Story: No Greater Love
Author: Amy Lock
Disclaimer: Not mine, see previous chapters.
Author's Notes: Alright, well after I wrote the original version of this, I realized that it wasn't exactly how I wanted it to be. There was something missing. After talking to my internet buddy Kat, and my friend Naomi, I decided to rewrite it a little and make it a tad more clear. Here's a hint: the scene with Nick and Mandy is not a flashback. I'm sorry to anybody who wanted Eve to make it out with Max. Unfortunately she didn't in the show, and this isn't an AU fic. As much as I wish this could turn out happy, I want to stick with what we know. And the number one thing we know is that Max spent her childhood in Manticore.
Please ask any questions in the review, and I will try to answer them in the next chapter for you.
I tried to write this in a broken pattern, which is why there are so many stops and starts. I kinda wanted it to reflect how Eve would feel at the time, like everything was a little jerky. So if it's not as smooth as the other chapters, that's the reason.
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"They're transgenic."
Eve felt her insides recoil at his statement, her greatest fears now acknowledged. Still, she refused to give up. "What does that mean?"
Nash let out a frustrated growl, but his voice remained hushed and sympathetic, "You know what it means, Eve. You're the one who aced genetics in both high school and university."
Eve began to pace, her steps quick, her breathing uneven. "Well of course. I mean I knew that there would have to be some genetic alterations. I assumed that much. For children to be born with immunity against diseases, they would have to splice DNA..."
"No."
The simple word coming from Nash's mouth froze Eve momentarily in her tracks.
"What do you mean, 'no'?"
"I mean," he began, walking towards her, a look of concern clearly etched on his handsome features, "that they're transgenic. Not *just* DNA splicing, Eve. You know that. Would DNA splicing with immune cells and atigons allow children to jump twenty feet in the air? Would altering a *few* strands of these children's' genes honestly enable them to take out thirty armed guards?" Nash stood in front of Eve, his eyes showing concern at her shaking form. "They're soldiers, Eve. That's what I never told you. That's what I didn't want you to find out. You know the ethical debates that have been going on lately. I know you do because you always stopped our conversations to listen to them. You know more about genetics then these children do about themselves. You know that what Manticore is involved with is far more than curing diseases, even far more than just adding various human DNA to a petri dish and creating a soldier. But I don't need to tell you that, do I? You knew the moment that you laid eyes on those X3's."
His statement was anything but accusing. Instead it was gentle and worried. Nonetheless, it caused Eve to tremble so hard that Nash was concerned for her safety. No tears were in her eyes, and the malice was gone from her voice. Instead a glassy finish had covered her chocolate depths, and he knew that she was in shock. He steered her to the couch and when they were seated, he brought her face upwards so he could look in her eyes. What he saw there scared the hell out of him.
"She...she's not my child?" The pained wonderment in Eve's voice made Nash's heart break.
"No. She is Eve." Nash's eyes burned suddenly with pent-up fury, "Screw them. All of them. They think that these children belong to them, that they're worth nothing more than slaves for the military. But, Eve, these children have souls. They're amazing. You just have to meet them once to realize it. That's all it takes." He stared at her imploringly, begging her to understand, "Look, I know that this is an awful thing to have to deal with. But I can guarantee you that Eden is as much yours as any child you could have had outside these walls. The only difference is that she's better. She's more evolved, that's all, she..."
"Doesn't even have my DNA." Eve looked up at Nash, the tears beginning to form as the truth swam in her mind. She knew what Nash had meant. One of her favorite subjects in school was genetics, and they had had these debates before. She knew it was entirely possible, to take pieces of other creature's DNA and mix them with a humans. To make a person that surpassed anything evolution would offer over the next dozen centuries. As it stood right then, debates were flying about whether or not to use the technology they had accumulated on genetic engineering. Already parents were wanting to be able to "program" their children. Eve just never guessed that she would be so securely in the middle of the controversy. Looking up at Nash she hoped to gain strength from his love but she noticed something that made her blink in utter confusion. He was smiling softly, gentle pride playing with the corners of his mouth.
"What are you smiling at?" she managed to gasp out.
"Eve," he whispered tenderly, brushing a tear from her cheek, "Have you taken a look around you lately? Haven't you noticed anything peculiar about these women?" At Eve's blank stare Nash sighed softly, "When was the last time that you were able to sit down and argue the debt of the third world country or the benefits of globalization so deeply with a group of young teenage girls? When were you ever able to sit with your friends and listen to them plunk out a fifty minute piece of music by hearing it once? When did the fact that half of these girls can multiply like the world's best mathematicians become so mundane? And when," he continued looking at her with glowing eyes, "was the last time you saw a roomful of pregnant women when every single one of them looked more beautiful than the highest paid super models?"
"Eve, did you think you got accepted into this place out of luck? Do you honestly believe that the talents you girls possess is just a coincidence? They tested you, Eve. Blood samples, IQ tests, doctor's visits...they had access to all of that. They chose you. They chose all of you. And there is a little piece of you in each one of your children."
