"What we call rambutan fruit only bears resemblance in the texture and taste of the fruit to the modern cousin in the future. Here the fruit is four times larger and the spikes haven't developed beyond the bumps we know exist on the future fruit." Malcolm showed the Commander and Jim, on a screen the two fruits, one from the Cretaceous period and one from the future. "I was looking for an insect that punctured the fruit and deposited the bacteria. Our insect traps caught the suspects we have on file and no new species. However, when the team was out this morning checking the traps they saw a baby Pterosaur land near the fruit and played with it in its beak. They collected the sample and we have a match." He showed the new markings against the ones on the fruit collected from the market. It was an exact match.

"How come we're just now having a problem? We've eaten this fruit for years," Nathaniel wanted answers. He'd worked for a couple hours after Zoe went back to school when Malcolm summoned him to his lab for an update. He called Jim to meet him there.

"I don't know. It could be we're dealing with an infection or disease in the Pterosaurs. We need to capture a young one in that area and test it." That's where the Commander came in, to capture one or more of the young flying reptiles. Even the young could be a handful.

"Sounds like shades of your Malcomsaurus," Nathaniel teased.

Malcolm smiled back, "At least we're not dealing with thousands, just probably a local colony that may have an infection."

"The best place to capture them is right at the trees," Taylor turned to leave and remembered he was supposed to take Wash to the doctor and he wanted to be present to see for himself she was okay. "When is the best time of day to catch the little buggers in the trees?"

"Early morning seems to be when they are foraging for fruit which is odd because Pterosaurs are carnivores so something is missing in their diet to make them try and eat fruit…and not just any fruit. We've checked all the edible fruit in the area and they only sample the rambutan fruit. Their body is telling them to supplement because something is missing in their diet or them."

"Will tomorrow suffice?"

That surprised Malcolm. Usually Taylor was gung-ho when it came to action. "Sure, now that we know what to look for, any fruit coming into the colony will be inspected. I've developed a spray that dies the teeth marks purple as it interacts with the saliva of the Pterosaurs. It's safe for consumption so every piece of fruit needs sprayed. I told the vendors and gave them sprayers."

"Maybe Wash will be well enough to go with us for the ride," Nathaniel commented to Jim.

"There's a rumor going around that you spent the night with the lovely Lieutenant," Malcolm pushed his luck, but wanted the Commander to know the latest allegation of him and his second flying through the colony.

"Did the rumor mill tell you, she has a ring on her finger," Nathaniel looked at an amused Jim as he answered.

"No, I hadn't heard that bit of news," Malcolm seemed happy for them, "wedding or engagement?"

"Engagement and hoping for a wedding soon," he shook Malcolm's extended hand and accepted the congratulations.

Nathaniel drove across the colony for lunch at home, as he was calling her place in his mind. After evenings in her home, his own small quarters lacked warmth that only a woman could provide and he really didn't want to spend any more nights alone. He missed a woman next to him in bed at night. Opening the unlocked door, he walked in as if it was his place also and found her in the kitchen preparing lunch, and it seemed so right to him.

She turned at a sound and saw him shedding his shoulder holster that he slung over the back of a chair at the table. She smiled at his entering without knocking, a sign he was becoming comfortable here. He entered her space, leaning over for a kiss as he washed his hands. They ate and he took her to Elizabeth and hovered protectively.

"You're almost done shedding and the embryo is gone. Just take it easy for a few days and you'll be fine. I see no effects from your bought with mineral sucking protoctists," Elizabeth looked over her shoulder at the Commander, "Did Malcolm talk to you?"

"He filled me in. Have you checked everyone affected today?" Nathaniel helped Wash sit up and she swung her legs over the bed sitting on the edge.

"Washington is the last. I have a question. What are you going to be called after you two get married?" Elizabeth smiled at them.

They looked at each other then back to the doctor together. Alicia answered for them, "I assume I'll take his name and drop Washington," she looked at Nathaniel.

"The sooner the better, now back to the others," he looked at the doctor. "I want a report on everyone affected as to how they are recovering and any residual effects."

"Do you want one today or at the end of the week? I'm having everyone come in for tests on a daily bases for the rest of the week including you, Lieutenant. That way I'll have an in-depth report for you and Malcolm."

"End of the week's fine then," he helped Alicia off the bed. "Doctor, do you have a minute?"

"I do."

"That's what I want her to say, not you," Nathaniel joked to Elizabeth while grinning at Alicia. "Take it easy and I'll be along in a minute. If you're not up to that meeting, cancel it, hear me?"

