I don't own anything other than Brianna and bits of the plot
Chapter Seven
Taylor and Alicia refused to answer my questions until they were positive I wasn't going to have another panic attack. Alicia took my heart rate and blood pressure before grudgingly declaring me stable enough to hear what was going on. We sat down for the conversation, Alicia and Taylor taking the two seater couch while I sat in the armchair so I could study their expressions. While they were both poised and void of emotion I had a slight advantage in reading behaviours from being a teacher. It became like a sixth sense being able to tell if a student was lying even if they had a straight face while doing so.
"So, what's going on? Who the hell was the woman and why is she so sure I'll end up living in the forest with her?" I demanded, my questions rolling out one after the other.
Taylor held up a hand as I opened my mouth to blurt out even more questions, "If you don't stay calm we're not having this conversation."
"I'm calm." I practically growled, crossing my arms over my chest. "Get talking."
"The woman was Mira; she came in on the sixth pilgrimage just over a year ago. When it became clear that they had an alternative reason for being here, in Terra Nova, they left the colony and went into the jungle. We don't know where they're living just that they're working for people in the future that want to use Terra Nova as a place to get resources." Taylor explained.
"So basically they just want to destroy this place for money." I summarised.
Taylor nodded, "Exactly and when we caught on they left. We think that they have something to do with you being here."
"She didn't exactly look book smart to me." I commented with a small frown.
Alicia nodded, "That's why we think..." She cast a sideways look at Taylor and continued when he nodded, "...why we know that they're answering to someone else who does have the brains to open the portal at your time."
I stared at the two of them, adjusting to this piece of news, "Do you know who it is?" I asked, suddenly cautious.
The look on Taylor's face told me that he knew exactly who it was, "My younger brother, Lucas, came in on the second pilgrimage. He's a genius and I discovered his research into opening the portal both ways. At the moment the portal can only go one way; from the future, to here." Taylor explained quietly, "I don't doubt that Lucas managed to open the portal to your time."
"Why would he want to? I mean, I get why they want the portal to go both ways but why would they want someone from my time?" I asked perplexed.
"That's the million dollar question." Alicia said dryly.
Taylor shrugged, "We can only guess that someone from your time – you – would have something valuable to them."
"After all of this we have decided to make sure you're not left alone anymore." Alicia told me after a small pause.
I raised an eyebrow, "You can't be serious." When Taylor didn't dispute his second, I protested immediately, "I don't need a babysitter."
"They're going to find a way into the colony and when they do, they're going straight for you." Taylor argued, his eyes daring me to deny it.
"So? I'll just kick 'em in the balls; it worked on you." I shot back angrily.
Alicia snorted but looked contrite after the glare she received from her CO. "This isn't up for debate." Taylor snapped, standing. "You can agree to this and we can work something out that we all agree on or I can lock you up in the brig."
I gaped at him, "Yes, because that's really fair; I don't agree with you, so you lock me up." I crossed my arms over my chest, furious, "I don't need a baby sitter and locking me up isn't going to stop them if they really want to get to me." I pointed out.
Taylor opened his mouth to argue but Alicia stopped him, "I think she's right, sir." I didn't like the smirk Alicia was currently wearing. "I think I have the perfect solution for this."
"You don't say?" Taylor smirked, a knowing look in his eye; clearly they had already discussed this before arriving.
I didn't see him coming; one minute he was sitting next to Wash, the next he was by my side. I blinked and began to pull away as he pulled something out of his pocket; a set of handcuffs.
"Hell no." I said firmly, backing away from him, "Fine, have someone baby sit me." I conceded, praying that they were doing this to get me to agree.
Taylor shook his head, "You had that option before but we both know that you'll find some way to get around whoever's with you. This way you won't be able too." He sounded far too smug for my liking.
I went to dart away from him but Alicia anticipated this and blocked my path. Taylor all but launched himself at me, slapping the metal wring around my wrist before I could escape. He looked awfully proud of himself; I was glaring while Alicia took the other side of the handcuff...
... And then she slapped it over his wrist before he could say anything.
We both turned to stare at her shocked; okay, so I was amused and Taylor was shocked. It kind of made me feel better knowing that Alicia had gotten one up on him. But that didn't solve the issue of me being handcuffed to the man I was currently having very steamy dreams about.
"Wash" He growled warningly.
She smiled innocently at him, "Yes sir?"
"Keys, now." He demanded, taking a step forward. The step resulted in me lurching after him, stumbling slightly as I lost my footing.
"You said it yourself, sir; she needs to be with someone that can make sure she stays safe." She looked a little too proud of herself right now. "And we both know no sixers are going to go near her while she's so closely...attached to you, sir." I really wanted to slap the wicked grin off her face right now.
I anticipated Taylor protesting and ordering her to take them off except he didn't. He eyed her calculatingly before nodding, "I accept your reasoning Lieutenant."
"Seriously?" I exploded, tugging on the cuff, "Like hell I'm going to stay handcuffed to you." I turned my glare to Alicia, "Get. Them. Off. Now." I growled warningly.
She simply smiled, "You're half my size; we both know I could snap you."
I pouted at that, "Excuse me for not wanting to be handcuffed to him."
"What's wrong with being handcuffed to me?" Taylor asked defensively though I could see the humour in his eyes.
I glanced up at him and it was then that I noticed how much taller than me he was; he towered above me, literally. "You're too tall." I grumbled.
