Chapter 10

"Hi, I'm Skye" A pretty girl with brunette hair in loose curls and the brightest of blue eyes said as she sat down in the chair bedside Amelia's bed. Alicia had gone home for the night as visiting hours were over. Amelia had been lying in bed trying to sleep but every time she closed her eyes she saw Hooper and him on top her. She felt his hands around her throat, she knew it wasn't real just memory but it felt real, real enough to disturb her sleep and occupy her thoughts. She took a slow and deep breath to calm the panic rising her.

"Amelia" Amelia said as she wondered why the girl was even sitting with her. She couldn't believe how in a few weeks of being in the other camp could make her paranoid about everyone around her and questioning herself as to what they wanted. Skye looked to be close to her age and possibly the same height though Amelia couldn't tell.

"I figured I'd come and introduce myself and offer some entertainment as you look wide awake and it gets kinda boring in here" Skye said as she pulled her white coat around her to get comfortable, Amelia figured she was one of the staff as it was the only reason she was here after visiting hours and felt it was ok to introduce herself.

"I heard that" Elisabeth said from her station a few feet away.

"As a patient it's kinda boring" Skye corrected as she gave an apologetic smile even though Elisabeth didn't look over their way.

"Thank you" Elisabeth said.

"Anyway I thought you could use some company" Skye said.

"I'm fine but thank you" Amelia said plainly, she'd rather be alone. Correction she'd rather Lucas, Carter or Alicia with her now as she knew them and how to converse with them. She also knew they had no alterative motives as they were up front and honest. Skye missed her subtle hint to go away.

"So" Skye drawled as she looked like she didn't know what to say. Amelia was no better but she figured she should make an effort.

"So everybody is talking about me?" Amelia asked.

"What? No...ok maybe a tiny bit. It's not everyday we get new people here" Skye said with a chuckle but Amelia knew she was lying as the girl's smile was a little to fake.

"Yeah I get that" Amelia said plastering on her own smile before she asked Skye about herself and the colony. Figuring she'd be safer engaging Skye in conversation that having them sit awkwardly. She found out Skye lived in a house with three other people her age, she worked full time and studied part time though she admitted her studies were seriously neglected but then she also felt she didn't need to learn anymore than she did.

Amelia tried to keep a friendly look on her face as she couldn't imagine not completing her studies. She didn't want to end up in a low wage position due to a lack of education if she could help it. Amelia's mother had explained that the economy made it impossible for anyone without a degree to pass the 40k salary bracket and with rising living expenses it was not much of a life as one would spend 80% of their life working just to make ends meet. Amelia wanted a comfortable life with balance for work and play considering her old life was 90% study and 10% life. If having a 'Life' constituted as watching a couple hours of TV then going to bed.

She felt like with the wealth of knowledge they had in the 22nd Century the people could be anything but apparently they never outgrew laziness. Luckily Amelia kept Skye talking with questions about life around the colony.

"So yeah everybody here they are super friendly and can't wait to meet you" Skye finished half an hour later.

"Because I'm a novelty" Amelia stated.

"No, because we've been separated from the future for months seeing you means there is hope that we aren't completely cut off from the future. When Taylor said we were all that was left to start humanity it was quite heavy and a lot people feel like this big weight of responsibility. So tell me about yourself and the future? How quickly did they rebuild Hope Plaza?" Skye asked in an excited tone.

"Hope Plaza?" Amelia asked as she had never heard of such a place.

"You know the big building in Chicago that you used to come through to here?" Skye asked in a patronising manner.

"I was in Australia" Amelia said not appreciating Skye's tone even if she was trying to be funny.

"Australia?" Skye asked confused. She lookedat Amelia like she had lost her marbles somewhere.

"Yeah, it's a southern continent" Amelia said patronising tone Skye had used with her a few moments ago.

"I know Australia but it has been a barren wasteland for over a century" Skye told her.

"What? It's not a barren wasteland" Amelia said shaking her head but Skye nodded.

"Yeah it is, China, Russia and US all bought up Australia in 2045 and divided the land then they stripped it of all its natural resources turning it into a heavily polluted and barren wasteland no one lives as its toxic. No human can survive there even with rebreathers, ask Boylan he always talking about how it used to be a beautiful place or so his Nan told him. He grew up in the States but man he sounds nothing like you and me" Skye said.

"What do you mean?" Amelia asked confused.

"He has the thickest Australian accent in town but he like the other Aussies spent most of their lives living in the small Australian communities that were relocated to the states when the air became too toxic. Though you don't sound very American yourself" Skye stated.

