*Sorry for the long delay. Life is crazy, and I've been caught up in a big writing project. The end is truly in sight. Thanks for the reviews.*

The weeks that followed Thomas's press conference were unpredictable and uncertain. Furious debate broke out both in Johannesburg and worldwide, and Wikus found himself more often than not at the Right's Now facility watching the news or reading the headlines. He didn't like the situation, and felt more uneasy every day. Thomas was taking his newfound fame in stride with the grace of someone who has known many years, but Wikus knew that the older Poleepkwa had his own worries.

The people gathering at the gates of district ten had grown, and he overheard more than one of the Right's Now employees saying that it was getting harder and harder to get into the district. Frustrated with all of the attention and the questions when she tried to go to work, Tina had taken to sleeping in one of the trailers. That was yet another thing that Wikus didn't like. There were dissenters at the gates and along the fence line. Clashes had broken out between the protesters both for and against alien rights. The UN and local law enforcement were trying to keep the peace, and many arrests had been made, but the protestors continued to come from all parts.

The immediate problem that Wikus saw beyond the protesters was how to handle all the attention that Thomas was receiving. There were reporters wanting interviews and leaders with questions. Marjorie had stepped up to help out, but security was Wikus's main worry. And when the notice came in regards to the UN rights assembly Wikus found that a sense of dread had settled into him. Thomas was pleased with the meeting that would be forthcoming. This was what he wanted. In just over a month's time he would speak in front of the leaders of humanity, and the Poleepkwa people would be heard.

It was surprising how quickly the forum was being organized, but the worst part about it was that Thomas was asked to go to the US, to the headquarters of the UN. After the notice came Wikus found himself in a heated conversation with Thomas. Thomas was not eager to leave the district, but if that was where the human leadership met then so be it. He had been assured by Marjorie that he would have security, and a private plane to take him to New York.

Wikus didn't like it. When he told Thomas, the older Poleepkwa stood tall looking down at him. His stance was clear, he would do this. With newfound confidence Wikus did not back down. There were too many variables, too many possibilities for mishaps. On top of that there was the forum where Thomas would be questioned, baited and most likely insulted. He would have to provide answers about the Poleepkwa, and about the last twenty years. He would have to answer for the human deaths. Thomas raised his voice and named his own mate as one who had died due to the humans after they had been placed in district nine.

It was all Wikus could do to try to appease Thomas. Hadn't he lost something, as well? He had lost his life, and here he was trying to help Thomas. The harsh look he received before Thomas swept from the tent said everything. What Wikus had lost was insignificant, as Thomas saw Wikus's old life as a farce, an old skin that he had sloughed off for a better one.

Wikus wanted to follow him, but what was he going to say. In that moment Tania's face came back to him like it hadn't in so many months and lingered before his eyes. Angry he left the tent. He pushed the thoughts of the people from his mind and focused on what or rather who he used to be. For so long he had done nothing, but try to accept who he was now. He passed Poleepkwa who looked at him strangely. He ignored them, all of them. Even Alex who tried to talk to him, but he pushed him away.

Without thought his rage took him to Right's Now. He pushed through the doors into the tent uncertain what he wanted to do, but sure he was going to do something. Something to stop what was happening. Marjorie, that's who he needed, as she started it all. Why did she have to push? Why couldn't she be satisfied; why couldn't Thomas. If they would have waited who knows what would have come their way. Angry clicks issued forth from his mouth, as the workers in the tent and a few Poleepkwa who were there looked at him sharply. There were words spoken, but he didn't care to listen. He found Marjorie in a trailer with a phone to her ear. He didn't bother to knock, just opened the door causing it to bang against the paneled wall.

Marjorie looked up sharply her eyes widening.

"Let me call you back." She set the phone on the receiver. "Wikus?" She stood looking uncertain.

The words were forming, but his mouth wouldn't work. There was someone behind him. A hand upon his shoulder, but the woman before him took all of his attention.

Her red hair, her pale freckled skin, and her wary nervous expression, so very human, an expression of what he had lost. What could he say? Would it matter? Would she listen, would Thomas? He knew the answer, no.