Eve stared at him in disbelief, fresh tears streaming down her face. But this time, the tears were ones of happiness. So Eden was hers, nobody could deny that. Amongst the animal DNA and the best genes possible, her daughter had a little bit of her. The best of her. The part worth giving. She had never, no matter how fleeting, questioned her love for Eden. She had, however, questioned her right to her. But now new resolve coursed through her veins. This was her daughter, and if it took fighting till the very end, then she would save her.
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Days passed slowly, but like it has done for years, February turned into March, March into April and the long awaited seventh month arrived. Mandy was due on the 14th of May, and so the plan was to leave exactly a month prior. But as the time went by, the two women became increasingly frightened. Mandy had a false alarm on the second of April, and when she came back her face was so pale Eve was worried for her health. The one good thing about waiting so long was that with every surrogate who delivered and left Manticore, the guards became more lax. By the time the number was down to three, leaving only Alecia, Mandy and Eve, the guards considered their job a piece of cake. They were constantly leaving the women on their own, their minds already beyond Eden's birth to a time when they would be able to get a "better" job than sitting around and watching three pregnant women pace nervously. As the fourteenth day of April neared, Eve and Mandy's stress level escalated. The doctor's noticed and tried everything possible to lower it, from medication to prescribed bed rest. Beyond those attempts, however, the doctors seemed concerned with very little. The babies were extremely healthy and in good condition, and they assumed that the two women's case of nerves were due to the upcoming labor. The only person at Manticore who seemed the slightest bit suspicious was Hannah. As the numbers on the calendar grew larger, so did the amount of vitamin supplements the dietrician handed out, and the nonchalant tidbits about goings on outside of Manticore. Although Eve was fully aware of Hannah's comprehension of the situation, she was not in the least bit worried about her. She knew that if Hannah's loyalties were to ever be tested, they would lie strictly with the surrogates. She seemed to hate her job almost as much as Nash.
On the night of the thirteenth, Eve sat on the couch, waiting. Fear flew in her stomach like birds of prey, devouring any feelings of light and happiness. Visions of small children lined in rows and grid formations fogged her mind. Pictures of the same children crying in pain and fear cut off her oxygen supply and she found it increasingly difficult to breathe. She watched as the clock ticked noisily. Nash wouldn't arrive for another hour, and the day guard had been gone for two. Staying in her room seemed like some sort of cruel torture, and so she had taken up her vigil in the living room, counting the seconds much like some people count sheep. As another minute ticked by she felt another familiar flood of anxiety, and closing her eyes, she willed herself to conjure a pleasant thought. But none came. Instead as she felt herself being tugged into sleep, she saw before her nothing less than a nightmare. Cots lined the walls, tiny sleeping figures dressed in stark, uncomfortable hospital gowns slept fitfully. From far away she could hear screaming. Terrible, childish yells for help, and she turned towards the voice. As she did so, she found herself staring into the eyes of a small girl, no older than three years with big brown eyes. The girl was whimpering in fear and as she saw Eve, she held out her arms to her, looking for comfort. Eve tried to move towards her, she tried with all her might, but an invisible force seemed to be holding her back. The girl's cries were getting louder and great tears were cascading down her chubby cheeks, but try as she might, Eve could not get near the bed. Just as the screams were reaching a deafening roar Eve heard her name being called and she felt the warmth of an embrace upon her.
"Eve. Eve, wake up, you're dreaming. Eve?"
Eve's eyes fluttered open to reveal Nash staring at her, a look of concern in his deep green eyes.
"Are you okay?" He asked urgently.
Eve didn't trust her trembling lips to form a coherent sentence, so she opted for nodding.
"Bad dream?" He whispered, pulling her closer into his arms.
Again Eve nodded, still making no attempt to move from Nash's embrace.
Nash ran a finger down her cheek, calmly coaxing her back to sleep. Running his fingers through her silky hair he whispered to her. "It's okay. Get some rest. You're gonna need it for tomorrow."
Eve mumbled something sleepily, shifting in his arms. Her eyes closed once again, and Nash wondered if she had ever fully woken up. Just as he was sure she had drifted off, she began to speak again.
"Watch out for her Nash. Please. Watch out for Eden."
Nash started at her words, but continued to stroke her hair softly.
"Shhhh. It's okay. Everything's gonna be all right. You'll get her out tomorrow. And then you can watch out for her yourself, okay? She won't have to stay here. She won't need me to look out for her. Everything's gonna be all right."
But, as always, Eve was intent on having the last say. Turning over again, she whispered once more before sleep claimed her. When she woke up the next morning, she had no memory of her brief premonition.
"She's scared, Nash. Look after her. I don't want her to be scared."
