Ok, sorry you guys, I was a little stuck over this chapter and I'm not entirely satisfied. I hope you like it anyway.
The next morning dawned and sent its bright rays through the closed shutters of the room, dancing around themboth, and Nick woke to find Jenny exactly in the same position she had fell asleep last night. She was still sleeping and Nick watched her silently. He couldn't help thinking how beautiful she was, her head on his shoulder, eyes blissfully closed. She hadn't woken again after that nightmare and he thought that was good in itself. Subconciously he started to curl another lock of her silken hair sprawled around her slender grace and he couldn't stop himself from smiling. He had a huge emotion for her spreading in his chest, growing bigger since that day they had kissed and expanded with every day that had passed afterwards. The memory of her smile came flooding back and with it the touch of her lips on his; while Nick still couldn't move, watching her face in hope to drown out the fear she had experienced.
And still, Nick lied motionless, he didn't want to wake her, his hand curling her hairs and while he watched her peaceful resting face he had to admit, she had never looked more beautiful. He thought he had never seen and certainly would never see anything compared to her simple beauty. Jenny shifted again and huddled deeper into the covers and Nick's chest and because of the movement some strands of brown hair slid down and sprawled across her face. Slowly Nick lifted his right hand and took them away from her eyes and that freckle-covered nose, touching her forehead slightly, and she murmured something amidst her slumber but a smile graced her lips. And he smiled himself.
Nick had no idea how long he had watched her sleep, but it eased the concern within him. Suddenly Jenny stirred next to him and opened her eyes, blinking sleepily and looking momentarily confused as if she couldn't remember where she was at first. Smiling and motionless Nick watched her and as her eyes at last met his, he could see a warm feeling rise within them. Warmer than anything Helen had ever shown (though he hated to think of her), maybe even warmer than the sun itself. The rays of her smile reached his heart and the light within her glistening eyes almost blinded him. Words seemed unnecessary suddenly, not that either of them wanted to try. Instead he watched her left hand leave his chest and reach out to caress his cheek. Relaxing Nick closed his eyes for a moment, just feeling her touch, the warmth of her slender fingers again. She looked loads better now, the dark shadows underneath her eyes were almost gone, her skin colour more normal now. Even the wounds looked slightly better and Nick hoped with every inch of himself that the medic was right and no scar would destroy her beauty. Though he had no big problem with that, he would like her now matter how she looked but he didn't know how Jenny would feel about that. Suddenly Jenny's voice pulled him out of thought, again. He silently wondered how she did that, usually his brain wouldn't heed anyone when thinking.
"Thanks for staying. It really helped." She blushed a bit, while she said that and that really was cute. Nick normally wouldn't even use the word 'cute' but in this case it just fitted somehow. And besides, he had really enjoyed sharing one bed with her. Her soft warmth pressed to his body made him suddenly feel settled and totally at peace with him and the world around him.
"What do you think about breakfast?" he asked and saw her eyes shine even more, so he slowly stood up, ignoring the protesting cry his overused muscles uttered, but stopped moving when he felt Jenny's hand reach out for his cheek again. Slowly she turned his face around towards her and looked long in the blue seas of his eyes. Nick suddenly forgot everything whilst drinking in the warm light of her gaze and couldn't resist the urge of kissing her slightly. Again he felt the fire rampage through his body and wondered silently of he would become addicted to that or if the urge to kiss her would ever leave him. When they parted at last after a long and lazy kiss, Jenny smiled again, her features softening achingly beautiful and a comfortable silence edged them even closer to each other.
"Breakfast sounds good, Nick." She said and giggled a bit over his plain affection towards her. She doubted that he would admit it or let the others see it, but right now in this moment of time, she was certain he felt a lot for her.
After a while they both got up; Nick giving her personal space to change clothes while he got dressed himself. Just as Jenny though about going for a shower, Nick knocked slightly at the door, not wanting to surprise her in any way.
"Just in case you want a shower, Jenny. There are some towels in the counter next to the sink." He told her through the door and Jenny had to grin about that.
Funny, really funny...We share the bed and he still is chivalrous...
Opening the door, she looked into Nick's eyes again, who smiled at her in turn.
"I'm afraid I have to go shopping, because my fridge is empty. I'll be back soon, ok?" he asked, a slight concern at his face, it was plain that he didn't want to leave her alone; maybe he was worried that she could slip back into the state of fear she had felt last night. But the truth was that somehow Jenny felt utterly safe in his home. So she nodded reassuringly while she made her way to the bathroom.