It didn't matter what he wanted or who he was, nothing mattered in the grand scheme of things, and he was hardly in a position change anything about his current situation. Marjorie spoke to him again. He shook his head, ignoring her, ignoring his uncertainty. He took his anger with him, as he turned brushing past Tina. He saw her confused and worried look. He needed to be alone; he needed to think.

What he really needed was to be away from the confines of the district for long enough to clear his head, but that wasn't a possibility. Not with the protesters at gates, the UN guards and the fencing. It was ironic that when he had wanted to come back to the district he couldn't, and now when he'd like just a short time away the humans surrounding the district were stopping him.

With the temporary housing and tents around him he began to walk. Footfalls fell in beside him. He didn't need to look. He could smell her, taste her, Tina. She didn't say anything for that he was happy. He didn't need or want her company, but taking his frustrations out on her wouldn't help.

Children played, as Poleepkwa went about their lives. Some noticed him, but it had become commonplace to see Wikus, and his strange doctor. All he received were curious glances. As he walked his anger lessoned to a small smolder. Acceptance that's what he had been so adamant about, and here he was faced with it again. To accept the situation for what it was, when all he wanted to do was yell, as if he still had a human voice to do that with.

He glanced to Tina who was still at his side and noticed the sweat on her brow, her reddened face and the sun shining on her blond hair. She wore her white lab coat over jeans, a red tee-shirt and tennis shoes. Stopping he shook his head. He doubted that she applied sunscreen, and she didn't have water. Looking at the watch at his wrist he wondered how long they had been walking. Long enough to cross the district; long enough to lose himself for a time.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Walking with you."

"Why?"

"Do I need to have a reason?"

He shook his head. "You have a sunburn."

Her hand flew to her cheek; her mouth dipped into a slight frown. "Oh well, do you want to talk about it."

"Not particularly."

Her voice was quiet, but her eyes asked him for answers. All he could giver her was a shake of his head, as they walked back to Rights Now. All the while Wikus found himself absorbed in the argument that he almost had with Marjorie, and the one that he did with Thomas. There was nothing to be done but go forward. When they arrived back there was a flurry of activity and Marjorie pushed through the doors her eyes widening then narrowing.

Guilt pressed upon Wikus as Marjorie stepped close then stopped her face a mask of uncertainty.

The air grew heavy, as Tina went to her friend placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's fine, whatever happened don't worry about it."

"Is it Wikus, is it fine?" Marjorie's eyes were piercing.

He didn't want to talk about it. He wasn't certain what he wanted but standing here wasn't it.

"Yes."

With that said he turned and walked away. He would have Thomas to deal with. The women's voices carried after him as he ventured into the sun-soaked afternoon.

Thomas didn't return for the rest of the day. Sleep was fitful when it came, and Wikus was hardly surprised when he was woken by the older Poleepkwa some hours before dawn. He wasn't given an opportunity to speak, as Thomas told him that he was going to the UN meeting. He also made it clear that when he wanted Wikus's opinion he would seek him out. Wikus could do little more than nod. Before Thomas left the tent Wikus was told that he would be accompanying them to New York. There were no other options. Thomas made it clear that he would need Wikus's insight. When Thomas disappeared from the tent darkness settled over Wikus.

In the weeks that followed the anxiety over the trip was becoming unbearable. Tina accused him of being irritable, as he snapped at her over the smallest questions. And he had yet to speak to Marjorie. He had regained some measure of control over his life only to lose it all again. If he had been human he could have walked away, but here in the district there was no hiding, and out there in the streets of Johannesburg, providing he could get past the fence and the guards, his future would be uncertain at best.

A week before the departure he felt restless. Tina kept pushing him to talk, but what did he say. Nothing, there was nothing to say, as whatever he were to say wouldn't change anything. He hated the thought of the trip. He hated the thought that he would have to get on a plane surrounded by humans who would look at him oddly, and most of all, despite the people around him, he hated the fact that the body he now wore put him at odds with where they were going.

He saw Thomas frequently, but the older Poleepkwa had no time for consoling words. He had been swept up by the excitement of the people at the prospect of better lives, and by humanity who nagged endlessly for his time.