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Eve didn't know how she got into her bed, all she knew was that she had. For it was there that she woke up at four in the morning to the sounds of aggrieved crys outside her door. Stumbling blindly to her feet, she didn't even bother putting on her slippers. Instead she raced to the living room to find a scene of mass chaos. Alecia sat on the couch, Nash at her side barking impatient orders into his radio. Kelly was already at the scene, her mouth set in a grim line, and Mandy was emerging from her bedroom.
As Eve moved further into the living room the door to their quarters swung open violently and Chris came in accompanied by a doctor and another soldier. Eve stared in fearful confusion as she watched Alecia continue to sob in pain, and Nash turn to Chris to explain the situation. Chris nodded and turned to the doctor who shook his head in determination. The two whispered quickly beneath their breaths, shooting anxious glances at Alecia. As they did so Nash motioned for Kelly to take his place at the young girls side and made his way to where Eve and Mandy were standing.
"What's the matter?" Eve asked the moment Nash was by her side.
"She's in labor, but the baby's early. Too early, even for an X5. The doctor's aren't sure what that'll mean for the boy, but there's not much for them to do now except take her to delivery."
Mandy frowned in concern for her friend, "Is she gonna be all right?" Another cry from Alecia punctuated Mandy's question, and Nash stared at the girls in dismay.
"She should be fine. But like I said, we don't know about the baby. Either way, you have to leave. Now."
Eve's eyes widened at the sudden turn in conversation and she shook her head in shock.
"Eve, you promised to listen to me. And I need for you to stick to that. This has never happened before. If any of the X5's were early it was always because they were ready. This little guy's not, and I can tell you right now that mass confusion is circling in the ranks. It wasn't how we planned it, but there's never gonna be a better time than now to do it."
Eve stared at Nash, half-expecting him to proclaim this all some weird joke. But from the look on his face she could tell that he was anything but joking.
"Nash, if we leave now it's on you. You're the guard on duty. You're the one who's supposed to be watching us. They've gotta already figure something's going on with me and you, it's too obvious. If we leave now...they'll figure it out Nash. And something tells me that Manticore doesn't take too kindly to traitors."
Nash's eyes flashed with dispair, "Just do it. Don't worry about me, Eve. Just look after yourself."
"I am." She whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. "And I always have. You are a part of me now, Nash." Placing a trembling hand over her heart she willed him to understand, "You're in here. That's something you've never gotten. Every time you do this hero business you risk me too. Every time you get hurt, you hurt me too. You can't escape from that, Nash. I know, I tried."
"Eve," he began, but she cut him off before he could protest.
"I love you."
Nash stared at Eve's pale, trembling frame, and for the first time since the night in that garden, he allowed himself to belief her. Reaching over, he brushed a tear away with the pad of his thumb.
"I know. I know you do, Eve. Now let me prove the same thing. Please, just go. Give Eden a life outside of this place, because I guarantee that she won't have one in here." Nash wanted nothing more than to kiss her, to say goodbye in a way no words could describe, but he knew that time was running short so he whispered one more thing before he turned back to Alecia.
"Please Eve. Please go."
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"Come on, Mandy. Hurry up."
Eve's whisper was hoarse and worried as she darted behind a wall, narrowly escaping a group of guards. As Mandy appeared beside her, she couldn't help but notice that her friend's breathing had gotten a lot more sporadic in the past half hour that they had spent working their way quietly throughout the corridors.
"Are you okay?" Eve shot Mandy a look of complete concern as her friend swayed slightly.
"Yeah," Mandy breathed, touching a hand to the wall in an attempt to steady herself, "Just a little dizzy."
Glancing around, Eve shot an anxious look at the backs of the disappearing guards. "We can stop for a couple minutes if you'd like. We don't have much time, but I don't want you passing out..."
"No," Mandy responded with as much intensity as she could muster, "No, we've gotta keep going. Can't stop now."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
With one last glance at Mandy, Eve nodded in consent. "Okay. But we're gonna take it slower. We can't let you get played out. Let's go this way."
Eve pointed down a dimly lit hall and began to walk down it, casting furtive glances in both directions. Upon seeing that it was all clear, she motioned for Mandy to join her, and the two women were off.
Eve was slightly worried. Quite a bit of time had passed since they had slipped, unnoticed out of their quarters. Too much time. She had been hoping to have been out in the yard by then. But Nash had been right. Alecia's premature labor had set Manticore in a fury and guards were running every which way, guided on by superiors shouting orders. The two girls were only able to walk short distances before having to stop and hide, and Eve's heart was beating so rapidly she was worried about going into labor herself.
'Just what we'd need." She thought sadistically as they rounded another corner. The sight that met her made her thoughts leap for joy. In front of her lay the door which led outside to the surrogate grounds. Stopping momentarily to check on Mandy, Eve silently opened the door and felt a twinge of hope permeate throughout her being.