"I don't?" Amelia asked it wasn't like she hadn't heard the comment before but the way Skye said it annoyed Amelia as if being different was a bad thing.

"No, you sound… I don't know different like an amalgamation of many accents. It kind of has me guessing" Skye said with an amused smile. "Anyway if you didn't come through hope plaza how did you get here?" she asked.

"I don't know" Amelia said.

"You don't know" Skye asked sceptically.

"I remember waking up in the camp and being told I crashed my car and I was 85 million years in the past. I thought it was some kind of prank. Time Travel is still science fiction in 2012" Amelia said and it was true, Lucas had explained the science but she couldn't entirely wrap her head around it and at the time she was injured not a good combination for the memory.

"2012?" Skye asked as if she hadn't heard Amelia correctly.

"That's when I'm from" Amelia told her, Skye looked completely shocked by the knowledge.

"Wow" Skye said after a moment when the shock wore off.

"I thought you knew" Amelia said.

"No, no one knows" Skye said shaking her head.

"Oh" Amelia said as she wondered if she was actually allowed to tell anyone she was from 2012 as Skye's face fell slightly from the knowledge. "Look I was told it was a freak accident and it wouldn't happen again as the fracture collapsed but Lucas was working on reopening the portal to your time" She said,

"When is he not?" Skye scoffed in a dark manner.

"Did you know Lucas?" Amelia asked.

"Hard not to he's the son of Commander Taylor. He's completely psychotic" Skye said.

"No he's not" Amelia said sure Lucas was not exactly all there in the head but he was not psychotic. Hooper was psychotic.

"Yeah he is, look what he did to you" Skye said gesturing to Amelia and her injuries.

"He didn't do this to me. Is that what people think?" Amelia asked she didn't know why but it upset her greatly to have people think her injuries were from Lucas when they weren't. He was one of the reasons she had survived so long, he had protected her. He had comforted her.

"Yeah, we all know what he's like. You're safe here, you don't have to lie to cover for him. He can't hurt you" Skye said in a comforting manner but it was lost on Amelia who shook her head as her stomach rolled as the memories of Hooper flashed through her. She started breathing erratically as tears filled her eyes.

"I'm not lying, you're the one who's wrong. He didn't do this to me." Amelia said shaking her head adamantly. "He never would" Amelia said as she struggled to breathe but she could see Skye didn't believe her and Amelia didn't want to tell Skye anything as it would mean she would have to admit she had killed a man and then talk about Hooper when she didn't want to remember. She didn't want to remember the feral look as he choked her or the pain. She began to tremble badly as the tears fell down her face as she shook her head as she gulped for air.

"Dr Shannon!" Skye called out.

"What's happened?" Elisabeth asked Skye as she looked at Amelia and checked the Vitals monitor before focussing her complete attention on Amelia, who was having meltdown.

"We were talking and she started freaking out" Skye said as Amelia covered her face with her left hand and shook her head as she drew her knees up instinctually making herself smaller.

"Ok, thank you Skye. You should leave and close the curtain on your way" Elisabeth said gently to Skye, the girl did as she was told while Elisabeth sat on the bed "Amelia? Amelia?" Elisabeth said but Amelia shook her head as if it could shake the memories out of her head. She placed her hands on Amelia's shoulders as she spoke calmly. "It's ok, it's ok, just take slow and easy breaths"

"No it's not. Everybody keeps staring at me. I just want to be alone, can't I just go?" Amelia asked between slow measured breathes as she wiped the tears from her face.

"Amelia, you need medical supervision." Elisabeth said as she closed her eyes wishing she had told Skye not to talk about Lucas or Amelia's time with the Phoenix soldiers. She assumed Skye would keep the conversation superficial but as she opened her eyes and looked around. She noted the people looking at them through the curtain she realised Amelia needed privacy. They were like vultures for any piece of news and Amelia like was fresh carrion.

"Don't you all have work to do?" Elisabeth asked in a snide tone to the staff she could see looking at their direction. The curtains didn't give any real privacy it was just the illusion of it as you could see who was in the beds and hear any conversation. The staff busied themselves before she looked down at Amelia. The girl had calmed down and the tears slowed but she was still in clear distress and trembling frightfully. "I'm going to get you an extra blanket ok? I'll be right back" Elisabeth said Amelia numbly nodded.

"You should all be ashamed of your conduct. She is a patient like every other person on a biobed in this room. She deserves the respect and privacy the others are provided." Elisabeth said to her staff in a low voice as Alicia came into the Infirmary. She had spent the last 15 minutes dressing them down making sure they all knew and felt her disappointment.

