Author's Notes:

Happy New Year everyone!

Thank you all for your input to my question, and for the reviews. I kept my promise and here is chapter twelve for your enjoyment, and hopefully it will be a good way to end the year (hint; I would hope I'd get some reviews for this chapter in particular). I wanted this to be posted sooner but I ended up rewriting it three times, once due to human error, the other two times due to equipment mishaps. Sorry about the wait. Chapter thirteen may take some time, I have not had a chance to sit down and pen it yet with all the festivities going on. Keep your fingers crossed for me, that I find some time.

Some of you may have noticed that I answered a few questions concerning Vindicated on my userpage; if any of you haven't check it but are wondering about the length or ending, take a look. I'll happily answer any questions you may have but I will not give away the rest of the story, it wouldn't be fun if I did that.

I want to give a very special thank you to Ranigami for editing not only this chapter but the last one as well. You rock! I also hope you feel better. :)


Emptiness: a black nothing far more terrifying than the cloak of night. For even in night there is often the moon and stars to guide upon. This endless abyss was devoid of time, there was no sense of how much passed. Hope was not even there. Fear didn't exist, but without that emotion no other temperament mattered. It was calm yet chaotic. Detachment was the baseline that decided everything. Only after eternity did the numb mind last. Thoughts started to come at a sluggish pace that made it impossible to string them together. Coherency wasn't possible at first; there was no connection between the ideas and words. Nothing and everything still existed as one entity, with no other companion. Another long eternity of miniscule thoughts continued. They were no more attached to any meaning than the emptiness.

Thoughts interwoven and slowly increasing with speed brought about minimal awareness. Over an extended period of time the blackness was registered and the calmness of nothing became a steadily growing consciousness. With words coming to mean something and attach to emotions once more, self acknowledgement was given life from rebirth. Everything was no longer the mutual entity that complemented nothing.

He felt like he was wading through water; the suffocating thoughts and confusion pushing against him as he struggled towards a destination he neither knew nor could see. It was like trudging through snow, though it wasn't the physical body of water that attempted to restrain him, but an unseen force that – had no true chemical composition or material form but – had always been there, that was inside everyone he was sure. Whether it was what he heard some refer to as a conscience or just a moral barrier put into place by society, he knew it was there, a line that wasn't to be crossed. In his predicament it was possible that that last threshold had already been breached by his new existence. Still, he pressed on. Though everything was black he could sense a physical form that made him up as he forced his way back to wherever it was he was going.

For a time he knew not who he was nor where he was, but a light blazed out from the endless darkness like a calling flame to a moth. Gradually it grew larger as time passed, and the memories of everything swept by him in bubbles or pockets, like walking through a house of mirrors though it was his life that was staring back at him, replaying lost scenes that apparently held significance to him. Was this his reflective limbo state before the final judgment would be passed and he would either be plummeted to the burning pits of hell or raised to the glorious golden gates of heaven? It seemed like it, though he was sure he could hear a faint heartbeat somewhere in the distance, which must mean there was something living. Was it him? Or was it too late to turn from this seemingly inevitable path and he was listening to another life being spared?

Indifferent he was no longer. The fear of what came after death hit him hard, nearly knocking him over with the force of it. The heartbeat grew a little stronger and more frequent, which only added to the rush of emotions that flooded him. He shot off, running towards the light – hoping beyond what was possible that it was salvation and life. Death was not in his plans anymore. There were so many things he wanted to still do, to say, to experience, to see through. He couldn't end it like this; he wasn't finished yet, not just yet. Hell be damned if he was going to end up there anyways, might as well make sure he did a good job and properly earned his place there. Life could not deny him the chance to see her again. Blair – that single word held all the reasons for why he wanted to live. He knew not his name but that didn't matter; she, Blair Williams, did.

"Blair!" he called out, his deep voice echoing around him like a gunshot. He was still running pass the memories he no longer cared to glance at, towards the light that promised him something different then this never changing dungeon of despair he was trapped in. If anyone would save him from this oppressive place, she would. Blair held his world in the palm of her hand and when she wished him away, only then, would he allow himself to succumb to this black nothingness. Even as he persisted forward he could still feel the pull to lull back into the obsidian prison. There was another force now tangible, one that called to him – to his very soul. Blair. She was calling him, he was sure of it.

