Josh Shannon felt terrible. He came to the conclusion that he was a terrible person who screwed up big time by being a jerk to his one best friend, Skye. She was a married woman who was expecting a child with her husband whom she happened to love. But that didn't matter to Josh. He finally understood why he didn't really like Lucas. It hit him that he was in love with Dr. Taylor's wife.

But it was too late and she'd already slipped out of his hands. If only he could have realized his feelings earlier he might have had her and wouldn't have been in this situation. If he'd acted on his feelings, Skye would have been married to him and they would have been about to experience parenthood together.

There's a saying: 'You don't miss what you have, until it's gone.' This applies to Josh.

He sat in his former workplace, Boylan's Bar and drowned his sorrows with a beer. He thought of going back to the barracks when the person he hated the most came into his view. He let out a groan when he saw that Lucas was entering. One look at the happy father-to-be's face and Josh cursed him to the deepest pit of hell.

Jealousy was a bitch.

It was around 9:30 at night. Lucas wasn't alone and with him, were a group of friends, including Josh's own brother-in-law, Mark. Sergeant Max Underwood and Dr. Tim Brandon were present as well.

The last time Lucas and Josh were in the bar at the same time was years ago when Lucas was still on the other side. There had been a confrontation and it hadn't been pretty. Quite the opposite actually.

Josh decided to do something that moment. He planned to go over to Lucas's table and speak to the other man.

Sergeant Underwood talked about his five year old son Joshua and gave Lucas a few pointers on taking care of babies. Dr. Brandon laughed and said that he had no idea how to raise kids as he didn't have any siblings and he didn't have any plans to ever get settled down and start a family.

Lucas was about to add something when he was interrupted by Josh.

"Can I have a word with you?" asked Josh.

"About what?" said Lucas slightly surprised.

"Let's take this outside."

~X~

"Well Shannon, we're out now", said Lucas. "What do you have to say? This better be worth my time."

Josh faced him. "Look", he began. "We haven't ever been on good terms and I've always hated you. And I still do! But what I said to Skye in the market was completely stupid and I want to apologize to her. However… she isn't talking to me."

"What did you say to her?" asked Lucas sharply.

Shit. "She didn't tell you?" exclaimed Josh. "Er… I… Anyway, I've been a real jerk to you in while you haven't done anything to provoke me in the last few years and you've got every right to hate me and want to punch me. I mean, what kind of man would be okay with his wife's best friend being in love with said wife?"

Lucas's eyes narrowed. "I thought so! I always suspected you but I hoped I was wrong."

There was an awkward silence as they faced each other and Lucas glared at Josh and seemed as if he was about to hurt him.

Mark walked out and was relieved to see that both men were still standing and hadn't killed off the other. "Everything OK?" he asked in concern.

Josh nodded. "Yeah. We're just talking. You can go back in."

"You sure?" said Mark as he turned to look at Lucas. "I don't want to end up losing my job if the Commander and Sheriff's sons get into a fight outside the bar on a Friday night."

"We'll be fine", said Lucas.

Mark still didn't look convinced but he had no other choice but to move away. "I hope so", he muttered to himself.

"So does this clear things up?" asked Josh as soon as Mark was out of hearing distance.

Lucas snorted. "You apparently had a fall out with Skye. Then you confess that you love her. And you've also forgotten that she's married to me. And you expect me to be glad that you've brought this out into the open?"

Josh sighed and said," I didn't think I could ever fall for her a couple of years ago. I never planned it but it did happen. There's nothing I can do to change anything."

"Damn right", growled Lucas as he seethed with anger. "She's having my kid and she clearly loves me. You're right Shannon; there isn't anything you can do to win her over. It's too bloody late. She loves me!"

Josh looked away and focused on the star filled sky. "For what it's worth Taylor, she does love you. A lot. She's happy too and who am I to make any judgments as long as she wants this with you?"

~X~

The next morning Lucas paced the hall of his house as he thought over all that had gone down the night before. He hated the fact that Josh had certain feelings for Skye. Even though he knew that Skye didn't love Shannon in the same way he couldn't stop jealousy from rising in him.

All he wanted to do was wake Skye and demand to know what Josh had said to her in the market and why hadn't she told him. Secrets weren't a good thing, were they?

He wasn't going to disturb a pregnant woman's sleep because that wouldn't be a smart move for him. So he opted pacing.

After an hour of worrying and internal debate, Lucas decided not to ask Skye as he didn't want to get into an argument with her. He'd have to leave it for the time being and ask her later.

Skye stumbled out of the bedroom and went over to her husband. "What's wrong?" she said. "You look upset."

"I'm not", he said with a small smile. "Just couldn't sleep."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"When do you leave for work today?" she questioned.

"I've got a few minutes."

Her smile widened. "Great", she said with a twinkle in her eyes as she grabbed his hand and led him back to their room. "A few minutes is all we need."

~X~

Flashback:

"Do you need any help with the paperwork?" asked Lucas.

"No", answered the Commander. "I can handle it myself."

"Oh-kay", shrugged Lucas. "Then can I leave? I have a meeting with someone."

"That someone being Skye Tate?"

Uh-oh. Lucas hadn't told his father about his relationship with Skye and now that the old man was aware of what was going on, he wasn't going to be pleased about being kept in the dark.

"What are you doing with that girl?" Nathaniel went on, his voice increasing in volume. "Did you think I'd never find out that my son is fooling around with my practically adopted daughter? What the hell are you doing Lucas?"

"Dad…", said Lucas. "Let me explain."

"It's too late for explanations!" shouted his father. "It's simple enough. You're going to break her heart into pieces and then what'll happen? Let her be. Out of all the females in the colony, why would you choose the one you previously manipulated and tricked into doing your dirty work?"

"I'm crazy about her. I'm in love." That sounded simple enough too.

"You love her?" asked Nathaniel. "You really love her?"

"More than you can imagine", said Lucas. "She makes me happy and I don't deserve to have someone like her. She's amazing and I, I've been an arrogant and self centered idiot my whole life. She makes me want to be a better person and I feel worthless around her because she's incredibly selfless but I can't be separated from her either."

"You do love her", mused Nathaniel. "After all that happened, I never thought I'd see the day my boy would find love."

"But I did."

"You did", said Nathaniel with a smile.

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