The morning of the departure SUVs arrived to the district. Tina assured him she would be going, and of course there was Marjorie and Mark, and countless other support staff from Right's Now. Thomas was bringing Alex and four three others with him along with Wikus. Wikus found his chest tight, as he could barely contain his sense of dread. Alex tried to speak to him, but he raised a hand in silence. There was no point. Nothing could consol him now. Not when so much was at stake.

With great trepidation he crawled into the seat of the SUV barely looking at the driver or the man in the passenger seat who tried to engage him in conversation. It appeared he understood Poleepkwa and was eager to speak to a real alien. Tina spoke for him, saying that he was the quiet type, as she put her seatbelt on in the seat next to his. When the SUV's stopped before the jet it was all he could do to make himself get on the plane. It wasn't that he had never been on a plane before, as he most certainly had. Aboard the plane he took a seat near a window. Tina sat next to him. His antennae flicked through the air, as he looked out at the tarmac. When the doors closed, and the wheels were finally up he looked out onto Africa beneath him and found his breath coming quickly. Tina who was seated next to him reached out her hand, but all he could do was stare at it a moment then return his gaze to the window, as they made their way towards the sparkling blue ocean.

Over seventeen hours later they were preparing to land. Throughout the flight sleep had eluded him leaving him short spoken and unresponsive to Tina's pleas. He wondered if there would come a time when the woman beside him wouldn't want to see him saved anymore. If he could have laughed at the situation like a human would she would have looked at him strangely, but all he could do was feel the dark humor at the situation coursing through him. The only sound he made was a disgusted warbling laugh.

After the wheels touched down they were advised that security would see them to the vehicles waiting. All he could do was nod and follow the rest of them. If Thomas was worried he didn't show it. The sunlight shone into the plane. Men in dark suits boarded the plane and spoke briefly to Marjorie. Thomas was the first one out, preceded by security. Wikus didn't want to exit the door. He didn't want to see the human faces that he knew would be waiting.

"Wikus." Tina said softly, as she stepped up beside him.

A flash of anger and irritation rushed through him. He didn't want her pity, and he knew the situation wasn't her fault, but he didn't care. He took one last look around the plane then made his way to the exit. He blinked furiously, as he stepped outside, and heard the shouts and calls from people waiting for pictures, or to ask questions. The stairs down from the plane led to a red carpet which led to waiting SUVs. He made his way down the steps and tried his best to ignore the shocked, curious and awed looks coming his way.

He ended up in a separate SUV from Thomas. Mark and Tina climbed in with him, and he sat silently. He had only seen pictures of New York City, but they didn't do it justice. The tall buildings stretched towards the sky. When the vehicle stopped Wikus found himself looking at the back entrance to a towering hotel. Security ushered them all inside through a employee elevator that rushed upwards to the top floor. They had been given a large multi-room suite. It was laughable, absurd, and Wikus didn't think it was possible for his mood to get darker, but it did.

He entered the room and turned to watch Thomas walk in and look at the perfect accommodations with a curious eye. Alex and the others were equally surprised. Marjorie and Mark were speaking with security at the door and Tina stood staring at him forlornly.

Marjorie stepped away from security and strode towards Thomas who was still consumed by his surroundings. "We have to be at the UN at nine am."

Thomas nodded.

"I'd suggest everyone get their rest." She said while stifling a yawn before looking pointedly at Tina. Then Wikus found Marjorie's eyes upon him her face showed nothing, but he understood that she was accessing him. Gauging his mood, his ability to handle the situation. She had seen him at his absolute worst over the past months, which didn't used to bother him, but it did now. Now that he was reminded of all of his inadequacies and inabilities to have any control over his life.

She finally turned walking back to Mark who was seeing the Security out of the door.

Tina walked close placing her fingertips lightly upon his arm. "Can I talk to you?"

He looked around the room wondering if he could say no, but then Thomas's eyes met his, and he knew he couldn't. Thomas's look was clear, talk to her, now. His antennae darted as he nodded under the pressure. Tina walked off into an unoccupied bedroom he followed with few options.

"Wikus, did you sleep at all?"