"Yes, Commander," with a smile to Elizabeth, she left them alone.

Nathaniel looked around and nobody was within hearing range, "What do you think about taking Skye on as a lab tech apprentice?"

Elizabeth looked troubled, "She has helped out occasionally, but to do clinic work full time as a profession, I don't know."

"What makes you think she isn't ready to settle down to an apprenticeship?" he wanted to get a feel for how the colony perceived his spy and protégé.

Elizabeth gave it thought, "I can't put a finger on why I have apprehension about her."

"Because she caused so much trouble?" he guessed.

"Maybe that's part of it, but she acted admirably during the invasion and did save Josh a severe torturing at the hands of your son. She's been through a lot these last few years, living on her own at too young an age with you watching over her."

"You see how well that went," he admitted.

"You did fine, at least you tried. She in some ways is looking for love or approval of a man."

"She was close to her father and took it hard when he died three years ago. I tried to step in, but was a poor second to the man she idolized."

"She's always first to volunteer and I think that's what bothers me," Elizabeth finally put her finger on it. "A little altruism is fine, but she overdoes it. She pushed Josh too hard and he backed off from her. He's not ready for another girlfriend yet and needs time to heal. She doesn't want to give him the space he needs and is pushing him away. I don't want to have her near my family until Josh is ready. I have to take care of them first and a job here would put her in proximity to him through me. She's enough woman to make him do something he'll regret. Jim and I are trying to protect him right now, as much as one can an eighteen year old."

"We don't have the luxury of letting the kid's milk out their childhood. I need replacement soldiers and if I have to wait twenty years, our ranks might get mighty thin. I think Skye is ready for the next phase of her life. You're looking through a mother's eyes. I'm looking at optimizing the manpower I have at hand. She's a capable, willing person and I want her settled into a program, preferably yours as that's her interest."

Elizabeth felt put on the spot and didn't like it one little bit, "Commander, I don't think now is the time for this discussion. Talk to me again in six months. It's only been a month since the portal blew. For all we know the Phoenix may come back and try and take the colony back. I want to know they are never going to hurt us again before I'm willing to act as if everything were normal." That was her way of telling him no.

"I hope you reconsider," he replied and he brushed by her and left. She knew he was upset and hoped she wasn't in for a fight with the Commander of the colony. She wasn't sure the cost of winning this round.

Nathaniel walked swiftly back to the Command Center and entered to find Wash at a table with the senior mechanics and they were going over materials and supplies on hand. He overheard, Hank, the head mechanic tell her the last time supplies came through the portal they got stocked up nicely and the Phoenix Group didn't touch the warehouse. That was good news. He sat at his table and pondered his most pressing problem, Skye. The details of supplies for the military vehicles drew his attention back to the others. He gave up pretending not to listen to Wash conduct the meeting and moved to join them, sliding into an empty chair, "Don't mind me, I'm just listening in."

It was Wash's first meeting since resuming work and her new duties. She was taking notes on her plexpad. "Is there anything we haven't covered, problems long term?"

"Long term, plenty of problems," Hank responded. "The cases for the battery packs will need to be replaced and they are made with polymers developed in the future. We need to find a suitable replacement material. Rubber for the tires and parts that use plastics are needed. Anything metal, we can fabricate the parts and given time new vehicles."

"We have time before we get to that point, that's all for today. Hank, if we've forgotten anything, send me a note," Alicia thanked them for coming and watched them leave. The cramps were returning after her two hour sit. Nathaniel looked at his watch, "Ready to call it a day?"

"I need to write the notes up and you haven't done much today," she observed.

"I'm having trouble getting my mind into work. I'd rather spend time alone with you," he took her in his arms and kissed the side of her neck.

"We still have a minimum of two hours," she pulled back to look in his face. "What's on your mind?"

"You're starting to read me like a wife, set the wedding date and I'm spending the night from now on."

"Dr. Shannon informed me Marcia Bowers spotted you leaving."

"Not only spotted, we exchanged pleasantries," he smiled. "You have to make an honest man out of me now. I have my reputation to maintain and you soiled it."

"Give me a break," she pushed away and sat down again. "Go to work and stop chatting."

"I need to talk about what I'm going to do with Skye," he sank into a chair next to her. A soldier entered with a plexpad to be signed off on. Nathaniel took the pad, looked at the information and signed his name. The soldier left without a word. "What have you heard around the colony about her?"

