The New Arrival
When a girl is found Outside the Gates, stranded and wounded, the Shannon family is called up to take her in. How will everyone react with a new member in the house? But most importantly, what is she hiding? Copyright goes to Credential for the first three chapters. I miss you, Joshua.
Infinity.
n. pl. in-fi-ni-ties.
1. The quality or condition of being infinite.
2. Unbounded space, time, or quantity.
3. An indefinitely large number or amount.
Chapter Four, Insight.
''There is a reason why I'm assigning the girl to you, Shannon.'' Commander Taylor clasped his hands together behind his back, gazing solemnly at Jim. Jim frowned, a confused look washing over his face. He wasn't entirely sure what Taylor was getting at, but he could feel this wasn't going to be great news.
''Come again?'' Jim spoke slowly, pieces already coming together in his head.
''I had a nice chat with our little visitor last night.'' Taylor started off, taking a seat and gesturing for Jim to take a seat too. ''I wasn't entirely truthful with you when we found her.''
''You know her.'' Jim said, not a question; not a guess but a statement. And Taylor nodded.
''Indeed I do. In fact, most of the colony will know her once she gets out of the hospital. It wasn't an accident that she found Terra Nova, she knew exactly where to find us.'' Taylor paused, watching Jim struggle internally to piece the puzzle together. ''She's a Sixer, Jim. And I want you and I'm also assigning Reynolds to keep a close eye on her.''
''Why Reynolds?'' Jim looked more startled at that than Taylor revealing what he already suspected.
''The two of them…are quite close.''
Boylan had given Josh the evening off for some strange reason he had mumbled in that accent of his. Most likely more illegal paperwork over the gambling that was going on in that bar. Whilst everyone pretended it wasn't happening, everyone damn well knew about it. So Josh had taken it up on himself to wander over to the hospital. Not for any particular reason – ah who was he kidding. He was still curious about the girl, Jade.
He recognised her from somewhere, but he just couldn't put his finger on from where. It was those eyes. They seemed almost black, like the devil, he thought bitterly with an eye roll. Then he stopped dead in his tracks. There were men stationed outside the hospital with guns. He fastened his pace, giving them a sideward glance as he walked through the doors, as fast as he could without being suspicious.
It didn't take long before Josh found the room Jade had been occupying, pulling the curtain aside to a disgruntled man glaring at him. ''Sorry.'' Josh mumbled, closing the curtain again and spying Skye turn a corner. ''Sk—Skye!'' Josh called, hasting after her.
Skye stopped dead in her tracks, turning on her heel quickly. ''Josh. What are you doing here? I thought you were working tonight?'' Her words were too quick for Josh's taste and he frowned at her.
''What's going on? Why are there men with guns outside the hospital?'' Josh demanded, ignoring her question about work. ''Is it because of her?''
''She has a name Josh.'' Skye pursed her lips before giving a sigh and nodding her head curtly. ''Come on.'' She grabbed his wrist, pulling him through the building. How the hell Skye was going to explain this one without Josh exploding, she had no clue.
''Skye, what's going on?'' Josh felt like he was going to explode, being in the dark like this. ''Tell me!''
Skye closed a door behind them, turning to face Josh. She shuffled uncomfortably, knowing exactly how he would react to what she was going to say. ''Jade is a Sixer.''
''Well that is old news.'' Josh scoffed. ''I knew there was something wrong about that girl. Why the hell is she staying!? In my house?''
''I don't know,'' Skye spoke exasperated. ''But if you would just let me fin—''
''I mean, it's obvious that she's dangerous. Anyone OTG on their own is dangerous. Never mind not even having any ID. That was just blatant.'' Josh continued in a storm, speaking over Skye. At this point she wasn't even sure if he had heard her speak. ''What the hell is wrong with this place!?'' He threw his arms up in the air. ''We might as well keep the gates open forever if we just keep letting people in for no reason! I say we kick everyone that came through on the Sixth out, especially her!''
''Josh!'' Skye exclaimed, finally getting a word in. ''You can't say that, that's unfair. Not everyone that came through on the Sixth is a bad guy.'' She seemed slightly hurt by the saying, pausing to chew on her lips. ''Besides, Jade didn't come through on the Sixth. She came through on the Fifth Pilgrimage, but there is something else—''
Skye never got to tell Josh what else had happened as the door opened and Elizabeth was stood in the doorway with a puzzled look on her face. ''I thought I heard your voice Josh. Is everything okay?''