The sun glared down, giving Eve a renewed strength, and she took off at a jog towards the forest. Her mind was reeling with anticipation of what was to come. The day when she could hold Eden in her arms and see with her own eyes that she was all right. The time when Nash would be able to free himself of his Manticore constraints and join them in a life outside of this terror. Eve even allowed herself to dream of things further down the road. As she passed the trickling river she imagined Eden's first swimming lessons, her first day of school, her birthday parties. She imagined the chance of a normal life with Nash by her side, a wedding where Eden could be the flowergirl.
As they ran further Eve recognized instantly that they were entering the graveyard. As much as she dreaded to pass through it again, she knew that it was the only way to get to the least-guarded exit. Pushing the thoughts of the tombstones to the back of her mind she swore that Eden would have a wonderful life. Sure, bad things might happen, but she would always be there to comfort her. To chase away the demons after a nightmare, to pick her up and dust her off after falling off a two-wheeler, to help when times seemed too much to handle, to simply just be there when Eden needed a mother. Those were the things she was looking forward to the most. Those were the things that...
"Eve!"
Eve spun around instantly, her blood growing cold from the panic in Mandy's voice even before she caught a glimpse of her friend. Mandy's face had gone incredibly white and she was doubled over, her breathing coming in short, ragged gasps. Eve watched in horror as the pain in Mandy's stomach grew, her face twisting at its torment. And then she was expressionless. Running towards her friend she made it in time to catch Mandy before her head hit the ground.
"Mandy?" She whispered urgently, "Mandy, please, get up. We have to go. They'll catch us if we don't. Please Mandy."
But Eve knew that her pleadings were to no avail. Something was wrong. Mandy had always been a perfect specimen of health and happiness. She had never fainted before in her life. At least, not until now.
"Please Mandy. I...I can't leave you here. Wake up. Think of Nick, think of how happy he's gonna be to see you. Think how happy you're gonna be to see him again. Mandy?"
And that was when she saw it. A puddle of blood on the ground beneath her friend. Eve let out a strangled gasp and closed her eyes, trying to will the sight away. But when she opened them the same scene greeted her. Mandy was still in her arms, appearing lifeless, but breathing. Whimpering quietly Eve assessed her situation. If Mandy were able to talk, Eve was very aware of what she would say. She would beg her to leave, to spare herself and Eden what she wasn't capable of giving her own little girl. But Eve knew that she had become too close to Mandy over the past eight months to be able to leave her like this. Images flashed through her mind, causing her eyes to tear up.
She recalled the first day that she had met her, the pride shining in her eyes as she declared her pregnancy to this complete stranger. She remembered the laughter that had made her shine whenever a joke or story was told. The night when Mandy had seen right through her, proclaiming the love Eve was so reluctant to share. The talks about Nick, and the afternoons spent together, discussing life, love and their children. But most of all, Eve remembered the hope and love that Mandy had shown to her, the life that she had given back, the trust that had been restored.
That was why, her mind was made up so easy. And that was why she kissed Mandy softly on the cheek before whispering in a voice that even a transgenic would have to strain to hear, "I'm so sorry, Eden."
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Mandy awoke to feel Nick's arms wrapped protectively around her. Smiling contentedly she opened her eyes and peeked through the thick lashes to the room around her. The walls sparkled like radiant crystals, and the bed that she lay in was off the softest white fabric she'd ever seen. It was unlike any room she had ever set foot in, and she had no idea where she was. Still, the fact didn't frighten her. Instead she snuggled deeper into her loves touch and sighed softly.
"Hey baby," she heard him whisper softly into her ear "You okay?" His voice rang in her ear like the sweet melody of harps and she turned to place a feather light kiss onto his lips.
"Yup. Better than ever, actually." She smiled up at him and he returned it.
"You know that I love you, right?" He asked quietly, entangling his hand with her own, and pressing a kiss to her shoulder. The sparkling of the room around her made Nick appear as if he had some sort of glow to him.
"Of course I do." She responded, her brow furrowing slightly at his sorrowful expression, "Baby, what's the matter? Why do you look so sad?"
Nick met her eyes, his own filling with iridescent tears. From somewhere in the back of her mind she heard the faint, snapping voice of someone saying 'Forget the girl, she's not important. Just make sure the baby lives'. Shaking it off, she looked back up into the eyes of her fiance, imploring him to confide in her. She had never seen such an look on his face, and it broke her heart to see the simple pain. Reaching up she tried to offer him comfort in the feel of her touch, the love in her voice. Nick seemed barely able to hear it, though. Instead he gazed at her imploringly.
"I have to go away for a little while, Mandy. I don't...I don't want to, but I have to." His voice was barely above a whisper as he brushed a strand of red hair from her face. A face which he loved above all else. "I just wanted to make sure that you knew how much I love you, that I'll come back to you."
Strangely enough, Mandy felt oddly at peace with his proclamation and she nodded. "Okay. I trust you." Tilting her face upwards she brushed a kiss past his lips one last time. "I'll be waiting."
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Far away, broken sobs wrecked the silence of the otherwise still and locked room as Eve lay in a corner, her crys echoing the pain of yet another loss, her mind repeating what they had told her. "She didn't make it."