"I've been hiding out, remember. Skye always avoided me. I think she was afraid I'd catch on to her so I don't know her as well as you do."

"She wants to apprentice in the Infirmary and Dr. Shannon turned me down flat. I need to find something for her to do. She smart, but not given to book learning unless pushed."

"I remember you going over her homework and yelling at her," Alicia laughed quietly.

"She was as different from Lucas as a kid could get. At least she graduated secondary school this last spring and should be in her next level by now. I let her jump around to find out what she wanted to do, so she chooses lab work in the Infirmary and gets turned down, what now?"

"Why don't I train her to scavenge materials for us? She's been OTG more times than we'll ever know and it'll keep her occupied and away from the Shannon's."

"I knew you would find an answer," he sported a wide smile and reached for her hand.

"It's a position that needs filled. I'm going to be kept busy hand holding, obviously starting with yours," she smiled and squeezed back. "I also want to ask you about Andrew Fickett."

"He's been banished for life."

"We could use his services. Nobody knows this continent better than him. You gave Curran a second chance and he's staying clean so far."

"I don't think Shannon would be happy with him being allowed near his children."

"We can make him live at an outpost, but he knows where medicinal plants are located and a better idea than us where to find things like rubber trees."

"I don't want you alone with him. I don't trust the guy," Nathaniel wasn't ready to use him.

"We should ask Malcolm if he can be trusted enough to search supplies for us. Besides, he probably doesn't know about the Phoenix or us being cut off. Do we even know where he's at?"

"I had a locator inserted where he couldn't get to it, in the middle of his back. We can trace his whereabouts."

"He has talents we need," she pressed her point.

Nathaniel looked dubiously at her and reached for his radio, "Taylor to Guzman, come to the Command Center."

"Maybe we can change Dr. Shannon's mind," Alicia had a plan and continued at his raised eyebrows. "Let it be known that Skye is going to be OTG working with Fickett and tell her that was your second choice after the Infirmary."

"I'm glad you're on my side," her devious side amazed him. "How did you come up with that so fast?"

"I'm a woman. We're all hardwired for deceitful thinking. Remember that when you want to punish me. Next time will mean no sex for a long time," she said it with a perfectly straight face and sincere expression.

"I'll never do anything so stupid again," his expression and tone matched hers.

"We haven't had a real night of sex so you don't have a clue what you'd be cut off from, but I'm willing to show you."

Guzman's untimely arrival ended his response, but she saw the twinkle of promise in his eyes as he turned to his second Lieutenant, "Guz, I need you to track Andrew Fickett down and bring him to me. Don't tell him anything about what happened or engage him in conversation. Take a unit and leave in the morning."

"Corporal Reynolds is asking to go on the next OTG mission, Sir," Guzman put in a word for his Corporal.

"Permission denied. Take Terrall and his unit," he wanted to get back to Wash and did so the moment Guzman cleared the doorway and continued where they'd left off. "Everything is in order for us to be married? How bout tomorrow?"

"When did we get engaged?" she wanted more time being his fiancé.

"Two days is enough, Wash," he whined and took her hand again. "You know the colony is watching our every move and I want to stay with you all the time. That's why I'm having trouble concentrating on work; I want to pursue you instead. I'm not patient enough for a drawn out courtship and I consider the time up to our engagement a fair amount of space given my age."

"Saturday, providing I get a clean bill of health from the doctor on Friday," she squeezed his hand.

"But today's only Tuesday," he protested.

"You'll have to spend this week at your place and not mine," she put her foot down.

"At least let me start moving my junk in."

"Okay, I think we need to be married on the balcony in sight of the entire colony and have a party for the colony that evening."

"Those are easy plans. I approve."

"I'm going to be…" she looked up to find Jim standing at the table, "you're starting to move as quietly as the Commander," she still kept her hand securely in Nathaniel's.

"Did I eavesdrop on wedding plans?" Jim beamed at them.

Nathaniel grinned, "Saturday, providing it doesn't rain water or Phoenix."

Jim sobered, "You've heard about the Phoenix?"

"No, but I'm sure they'd like to crash a party."

"Okay, but why do you think it might rain?"

"You haven't been here a full year, Shannon. December is the start of the wet. It rains almost every day for three months."

"I heard Boylan is taking bets on the day the rains start," Jim admitted.

"He does that every year. The winner gets one of his best bottles and a free dinner at his place," Nathaniel educated him.