The light burst towards him, engulfing the infinity of night and swallowing him whole. There was no fear anymore, just acceptance and a strong belief that he had fought off death, another battle for another day. That idea didn't bother him at the moment, so long as Blair was there, he'd fight off dead as long and as many times as he'd have to. Chain by chain and link by link, the person he knew himself as resurfaced from the depths of blackness and emerged into the world once more. The first sensation to come back was touch. He could feel cloth and… something warm?

"Marcus…." It took a while, but eventually he recognized his name.

"Marcus… it's time to come back." Come back from what? He wondered.

"Marcus, it's time to wake up." Huh?

Sound returned gradually. Someone was breathing, feet were shuffling around, papers being flipped through, and a tapping thud was audible – that sounded like someone was impatient. A while later there were gentle murmurings going on around him that he couldn't quite make out. Frustration was what finally drove Marcus to try and open his eyes. It was difficult, his lids felt heavier than two cement blocks. When they did manage to peek open, everything was blurry and disorienting. He thought he was experiencing motion sickness with how everything spun around. Swirls of color danced about and there were bright lights that made him wince and close his eyes.

"Is there any way to tone down the lights?" a familiar female voice asked. Kate?

"Yes, hold on!" this time the voice was male. It couldn't have been Connor; the mood present within the pitch was too cheerful – bouncy.

Kate spoke again. "Marcus, can you open your eyes now?"

"Mmruff…" whatever that meant, it sounded good to him.

Kyle's voice suddenly appeared, "Why is he grumbling?"

"Hush!" That was unquestionably John Connor.

What the hell is going on?

With an effort he had never had to exert before to open his eyes, Marcus forced his lids up once more, the world churning still. It settled gradually and the brightness that had stung his eyes was now a dim golden glow around him. Shapes began to come into focus; his bed… and body tucked under white sheets. Am I dead? Disorientation was all around Marcus, his mind still muddled from what he did not know.

The first thing beyond himself that caught his eye was far more captivating than he had ever remembered it to be… or more correctly, she was. Blair Williams sat perched at the end of his bed, one leg pulled up to rest bent next to his feet while her other was slung over the side of the bed, her foot resting on the floor. There was a concerned look on her face that swiftly changed to a gentle smile once she realized he was lucid enough to see and recognize things and people.

Ah, hell. I'm alive. Unless heaven really did exist and whoever or whatever ran the place took pity on him and brought forth Blair. Though Marcus swore moments ago he was fighting off death, his sentiments now changed with the queasy feeling in his stomach and light-headedness. He still felt somewhat disconnected from his body, but that idea was cast out when Marcus flexed a few of his fingers; his body was more than likely numb or his mind was still adjusting to the stimulus the waking world offered.

Blair leaned towards him ever so subtly. "Marcus, how are you feeling?"

Like the idiot that was stupid enough to play chicken with a semi truck.

"Where am I? What happened?" he asked, effectively ignoring her inquiry altogether. His voice was scratchy from lack of use, his throat muscles tight and mouth dry. Water would have been nice, though he doubted it would do much for his vocal cords at the moment if he could have it. His earlier revelation that he couldn't eat and drink reminding him that water might actually only harm him if he were to swallow a glass.

A sigh came from somewhere else in the small room he was in. Marcus' eyes flicked towards the sound and saw a man with dark hair standing off to the side of the bed. At first Marcus couldn't put a name to the oval face but after a few moments of coming up short everything came back. The man was Xander Fox, a scientist and doctor for the Amazon Rainforest Resistance. He had been doing some mandatory tests on him from the last of what Marcus could recall.

"You're in the medical wing of our underground base. You passed out after we took some tests and slipped into a rather deep coma – induced by PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)." The strange man said with an amused smile. Weirdo.

"At least Marcus didn't ask who we are, or who he is." Kyle added with a smile. Blair ignored the youth and kept her alluring liquid honey eyes trained on him. Marcus noticed that her beautiful dark curls were rumpled more than usual and that her frame appeared to be slimmer than what he remembered. Dark circles were like bruises under her eyes, throwing off the usually beautiful olive toned complexion that he admired so much.

"How long was I out?"

She faltered, opening her mouth to reply then closing it again, second guessing herself. Was it that bad? It couldn't have been that long. Kate took it upon herself to answer, excusing a flustered Blair from the question. "Somewhere around a week and a half."