They spent the morning together and the afternoon and the evening. Neither of them had any urge to lose the others company and silently Jenny was thankful for Nick being there for her. But then again, it was some character quirk from him, he looked out for everyone else, suddenly for her in particular and that felt good somehow. The others didn't bother them that day, but Jenny felt that they should get back to the ARC the next day. After all, she wanted to thank Eve and Adam needed to be looked at closer and especially Helen should have the pleasure of a visit from them, though Jenny doubted that Lester would allow it. He seemed to sense that Nick was still ready to strangle her at sight.
Yet as they were slumped on the couch, watching some ridiculous movie on TV, leaning at one another, Jenny being in Nick's arms again; those thoughts were forgotten, both enjoying the closeness and the security they offered each other.
The next day.
Jenny felt strong enough to face the ARC that day and truth be told, Nick desired much to speak with Adam, yet not over Jenny's well-being. But she had insited and for himself Nick thought it was probably for the best, she didn't seem too keen about being alone right now and honestly, he could sympathise with that.
As they opened the door to the main room, walking side by side, they were greeted by an overexcited Connor and a knowingly smiling Abby. Both of them rushed over to hug Jenny, glad she was feeling better. After their hugs, Sarah rushed in too and pulled Jenny into a hug of her own.
Then, suddenly and totally unforseen, Connor got a tad professional and started briefing them that nothing really had happened, except that Eve had woken up early yesterday morning, but was still very weak. Adam hadn't left her side, Connor sugessted he was just frightened of the soldiers, but he offered no threat whatsoever to Abby or him.
Maybe I should keep Abby in charge in the future, seems like its not doing much good to the boy...
When Connor had finished at last, Nick briefed them on what had happened on the other side of the anomaly, especially the fact that Eve had been created by Helen and probably Adam too, which resulted only in unbelieving and mostly disgusted faces. Though he had no idea on how to break those news to Lester, he just hoped that now with Helen caught, the man would relax a bit and not throw the both of them in the brig, locking them away for ever.
"So they're hybrids. And what is so bad about that? Could they, I mean, wipe us all out?" Abby asked, her brow frowned in slight concern.
Nick had thought of that too, but it seemed more realistic to him that they wouldn't do that, even if they had the power. They seemed more keen on learning rather than on destroying, at least as far as Eve would go. With Adam he wasn't so sure, but the glances Adam had shot to Eve he at least trusted her judgement more then he trusted his own. Which meant, as long as Eve trusted them, so would Adam. However it was; right now, they needed to talk to both of them, if possible. Nick needed answers, he always did, and perhaps Eve or Adam had overheard Helen say something or maybe she told Adam how she managed to create them and even more important, if there were more out there. As he told the others about that, Abby and Connor just looked at him as though they wanted to say: 'like Hell you're going in there without us! We want answers as much as you do.' Realising they would follow, no matter what he said, Nick just nodded, smiling somewhat happy and walked away, Jenny keeping close to him, followed by Abby and Connor and in the rear walked Sarah.
Slowly things return to normality... Except Jenny staying at my place...
Eve was awake as they stepped into the dimly lit room; Adam sat next to her on the edge of the bed, yet far away from the door to back away if he needed to. The young woman was propped up by several pillows and looked at them expectantly, smiling warmly as her gaze reached Jenny. Weakly Jenny returned it, her eyes filled with pity about the state of Eve's leg, it must have hurt horribly and she had lost much blood, simply because Helen managed to nudge the artery, causing the girl to loose blood rapidly. Thankfully they got her to treatment very fast, otherwise it would have been possible that Eve could have died. Jenny felt guilty, now she finally understood wholly what Nick had got through after Stephen's death, though that must have been much much more painful. But she could understand it, at least now she could.
Nick was silent, he gave Jenny the space to approach Eve in her own time and pace, but his eyes were set on Adam. He still had a slightly unease feeling about Stephen's counterpart and the young man seemed to sense that. He withdrew from the bed, backing up as far as the outer wall, as Jenny stepped carefully closer. She saw it, hesitated for a moment and gave them both a reassuring smile, before she stepped forth again to reach Eve's bedside. Both women were looking at each other, unsure of what to say, or how to begin altogether. It was Jenny who gave in first.
She often does that now...
"How's your leg, Eve? You're looking better." Jenny asked, aiming for casual small talk, which resulted only in a questioning glance from Eve and a smirk from Nick.
So not typical...
"So do you, Jenny." Eve answered calmly, for the first time she adressed one of the team with their names.
Silence reigned again for a few moments, until Eve spoke again. She still seemed not to be adjusted to the fact that someone could be concerned about her health. But then again, she reminded herself, this people were different from the ones she knew.
"Besides that, I'm fine. Whatever flows through that needle into my arm, it blocks out the pain."