Author: Amy Lock
Disclaimer: Not mine, see previous chapters.
Author's Notes: Alright, well after I wrote the original version of this, I realized that it wasn't exactly how I wanted it to be. There was something missing. After talking to my internet buddy Kat, and my friend Naomi, I decided to rewrite it a little and make it a tad more clear. Here's a hint: the scene with Nick and Mandy is not a flashback. I'm sorry to anybody who wanted Eve to make it out with Max. Unfortunately she didn't in the show, and this isn't an AU fic. As much as I wish this could turn out happy, I want to stick with what we know. And the number one thing we know is that Max spent her childhood in Manticore.
Please ask any questions in the review, and I will try to answer them in the next chapter for you.
I tried to write this in a broken pattern, which is why there are so many stops and starts. I kinda wanted it to reflect how Eve would feel at the time, like everything was a little jerky. So if it's not as smooth as the other chapters, that's the reason.
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"They're transgenic."
Eve felt her insides recoil at his statement, her greatest fears now acknowledged. Still, she refused to give up. "What does that mean?"
Nash let out a frustrated growl, but his voice remained hushed and sympathetic, "You know what it means, Eve. You're the one who aced genetics in both high school and university."
Eve began to pace, her steps quick, her breathing uneven. "Well of course. I mean I knew that there would have to be some genetic alterations. I assumed that much. For children to be born with immunity against diseases, they would have to splice DNA..."
"No."
The simple word coming from Nash's mouth froze Eve momentarily in her tracks.
"What do you mean, 'no'?"
"I mean," he began, walking towards her, a look of concern clearly etched on his handsome features, "that they're transgenic. Not *just* DNA splicing, Eve. You know that. Would DNA splicing with immune cells and atigons allow children to jump twenty feet in the air? Would altering a *few* strands of these children's' genes honestly enable them to take out thirty armed guards?" Nash stood in front of Eve, his eyes showing concern at her shaking form. "They're soldiers, Eve. That's what I never told you. That's what I didn't want you to find out. You know the ethical debates that have been going on lately. I know you do because you always stopped our conversations to listen to them. You know more about genetics then these children do about themselves. You know that what Manticore is involved with is far more than curing diseases, even far more than just adding various human DNA to a petri dish and creating a soldier. But I don't need to tell you that, do I? You knew the moment that you laid eyes on those X3's."
His statement was anything but accusing. Instead it was gentle and worried. Nonetheless, it caused Eve to tremble so hard that Nash was concerned for her safety. No tears were in her eyes, and the malice was gone from her voice. Instead a glassy finish had covered her chocolate depths, and he knew that she was in shock. He steered her to the couch and when they were seated, he brought her face upwards so he could look in her eyes. What he saw there scared the hell out of him.
"She...she's not my child?" The pained wonderment in Eve's voice made Nash's heart break.
"No. She is Eve." Nash's eyes burned suddenly with pent-up fury, "Screw them. All of them. They think that these children belong to them, that they're worth nothing more than slaves for the military. But, Eve, these children have souls. They're amazing. You just have to meet them once to realize it. That's all it takes." He stared at her imploringly, begging her to understand, "Look, I know that this is an awful thing to have to deal with. But I can guarantee you that Eden is as much yours as any child you could have had outside these walls. The only difference is that she's better. She's more evolved, that's all, she..."
"Doesn't even have my DNA." Eve looked up at Nash, the tears beginning to form as the truth swam in her mind. She knew what Nash had meant. One of her favorite subjects in school was genetics, and they had had these debates before. She knew it was entirely possible, to take pieces of other creature's DNA and mix them with a humans. To make a person that surpassed anything evolution would offer over the next dozen centuries. As it stood right then, debates were flying about whether or not to use the technology they had accumulated on genetic engineering. Already parents were wanting to be able to "program" their children. Eve just never guessed that she would be so securely in the middle of the controversy. Looking up at Nash she hoped to gain strength from his love but she noticed something that made her blink in utter confusion. He was smiling softly, gentle pride playing with the corners of his mouth.
"What are you smiling at?" she managed to gasp out.
"Eve," he whispered tenderly, brushing a tear from her cheek, "Have you taken a look around you lately? Haven't you noticed anything peculiar about these women?" At Eve's blank stare Nash sighed softly, "When was the last time that you were able to sit down and argue the debt of the third world country or the benefits of globalization so deeply with a group of young teenage girls? When were you ever able to sit with your friends and listen to them plunk out a fifty minute piece of music by hearing it once? When did the fact that half of these girls can multiply like the world's best mathematicians become so mundane? And when," he continued looking at her with glowing eyes, "was the last time you saw a roomful of pregnant women when every single one of them looked more beautiful than the highest paid super models?"
"Eve, did you think you got accepted into this place out of luck? Do you honestly believe that the talents you girls possess is just a coincidence? They tested you, Eve. Blood samples, IQ tests, doctor's visits...they had access to all of that. They chose you. They chose all of you. And there is a little piece of you in each one of your children."