"Dr Shannon?" Alicia asked. Elisabeth dismissed her staff and turned to Alicia.

"Wash, I'm glad you're here" She said.

"Is everything ok?" Alicia asked she had only left Amelia an hour ago.

"No, my staff are unable to maintain a certain level of decorum and Skye unintentionally upset Amelia." Elisabeth said in an exhausted tone, she was supposed to be having the day off since she had worked 14 days straight. She was exhausted to the point that even the smallest annoyances were getting to her.

"What did she say?" Alicia asked.

"They were talking and I think Skye mentioned Lucas it went downhill. I managed to calm her down but she's still not relaxed and is refusing medication. I was hoping your presence might help her" Elisabeth said. Alicia nodded and moved to the curtained off room.

"Amelia?" Alicia said as she slipped between the curtain opening and pulled the chair up to Amelia who was staring down at her right hand. Amelia looked up at her with bloodshot eyes, she was still crying as tears slid down her face but her overall demeanour was calm.

"Hey I'm sorry" Amelia said as she shakily brushed the tears away.

"What for?" Alicia said as she sat on the edge of the bed,

"Everything. I can't stop crying. I feel so stupid and juvenile" Amelia said.

"You had a rough time. Talking helps but only when you're ready to share if people push you it's not the same. So it's ok to cry and melt down as it helps you process and get it out of your system." Alicia told her.

"Is that what you do?" Amelia asked as she felt horrible not just physically but emotionally as well. It seemed she couldn't survive an hour without Alicia, she had become an anchor to Amelia as the Infirmary was a foriegn place.

"Sometimes, most of the time I pound the crap out of a punching bag or just go for a long run. I like feeling the freedom of running and knowing that whatever happened was just a moment and like all the moments they fade and are nothing more than a faint memory. I also tell myself that things may never be the same but they can get better. " Alicia told her as she rubbed Amelia's arm in comforting gesture.

"Will you stay?" Amelia asked as she didn't want to be left alone in the infirmary. Alicia pursed her lips for a moment in thought before looking straight at her.

"You know what? Why don't I see if we can get you an early release? Boylan has a stocked fridge and this huge plex screen to watch whatever you want" Alicia said with a smile.

"I'd like that" Amelia said as she really wanted a distraction from everything. Alicia nodded and left Amelia for a moment to talk with Elisabeth. Amelia watched the two and saw Elisabeth shake her head but then Alicia continued to talk with her sternly or so it appeared from Alicia's demeanour and the two talked until Elisabeth dropped her head and gave a nod.

"Can we walk?" Amelia asked when Alicia came back and stood at the end of her bed.

"You sure you're up to it?" Alicia asked, the house was a good 10 minute walk from the infirmary. It was nothing for an uninjured person but for someone in Amelia's condition it would feel like a 10km hike.

"I wanna go now" Amelia said pulling the blanket off her legs. Alicia chuckled at her enthusiam and moved to her side and pulled the blanket back over Amelia's legs.

"The house is only a short walk from here. So stay where you are and rest up a bit. I'll go grab you some clothes and shoes. Be right back got it?" Alicia told her.

"Ok" Amelia said lying back and relaxing as she would soon be hidden away from the colony and their questions.

Amelia grimaced 15 minutes later as Alicia tied the laces of Amelia's boots. She felt like a 3 year old being helped into her clothes and her shoes.

"What did you say to get me an early release?" Amelia asked as she pushed her second foot into a boot for Alicia.

"I reminded her that I hold a medical degree, a valid medical licence and have been practising for many years which means I'm more than capable of monitoring your recovery" Alicia said as she tied the laces on the boots. She made a mental note to ask Elisabeth if Amelia could borrow a pair of Maddy's slip on boots. Possibly get the two girls to meet as Alicia knew they were close in age and intellect. That and Maddy would be more sensitive to not bringing up the whole 'so you were a prisoner' conversation.

"I feel like a 3 year old having you dress me like this" Amelia grumbled.

"Would a bowl of sorbet when we get to Boylan's make you feel better?" Alicia teased in a motherly fashion. Amelia remembered Skye mentioning Boylan and wondered what the man was like in general. He was letting the stay at his place which told her he was generous.

"Maybe" Amelia responded as Alicia helped her slide off the bed. Amelia groaned as her body complained from the movement.

"You sure about this?" Alicia asked her as she held Amelia's right arm in hers. Their height difference between Alicia's 5ft 8 to Amelia's 5ft 3 made it slightly awkward but they managed. If Alicia had needed support walking it would have been easy for Amelia but the other way round not so much.

