Hey guys, thank you so much for the reviews I got last chapter, especially GarnetAles, your comment really made me smile :-)

I got this chapter done as soon as possible for you guys! Sorry that it is so long; I was thinking about splitting it into two chapters, but I figured that would then take longer to get to Lucas's return ;-) (and let's face it, that's what we are all waiting for!)

Hope you enjoy and keep on reviewing if you have the time :-) xxx

Chapter 3: Perfectly Imperfect

Skye

I wasn't sure what time Boylan wanted me to start, so I walked into the bar at 9am. There wasn't anybody about, though I figured Boylan had to be somewhere otherwise the door would have been locked.

"Boylan?" I called out.

"Skye?" I glanced back up the stairs and saw Boylan leaning over the balcony where his office was. "You're here nice and early." He remarked as I trudged back up the steps.

"I didn't know what time you would want me here." I commented.

"This is fine. It don't tend to get busy around here until after lunch." I walked into his office section as he sat back down at his desk. He gestured to the chair opposite him, which I took. "Right, before you get started I feel I should do the responsible adult thing and ask about the injury."

"It's fine...I'm fine." I quickly informed him, worried he'd change his mind about letting me work.

"Good, good. But I don't want you to strain yourself and then that wound reopens or something. I had gunshot wound once that did that. Little bastard it was." I smiled at him. "Anyway, what I thought you could do was just pour the drinks, clean some tables and stuff. But if a barrel needs changing then just ask someone else to do it."

"Okay." I nodded. "Who else is working today?"

"Urrr...only Nina this morning." I tried to hide my grimace. "And then Josh comes on at 4 in the evening. So if you'd rather go before then I get it."

I smiled gratefully.

"Thank you. I really do appreciate this."

Boylan waved it off with a flick of his hand.

"It's fine."

"Tom!" A female voice called from behind me. I heard the door close and footsteps as someone approached the office. "Tom are you alright if I...oh, hello."

I glanced back around at Nina. Last time I'd seen her I'd been stitching her pretty head up. I internally scowled when I saw it hadn't left a scar. Her skin was as pristine as ever.

"Nina." Boylan greeted. "You mind showing Skye the ropes? I've given her a job."

Nina's smile was sickly sweet.

"Of course."

"And don't let her overwork herself." Nina nodded. She started to turn and made a motion for me to follow her. "Oh and what were you going to ask?"

"Oh yeah, umm, is it alright if I disappear for about an hour at one. I've got a hospital appointment."

"Yeah sure." She smiled and thanked him. "I'll be down in a bit girls, once I got this paperwork sorted."

I sent Boylan one last smile and then followed little miss perfect down the stairs into the bar. Even in the dull light her hair still shimmered like sunlight. She walked with a natural, sultry sway to her hips and reeked of confidence.

"So have you ever done anything like this before."

Yes I used to sneak out all the time to a bar I made myself I thought.

Instead of saying that, I just shook my head and waited patiently as she showed me the correct method to pour a drink. I stifled so many snide comments and simply nodded and smiled at her.

"It's really as simple as that." She commented through glossed lips.

"Okay."

She suddenly tossed a cloth in my direction. I jerked to catch it, causing a splitting pain through my side. I bit down hard on my lip to suppress a gasp.

"Normally at this time I just clean down the tables. It can get pretty wild during the nights."

"Hmmm you should know." I muttered.

"What?" Nina asked, raising her eyebrows innocently.

I shook my head.

"Nothing."

I sent her an overly sweet smile and she eyed me suspiciously but said nothing. Instead she grabbed a cloth herself, and went to work, wiping down a table. I scowled, realising that was the table Lucas and I had sat at when he had made his first move. I gritted me teeth and started wiping down the table next to her, spraying water onto it. At first we worked in silence, which was fine with me as I didn't want to engage in a conversation with her; but all too soon she broke the quiet.

"So how come you're working here? I thought you were training to be a doctor."

I sighed.

"Yeah well I got shot so that put a temporary stop to those plans." I shrugged. "Taylor wouldn't let me go back to work. He kept saying I needed rest." I rolled my eyes. "But I was going mad at home just doing nothing, and Boylan offered me this job so I took it."

Nina grinned.

"You go girl. Stick it to the man."

I found myself genuinely smiling at her. I watched as she scrubbed at a stain on the table.

"So since when did you work here?" I inquired.

Nina glanced up at me.

"It's only my second week." She replied, smiling.

"Oh really?"

She nodded.

"Yeah. Much to my dad's disappointment." I raised my eyebrows. "I think he was hoping I'd follow in his footsteps and become the perfect soldier." She rolled her eyes. "Instead he got me; perfectly imperfect." She chuckled to herself.

"I'm sure he's still proud."

"Hmmm, maybe." I moved on to the next table, spraying and wiping. "So what actually happened with the whole shooting thing?" Nina asked after a few minutes of quiet.

My icy stare focused on the table in front of me. That seemed to be the question I always got asked by everyone. Taylor hadn't made an official comment; he'd only told the people who needed to know. But everyone around there gossiped; and it was common knowledge that I had been shot and Lucas had disappeared.

"I got shot. End of." I grumbled.

