Author's Note:

Thank you for all the reviews!

Erm. I'm bad at updating. I have a dozen different fics that I've never finished. I can't make any promises that I'll finish this one. The only thing this fic has going for it is that I'm so crushed over the cancellation of this show.

Also, this fic is going to be a slow build. Each chapter alternates between Roman, Teri, or Emery's perspective. I pretty much have no idea where I'm going with it. Also, it is completely un-beta'd.

Love in the Face of Uncertainty

Chapter Three

Emery

"You look perfect," Julia says confidently, giving me an encouraging smile.

I stare back at my reflection, marveling at how calm and collected I look on the outside. Years of being a hospital kid, of masking my pain and discomfort, of offering people a smile even though it felt I had absolutely nothing to be smiling about… it's all serving a purpose today.

Julia also knows what it's like to put on a brave face, and when I turn back to look at her, I see that she's wearing one now. I'm glad for her strength today.

I know that in less than thirty minutes, my face will be live streamed into the homes of every American viewing the Integration Day news footage, which is estimated to be just about everyone. It doesn't matter how I look—the sides have already been drawn. Those who hate me will hate me regardless of what I wear, or how I act… and those who support me will staunchly stand by me.

"Well," I tell her, straightening my shoulders. "It's the best it's gonna get."

My hand shakes ever so slightly as I tilt my head to the side to push in my earring, the final touch of the outfit Julia had meticulously planned for me.

Julia hands me a folded piece of paper when I finish, and a draw in a quick, sharp breath of surprise.

"Roman thought you would need some extra encouragement today," Julia says by way of explanation, her brave face turning into a happy one.

She reaches out, squeezing my hand. "I'll be downstairs."

I watch her leave, waiting until I am alone before I open the piece of paper.

I believe in you.

It's short—they always are. Even though Drake is a vigilant messenger, we cannot risk being detected. The notes are the only way we have been able to communicate. I have not seen Roman since the last day of school, exactly one month ago.

If it weren't for the media catching onto Roman's illness, I don't think Gloria Garcia would have pressed so hard for an Integration Day. But there was such a commotion when the story broke, tensions between humans and Atrians were raised even higher… and Gloria Garcia and the committee in favor of supporting Atrian Integration wanted to remind the public of the success of the program.

It doesn't matter that Roman is ill… as the face of the Atrian Seven, his attendance is mandatory. As much as I try to hate Gloria for forcing it, I can't. Not if it means seeing Roman.

I fold the piece of paper back in half, tucking it into a drawer in my vanity.

Roman believes in me.

I carry this knowledge with me as I leave my room, focus on these words as I gather the strength I know I'll need to make it through this day.

When I finally make it down the stairs, I'm looking at a group of people that, twelve months ago, would have never considered being in the same room with each other.

Taylor. Grayson. Eric. Lukas. Julia.

They are all gathered around my living room with my parents, talking. And even though there's a palpable nervous tension that fills the room, the conversations are friendly. There's a hint of excitement in the nervousness—out of all the students at Marshall, the little group sitting in my living room has been the most effected by the re-segregation. We're, as Gloria Garcia pointed out, the role models. We are the human faces of the success of the integration program.

The conversation stops, and for a moment, I think it's because I've entered the room—until I notice that they've left the television on the news coverage. A reporter has come on the screen announcing that the Atrian Seven have just assembled in the Sector, and are awaiting for the Bus to take them to the center of town that has been sectioned off.

The camera, of course, focuses on Roman.

Over the course of the month, I have been forced to watch Roman grow progressively, visibly weaker, through the media. Every week they do updates on him.

They stopped harassing me after my family issued restraining orders and the governor interfered with a Media ban… but Roman has not been so lucky. And since Roman is one half of our relationship… I'm still constantly mentioned in the press. There are entire websites devoted to either plotting the demise of our relationship or speculating what a child of ours would look like, with everything in between.

Roman does not look at the cameras, and Teri and Drake block any view of him seconds after they manage to get a clear shot. I smile in spite of myself as Teri glares at the cameras.

"We should head out," My father says, interrupting the silence. "Gloria wants us there before they arrive.

"You ready, sweetheart?" he asks, giving me the same worried look he's been giving me since they announced the Integration Day.

"Yes," I say firmly.

He sighs, and nods his head, leading the way out the door and into the garage.

Julia loops her arm through mine, and Lukas steps next to me. Grayson and Taylor step in front of us.

I know they've planned this. I know that they've been talking behind my back, preparing for today… discussing ways to protect me, to protect Roman. They've filled me in on some of it, but I know they have contingency plans set in place… and I've feigned ignorance about it.

I know it's pointless to tell them not to interfere, but I still can't help feeling like it's selfish of me. Because I'll need their protection, if I have any hope of protecting Roman.