"Yeah, you said it was a short walk" Amelia said.

"It is and you can set the pace" Alicia told her as Amelia took the first few tentative steps slowly. Her legs felt like jelly from exhaustion already but she was determined to get to Boylan's house and away from the infirmary/

"Thank you" Amelia said.

"You don't have to thank me. It's what friends do for one another" Alicia told her as they slowly made their way out of the infirmary.

They made it outside and for the first time Amelia saw the colony. Alicia talked her through everything Amelia was taking in. Alicia pointed out the Command Centre, the main square and other main points of interest such as the market place and Boylan's Bar. It was early evening so people were still milling around the area but not as many as there had been when the markets were open and there were Soldiers on duty walking around in armour and holding weapons.

Most people looked their way but didn't approach except for one man. Amelia vaguely remembered him from the bungalow after she had been injured and Lucas held her. But now she was getting better look at him. She held onto Alicia's arm a little more tightly as he neared them with a friendly enough smile.

"Good Evening Ladies, this a planned escape or are you on the lam?" he asked, He was 6ft tall man in his early fifties with white hair and blue eyes.

"Just taking her for a short walk. Amelia, this is Commander Nathaniel Taylor. He is the leader of the colony and Lucas's father" Alicia said making the introductions. Amelia stopped for a second as her brain made the connections with what she had been told about Taylor and looking for the similarities between Lucas and his father.

"Pleasure to meet you and welcome to the colony Miss Jones" Taylor said to her as he sized her up. He noted her messy honey brown hair and bloodshot eyes, her frail 5ft 3 frame and thought how she could use a few sturdy meals and a hot shower but he could see what appealed to his son. She was beautiful for her age but completely unaware of it as she didn't have the same air of confidence like Skye. There was also an undefinable innocence of her even with the trauma she had endured, she looked at him openly. Her thoughts clearly written in her dark brown eyes as she had no guile.

"Thank you" Amelia said.

"I won't keep you two but I thought I should come over and say hello. I was also hoping I could talk with you tomorrow or the next day about your situation. While it is all fresh in your memory" Taylor said he saw how she visibly flinched at the word memory.

"Do I have to talk about it?" Amelia asked Alicia.

"Yes, it's standard procedure. All of personnel returning to the colony have to be debriefed. Don't worry I'll be there with you" Alicia told her. Amelia gave a nod visibly relieved at knowing she won't be left alone. Taylor wondered if the girl had imprinted on Alicia like a duckling as she was holding onto Alicia for dear life and deferring to her for advice.

"Just a few simple questions" Taylor assured Amelia while he darted looks at Alicia who stared at him with undisguised anger and disappointment. At least he knew where he stood with her.

"Ok" Amelia said, she was dying to ask him about Lucas but decided to wait until tomorrow as she was shaking from exhaustion and really needed to lie down.

"Good I'll drop by the infirmary after breakfast to talk with you" Taylor said, Amelia had opened her mouth to correct him and say they were at the infirmary but Alicia cut in first.

"Not a problem. If you'll excuse us I'm going to keep Amelia moving for her circulation" Alicia said with a tight closed lipped smile.

"Alright, until then. Have a good evening" Taylor said with a nod. He turned and walked away.

"I won't be in the infirmary tomorrow will I?" Amelia asked Alicia confused as to what was going on. Alicia slowly directed them away from the main square in the direction of the residential area.

"No, you will be at our place resting your pretty caboose on the lounge" Alicia said with a smile.

"Then why-"

"I don't know, I'm just angry at him and right now making him run in circles for half an hour tomorrow trying to find you. It's petty but at least he won't write me up on it." Alicia said with a sigh, she was sure she could beat the man to a pulp and he'd take it because he felt he deserved it. But she wouldn't as it wouldn't make her feel better or help either of them in the long run. It would seem they were at an impasse until they spoke in private and had it out.

"Were you and he?" Amelia asked eluding to whether the two had a intimate relationship but unsure of what etiquette and words were used in the 22nd century.

"No, he's my commanding officer it's a big no-no in the military" Alicia told her, she wouldn't deny that she didn't have feeling for her commander something akin to Love but then she wasn't going to dwell on something that was never going to happen. Unlike Carter who told her he loved her openly and loudly to anyone who would listen. While he could never play by the rules and forever getting in trouble he was always coming back to her and never giving up.

"I know but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen" Amelia said plainly. Alicia smiled at Amelia's prodding the girl was a military brat so of course she would know all about how the military worked and their dirty little secrets.