It wasn't too much time then. When he voiced that thought Blair looked like she'd object to that statement but once again held her tongue. Instead of arguing she fidgeted with her black leather jacket, adjusting it over her black v-neck shirt.

"When can I leave and return to my own room?" he asked.

Kate and Xander exchanged looks that made Marcus wonder what he missed while he was under. Blair glanced to the two medical professionals as well, what Marcus thought looked to be a hopeful expression flashed briefly across her face before it returned to a stoic mask once more. If they did let him return he would be with Blair, which was one of the main motives behind asking, though he felt ridiculous in this current situation and would rather not be viewed in such a vulnerable light.

Xander was the one that finally answered, "I think Kate will agree with me that you should stay here under a more trained eye for awhile longer, just to be safe."

"How long?" Blair's demanding voice had a rough edge to it.

Kate glanced to Xander before taking it upon herself to answer this time. "No more than a day or two. Besides, the test results we took will be coming back shortly and will give us a better idea on what to do."

"Something tells me you aren't referring only to the tests you took prior to my unconsciousness." Marcus finally spoke up again.

"No, you're right; we're not talking about only that body scan. There were other tests we did to see what type of treatments we could offer," Kate admitted with a sigh. Marcus felt Blair stiffen next to him at the end of the bed and watched as her spine went ramrod straight. Part of Blair's face was covered by dark curls but he caught the flicker of disgust and outrage that distorted her usually pretty features. She was angry, and Marcus could just sense the magma boiling over inside, getting ready to spew out as seething lava. Mother bear is back, he mused to himself.

There was a tense three way glaring contest between Blair, John, and Kate. Blair had her eyes locked on the redhead as did Connor, who didn't look any more approving. Kate was taking turns, scowling back at the two with equal censure. Xander was in between the three and smiling his fool head off, clearly he was behind some of this as well. In fact, Xander reminded Marcus of the mad scientist from movies he watched as a small child, and wouldn't put it past him to take advantage of an opportunity when presented.

Do I even want to know? That was the question that had him in a stupor. It was very similar to the actions Kate did to save Connor back in California. There was a level of high ambiguity that surrounded what went on, and Marcus up until now hadn't been able to decide if he really wanted to know. Once again, was ignorance bliss? Would enlightenment do more damage than it was worth? It was his body, and he was human and should be treated as one! Marcus had the right to know what the heck they did to him just like anyone else, and there should have been consent papers he signed before they even laid a hand on him. Or were his rights all signed away when he donated his body to the medusa of the twenty-first century, Serena? It was post-apocalypse and Marcus was no longer in the continental U.S., his rights might very well be different. I didn't realize how much I relied on them until they were gone.

"Can I talk to you for a moment Kate, privately?" Blair's voice shook Marcus out of his thoughts. Both females looked exasperated with the other, though he was getting the feeling that they were forgetting one very crucial thing. He was right there! Geez, blackout for a week and everyone acts like you're dead and you don't care.

Marcus finally found enough irritation to voice his qualms. "You know, I am right here and fully capable of not only defending myself but also asking what the hell did you do to me?"

All eyes snapped to him and Marcus couldn't help but let one of his eyebrows arch up in a silent question. He could feel his unused facial muscles flexing again and it felt like he was given Botox injections to freeze his face in place. Not that he needed to look younger, but the thought was both disgusting and slightly amusing.

Wait… can I age? Now there was a mental wallop that had the potential to send him back into a vegetated mental state. His endoskeleton wasn't human so arthritis and weakening bones wouldn't be a problem; that much was obvious. Marcus knew his skin wasn't average; it healed at least twice as fast as everyone else's if not faster and would regenerate even when the wound sustained on anyone else would not. Would he get wrinkles and gray hair? Would Marcus see his height decline from gravity and his own weight depressing on the cartilage in his spine? Hey stupid, you don't have a normal human spine, remember?

There was more though that was now coming to the forefront of his mind. What about his memory and weight? Would he be able to gain or lose weight at all? And would he always have a perfect memory that was far more superior than he'd ever recall having before waking up as a hybrid? And why did any of this matter? Well that was one question he did have an answer for, and it was all summed up in one word; Blair. She would age; Blair was human where he was not – at least not in that sense. Shit!

