Hi again. This one's a short chapter but hopefully you will like it. I thank everything who reviewed. Schools in India have started and I really find it hard to take out time so the chapters would probably get shorter but I still will finish the story (I don't give up). This one's divided into two parts. Also…never mind enough speaking. Onto the chapter—

It had been four days since Skye had seen Lucas, or thought had seen him. However, these four days were entirely given to Lucas. She was always thinking about him like she had done earlier. However, something had now changed. Just as she had thought a few days back, she was more assured of herself, more clear about what she wanted, about what mattered to her and what did not. Had it not been for Lucas, maybe she might have never come to know this. Maybe it was because of seeing him or feeling his presence, that she really felt clearer. Now that she thought about it, she realized that it was him who had always made her clearer. He made her more aware of everything, he made her feel more alive, more thoughtful,made her feel more real, more capable. He made her feel everything that she thought she couldn't.

Skye remembered their first meeting, in the Sixer camp; he had actually burnt her cheeks away. He had also burnt her head; he had first made her feel the anger she had never really realized she could have. She had talked to him cheekily, something she would have never dared to do had it not been for his oh-so-good softness voice or the I-could-drown-in-them, lovely eyes. Then the next time they met each other, she felt as though she could talk to him, even though he was a stranger, she could asked. Somehow, she thought, he wouldn't hurt her. Next time, he had been so close. She felt everything that she had never felt. She felt that he had burnt a whole through her temple when he had kissed her.

The next time that they had met was in terra nova. Then also she had been somewhat relieved to see him under all that pressure and the anger at him taking over terra nova. She was so full anger that she couldn't have felt anything, but she was somewhat thankful that she was glad that she had met him again. And how could she ever forget the meeting in the bar that night. The way his soft fingers were on her cheeks and his eyes breached into her heart. Then she had tried to persuade him and get him to listen to her which he had. When she convinced him that he had her alliances and drove with him and had got him into the ambush…how she had shot him…trying to calm not to lose herself at it. And then he took her with him. The loveliest memories were bound together on that trip. And they were brought back to terra nova and he left. Everything had left with him.

But now, again when she had seen him, or thought she had, it was all back with him, and she found herself dying for his touch and a look in his eyes. His thoughts were swarming her head and she could do nothing to stop it all. Everything came back to her with a new energy and force. Especially those jade green eyes, which had burnt themselves down to her core, seemed to be in her mind looking at her with signature smirk. It seemed like a stupid joke that a few weeks ago she was thinking of josh. That she had kissed him again was one of the most idiotic things she could have done. Moreover she felt exactly like she had anticipated, agonizingly guilty.

She thought about this as she sat in the kitchen eating a fruit, she had eaten with Lucas, for breakfast and wondering how she would proceed to doing what she really truly wanted, i.e. clear the things in her head with josh. The past 3-4 days had hard with josh. They had never alone to discuss things clearly. Skye had asked to talk to him alone quite sometimes only to be interrupted. She had decided to make it a point to talk to him about beings simply and only friends.

Although she was very determined about it, she had no idea how he would react. He would be upset, for sure, but what else would he be? Would he be very angry at her?...or snide? What if started to hate her? What if he never talked to him again? She'd be very sorry to lose such a good friend. Yet she had to make everything clear between them.

She got up and put the plate in wash. She was leaving when josh came behind her and tapped.

'Hi Skye.' He said grinning lopsidedly.

'Hi josh, I was coming to see you itself' she smiled.

'What is it Skye?' he said coming close to her.

What?

You seem so distant and indifferent to everything, like you were when you came back? Is there something wrong Skye? Why are you doing this? Did I do something wrong, Skye?' he said concernedly and put his arm around her waist.

'I just…you…can we talk?' she stammered, trying to get out a good introduction to what might be a very bad talk.

'Yeah sure, anything.'

'Well,' she said as they started walking. 'josh I don't know how to tell this to you; but I think that we…we should probably just friends right now.' She said slowly, hoping that he might understand why she saying this even though she knew he wouldn't. However, the expression on his face told her that clearly he did not understand. He simply stood there looking at her. After a few scary moments he spoke.

'Why are you doing this Skye? Do you…just why… Is something wrong?' he said sounding both angry and hurt.

'Josh…please…I can't do this…I really like you and you are one of my best friends…I…please understand' she said imploringly. Though his expression changed, it was rather steely and angrier.

'It's him isn't it? The jerk Lucas? You like him, don't you? You fell for him on that trip, didn't you?' he said unusually shrewd.

'No, no, no. what are you saying. There's nothing like that. I just need to sort stuff out and I m really tired of everything. Please josh, give some time.' She said pleading him. His face twitched a little but he still looked a little disconsolate. He huffed and said

'You know what, I don't have time for this now.' He turned and left. She stood there watching him leave her side. Queerly she thought how many more people whom she cared about would she lose before she could finally have her happy ending. Then she let out a little huff what was she thinking! It would all be fine. Though if josh did come to know that she had actually fallen for Lucas and that she had lied, their friendship might not be repairable.

She stood there for some time. Thinking slowly about what josh had said. It had really been a very close miss. She didn't even know how he had perceived this but for al she knew josh might have guessed. He knew her so well. But what would have happened if she hadn't lied. What if she had told him that she had fallen for Lucas? How would he have taken it? She started walking towards the medical centre. He obviously wouldn't take it that well. And what would everyone else say when the news spread? How would Taylor react to the news? What if they —

'Skye,' Dr. Shannon's hand was on her shoulder and she was shaking her. 'come back to earth, kid'

Skye was already at the medical centre and she obviously wasn't listening.

'Uh, sorry Dr. Shannon. Lost.' She said quickly looking around her and coming back to reality.

'Ok. So could you just help me with the medicines here?' she asked kindly.

'Sure.'

They started working and Skye was soon lost in her own thoughts again. Dr. Shannon noticed that and called her again soothingly.

'Skye…' hearing her voice Skye started.

'Uh, yeah, Dr. Shannon?'

'What is it dear? You seem so lost.' She said with a caring voice.

'Nothing, Dr. Shannon. It's just these stupid thoughts. Please don't worry. I'm fine' she said with as much sincerity as she could.

'if there's anything you want to share, please don't hesitate to talk.' She said.

Skye could help think of this as a good opportunity to talk about her situation. She would cover it all up. There would be no need to for any names. Taking a light breathe she said,

'Dr. Shannon?'

'Hmmm Skye?'

'I was thinking, what if someone fell in love with someone from outside terra nova? What if the other person is a traitor or an enemy of terra nova but this person knows that he/she has changed. What will happen then?' she asked rushing through the whole thing.

'Who are we talking about Skye?' she asked cleverly.

'No one!' She said quickly. 'It's…it's just a thought, question, hypothesis' she said trying to sound like it was only an innocent curiosity.

'well, then, I guess it would be some trouble for that person, but if the other person that you are speaking of has changed, really changed then I guess terra nova should accept it. Yes there might be some problems but I think it would be accepted.'

And Skye looked more cheerful the whole day. But she did not know that Elizabeth Shannon had figured most of it out.

xxxx

I know it took me a hell lot of time but yeah school's back and I am already under a heavy load of work. Still I'm very sorry to the readers of the story. My earnest apologies to you all. The next chapter would be up sooner. Please review they really encourage and remind me to write.

Love and apologies

mia