"It would never happen, I've served with him for over 18 years. Taylor is a stickler for the regs" Alicia assured her.

"But if-"

"I'm not playing the 'what ifs' with you Amelia" Alicia said with a laugh. They lapsed into companionable silence as they walked down the main gravel road. She had to agree with Alicia who once said living in the Colony was a lap of luxury in comparison to the tree bungalows.

The houses they passed weren't overly large but they were impressive from the exterior, they had decent amount of space between them unlike the McMansions of the 21st century where you lived in a two storey luxury home with the tiniest courtyard and your neighbour's house was so close to yours, you could hold a conversation from your kitchen window and pass them a cup of sugar without stretching your arm out of its socket.

There was only one main road that was gravel and it circled the colony. She couldn't get over the space and the greenery even in the dark. Alicia finally directed them to an Orange one storey house with a bright blue door.

"Here we are" Alicia said as they stepped up to the door. Alicia input a code onto a keypad and the lock disengaged on the door. Alicia pushed it open and gestured Amelia in. "Welcome to our temporary digs" she said.

Amelia walked slowly into the house taking in the open living plan of the house. The walls were all random colours signifying the changes in areas. The kitchen was yellow, the living and dining area a dark blue. She could see the doors open to two rooms where one was red and the other a dark aquamarine.

"Kitchen, dining and living room. The bedroom to the left with the red walls is Boylan's. To the left are our rooms, they are both dark aquamarine and the bathroom is down the hallway to the left. The green he painted it, is interesting" Alicia said as she took Amelia for a tour she even showed her the bathroom

"It's like someone skinned Kermit the frog and used him for wall paper" Amelia commented when she saw the garishly bright green walls of the bathroom. Alicia smirked even though she didn't know who Kermit was she figured Amelia wouldn't remain silent.

"Interesting, anyways a working bathroom and hot shower is nothing to sneeze at. We'll keep our opinions on the décor to a minimum as we don't want to offend our host" Alicia said.

"Ok, can we sit down now?" Amelia asked.

"Definitely" Alicia said as she helped Amelia back to the main living area. "Can I just say my place was not as plush as this but Boylan has a way of getting things he wanted through the portal" she said as she helped Amelia onto the plush lounge. Amelia sighed from the comfort as the lounge hugged her body. Alicia had had the stock standard furniture that came with the houses but the lounge they were sitting on was not standard. It was a four seater lounge with a proper back and arm rests and many cushions, it was also very comfortable.

"What do you want to watch?" Alicia asked Amelia as she picked up a small hand held plex and moved back to the lounge.

"Anything that isn't violent" Amelia said as Alicia lifted Amelia's legs and placed them over hers as she sat down.

"I think I handle that request" Alicia said as she turned on the large plex that was on the wall opposite them.

"Alicia?" Amelia asked as the screen lit up and Alicia scrolled through all the programs trying to decide what to watch.

"Yeah?"

"Have you seen Lucas and Carter?" Amelia asked.

"Yes, I saw Carter today. He sends his regards from the 'pokey'" Alicia said in a rich voice that made Amelia smile as she could just hear his voice in her head saying those words with a wink and smile. "and Lucas well I spoke with half an hour ago"

"Is he ok?" Amelia asked her concern for Lucas was written on her face.

"Yes, he's in the brig. He was more concerned about you and asked after you a lot" Alicia said testing the waters. She knew Amelia had feelings for Lucas it was hard not to as far as Alicia was concerned. Lucas had taken care of Amelia, he never raised his hand or voice in anger at her once. Of course Amelia would fall for him, he was her knight in shining armour. A syndrome she had fallen into with Carter when he took care of her during her long months in the Sixer/Phoenix camp but Alicia had fallen easy as Carter and her had a long history of being off and on more off due to his propensity for being a jerk. But she never stopped loving him.

"You sound like you approve" Amelia said carefully.

"No, I don't approve of him" Alicia told her she watched Amelia's face drop a little at the news.

"Why?" She asked.

"Because he shot me and never apologised. It was very rude" Alicia remarked.

"Seriously?" Amelia asked incredulously.

"No, but I have my reasons and anyway he's going to be in the brig indefinitely for his crimes. So he'll never really have a chance to redeem himself" Alicia said matter of factorily.

"What if he could?" Amelia asked.

"I don't do 'what ifs' and you shouldn't either" Alicia advised Amelia who nodded heeding Alicia's words as she had yet to steer her wrong.

TBC~ Cya all next week!