Probably Morphine...
"I wanted to thank you, Eve. If you hadn't helped, it would have been possible that we all would be dead by now." Jenny paused for a second, observing Eve's behaviour and the fact that Adam still loomed in the shadow.
"This counts for you too, Adam. If you hadn't attacked Helen's clones, she would have ordered them to shoot us eventually."
Adam, now seemingly a bit less tensed then before, stepped closer, but let neither of them out of his gaze for so much as a moment. He stepped a few paces, but stopped entirely, literally coming to a complete standstill, as Nick looked at him, but he resumed the approach as Nick smiled at him. It felt weird, Nick had to admit that, he was smiling at someone looking like Stephen after all, and because of that he had to remind himself constantly that this wasn't Stephen. But even Adam's eyes had the same shade of blue as Stephen's had. But seeing the doubtful glances back to Connor, Abby and Sarah; Nick didn't dare to speak, the boy was a bowstring, which could be flipping at every moment. Instead he used the time to look at the man closer. He looked and sounded just like Stephen, only younger; yet his gaze was different. He was wary, distrustful even, more than Stephen had ever been. It seemed that he was protective of Eve and at the same time she was his leader. But right now Adam looked absolutely frightened, afraid of what they might do to them, which was not such a big surprise, judging by the soldiers the man had seen at the anomaly site and the two guards that were set to watch the room. Although he seemed to understand that they wouldn't hurt him, probably Eve had said something to him which had calmed him down a little. But he still was cautious, because he was unarmed and wounded.
No surprises there...Seems like he has inherited some character traits...
Eve's voice pulled him out of his observations of Adam and Nick looked towards the bed, stepping closer too, followed silently by the rest. They didn't speak, stood gazing, watching Adam in silent awe, as if he was the 8th wonder of the ancient world, which to Abby and Connor he was probably.
"What happens now? What will you do to us?" Eve asked, frightful of the answer, but too curious not to have asked it. Adam shifted uncomfortably, eyeing them suspiciously, obviously the man was ready to do battle on everyone who might try and hurt Eve.
"To be honest, I don't know that. I'd say you should both stay here for a while, at least until your wounds are healed and you can walk again. After that I don't know what will happen, no one really knows." Nick answered the girl and she could see the truth in his eyes and nodded silently.
"You want to test us, am I right?" Adam asked now, suddenly shuddering in memory of Helen's way to test them. It was still unclear as to what tests Adam had been put up against, but if they were anything like Eve's 'tests' Nick could very well imagine. It was Eve who broke the silence by speaking again.
"Of course they want. We are different, if we can believe what Helen has said. For Adam has the same abilities as I have, and he's older than me. He was born ... created about five summers before I was. However, or rather thankfully, Helen never developed as much interest in him than in me." She said solemnly as if she was blaming herself for that, which in truth she shouldn't do. That certainly wasn't her fault.
And its you who says that, who always takes responsibilty for everyone and all around him...
"But if you aren't the same age, then how come you know each other?" Jenny asked, simply because of what Adam had said, he had been locked away for some time, and Eve was outside, but watched by Helen and her clones.
"We spent a lot of time together, while we were younger. Helen saw to that, she said it would help using our potential. Something about pack behaviour. Of course, neither of us knew then what we know now, and we weren't as suspicious as we are now. We couldn't guess her purposes. And the truth is, I think no one really can. She separated us when I was twelve summers old. Two years later, after I had managed to kill one of her creatures during a test, receiving the scar I told you about; she set me free, but told me that Adam had died during the same test. I believed her, even though I knew then that she is the Mother of lies, but the grief settled deeply in me and I trusted her in this one moment of weakness. But my freedom, if you are so bold of calling it that, was nothing more than the biggest test. Still, I suppose it was better than Adam's fate. Had I known he was alive I would have tried to find him and show him the world outside ... the place."
While Eve had talked, Adam had bowed his head, his eyes settled to the ground, shaking with the memory of that place Helen had locked him in. Suddenly Nick was concerned, he thought about what Horrors this man must have seen. He wasn't Helen's prime specimen, so there was no need for her to let him out. Probably he was just the prototype and Eve was created after they had found out he wasn't what Helen had intended to create and would never live up to the expectations. So instead, she had locked him inside, depriving him from contact to the one person which was akin to him; in the hope that maybe she could use his talents to her benefits. Which was exactly what Nick told the few people within the room and Adam finally looked up, meeting his gaze for the first time without distrust or fear within it.