Eve stared at him in disbelief, fresh tears streaming down her face. But this time, the tears were ones of happiness. So Eden was hers, nobody could deny that. Amongst the animal DNA and the best genes possible, her daughter had a little bit of her. The best of her. The part worth giving. She had never, no matter how fleeting, questioned her love for Eden. She had, however, questioned her right to her. But now new resolve coursed through her veins. This was her daughter, and if it took fighting till the very end, then she would save her.
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Days passed slowly, but like it has done for years, February turned into March, March into April and the long awaited seventh month arrived. Mandy was due on the 14th of May, and so the plan was to leave exactly a month prior. But as the time went by, the two women became increasingly frightened. Mandy had a false alarm on the second of April, and when she came back her face was so pale Eve was worried for her health. The one good thing about waiting so long was that with every surrogate who delivered and left Manticore, the guards became more lax. By the time the number was down to three, leaving only Alecia, Mandy and Eve, the guards considered their job a piece of cake. They were constantly leaving the women on their own, their minds already beyond Eden's birth to a time when they would be able to get a "better" job than sitting around and watching three pregnant women pace nervously. As the fourteenth day of April neared, Eve and Mandy's stress level escalated. The doctor's noticed and tried everything possible to lower it, from medication to prescribed bed rest. Beyond those attempts, however, the doctors seemed concerned with very little. The babies were extremely healthy and in good condition, and they assumed that the two women's case of nerves were due to the upcoming labor. The only person at Manticore who seemed the slightest bit suspicious was Hannah. As the numbers on the calendar grew larger, so did the amount of vitamin supplements the dietrician handed out, and the nonchalant tidbits about goings on outside of Manticore. Although Eve was fully aware of Hannah's comprehension of the situation, she was not in the least bit worried about her. She knew that if Hannah's loyalties were to ever be tested, they would lie strictly with the surrogates. She seemed to hate her job almost as much as Nash.
On the night of the thirteenth, Eve sat on the couch, waiting. Fear flew in her stomach like birds of prey, devouring any feelings of light and happiness. Visions of small children lined in rows and grid formations fogged her mind. Pictures of the same children crying in pain and fear cut off her oxygen supply and she found it increasingly difficult to breathe. She watched as the clock ticked noisily. Nash wouldn't arrive for another hour, and the day guard had been gone for two. Staying in her room seemed like some sort of cruel torture, and so she had taken up her vigil in the living room, counting the seconds much like some people count sheep. As another minute ticked by she felt another familiar flood of anxiety, and closing her eyes, she willed herself to conjure a pleasant thought. But none came. Instead as she felt herself being tugged into sleep, she saw before her nothing less than a nightmare. Cots lined the walls, tiny sleeping figures dressed in stark, uncomfortable hospital gowns slept fitfully. From far away she could hear screaming. Terrible, childish yells for help, and she turned towards the voice. As she did so, she found herself staring into the eyes of a small girl, no older than three years with big brown eyes. The girl was whimpering in fear and as she saw Eve, she held out her arms to her, looking for comfort. Eve tried to move towards her, she tried with all her might, but an invisible force seemed to be holding her back. The girl's cries were getting louder and great tears were cascading down her chubby cheeks, but try as she might, Eve could not get near the bed. Just as the screams were reaching a deafening roar Eve heard her name being called and she felt the warmth of an embrace upon her.
"Eve. Eve, wake up, you're dreaming. Eve?"
Eve's eyes fluttered open to reveal Nash staring at her, a look of concern in his deep green eyes.
"Are you okay?" He asked urgently.
Eve didn't trust her trembling lips to form a coherent sentence, so she opted for nodding.
"Bad dream?" He whispered, pulling her closer into his arms.
Again Eve nodded, still making no attempt to move from Nash's embrace.
Nash ran a finger down her cheek, calmly coaxing her back to sleep. Running his fingers through her silky hair he whispered to her. "It's okay. Get some rest. You're gonna need it for tomorrow."
Eve mumbled something sleepily, shifting in his arms. Her eyes closed once again, and Nash wondered if she had ever fully woken up. Just as he was sure she had drifted off, she began to speak again.
"Watch out for her Nash. Please. Watch out for Eden."
Nash started at her words, but continued to stroke her hair softly.
"Shhhh. It's okay. Everything's gonna be all right. You'll get her out tomorrow. And then you can watch out for her yourself, okay? She won't have to stay here. She won't need me to look out for her. Everything's gonna be all right."
But, as always, Eve was intent on having the last say. Turning over again, she whispered once more before sleep claimed her. When she woke up the next morning, she had no memory of her brief premonition.
"She's scared, Nash. Look after her. I don't want her to be scared."