"I came looking for you when Guzman told me he was going after Fickett. I don't trust him, he's a cold blooded killer," Jim got to why he was in the Command Center.

"I'm not bringing him back into the colony yet, just offering the chance to earn his way back in by showing a chosen few people where natural resources we might not know about are located. I'm going to assign Skye to him as his apprentice."

Jim felt sick, "NO, he's a monster. No kid is safe around him."

Nathaniel shrugged, "I tried to get her an apprentice with your wife and she turned me down and the next opening I have for her is gathering raw materials."

"Does she have to be with that killer?" Jim couldn't believe Taylor was serious.

"Do you have any suggestions what she can apprentice at?" Nathaniel shot back. Alicia stayed out of the conversation, but watched both men spar.

"How about building? She's done a lot of that," Jim countered.

"I have all the kids take turns at learning how to build. Your son will take his turn," he turned to Wash. "Put young Shannon on a building crew for the next three months, not the one Skye is in."

Alicia made a note on her plexpad.

"He's an apprentice in the auto bay," Jim protested.

"I need this colony repaired. Look around, Shannon. We still have gaping holes in buildings." He turned back to Wash, "Remove Skye from the building crews and start sending her OTG for materials. Send two soldiers with her. Start with the quarry. Tell her I want a recording of the entire area for damage and ore we can readily gather up."

"Want me to pull Reynolds off night duty?" Alicia innocently asked.

Nathaniel looked at her sharply and nodded. Years of unspoken communication and he knew what she was thinking, the Shannon girl's boyfriend, "Tell him that he and Dunham are assigned to Skye until further notice." He had a thought, "Teach her surveying and cartography. She can do the homework at night and field work during the day. Assign a surveyor to teach her."

"Will do."

Nathaniel looked back to Jim, "Was that all you had?"

Jim looked unhappy, "I don't want to see Skye get hurt, it's dangerous out there and she doesn't have the training if something were to go wrong."

"You have to remember something, Shannon. I tried to keep her in the colony and your wife turned me down. Skye is my responsibility and I'll take care of her in my own way. Besides, she's almost the same age that I kicked Lucas out of the colony. If he could survive, she's better equipped than he was."

"So if something were to happen to Skye, you're putting the blame on Elizabeth?" Jim didn't like that one bit.

"No, Dr. Shannon was right in her choice to refuse a young person an opportunity. All employers have that right unless someone is assigned for a short time by me and I'm looking long term for Skye, something she can build a future on. Now, are you coming with me at dawn to catch Malcolm's flying friends?"

"What time?"

"We'll leave here at five and hopefully be back in time for breakfast." He looked at Alicia, "You up for an early morning hunting trip, Wash?"

She shook her head, "Not really. I'll go if you want, but need to heal more." Hours of sitting was making her cramp up again and she saw the concern in his eyes. "I need to call it an early night and so do you," she reminded him he wasn't spending the night with her expression.

With a nod, he accepted her decision, "At least have supper with me in the market."

With a quick nod, Alicia got back to work and picked up her radio, "Washington to Reynolds." The sleepy voice answered after a pause. "You're reassigned. Report to the Command Center in the morning and bring Private Dunham with you."

"Yes Ma'am," he sounded more awake and chipper.

Her next call was to the head of surveying and he assigned Travis Beckham to teach Skye the principals of surveying and map building.

Jim left when it was clear they were following through with their plans. That night when the family gathered for supper he told them the plan for Skye. "Elizabeth, won't you change your mind?"

"It sounds like Commander Taylor has something else lined up for her. He may have tried to push her to the Infirmary because he didn't want her OTG with Fickett."

"He's dangerous, Mom," Josh spoke up.

"And Mark has to guard her and who knows where they'll end up or how long the trips will take," Maddy added her complaint. "Also, I don't want him anyplace near that psycho, Horton slash Fickett."

"Why don't you let her work in the Infirmary?" Josh expressed his concern again.

"I like Skye, but she can be a handful. I think right now, the best for our family is to focus on us and not add other's right now after what we went through," Elizabeth hoped she wasn't misunderstood.

"I'm not ditching Mark," Maddy looked every bit as stubborn as her mother.

"You don't have to ditch Mark, Maddy. My concern is with Skye and her deceit and how far it really goes."

"You're not telling me who I can be friends with," Josh also put his foot down.

"As long as you live in this house, we will," Jim threw his opinion out.

"As soon as I can, I'm moving out," Josh stared him down.

"And where will you go on your non-existent salary?" his father challenged.