"Who shot you?" I sent Nina a glare before moving to a table further away from her. "I only ask because I heard it was Lucas."

I frowned up at her.

"What?"

"I overheard some people talking. They said it was Lucas who shot you." She shrugged. "I didn't believe them at first, but then I started thinking that that would explain why he disappeared."

I sighed.

"I got taken by the Sixers and it was Mira who shot me."

"Oh. How come you got taken?"

I shrugged.

"Guess you'd have to ask them that." I spat back, feeling impatient.

I hated talking about that; I just wanted to forget it and move on. But everyone else seemed like they had made it their personal quests to constantly remind me of what a fool I had been.

I sighed to myself and focused on the table in front of me. A few peaceful moments passed before Nina spoke up again.

"So where's Lucas gone?"

"Dunno."

"I find that hard to believe."

My eyes whipped up to hers again and my palms slammed down on the table, supporting myself.

"Look, all I know is that Lucas helped his dad come get me from the Sixers and then when I next woke up he was gone. He's probably run back off to the Sixers." I snapped.

"Whoa okay." Nina put her hands up, looking a little startled by my reaction. "I was just asking."

I sighed, forcing myself to calm down.

"I'm sorry. It's just everyone's always asking me what happened to Lucas...and I just don't know." I shook my head. "It's frustrating."

I turned my face away from hers as I tried to get the sudden flurry of emotions under control.

"You liked him didn't you?" When I didn't remark, Nina continued. "I could tell you did when you found me and Lucas that morning after our drinking party." She sighed. "Worst part was when I realised he cared about you to. All of the guys I like never seem to like me back."

"Yeah well you're welcome to him if he ever comes back." I commented, as I practically left a dent in the table from where I rubbed at its surface.

Nina sighed behind me, and I became suddenly aware she was approaching me. I flinched when she put her hand on my shoulder. My gaze lifted to meet hers as I frowned at her questioningly.

"Look, I know that we're not best friends. But I've always kinda thought you were pretty cool. You have spunk and I like that. So if you need to talk I'm quite a good listener." She lowered her voice. "And I've been through enough break ups to write an entire book on how to cope."

I shook my head.

"Lucas and I were not together." I turned away from her and began pounding at the already shining table again. "He means nothing to me at all."

Nina stepped away from me and began spraying at the table next to me.

"Y'know I met the love of my life when I was sixteen." She began. "I was so convinced that he was the one. He was the first guy that I ever did it with and he made me feel so special." She paused and shook her head.

"What happened?" I queried.

Nina smirked bitterly.

"I found out that I wasn't the only girl in his life." She huffed. "I can't even begin to describe how devastated I was." She looked back at me and I could still see the anger in her eyes. "But then it hit me." She shrugged. "He was a complete ass and I could do so much better." I smiled at her. "If he couldn't see what he was missing out on, then he wasn't worth my time."

I sighed and sprayed at the next table. The subject quickly changed after that, and I found myself warming up to Nina. I couldn't really understand why I had hated her in the first place; I blamed Lucas for us not hitting it off sooner.

"Hey Nina, you haven't seen..." Josh called out as he walked down the stairs; he stopped instantly when he saw me. "What are you doing here?"

"I ummm...I got a job here." I announced.

"What here?"

I nodded.

"Is that gunna be weird?" I asked.

He frowned uncomfortably and slowing plodded down the final steps.

"Whatever." Josh remarked. Then he turned his attention to Nina. "Have you seen my hat, I think I left it here last night?"

"It's probably out back." She answered.

He silently turned and disappeared behind the bar. I sighed.

"Well that could have gone better." I mumbled. Then I flicked my gaze at Nina. "Were you working last night as well?"

She nodded.

"Hey when you need the cash you'll work all hours."

"You must be exhausted." She shook her head and waved it off. I watched her as she began cleaning the tables again. "I'm surprised Boylan lets you take double shifts."

She smirked.

"You'd be surprised what Boylan would agree to when you push out your cleavage."

She winked at me and I sniggered. Josh reappeared, holding his hat up.

"Got it." He commented. "See you tonight." His gaze flicked to me. "You working tonight?"

"Umm no...I figured I'd mainly do day shifts."

Josh nodded and then began climbing the stairs once more.

"See you later." He said to Nina, and exited quickly.

"Looks like somebody still likes someone." Nina teased.

I shook my head.

"That there was the complete opposite of liking someone."

Nina smirked and shook her head.

"Oh my dear sweet Skye, you have so much to learn about reading a boy. That there was an example of boy wanting girl, but knowing she don't want him back. Classic case of hiding his feelings so as not to humiliate himself further."

I frowned.

"You got all that from a two minute conversation that consisted of like ten words."

She sniggered.

"You'll learn one day. But trust me, he still wants you bad. Question is do you still have feelings for him?"

I shifted my confused stare from Nina to the door Josh had disappeared from, as I attempted to figure out my feelings.

Two days later

I played anxiously with the collar of my shirt as I waited for Mark to appear out of the Command Centre. It had been three days since anyone had heard from Taylor; and each day I had been getting increasingly uneasy about his prolonged absence.

