Hey everyone, here's the next chapter! Really good to see some old names again, I hope you're enjoying the sequel. I'll get Lucas back as quickly as possible (it's always more fun when he's there), but a few things are gunna happen in Terra Nova to Skye before that psychopathic god makes his return!

Really pleased to see your reviews, please keep them coming :-) xx

Chapter 2: Forbidden Topic

Skye

"So will you tell Taylor I can get back to work?" I pleaded as Elisabeth examined the healing wound on my side.

I sat on the hospital bed with my shirt off and the curtains drawn. Elisabeth was gently prodding at my side. I gritted my teeth so as not to show how much that hurt. Although the actual wound had healed over, the skin had become a white, tough scar. I hated it, not because it was a scar, but because of the way it had felt. When I had run my fingers along it for the first time, my mind had snapped back to when I had gently caressed the scar on Lucas's chest from where I had shot him.

"Is this uncomfortable at all?" Elisabeth questioned, exerting a little more pressure on the wound. I swallowed down the shriek that threatened to escape me and shook my head. Elisabeth frowned at me, probably seeing straight through my mask. "Lie down." She instructed.

I obeyed and watched as she pressed a few buttons. A scan of my body appeared above me and she began analysing the bullet wound. I also examined myself and determined that apart from some internal bruising, everything looked absolutely fine. Elisabeth carefully scrutinised the scan and zoomed in on the section of my side. She gestured with her pinkie finger.

"Look around there, there is a lot of scar tissue and it still looks quite inflamed. Are you still taking your meds?" I nodded. "Good, they should help with the inflammation." Her eyes went back to the holographic image. "You can see around there," She circled around the bit she was looking at with her index finger. "There is some significant bruising, but if you claim that you're no longer feeling any pain..."

"I'm not." I remarked quickly.

Elisabeth sighed and she switched off the monitor.

"Skye...you had major surgery only a few weeks ago. It is going to take time for you to recover."

"So what are you saying? I can't come back to work?"

"Honestly, I'd rather that you gave yourself a few more weeks' recovery time before rushing back in. You don't want to wear yourself out."

"But I hate just sitting around doing nothing." I complained. "Can't I just come and do some filing or take inventory of the supplies closet..." The moment I said that my mind began drifting to the last time I had been in there. My body started reacting to the memories of Lucas's touch. "Please." I begged, trying to refocus my attention. "I'm going crazy doing nothing."

Elisabeth handed me my shirt and then folded her arms. I gently pulled it over my sore body, trying not to show the ache this caused.

"Look...I do understand that you must be going through a difficult time at the moment," My gaze dropped from hers and I frowned. That was the exact same speech that Taylor had been giving me. "And I get why you want to distract yourself with work. But Skye, if you come back before you're ready then you'll do more harm than good."

I shook my head, feeling completely defeated.

"Fine." I mumbled. "Can I go now?"

Elisabeth nodded and I made a move to leave.

"Skye," I glanced back at her, really not wanting to hear what she had to say. "I'll talk to Taylor about maybe you coming back sometime next week and doing some minor work. Okay?"

I nodded and forced a strained smile.

"Okay. Thank you."

I made my quick exit from the suffocating ward, and went out into the fresh autumn air. Last time I had checked, Taylor still wasn't back; not that I needed to talk to him anymore. I found myself wandering toward the last place where I was able to have some freedom; Boylan's bar. I knew that Josh didn't work at all that day, so I deemed it a safe place.

As I approached the bar I remembered the last time I had been in there. Lucas had been with Nina and I had still been with Josh. That was the way it should have stayed; that was the way I wished it had stayed.

I sighed to myself as thoughts of him devoured my mind. Every idea I had seemed to link to him in some way. I had been so desperately trying to keep him from my thoughts, classing him as a forbidden topic. But he was always there, in the back of my mind. I really wished I had never met him.

I pushed my way into the warm building and clunked down the steps. A few people were scattered across the room, though as it was only just midday, the bar was still relatively empty. I made my way to one of the bar stools and collapsed down onto it. Boylan appeared moments later, eyeing me almost cautiously.

"Hello Skye. What can I do for you?" He inquired.

"I'll just have a double moonshine." I answered glumly.

He hesitated, watching me carefully.

"Drinking before the afternoon, you sure you wanna go down that road." I nodded and shifted my gaze up to him. "What would the Commander say if he found out I was serving you?"

"Well Taylor's not exactly hear at the moment." I muttered, frustrated. "Please Boylan, I've had a crap day and I just want one drink."

His eyes narrowed at me. Then he sighed and relented, and I watched contently as he began filling a glass with two shots of moonshine.

"So what's happened?" He queried, setting the glass in front of me. I frowned slightly, wondering when Boylan starting taking an interest in my life. Instead of answering, I took out the change from my jacket pocket and offered it over to him, but he frowned and waved his hand. "It's on the house."

I smiled gratefully at him.

"Thanks." I began tracing around the brim of the glass with my fingertips. "I've been deemed an invalid." I informed him. Boylan frowned questioningly at me, and leant down on the bar across from me, waiting for me to continue. "Taylor and Dr Shannon both think I'm too weak to work. But I'm sick and tired of sitting around all day doing nothing."