"Skye is living with her mother so there is an opening at her roomies house. They've already asked me to come and share the costs," he wasn't going to spring it on them like this, but they started it.

Jim felt anger and frustration as he squared off with his son yet once again, "And what about your studies? You need tertiary education."

"Like you got? I'm not the brains in the family. Maddy got my portion. I'll learn a trade and be happy."

"After what just happened to the colony, I don't want you moving out just yet," Elizabeth wasn't ready for her oldest to fly the coop. "Your Dad told me you've been reassigned for three months to learn building. It's low pay so stay here and save your money. Also, I want you studying at night. If it's building, you'll have homework."

"I won't give any promises, Mom," Josh replied soberly.

"If your Mother wants you to stay, you stay," Jim's voice rose.

"Jim," Elizabeth's sharp voice stopped his diatribe before it got started. In a calmer tone she continued, "I don't believe the Commander will leave Skye with Fickett any more than Lucas. And if Mark and Dunham are escorting her, she'll be fine."

"I thought you liked her?" Josh remembered a statement his mother made not too long ago.

"That was before I found out she was the spy. That did change things for me, some. She'll have to prove her loyalty isn't flighty."

Josh shrugged and went back to eating.

"I got my extra homework done, Mommy," Zoe saw her chance to talk.

Elizabeth smiled at her, "I'm proud of you. The week will go by very fast."

"Leah wanted to explore the apple orchard on Saturday. Can I go?"

"No, that's what being grounded is all about. You'll stay around the house and do some cleaning."

Zoe didn't push it further.

Nathaniel opened his girlfriend's door while lugging a large trunk that was apparently heavy by the way he was struggling. Without waiting for Wash to tell him where to put it, he headed to a spare bedroom and deposited it in a corner of the empty room. She followed and watched until he turned around.

"I have a couple more for this room plus my workout equipment. I'm taking this room," he looked around.

"I was thinking it would make a nice nursery."

"We have time and another bedroom for our next daughter," he took her in his arms. "Why aren't you in bed resting?"

"I was just going when you drove up."

They ate in the market with all eyes on them. Alicia made sure her ring flashed and prominently showed it to Casey.

"I still can't believe you're marrying him. Wash, he demoted and grounded you," Casey got his chance to talk to her as the Commander was nearby visiting with Debora and Skye while Wash wandered through the market waiting for him to be done and join her for supper.

"You know I've been in love with him for years."

"All us old soldiers knew. We all hoped you and Guz would get together and you'd forget Taylor. When did he realize you were a woman and more importantly worth pursuing?"

"It was after my first week of suspension. He kept hanging around and bringing food. Then I…" she paused, not wanting to reveal how she felt when she thought he was seeing Debora Tate. Her head turned and she watched Nathaniel for a moment still talking to Debora and Skye before continuing. Casey followed her direction and waited. "I came to Boylan's that night. When I got home, he was waiting for me. We had a row and I never expected to see him on my doorstep ever again. The next day I got my nose busted by Reynolds."

Casey chuckled, "That bit of information went through the market faster than the shock wave from the meteor strike. You know it was that day that Taylor came looking for a gift to make up. It must have worked," he laughed.

"You know he has the silver tongue of the devil, the flowers didn't hurt either. It told me he was serious about making amends. He stayed away for less than a day after telling me he wouldn't be back. He wanted an old fashioned courtship and promised to go slow. We're getting married on Saturday."

Casey burst out laughing, drawing the attention of people nearby. Nathaniel came over and looked questioningly at them. "Wash was telling me how you two finally got together."

Nathaniel smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, "Did she tell you the wedding's on Saturday, before the knock Lucas gave her heals and she realizes what she did."

"She was telling me. Time for a party I hope?" Casey wanted an excuse for the colony to celebrate.

Alicia nodded, "I was taking the rest of the week off work. The half day I put in was enough for one week," she quipped, drawing a laugh from the men. "I'll be around planning the event starting tomorrow."

"Count on us to help and make this a wedding the colony will long remember," Casey smiled up at them.

Nathaniel unloaded his rover while Alicia went to bed. He slipped into the bedroom, "I want to be near you."

"You don't care what the colony will say?" she spoke from the dark.

"Can't be any worse than what flew around today," he sat on the bed.

"No, Nathaniel, we can wait," she was firm.

He leaned over and searched in the dark until he found her lips and kissed her for a long time. "Alright, I love you," he spoke softly.

"Love you too," she removed her arms from around his neck and he left.