And Julianne continued on...

  Julianne: And there's no need to worry about us. After all, once I became an actress, we got so much money that we could eat like royalty for months.

  Rose: Really?

  Julianne: Mmm hmmm. In fact, I got so much money I don't think I'll ever need to work again. Well... not for a company at least...

  Rose: No way! That's amazing!

  Ken: Indeed. (thinking: And seeing just how much money this food must have cost her, that isn't that unbelievable.)

  Julianne: Well... it's not thaaaaaaat amazing.

  She tried to play it off as humble, but even she couldnt hide how proud she was of herself.

  Rose: But you became an actress in an alien planet.

  Julianne: Hmmm... Well... it's not thaaaat impressive.

  Rose: And you did it while you didn't even know a thing about Earth, or about people, or had any friends here....

  The mother was enjoying the praise.

  Julianne: Well... to be more fair, I did get a liiiiiittle lucky.

  Rose: Lucky?

  Julianne: Mmm hmm.

  She looked down at her son.

  Julianne: Let's just say... I met an old man.

  Max looked up at her. Even he remembered him.

  Julianne: And let's just say, that thanks to him, I was able to become an actress.

  Rose: Really. How?

  Julianne: Mmmm.... let's keep that story for another day.

  Rose: Awwww.....

  Julianne: Well, I guess I could say a liiiiiiittle about it.

  And with that, questions came gushing out of Rose.

  Rose: Oh! Oh! I have some questions!

  Julianne: Ok Ok. But just one question.

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  Rose: How did meet the old man? Or... or... how did it feel being famous? Or or....

  And at that point, a very important question hit Rose. It in fact hit her so hard that she'd immediately closed her mouth with her hands.

  Julianne: Hmm?

  Even Julianne and the others became curious.

  Rose: I have a question.

  Julianne: Ok?

  Rose: But... it's... a little personal.

  Julianne's eyes narrowed. What kind of question would she possibly ask?

  Rose: Not too personal... just.... I mean....

  Julianne thought to herself for a moment. Should she answer this question? Who knew what it was?

  Julianne: Sure. (thinking: I know Rose. She'd never ask a rash question, would she?)

  And then Rose said it.

  Rose: Did anyone ever figure out your that you were an alien?

  At that point, Julianne paused, as did the others.

  Tiffany: (thinking: Rose...)

  Ken: (thinking: Why would she.... ask that? Maybe.... )

  The mother sighed for a moment.

  Now she got it. She simply wanted to know if it was possible to live on Earth without being figured out.

  In short, she was looking for a live example. Someone to give her hope.

  And as Julianne had known of Rose, even if she didn't really look like it right then, she was terribly upset.

  But after that pause went on for a while...

  Rose: Oh.. it's ok if you don't want to say anything.

  Julianne: The answer is no.

  Rose: Huh?

  The answer had actually shocked Rose.

  Rose: R.... really.....?

  Julianne: (smiling) Uh huh. I mean... there were a few close calls...

  She smiled to herself nostalgically.

  Julianne: But... no. Not at all...

  Rose: That's am....!

  And at that point, she paused, wanting to keep her true intentions secret.

  Rose: (nervously) That's g... great. I.... I mean.... you must be pretty impressive to keep yourself so from being found out by other humans.

  Julianne: Well... there were a lot of close calls, buuuuuuut....

  She turned to her son.

  Julianne: ... we managed.

  Rose: Hmph.

  She nodded and smiled to herself. There was a chance that she'd be just fine. Now, she just had to follow her advice.

  Rose: You know, when I first came to Earth, I almost showed people my powers tons of times.

  She then nervously laughed.

  Rose: But then Tiff and Luke and Ken too. They really helped me out.

  Julianne: Really?

  The ears of the aforementioned teens were pirked up, having heard their names.

  Rose: Yeah! Tiff taught me a lot about human culture, Luke taught me how to talk to people, and Ken used his powers to make sure nothing I did that was weird was caught on video.

  Julianne: (to Tiffany, Luke and Ken) Really?

  Luke: Yes. It wasn't a big deal.

  Ken: Yeah. Hacking into security cameras is childsplay to me.

  Julianne: Really?

  Yet again, her interest in his bionics was reawakened.

  Tiffany: It wasn't that hard. Rose was a very patient learner.

  Julianne: I see....

  She herself had noticed that. In spite of all the mistakes she made while they were cooking, she never once got agitated and, or freaked out.

  Her eyes fell lovingly onto Rose.

  Julianne: (thinking: She really is just like that.) Hmmm....

  And Rose's eyes met hers, and both smiled at each other.

  Julianne: (thinking: With friends like that, she'll be fine.)

  Her eyes turned to her son. He'd been awfully quiet.

  But his eyes were to the ground, as though he was deeply contemplating something.

  She knew full well why.

  Julianne: (thinking: I know baby, I know. Even you understand, Maxie. Just how hard it can be to be alone....)