I shook my head crossly, scowling at my predicament. Then I brought the glass up to my lips.

"Well you can always come work here if you want."

Boylan's statement stopped me from taking a sip. Instead I set the glass back down and frowned at him.

"What?" I queried, thinking I must have misheard him.

"You could come work here." Boylan repeated. "I had one of my staff quit on me today. Said she's just found out she's up the duff and don't wanna be in this kind of environment." His voice turned mocking. "Apparently it isn't good for the baby." He rolled his eyes. "So anyway I need another pair of hands to help."

I smiled at him, but already saw a flaw in his plan.

"I don't think Josh would like that very much if I came and worked here."

I took a swig of the moonshine and flinched as it burned down my throat.

"I could always sort the rota out so you two don't have to work the same shifts."

I frowned at him again, wondering why he was being so nice.

"Really?"

He chuckled and then placed his hand flat on the table.

"Job's yours if you want it."

"Just like that?"

Boylan nodded.

"Just like that."

I continued analysing the man in front of me. I had come to learn that with Boylan, everything came at a price.

"What's the catch?" I questioned.

Boylan shrugged and sniggered.

"No catch." His mouth went into a sympathetic smile and he frowned. "I know Lucas would have wanted me to keep an eye on you."

I grimaced and downed the rest of the contents of the glass, before slamming in back onto the counter.

"I'm not having that conversation." I remarked.

Boylan put his hands up in the air.

"Whoa sorry. I didn't mean to strike a nerve."

My gaze dropped down to the bar and my chest began constricting.

"You haven't heard from him have you?" I heard myself ask despite my better judgement; I knew if Lucas was going to remain in contact with anyone then it would be Boylan.

"Me? Nah." Boylan sighed and rested his chin on the palm of his hand. "He never tells me anything." I sighed sadly, keeping my stare on the counter. I shouldn't have been missing him. I should have hated him. "I know it's not my place to say Skye...but he did care about you." My gaze went up to Boylan's. "When he was with you, he was happier then I've seen him in a very long time."

I shook my head.

"And yet he went."

Boylan chuckled.

"I think we all know by now that Lucas doesn't always think things through logically." A small smile twitched on my lips. "If you ask me, he'll be out there tracking down every last stinking Sixer that had anything to do with your shooting."

I pulled a face. My money was on that he had found the whole relationship thing to difficult so had given up. I glared down at the empty glass.

"I will take that job if it's available." I remarked, getting away from my forbidden topic.

I'd prove to Taylor that I could work. I couldn't wait to see his reaction when he discovered my new job; working at Boylan's would be the last place he'd want me at.

"Good. When do you want to start?" Boylan asked.

"When do you need me to start?" I countered.

"Well Josh is on tonight, so if you want you can come in tomorrow morning. He's got another night shift tomorrow."

"I thought it was his day off today?"

Boylan shook his head.

"Nah he changed it to this Friday for this week. Think he said it was his sister's birthday Friday and he wanted to be there."

"Oh..." I frowned as I tried to remember whether that was Maddy's or Zoe's birthday. I smiled. "Thank you." I said sincerely.

"No worries." He put his hand out. "I'll be seeing you tomorrow."

I nodded and shook his hand.

"See you tomorrow boss."

I got off from the chair and left the bar in much higher spirits. I knew Taylor was going to absolutely detest this new arrangement, but it would teach him for not trusting me more. He'd probably give me a thousand different job offers when he discovered this one, but I'd turn them all down. I not only didn't want to let Boylan down, but I also wanted to prove a point. I was independent and didn't need him or Elisabeth to make my decisions for me.

I chuckled merrily to myself as I made my way back home.

Later that day I tapped on the door of the Command Centre, figuring news of my new job was best coming from me. When the door opened it was Jim who stood opposite me. I smiled timidly, knowing he probably hated me for breaking his son's heart.

"Um, hey...Is Taylor here?" I asked.

Jim shook his head.

"Nope. He's still out at the Outpost."

I frowned.

"I thought he would have been back by now." I remarked.

It was just starting to get dark out, and Taylor had said he'd be back by the afternoon. I knew he wouldn't want to be travelling in the dark; there were too many dangers beyond the gate. Jim sighed and an uneasy frown came to his face.

"To be honest so did I. But we haven't heard from him since he left."

Concern rippled through me.

"Do you think he's alright?" I queried.

"Yeah. There've been communicational errors from that base for a couple of days now. I'm sure everything's fine." Jim glanced behind me. "It's starting to get dark though, so knowing Taylor he'll probably stay over at the Outpost tonight. Try not to worry."

"Okay. Um, I'll come see if he's around tomorrow."

Jim nodded.

"Have a good night."

I smiled and quickly retreated. I tried not to let myself worry. Lots of times Taylor had been late coming back from an excursion. He'd be back tomorrow, complaining about how I wasn't taking care of myself and then I'd be wishing he was still gone.

I smiled to myself, starting to believe my own thoughts.