"Marcus, are you okay?" Blair's soothing voice called out to him and Marcus desperately felt like that beautiful sound would never come again. Mortality was what would limit that enduring voice to only bless his ears for so long. Forget him dying, Blair should be the main concern, he could take much more abuse, she could break like a toothpick compared to him! His facial expression and reaction to the revelations must have been quite something because Kate and Xander were now hovering over him, talking rapidly about medical terms he could never hope to comprehend. Blair stayed close as well, her almond shaped eyes beseeching him to say or do something. Marcus was now aware that his body had frozen, stiffening to the point that his muscles felt like if they were any tighter they would either snap like a rubber band or spasm. Kate and Xander fussing over him wasn't helping and the intense look Connor and Blair pinned him with only served to accelerate his already racing heart.

Blair cajoled him, "What's wrong Marcus? Talk to me, say something please!"

Say what? That I had an epiphany that you're going to die some day and I probably won't? He could just tell that would go over so well. They'd all think he lost his marbles and put him under psychiatric evaluation, maybe even suicidal watch if they thought he was that depressed. News flash Marcus, you're already there and they obviously already have and will continue to watch your mental health!

Marcus watched as Blair grew more anxious and Kate more frantic with trying to find what was wrong with him. Xander finally stepped back and observed his countenance more thoroughly. The Asian silently looked Marcus over and finally seemed to come to a conclusion, the eureka moment was not hinted at in his face, but it burned in the hazel eyes that always seemed to see everything so clearly – despite the insane persona that Xander established. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to Marcus, tilting his head quizzically to one side like an innocent puppy might do. The comparison made Marcus snort aloud and he turned away to glance at Blair and Kate, both females had their eyebrows raised in surprise; Kate looking composed as always, Blair not so much.

"Mind enlightening us with the inside joke, Marcus?" Xander asked with an amused smile on his cheerful face.

"No, I was raised better than that. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, right?" he shot back.

Xander chuckled, "I'm not sure if that line is still preached now, though your old school manners are charming."

Old school... manners? Thanks for reminding me of my age, jerk. How old would he be considered? His body was technically both forty-six and thirty-one. He had been thirty-one at the time Cyberdyne took him into their fold, and still was on earth through his hibernation – his body just didn't stop existing, so he had been around for forty-six years, though his mind stopped progressing and his body obviously hadn't aged since that day, which was how he could still be considered thirty-one. How old was Blair? Would she mind his age confusion, or better yet, the difference? Marcus could feel the new revelation rock through him almost as shockingly as the last. Well isn't today just full of insightfulness?

"Based on that vacant look in your eye, I'm guessing you're having another moment of deep comprehension?" Xander guessed, breaking into Marcus' thoughts and dissolving them into reality.

Everyone was staring anxiously at him, waiting for what he did not know. If they thought he would spontaneously combust or pass out again, they were sorely mistaken. Marcus refused to lose any more time in a state of uselessness. He would sort through everything and hopefully in time be able to put one foot in front of the other without second guessing something about himself or the life he chose to lead. Time was the key. Marcus probably had unlimited time to do it, but Blair didn't have that much to wait for him. She was here and now, and wouldn't always be in his future, which was a painful thought that made his second – or was it his third? – life a cruel irony. Maybe I'm like a cat; nine lives to live and once those are up I will finally rest for the last time.

"You could say I've had one of sorts."

Blair sat at attention, observing him quietly in the background. Marcus could feel the golden flames that were her eyes scorching through his unstoppable body and searing his soul with their penetrating ability. If she didn't stop soon Marcus was contemplating the possibility that she might physically harm him without ever lifting a finger, her intense gaze was enough to make him uncomfortable when he wasn't meeting the irises dead on. He could only imagine what it would feel like when he locked gazes with her. Instead, he opted to keep his own sights on Xander, Kate, or Connor. Their stares were severe as well but none of them held the awesome power over him the way Blair's did.

"Mind sharing your insights? With all the tests we did I wouldn't be surprised if we are given answers you just figured out or be able to answer questions you might have," Xander spoke, breaking the silence that had befallen the room once more.


Twenty minutes later, after managing to explain some of his internal musings and voicing his concerns and questions, Marcus finished filling in everyone on his personal hell of confusion and train wreck of insecurities. Of course he edited out the reasons for his concerns and questions, all of which came back to the same person, Blair. When he finished Marcus noted that even Kyle had stopped fidgeting. Star was now sitting on his lap – she had relocated during his speech and had comfortably perched herself on top of him – holding his human hand with childlike obliviousness to everything around them. If only he could be that carefree.