He blinked. Of all the questions to ask she'd ask about his health. It was so like her. Always caretaking whether it was her patients or him for the most part. Her eyes were clear and searching, as he felt the weight of her gaze. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her. He knew he had been, with his foul moods and lack of conversation.

"No."

"Maybe I should get you something to help you sleep."

He shook his head.

"What's bothering you?"

He wanted to tell her, but when he opened his mouth; his labrum flicking outward there was nothing to say. It was too complicated. There was too much, and standing there looking at her surrounded by all the finery of humanity there were no words for his troubles. He shook his head desperately wanting to wrap his arms around her, but he knew it would be lackluster. His body wasn't soft. It didn't feel comfort like the body that he had left behind. So in the end he only shook his head and made his way to a place on the floor. He laid down upon the plush carpet and stared at the ceiling.

He knew when Tina left the room. When her taste and scent diminished. How long he lay there he had no idea. But finally, eventually he drifted off into a sleep full of fitful dreams.

He woke sometime in the early hours before dawn, and found that he had curled tightly onto his side. When he got to his feet he saw Tina sleeping in the bed her hair fanned out on the pillow in the moonlight sliding into the room from the curtains that were slightly ajar. He stood for a time watching her sleep, relishing in the moment then pulled the curtains closed allowing darkness to engulf the room. She murmured in her sleep, as he left the room.

Alex was laying upon one of the long couches. He didn't know where any of the others were, but he didn't so much care. Near the door he found a cart that must have held a full course meal. He managed to find some scraps of meat nestled beneath silver domes. With nothing else to do after he ate he drew one drape open slightly and sat upon the floor gazing out into the moonlit sky. There weren't as many stars visible, but what he could see were the lights of the sleepless city stretching before of him.

When dawn came it was a bustle of activity. Wikus stood back and watched. He felt tired, and beyond that he felt helpless in the situation. Thomas had made it clear what was expected of him, so he was left to wait for Thomas to ask a question or need him for some other task. They took the same way down to the SUV's, but this time there were scores of reporters waiting at the back entrance, along with bystanders straining for a chance to see the aliens.

They were bustled through the commotion, and Wikus again found himself sitting with Tina and Mark. Tina was dressed in a black suit, with a slim skirt that ended at her knees and heels. It had been so long since he paid any close attention to clothing it startled him, as he found himself gazing at her. He gave her one last long look then spent the rest of the time watching the world go by.

The throng of people shouting was deafening when they reached the UN building. Wikus was unnerved, and found himself pushed forward with security guards flanking his back. The crowd was massive. He could see Thomas ahead of him, as more police and security pushed the people back. There were calls that the aliens were less than animals, calls for increased aid, and a multitude of other things were yelled out ranging from: take me with you, to: kill them all. There was pushing and shoving, and it became quickly apparent to Wikus that security hadn't planned on such a demonstration. When the screaming started Wikus looked around wildly. There was a commotion in the crowd on their left. The gun shot echoed forth, as some people dropped to the ground or ran. Thomas was near, as were the others. Wikus pushed past security, barely hearing Tina yell out behind him. He had a singular purpose, get to Thomas and get him to safety.

All those years of cowardice, before his choice to help Christopher in the end, were being erased with each step. His foul moods, his apprehension, his desire to be anywhere but where he was faded into the background, as his nimble body carried him forward to Thomas's side. Another gun shot went off, and he saw Alex clutching his arm. Thomas was stooping to help Alex, which gave Wikus the upper hand. He gave the older Poleepkwa a hard push that took him to the ground next to Alex. Another shot echoed out, followed by another, as Wikus dropped to his knees in a rush of pain and dizziness.

Screams were all around him. He looked up at the twisting sky and saw faces, and all he could think of was Tania for a fleeting moment then Tina. Then Christopher the day it all happened when all Wikus could consider was his own safety until he had seen Christopher about to meet his end. That's when it all changed. The decision to become a better person, and do the right thing. Somehow he had managed it hadn't he. Despite everything that happened. Despite becoming Poleepkwa he had somehow found that decent man inside of him. And in the end lying there watching the world get fuzzy it seemed somehow easy to let it all go.