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Eve didn't know how she got into her bed, all she knew was that she had. For it was there that she woke up at four in the morning to the sounds of aggrieved crys outside her door. Stumbling blindly to her feet, she didn't even bother putting on her slippers. Instead she raced to the living room to find a scene of mass chaos. Alecia sat on the couch, Nash at her side barking impatient orders into his radio. Kelly was already at the scene, her mouth set in a grim line, and Mandy was emerging from her bedroom.
As Eve moved further into the living room the door to their quarters swung open violently and Chris came in accompanied by a doctor and another soldier. Eve stared in fearful confusion as she watched Alecia continue to sob in pain, and Nash turn to Chris to explain the situation. Chris nodded and turned to the doctor who shook his head in determination. The two whispered quickly beneath their breaths, shooting anxious glances at Alecia. As they did so Nash motioned for Kelly to take his place at the young girls side and made his way to where Eve and Mandy were standing.
"What's the matter?" Eve asked the moment Nash was by her side.
"She's in labor, but the baby's early. Too early, even for an X5. The doctor's aren't sure what that'll mean for the boy, but there's not much for them to do now except take her to delivery."
Mandy frowned in concern for her friend, "Is she gonna be all right?" Another cry from Alecia punctuated Mandy's question, and Nash stared at the girls in dismay.
"She should be fine. But like I said, we don't know about the baby. Either way, you have to leave. Now."
Eve's eyes widened at the sudden turn in conversation and she shook her head in shock.
"Eve, you promised to listen to me. And I need for you to stick to that. This has never happened before. If any of the X5's were early it was always because they were ready. This little guy's not, and I can tell you right now that mass confusion is circling in the ranks. It wasn't how we planned it, but there's never gonna be a better time than now to do it."
Eve stared at Nash, half-expecting him to proclaim this all some weird joke. But from the look on his face she could tell that he was anything but joking.
"Nash, if we leave now it's on you. You're the guard on duty. You're the one who's supposed to be watching us. They've gotta already figure something's going on with me and you, it's too obvious. If we leave now...they'll figure it out Nash. And something tells me that Manticore doesn't take too kindly to traitors."
Nash's eyes flashed with dispair, "Just do it. Don't worry about me, Eve. Just look after yourself."
"I am." She whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. "And I always have. You are a part of me now, Nash." Placing a trembling hand over her heart she willed him to understand, "You're in here. That's something you've never gotten. Every time you do this hero business you risk me too. Every time you get hurt, you hurt me too. You can't escape from that, Nash. I know, I tried."
"Eve," he began, but she cut him off before he could protest.
"I love you."
Nash stared at Eve's pale, trembling frame, and for the first time since the night in that garden, he allowed himself to belief her. Reaching over, he brushed a tear away with the pad of his thumb.
"I know. I know you do, Eve. Now let me prove the same thing. Please, just go. Give Eden a life outside of this place, because I guarantee that she won't have one in here." Nash wanted nothing more than to kiss her, to say goodbye in a way no words could describe, but he knew that time was running short so he whispered one more thing before he turned back to Alecia.
"Please Eve. Please go."
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"Come on, Mandy. Hurry up."
Eve's whisper was hoarse and worried as she darted behind a wall, narrowly escaping a group of guards. As Mandy appeared beside her, she couldn't help but notice that her friend's breathing had gotten a lot more sporadic in the past half hour that they had spent working their way quietly throughout the corridors.
"Are you okay?" Eve shot Mandy a look of complete concern as her friend swayed slightly.
"Yeah," Mandy breathed, touching a hand to the wall in an attempt to steady herself, "Just a little dizzy."
Glancing around, Eve shot an anxious look at the backs of the disappearing guards. "We can stop for a couple minutes if you'd like. We don't have much time, but I don't want you passing out..."
"No," Mandy responded with as much intensity as she could muster, "No, we've gotta keep going. Can't stop now."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
With one last glance at Mandy, Eve nodded in consent. "Okay. But we're gonna take it slower. We can't let you get played out. Let's go this way."
Eve pointed down a dimly lit hall and began to walk down it, casting furtive glances in both directions. Upon seeing that it was all clear, she motioned for Mandy to join her, and the two women were off.
Eve was slightly worried. Quite a bit of time had passed since they had slipped, unnoticed out of their quarters. Too much time. She had been hoping to have been out in the yard by then. But Nash had been right. Alecia's premature labor had set Manticore in a fury and guards were running every which way, guided on by superiors shouting orders. The two girls were only able to walk short distances before having to stop and hide, and Eve's heart was beating so rapidly she was worried about going into labor herself.
'Just what we'd need." She thought sadistically as they rounded another corner. The sight that met her made her thoughts leap for joy. In front of her lay the door which led outside to the surrogate grounds. Stopping momentarily to check on Mandy, Eve silently opened the door and felt a twinge of hope permeate throughout her being.