Jim had finally sent out a rover to go track him down and make sure all was well. The squad had gotten back a quarter of an hour ago; and I was waiting to pounce on Mark and vigorously question him. All I knew was that Taylor hadn't reappeared with them, so he was still out there...somewhere.

I impatiently tapped my foot against the bench I sat on. Technically I was supposed to be at work; but when I had told Boylan where I had wanted to go, he had okayed it with the condition that I told him everything I knew.

I sat on that bench for another half an hour before finally the door opened and the soldiers filtered out. I groaned out loud when Mark didn't appear. He was the one I thought would tell me the truth; we'd known each other long before Terra Nova. Our dads had fought together and we'd spent a lot of time on military bases chasing one another around, pretending to be soldiers.

When Mark did walk out, Jim accompanied him. They trudged out onto the balcony, discussing something intently. Both wore glum expressions, informing me it wasn't good news. A stab of pain raced through me as I considered Taylor was dead. Mark nodded once before making his way down the wooden steps. Jim disappeared back into the Command Centre as I jumped up.

"Mark!" I called, speeding over to him.

He turned when he heard his name. He grimaced when he saw it was and put his hand up.

"Don't even bother; you know I can't talk about it."

"Please, I just want to know that he's alright." I begged.

Mark shook his head.

"Skye...don't put me in this position."

"No one has to know you said anything to me. I swear whatever you say I'll keep to myself." Mark groaned. "C'mon Mark...you know he's like a dad to me. I need to know if he's okay." I gazed up at him, trying to make my expression as innocent and pleading as possible.

Mark sighed and glanced over at the office, probably trying to make sure Jim wasn't watching.

"I really shouldn't say anything. So you better swear to keep this to yourself."

"Of course." I nodded.

"No one knows anything." I frowned. "When we got to the Outpost, Malcolm was there and everyone was fine. The communication problems were because of some dodgy fuses or something. As far as everyone there was concerned, Taylor should have been back three days ago." Mark shrugged. "Apparently he left the same day he arrived, so theoretically he should have been back the same day he left. We had a look around but couldn't see anything. We couldn't even find his rover."

My heart began anxiously pounding, and I looked desperately over at the jungle.

"That's a good sign right. It means he's probably driving around somewhere." I forced a smile. "He probably decided he deserved a vacation."

"Look Skye..." Mark paused. "The belief right now is that he was probably taken by the Sixers..."

"No!" I interjected, shaking my head. "Y...you would have found the rover if he had been taken."

Mark put his hand on my arm.

"Skye..."

"Don't." I said firmly, knowing that tone of voice all too well. That was the tone of someone who was about to give you really bad news. "He'll be alright."

Mark smiled and nodded.

"Yeah. He's Commander Taylor after all, right?"

"Right." I smiled gratefully. "Thank you for being straight with me." Mark nodded. I gestured behind me. "I ummm...I gotta get back to work.

"Ah yes. What is this I hear about you having a job at Boylan's?"

"Please don't judge. I was going mad at home. I needed to do something and Taylor's basically banned me from every other job."

Mark sniggered.

"Well I doubt he'll be too pleased about this one when he hears about it."

If he hears about it I thought to myself.

"Should've given me my old job back then, shouldn't he?"

Mark chuckled.

"Alright. Just be careful. I wouldn't trust Boylan as far as I could throw him."

"I can handle myself."

"That I know."

We grinned at one another.

"I'll see you later."

Mark nodded.

"Take care of yourself."

I sent him one last grateful smile before heading back to the bar. The moment I returned, Boylan called me up to his office. I stood in front of his desk with my arms folded, trying not to indicate how fearful I was feeling.

"So?" Boylan asked expectantly.

I shrugged.

"I dunno...no one would tell me anything. All I know is that he's still missing."

"Thought you were supposed to be a spy." I scowled at him. "Sure you didn't overhear anything?"

"Honestly, all I know is that Taylor isn't back. I heard everything at the Outpost is fine, so Taylor's probably gone off to do his own thing for a while."

Boylan grunted and ran a hand threw his hair. He let slip a flicker of concern, and I reminded myself how he and Taylor had been good friends once. I felt bad for not telling him everything, but I refused to risk Mark getting in trouble for confiding in me. So I kept my mouth shut and eyes down.

"Get back to work." Boylan muttered.

I nodded and quickly retreated. Nina was behind the bar, pouring a drink for someone. His eyes were fixed on her chest as she placed the pint in front of him.

"That'll be four terras please." The guy fished in his pocket and handed over the money, barely shifting his gaze for more than two seconds. Nina leant down on her elbows and smirked at the man. "Why don't you take a picture, it'll last longer."

His eyes snapped back up to hers and he looked genuinely shocked, like he hadn't thought he'd get caught. Either way he mumbled something that resembled an apology and quickly retreated from the bar. Nina shook her head as she put the money in the till.

"Perv." She muttered under her breath. I sniggered at her and came and joined her at the bar. "Oh hey. Did you find out about Taylor?"

I shook my head.

"Nope."

She pulled a sympathetic face.

"I'm sure he's alright."

I nodded.

"Me too."

We smiled at one another and began chatting as we served the customers.