Blair was still sitting at the end of his bed, though she looked pale. He couldn't help but wonder if his acknowledgements to everything might scare her off. If it did, then the question was would it be better to chase after her or let her go? Could he do that? If she was happier without his complex existence, and wanted him to leave, then he would abide by her wishes and leave her in peace, though something deep inside Marcus wretched at the thought of not seeing Blair or being near her anymore. Living but not being able to enjoy her company would be his personal hell, though he seemed to already be in one with all the confusion and unanswered questions that surrounded him. Can I not have just one thing go my way for once?

Xander had looked stumped as well and admitted to as much. "We really can't know anything for sure until the results come back; which will be within the hour, I assure you."

"In the mean time, I think it best that we leave Marcus alone. He's had enough commotion for now, and we all have jobs to get back to." Cathal spoke up for the first time since Marcus woke. The general nodded in the direction of Blair, his green eyes conveying something that Marcus couldn't read, but apparently Blair understood.

"I hear you were looking for me before Marcus woke up. Perhaps while we wait for the verdict it would be prudent to discuss whatever it is that is troubling you my dear." His Irish inflection of soft vowels and harder consonants had a calming effect over the madness that was obviously in everyone's mind. Blair stood, righting her black leather jacket and shirt before disappearing out the door with Cathal leading the way.

What did I miss while I was out stone cold, world peace? With his emotions and thoughts swirling around his head like a carnival ride Marcus was left more confused than ever about what was going on. What did Blair and Cathal possibly have to discuss that they couldn't say in front of everyone else? Something stabbed at him as he watched them depart. Marcus couldn't figure out what it was, but he knew the feeling was ugly, close to resentment but that word didn't seem to quite express the emotion right. He swore he tasted something bitter in his mouth when the door closed behind them, fanning the dull burning in the back of his mind to a smoldering flame.

The emotion that hit Marcus caught him off guard. He had felt it once or twice before when Blair was involved, but couldn't place the misguided feeling. Much like he couldn't place the feeling that he felt towards her directly. Marcus was ill-equipped when relationships to anyone other than friends or family were involved. Blair undoubtedly fell into that category he was ignorant about, and when Marcus was fully human back in 2003, he had not had a problem with that. Now, however, he was resenting his lack of experience as well as Cathal. I'm just mad at the world now aren't I? God, I'm turning into John Connor! Heaven help me.

Kyle grabbed Star, who reluctantly released his good hand, and left with him, Kate following them out. Xander excused himself to see if his team of scientist back at the labs had Marcus' results, which left a dazed Marcus with a frazzled John Connor. The prophesized resistance leader looked just like Marcus felt; confused as hell. The men stared at each other, neither sure what to say to the other. Marcus' immovability won out and John took the seat Xander had left vacant, grumbling something about his back hurting.

"Does this mean you're going to fill me in on what's going on? Or am I going to have to guess like some kind of mind reader?" Marcus was pleased to hear his usual gruff voice coming back to what he had once known it as, the unusual scratchiness dissipating as time went on.

"Actually, I planned to ask how you were doing, but I suppose catching you up would be more prudent, then asking you how you feel afterwards." John replied curtly.

John Connor being touchy feely? Well shit, maybe I am dead after all.

Connor did his best to explain how everyone was stationed. He made sure to note that his wife was working reduced hours and that Blair was back at her hobby, Cathal, sharing in her love for planes, had been generous enough to offer a spot she would enjoy under his command. If Marcus felt putout before he felt irked to the point of throttling the other man now. Great, he can actually connect with her on a professional level as well, just flipping great. Screw how he felt when he originally passed out, Marcus felt five times as conflicted now. Connor was brief and finished the update, leaving Marcus to stew over everything. There was so much he had to sort through already, his brain was screaming in protest and it seemed one more thing was constantly being added to his mounting pile of confusion. It was best he take it one thing at a time, he decided. If Blair couldn't handle the fact that he came damaged and with heavy baggage then it wasn't worth it anyway Marcus decided; which left him where, exactly? Screwed over six ways to Sunday, that's where.


"A circular hole in the ground with a diameter of roughly thirty yards, that's how the patrol described it at least." Blair confirmed the report, waiting as Cathal processed the information and gave orders on what to do next.

