the cover, until one day I discovered his true motive. I usually walked Tobias to the car, mostly so I could say hi to Loren, but also to see my son off. Loren and I ended up exchanging a few phrases here and there. But today was different.

No sooner had we got to the car, than Tobias' face lit up with recollection.

"I forgot something inside!" He cried, dashing back into the building, leaving Loren and I alone. She came out of the car to my side, and leaned against it.

"So Elfangor, what do you do when you're not teaching my son?" She asked.

I was surprised. She hadn't asked me something like this before. However, not being one to turn down an opportunity like this, I replied,

<I read mostly. Sometimes I run. Running is very good for Andalites; it doesn't do for us to be in buildings very long.> And so started our conversation. It was about five minutes later when Tobias came back, holding his sweater.

'Sorry for taking so long," he panted. "Forgot where I left it."

It's alright, Loren told him. Now let's get home for supper. It was nice talking to you, Elfangor.

I waved them goodbye. The pleasure was mine, Loren. Goodbye, Tobias.

Bye. Thanks. Goodbye, Dad. He said in thought-speak privately. If I had a mouth, I would've smiled. He always said goodbye to me like that and I loved him for it.

The next day, I asked Tobias whether he had actually forgotten his sweater.

"I really did." He said. "But when I realized the opportunity it provided, I took a longer time getting it." I laughed at that and ruffled my son's hair.

From then on, it seemed that Tobias became very forgetful. It was common for him to have to go back and get his things before leaving.

<Your mother's going to realize something's up.> I told him one day, as we walked through the park. <She's very perceptive you know.> He shrugged.