Once satisfied with the water temperature Kyle steps into the shower. At first he just lets the hot water run over his tired body. Then he begins to examine his body for the scrapes and bruises he is sure are there. To his surprise he can find no sign of any injury even touching his face where the orc had landed a powerful blow is free of the tenderness he is expecting. After washing himself and shampooing his short red hair he hears a voice. “Kyle, is that you?”<br/><br/>Smiling as he recognizes his mother’s voice, Kyle responds loudly to be heard over the shower, “Yes, mom.”<br/><br/>“You’re up earlier than I expected.”<br/><br/>“Actually I haven’t been to bed yet. I’ve only been home long enough to grab a bite and jump in the shower.”<br/><br/>“Oh, okay. Are you about done?”<br/><br/>“Yes, I’ll be out in a couple of minutes.”<br/><br/>“Okay, we can talk when you come out.” The door then shuts with an audible click as the latch engages.<br/><br/>With one hand on the wall Kyle leans forward letting the hot water hit his head and run down his muscular frame. After a moment he turns the water off. He runs hands across his scalp and the rest of his body removing as much of the excess moisture as he can. He then slides the door open and reaches out taking his towel. He towels off while still standing in the tub. Stepping out of the shower he hangs the towel over the bar on the shower door. Taking his robe down he wraps it around his body and ties the belt to hold it in place.<br/><br/>Opening the bathroom door Kyle sees his mother dressed in her robe and slippers standing in the hallway. She smiles at him before stretching up standing on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. “Good morning, son.”<br/><br/>Kyle smiles and bends down enough to return the kiss on his mother’s cheek. “Good morning, Mum. I trust you slept well.”<br/><br/>“Your father and I stayed up later than usual. We were worried about you. Things got so crazy last night. With that flash of light and all the strange stories we started to hear. We were afraid you got hurt, or maybe got caught in the flash and we would never see you again. After we heard that you were right in the thick of the strange happenings, we relaxed and went to bed. It’s good to see we have power again.”<br/><br/>“I think the power is just a temporary thing, but I think there is already a plan to get the power plant back up and running.” Kyle looks at his mother quizzically. “I brought a guest home. I noticed that you already set the guest room up. You weren’t planning on a visitor were you?”<br/><br/>“Oh, heavens no.” His mother laughs. “After what happened the last time we agreed to never try to set you up with anybody again. Not that I won’t point out single girls and suggest you get to know them. After we learned you were fine, we figured you might invite one of our new neighbors home. Is you guest not from town?”<br/><br/>Kyle’s face brightens with a broad smile. “You have no idea how right you are. She is like nothing you have ever seen before.”<br/><br/>A look of absolute delight graces his mother’s face. “She. So you met and brought home a woman. That’s great. Where is she? What’s her name? Is she pretty?”<br/><br/>“Woo slow down there, Mom. We just met last night. I left her in the kitchen but I expect she’s in the guest room. Her name is Giselle and yes I think she is beautiful, but she’s not human. She’s an elf. Before you ask, yes I think I am attracted to her and there seems to be some interest on her part, but we did just meet. So please don’t try to push it, just let things happen or not on their own.”<br/><br/>Almost jumping up and down with excitement his mother exclaims, “Oh, an elf. That’s incredible I can’t wait to meet her.”<br/><br/>Kyle walks to the guest room. “Let me check on her. If she’s awake then you can meet her now. Is Dad up yet?” He taps lightly on the door before opening it a bit. He looks in and seeing Giselle laying nude on top of the blankets sound asleep. He starts to close the door but cannot help himself from admiring her beauty for a moment completely memorized. Giving his head a quick shake to bring him back to his senses he pulls the door closed. “She’s already asleep. It will have to wait until she wakes up.”<br/><br/>“It’s alright dear. We’ll be here when she wakes up. Your father is still sleeping.” She places her hand on his arm and stretches to kiss his cheek again. “You look tired too. Go on go to bed we can all talk after you have rested.” She heads to the stairs and starts down. Kyle goes back to his room and walks in. He pulls the blankets back and drops his robe on the floor. He climbs in the bed and pulls the just the sheet over him and falls asleep with a vision of Giselle’s naked form in his head.