She had been reluctant to leave Marcus' side, but something of this magnitude had to be reported, and swiftly. Blair had also admitted that she had heard of something akin before and finally recalled a mission John Connor went on a week before she had met Marcus where there was a similar configuration that Connor went into, leading a ton of other resistance members only to be the only one to walk away alive. Cathal had soaked up that information with a somber face, obviously regretting how many lives were lost in such a blunder as that. Blair had also advised him to talk to John for more information on the strange bases; she hadn't been working that mission, but another project and only heard about it through the grapevine because of the disastrous outcome. This obviously served as a warning for the Amazon Rainforest Resistance; hopefully they would learn from the Californian Resistance's mistake and be more successful in whatever they did with this new report.

"Do you mind then if I consult with Xavier and John? I would also like to speak with the other head, though they are still not back from their last assignment." The last part was more of a mutter, leaving Blair to believe that she wasn't meant to hear it. This statement sparked her endless curiosity though. She had been wondering who the final general in charge was and she had wanted to meet them, but no one had mentioned him, which she found peculiar. Was there some taboo belief that one did not talk about the generals when away? Or was there another reason for why few chatted about the third head, but openly gossiped about Cathal and Xavier?

"Of course, and if you wouldn't mind I'd like to spend the rest of the day with Marcus. I already had my spot covered before I left and the attending Sergeant said they could afford to have two or three people leave early with so little activity and reports from patrols coming in." She was hopeful that this time would allow her to not only help Marcus through this cruel ordeal he was dealt but also to possibly get off her chest what she had been holding back for days, weeks even. And if he didn't listen? Well, Blair would not be denied and she'd make sure Marcus got it drilled in through his half human skull that there were future possibilities for them both.

"I don't see why not. Marcus might need someone he knows and trusts there when Xander and Kate come back with the news. I have a feeling that it will be a gread, whatever it is." The musical tune of Cathal's voice was genuinely concerned, which made Blair smile. There was hope yet that Marcus could find allies amongst their fellow resistance members. With Connor and Cathal on his side Marcus would plausibly be safe from any future attacks on his credibility and safe from what trouble the harsh scrutiny of others could bring.

Once Cathal properly dismissed Blair, she swiftly reentered Marcus' temporary room to find Connor sitting next to Marcus, both men clearly lost in their own thoughts. Connor was unreadable as ever; Marcus' face was just about as barren, though when his azure eyes flashed up to hers all the emotions reflected there made up for his blank face, before they flicked away. His eyes were stormy with confliction and Blair could see Marcus waging a million different wars inside him all at once. The internal struggle appeared to be the motive for why his jaw was tense and brow slightly furrowed. When Blair focused on his blue eyes once more – which she had missed while they had been closed to the world – the pupils were constricted dramatically, and she knew that meant hostility or anger without a doubt. Great, pissed him off within a half an hour time span, new world record.

"John, Cathal wanted to see you." She informed the other man, ignoring Marcus's strife.

Connor uncrossed his arms and limped out – though he tried to hide the subtle weakness as much as possible. When the door closed the atmosphere changed, and she knew both Marcus and herself could feel it. John was no longer there to act as a diffuser and the pent up emotions on both sides seemed to crack in the air, an argument was tangible as a storm moments before the clouds burst. She waited in silence, neither one of them ready to initiate the inevitable. Marcus turned to face her but said nothing, which shouldn't come as a surprise, he didn't talk in the quantities Kyle did. If Blair wasn't imagining it she thought Marcus was dueling with what types of discrepancy to deal with first, the external or internal. And that maybe what was the cause for his pained expression and verbal communication – or lack thereof.

"How are you feeling? Xander said you might have some severe headaches when you wake up," Blair gave, knowing that one of them had to say something, and maybe they could avoid an all out verbal brawl if some civility was injected early on.

Marcus didn't respond at first. Instead he continued to stare at her, much in the same way he did when Blair had used her cunning duplicity to get rid of Barnes so she could attempt to save his life back in the Californian Resistance Base. He looked tired and worn though Marcus had been resting for over a week, his mind must have been under enormous strain for him to appear so ragged at that moment. The weary exterior began to fade and his body became for animated when it appeared Marcus finally managed to speak.