The sun glared down, giving Eve a renewed strength, and she took off at a jog towards the forest. Her mind was reeling with anticipation of what was to come. The day when she could hold Eden in her arms and see with her own eyes that she was all right. The time when Nash would be able to free himself of his Manticore constraints and join them in a life outside of this terror. Eve even allowed herself to dream of things further down the road. As she passed the trickling river she imagined Eden's first swimming lessons, her first day of school, her birthday parties. She imagined the chance of a normal life with Nash by her side, a wedding where Eden could be the flowergirl.
As they ran further Eve recognized instantly that they were entering the graveyard. As much as she dreaded to pass through it again, she knew that it was the only way to get to the least-guarded exit. Pushing the thoughts of the tombstones to the back of her mind she swore that Eden would have a wonderful life. Sure, bad things might happen, but she would always be there to comfort her. To chase away the demons after a nightmare, to pick her up and dust her off after falling off a two-wheeler, to help when times seemed too much to handle, to simply just be there when Eden needed a mother. Those were the things she was looking forward to the most. Those were the things that...
"Eve!"
Eve spun around instantly, her blood growing cold from the panic in Mandy's voice even before she caught a glimpse of her friend. Mandy's face had gone incredibly white and she was doubled over, her breathing coming in short, ragged gasps. Eve watched in horror as the pain in Mandy's stomach grew, her face twisting at its torment. And then she was expressionless. Running towards her friend she made it in time to catch Mandy before her head hit the ground.
"Mandy?" She whispered urgently, "Mandy, please, get up. We have to go. They'll catch us if we don't. Please Mandy."
But Eve knew that her pleadings were to no avail. Something was wrong. Mandy had always been a perfect specimen of health and happiness. She had never fainted before in her life. At least, not until now.
"Please Mandy. I...I can't leave you here. Wake up. Think of Nick, think of how happy he's gonna be to see you. Think how happy you're gonna be to see him again. Mandy?"
And that was when she saw it. A puddle of blood on the ground beneath her friend. Eve let out a strangled gasp and closed her eyes, trying to will the sight away. But when she opened them the same scene greeted her. Mandy was still in her arms, appearing lifeless, but breathing. Whimpering quietly Eve assessed her situation. If Mandy were able to talk, Eve was very aware of what she would say. She would beg her to leave, to spare herself and Eden what she wasn't capable of giving her own little girl. But Eve knew that she had become too close to Mandy over the past eight months to be able to leave her like this. Images flashed through her mind, causing her eyes to tear up.
She recalled the first day that she had met her, the pride shining in her eyes as she declared her pregnancy to this complete stranger. She remembered the laughter that had made her shine whenever a joke or story was told. The night when Mandy had seen right through her, proclaiming the love Eve was so reluctant to share. The talks about Nick, and the afternoons spent together, discussing life, love and their children. But most of all, Eve remembered the hope and love that Mandy had shown to her, the life that she had given back, the trust that had been restored.
That was why, her mind was made up so easy. And that was why she kissed Mandy softly on the cheek before whispering in a voice that even a transgenic would have to strain to hear, "I'm so sorry, Eden."
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Mandy awoke to feel Nick's arms wrapped protectively around her. Smiling contentedly she opened her eyes and peeked through the thick lashes to the room around her. The walls sparkled like radiant crystals, and the bed that she lay in was off the softest white fabric she'd ever seen. It was unlike any room she had ever set foot in, and she had no idea where she was. Still, the fact didn't frighten her. Instead she snuggled deeper into her loves touch and sighed softly.
"Hey baby," she heard him whisper softly into her ear "You okay?" His voice rang in her ear like the sweet melody of harps and she turned to place a feather light kiss onto his lips.
"Yup. Better than ever, actually." She smiled up at him and he returned it.
"You know that I love you, right?" He asked quietly, entangling his hand with her own, and pressing a kiss to her shoulder. The sparkling of the room around her made Nick appear as if he had some sort of glow to him.
"Of course I do." She responded, her brow furrowing slightly at his sorrowful expression, "Baby, what's the matter? Why do you look so sad?"
Nick met her eyes, his own filling with iridescent tears. From somewhere in the back of her mind she heard the faint, snapping voice of someone saying 'Forget the girl, she's not important. Just make sure the baby lives'. Shaking it off, she looked back up into the eyes of her fiance, imploring him to confide in her. She had never seen such an look on his face, and it broke her heart to see the simple pain. Reaching up she tried to offer him comfort in the feel of her touch, the love in her voice. Nick seemed barely able to hear it, though. Instead he gazed at her imploringly.
"I have to go away for a little while, Mandy. I don't...I don't want to, but I have to." His voice was barely above a whisper as he brushed a strand of red hair from her face. A face which he loved above all else. "I just wanted to make sure that you knew how much I love you, that I'll come back to you."
Strangely enough, Mandy felt oddly at peace with his proclamation and she nodded. "Okay. I trust you." Tilting her face upwards she brushed a kiss past his lips one last time. "I'll be waiting."
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Far away, broken sobs wrecked the silence of the otherwise still and locked room as Eve lay in a corner, her crys echoing the pain of yet another loss, her mind repeating what they had told her. "She didn't make it."