I went to cross my arms only to have my wrist tugged back toward Taylor. I glared at him and tugged back, ignoring the cuff biting into my skin. We continued to tug back and forth before Alicia finally shook her head and smacked us both.
"Stop tugging at each other." She commanded, ignoring the look Taylor gave her, "You are staying together until we're sure the sixers aren't going to do anything drastic to get you." She said firmly, "Which means you can't go off the grid while you're still cuffed to her." She grinned wickedly at me again, "I'll leave you two to decide whose house you'll be sleeping at."
We both watched her leave – I was glaring while Taylor simply nodded. I was left alone with Taylor; if I thought him seeing me without a bra on was embarrassing how was I going to go living with the man? They were overreacting about the whole situation and I wondered how long it would take for me to drive Taylor to the point of insanity.
"Don't even think about it."
I looked up at Taylor bewildered, "Think about what?"
"Doing whatever you can to piss me off." His eyes dared me to deny it but I couldn't help but smile innocently.
"Can't blame a girl for trying."
Dear God was I flirting with him?
That's it; the handcuffs have to go now. With that in mind I began to pull him toward the door, well aware that if he didn't want to be pulled around he could easily stop me. He realised I was trying to lead him outside and stopped us immediately, pulling me back so I had no choice but to barrel into his chest.
"Ow!" I complained, rubbing my wrist, "What the hell was that for?"
"Where are you planning on going exactly?"
I shrugged like it was no big deal, "To get Alicia to take these damn things off."
I tried to turn back to the door but the stubborn man refused to move, "She's not going to do that." He told me, "And she's right."
"It's easy for you to say." I huffed angrily, "I'm half your size; as if I'm going to be able to get you to do anything and how exactly does she expect us to change clothes if we're handcuffed together?"
He shrugged like it was nothing, "I have a set of keys. By the way, we're staying at my place."
I had no choice but to follow him into my room, "What do you mean you have a set of keys?" I practically bellowed at him, refusing to pack any clothes into the bag he'd put on my bed.
"You think I let her handcuff me to you without a set of keys?" He looked at me amused.
I was furious; I kicked him in the shin "This is not funny!" I exclaimed, "We're going to practically be living together..."
"Practically?" Taylor interrupted, "We will be living together."
"That's not the point!" I hissed, poking him in the chest, "I don't need to be living with you! I can take care of myself, you know!"
He didn't appear bothered by my words, "You can either start packing yourself, or I'll do it for you."
I narrowed my eyes at him and grudgingly began to pack; I wouldn't put it past him to do exactly that and start rummaging through my things. I applauded myself mentally when I didn't blush as I dumped my underwear in the bag, tugging him over to the draws to pull out a few tops and pants as well as my ratty pyjamas. He watched, curious, as I packed my iPod and some books to take with me; I considered taking my laptop but decided against it, figuring I can always drag him back if I need to.
"Let's go." I grumbled, moving to pick up the bag.
Taylor snatched it up before I could though, tossing the long strap over his shoulder. I allowed him to lead me out the door and for a split second I was curious about where he lived; I had yet to actual see it. I walked beside him down the street toward the front gate, ignoring the confused looks we were getting from some of the soldiers that noticed. Apparently one of them didn't notice and he came rushing up to his CO.
"Sir, can I talk to you for a moment?" He asked respectfully, his eyes darting from me back to Taylor.
Taylor nodded, "What is it corporal?"
The soldier hesitated, "We were told to keep security information private, sir." He looked pointedly at me.
Taylor smiled and clapped the soldier on the shoulder, "Good job but she'll have to hear." He said, lifting our cuffed hands with an amused smirk.
The look on the soldiers face was actually quite hysterical. His eyes widened comically and his mouth opened and closed a few times as he tried to think of an appropriate answer. Taylor eventually took pity on him and indicated for him to walk and talk.
"We've doubled the security on the perimeters, sir." The soldier said, snapping back to attention once we started walking, "We have men out patrolling the borders of the jungle and we've arranged the shifts for the pool surveillance."
"Good job Reynolds." Taylor said.
Reynolds saluted him and went back to whatever it was that he did. I kept walking, letting Taylor lead me through the colony. No one came up to us after that although I did spot Alicia a few times, ordering around a few soldiers. I needed to plan some form of revenge on her.
I expected Taylor's house to be right at the front of the colony. I wasn't mistaken except it was sort of hidden behind his office, a few large trees sheltering the path. The house was almost exactly the same as everyone else except the outside hadn't been painted yet. I followed him inside, letting him dump my bag on the ground. The inside of his house was what I expected; neutral colours on the walls and very few knick knacks around the place. I wrinkled my nose when I saw a few dinosaur heads mounted on the wall.
"That's gross." I didn't bother to hide my disgust at the bones.
Taylor laughed and led me toward what I assumed was the bedroom. He fished out a set of keys from his pocket and I eyed them. "Don't even think about it." He said firmly, "Get changed and ready for bed; you've got an early morning ahead of you."
I considered ignoring him and trying to escape anyway but decided against it; it's not like I would get very far. The man was practically a ninja compared to me. Sighing I slipped into the bathroom to change into my ratty pyjamas and if it wasn't so uncomfortable wearing a bra to bed then I would have worn one. I was glad he suggested bed because the moment I crawled under the sheets, too tired to wait for him, I promptly fell asleep.
A/N another chapter! Not as long as the last one but it was bugging me so i had to put it up. Hope you like it.