Josh scowled. ''Fine. Everything is just peachy,'' he grumbled and shot Skye a look that could have killed. It wasn't particularly aimed at her but he did it anyway before leaving the room in a huff.
Elizabeth couldn't been more confused, giving Skye a look. ''What's up with him? Are you two in a fight?''
''No,'' Skye shrugged her shoulders. ''Just his time of the month.'' She offered her a smile. ''I better go after him to see if he's okay.''
It was almost nightfall before Josh had worked up the courage to come home. He knew that once he stepped foot through the doorway there would be no going back. His room was cleared out for Jade and he was staying on the sofa. All for a damn Sixer. A scowl had seemed to etch its way on his face that day and there were no signs of it disappearing any time soon.
He could hear voices as he walked up the pathway. Laughing and chatting. If only they knew. But Josh knew that his dad must know about her. Commander Taylor never thought lightly of Sixers and the way Taylor had treated Leah, a child had only proved that. God knows why he was letting an older kid walk around freely.
Josh took a deep breath before opening the door and entering his home that no longer felt like home.
''Hi Josh.'' Elizabeth looked up immediately, a broad smile appearing over her face. ''Come in and sit down with us. We were just finishing dinner, I saved you some.''
''I'm not hungry.'' Josh hung his jacket up before turning and facing his family and her. Again time seemed to stop once he laid eyes on Jade. She had her hair up in a messy bun, a plaster across the bottom of her right eye. She seemed nervous. Good. Josh exhaled, walking into the living room and folding his arms.
''Josh.'' Elizabeth spoke careful but he could still hear the silent threat in her voice. Be nice, it said and he pursed his lips before nodding his head ever so slightly.
Jade seemed to slump in relief, brushing a few stray strands away from her eyes. He knew those eyes. But Josh just couldn't put his finger on from where. Zoe tugged on her sleeve and Jade tore her eyes away from Josh to smile and the small girl who offered her a picture.
''Thanks Zoe, that's really beautiful.'' Jade spoke softly, a small crease appeared on her forehead that indicated the start of a frown she was trying to stop from forming. ''Who-''
''That's you, silly.'' Zoe giggled, a small finger pointing at the tab. ''That's mommy, and daddy. And that's Josh and Maddy. I drew you in the family too, since you're staying with us.''
Josh stepped slightly closer, craning his neck to look at the picture. ''What's that then, Zoe? That blob in the corner.'' He chipped in curiously.
''That's the dinosaur.'' Zoe informed them, ''the one that Jade fought off.''
Jade stifled a snort, a grin breaking through. ''I can assure you that I hardly fought it off, Zoe. I was lucky that Mark found me just on time.''
''Mark?'' Maddy's head shot up from the book it was buried in. ''You know Mark?''
''Yeah, how do you know Mark?'' Josh added, vemon lacing through his words as he shot daggers at the brunette. Jade couldn't deny the hostility he had spoken with and grit her teeth, a slight grinding noise was heard before she opened her mouth and then closed it again, looking at Jim uncertainly.
Josh followed her look, adding in a glare at Jim until he buckled under the pressure. Jim sighed, sitting down and folding his arms. ''I suppose it will come out tomorrow. We better tell them.'' He looked at Jade, eyebrows arched in question.
Jade chewed on her bottom lip, glancing at Josh. She could tell without doubt this news would not go well with him. Whatever his deal was, she could only guess. His arms were folded and he was staring at her stonily.
''Yeah, why don't you tell us.'' He added in, voice cutting through like glass.
''Jade isn't new to Terra Nova.'' Elizabeth started, realising that if she didn't say anything that nobody would. She opened her mouth to continue but Jade suddenly cut in.
''I'm not a…Sixer.'' Jade started out with firmly.
''What!?'' Maddy finally put her book down, staring incredulously at the girl. ''You're a Sixer?''
''I'm not!'' Jade slammed her hands down on the table angrily and Josh couldn't help but notice Jim's hand moving ever so slightly towards his belt where he unusually had not put his gear away yet. Jade seemed to notice it as well as her face fell and she relaxed, pursing her lips. ''I'm not one of them. I had no choice. I'm not here to spy!''
''Okay, okay—'' Elizabeth pushed her chair back, swiftly coming round and wrapping her arms around the girl. ''It's okay, no one here blames you. You're safe now. It's okay. I promise.''
A/N: From now on this is all my work! Credit still goes to Credential, that wonderful person I do miss loads. Let me know how I'm doing with canon characters, guys! Drop me a line or two and I'll be so grateful. I find starters so difficult to write, so hopefully now I'll be able to work quicker now!