"Do you want the honest answer or a bullshit one that is easier to stomach?" There was that sarcastic tone again, but this time it wasn't so much brooding or playful but menacing. He may have been sitting on a bed looking like the world just ended twice over – which wasn't too far off the mark in a literal sense – but Marcus still appeared very intimidating when he so desired to. The hybrid sat up straight, his broad shoulders pulled back defiantly and muscles rippling with raw power. His eyes were blazing pools of ice that stared her down much like an untamed lion might do with its enemy. In many ways Marcus reminded Blair of the majestic animal; noble and prevailing, but acted distant. The bronze hair on his head much like the golden mane and the languid, inhumanly graceful way Marcus not only held himself but moved suggested something feral and alien resided just beneath the surface.

"I'd like the honest answer, please." Blair worked to keep annoyance out of her voice but some of the emotion crept in on the last word.

"I feel like crap and would rather go back to my previous state of oblivion." He hadn't been joking and Marcus just laid it out in front of her, watching her reaction with appraising eyes.

She shifted weight from her right foot to her left, feeling uncomfortable with how to word the answer she wanted to give. Blair really wanted to just pounce on him and admit everything then lose herself in his warm protective embrace but knew that plan would probably win her a severe rebuff. Marcus' darker moods were to be treated with caution and throwing herself at him would look like an attack from where he was sitting, it was better to keep her distance for now and slowly work her way towards him, defusing the tension in the process.

"I hope you don't go back. We all missed you, Marcus."


He wanted to argue with her and point out not too many people would miss a machine, but Marcus held his tongue. Instead he focused on counting to ten, which only served to irritate him more. Why they always suggested that method back in his time, Marcus never knew. How it was supposed to work seemed to have the reverse effects on him, particularly when he was already in a foul mood that wasn't improving in the near future. Marcus let out a long sigh, out with the bad air and in with the good air.

When he opened his eyes to look at Blair once more it struck him that her body language didn't add up to her being deceitful. Her palms were upturned in a submissive gesture and her captivating eyes held nothing but honesty and… affection? His heart gave a not so subtle lurch and Marcus felt his face slip into a blank expression as he unclenched his fists that were tucked into his crossed arms. They stared at each other, both trying to read the other for signs of anything that could give away the motives behind the words. Another idea popped into his head, and this time it caused Marcus to blanch when he realized that he might have read too much into Blair and Cathal's relationship.

"Blair, I –"

"I missed you!" she blurted out suddenly.

Marcus was left dumbstruck. He didn't know what to say and wasn't sure what he heard at first. The words echoed around his head for a good solid minute before comprehension of what they meant happened. It was another good minute before Marcus could even form a coherent thought after that. She missed me? Am I supposed to take a hint or something? What does that mean?

"Umm… okay?" Why did it sound like a question?

Blair threw her arms up in exasperation, sighing nosily. "Rahhg! Marcus, for an intuitive guy, you're so dense!"

"Excuse –" he wasn't given a chance to finish, Blair stalked forward with unnerving conviction in each step and splayed her hands on either side of his face when she reached him. Her body leaned down to his and her soft lips were gently pressed against his. Marcus froze in place; he could feel his body tense up once more. His hands were raised halfway up, whether it was to stop her or pull Blair in closer he wasn't sure, they just levitated there while he tried to figure out what was happening. When she pulled away her warm minty breath fanned over his face, stunning him into silence as his jaw hung slacked.

"Marcus… I'm sorry, did I –" this time Marcus wouldn't let her finish. He reached out to Blair, his arms wrapping around her ribcage as he jerked her down to straddle his lap as he crashed his lips to hers. While she had been soft and gentle Marcus was more forceful and demanding in his fervor to reciprocate the sentiments, not nearly as subtle as Blair's initiating ones. Her warm minty scent washed over him again and he gentled his motions, slowly moving his lips in sync with her. The moment was sweet and tender as they broke apart, their breaths labored and eyes searching the others with questions and finding every answer they silently asked, never having to disturb the earth-shaking silence.

Blair eased down to comfortably rest on his lap, her legs curled closer to her body as she rested her head on his chest, nuzzling into him with a smile on her face. Marcus wrapped his arms around her once more and rested his chin on her head, closing his eyes and silently thanking whoever was watching over him for the wondrously baffling gift that was Blair Williams.


F/N:

Gread: Roughly translates from Gaelic Irish to "Wallop" or to be battered.