"If I may speak, there is no need for you to fear me. Eve trusts you all, and I trust Eve. So I have no intention to harm you. But you are right in some degree. Helen has indeed told me that you were evil and must be destroyed, but I have seen you risk your life to get the woman back which Helen stole from you. You offered us shelter and healing. I never wanted to believe what she told me, but now as I have seen your actions, I know that you will not harm us. I distrust Helen more than anything in the world, and my only concern is to go where Eve goes and I will not disobey to any of your orders."
He spoke as if to him the only thing important was Eve's opinion on things, she was literally the centre of his universe.
Peculiar...
"So she told you that I'm dangerous, right? That it be for the best that; if you ever met me, you'd kill me. And Helen knew I wouldn't be able to kill you." Nick's voice got quieter by the minute, at the end of the sentence it sounded more like he had spoken his thoughts.
"Why is that?" Adam asked interested and Nick shrugged as a response.
"Simple. She created you using the DNA of my best friend. You look exactly like him. I wouldn't be able to pull the trigger on you. Helen knew that, that is why she has told you that I'd best be killed. I think you were her contingency plan if everything else fails."
Bitterness was shown plainly in Nick's face, memories clouding the clear blue of them as he had to suffer trough the agonizing mind-movie of seeing Stephen die just in front of him, forced to watch the mayhem through the tiny window in the thick steel doors. Jenny's warm hand brushing softly against his palm pulled him out of the painful image of his friend retreating to sudden death and he was grateful of her presence.
"So; that man, he looked like Adam? And that man was a friend of you. What happened to him?" Eve asked quietly, wondering what it might be to change his mood from quite well to so gloomy. She received the answer almost instantly, though in his voice the pain was heard.
"He died, to safe us and probably the entire world. I was there, I have seen it. Helen lured him into that trap, and he was killed by some creatures."
"Speaking of her, I still can't quite understand what she has done with us. What did she mean, when she said; we could be outlasting the humans?"
Nick had no clear answer to that, he only supposed it was because Helen thought the Predators would be exterminating the humans and so she had created something that had the qualities of both species. And there was even more to it and though he hated to tell them, someone had to.
"I think she partly did it to prove she is the better scientist. That she can do all she wants to do and no one can stop her. That was the reason why she told you while we were with you. She probably wouldn't have told you at all, if you hadn't stepped in our time. She would have wanted you to believe there are just humans of your kind, though I hate to phrase it that way."
A few moments it was silent again, each one of them clingining to their own thoughts, before Eve spoke again, her voice a frightful whisper and the words she spoke being worse than anything which had been said before.
"Will you kill us now?" she spoke quietly, yet calmly, as though she had already accepted her fate and was ready to die. Literally being prepared for it. All gasped in unison, unable to nderstand why Eve had asked that and even more why she had thought of such a thing. It was Jenny who found her speech first, but she spoke exactly the words Nick couldn't yet utter.
"Why should we do that?" she asked both of them stunned.
Gravely Eve looked at Adam first, who had taken her hand, then her eyes wandered over to Jenny and Nick, whom she looked long in the eye ere she spoke again.
"We are not like you are. We are not humans as you are. And I have seen your face as you spoke to Helen about the race that has been mingled with us. I have seen the fear and the terror in your eyes. We never knew until now what we truly are. I had always thought I'm just as much a human as Helen is, as you are; and I just assumed that everyone was like me and Adam. But now we know, and I fear that your kind will see us as a threat. Something horrifying which must be killed quickly, even if we never did harm to any of you."
"Which is exactly the point. You never hurt us. You helped us as much as you could. As far as humans go, you two would make brilliant ones." Jenny stated firmly, before Eve could slide down the road of despair even further. Looking at them, Eve saw the whole team nod in unison, all agreeing in that point, though they kept silent, leaving the talk to Nick and Jenny. Astonished she shared a glance with Adam, who looked just as surprised as she was, they had both never believed they would be safe here after Helen had told them what they really were, they had assumed they'd never see the sunlight again.
"So you're not going to hurt us?" Adam asked shyly and somewhat afraid amidst his surprise and finally Nick found the strength too look at the man and smile at him.
"As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter if you're human or something else. You helped us, nearly got yourselves killed while you did and it was only because of you two that we made it out of there alive, let alone catch Helen. It doesn't matter how you came into being, you're here now and that is good in itself. Of course we have to talk to Lester first, but I think he'll have no objections about sending you back to your home. Now that Helen is here, you'll be safe there."
The thought of them being free from Helen's grasp, together in a world they both knew, made Eve and Adam smile hugely and Eve looked at Nick admiringly, all her sorrows forgotten as she realised that he wouldn't allow them to be hurt. Adam stood silent, still holding on to Eve's hand, slightly rubbing his thumb across the thin scars on her palm, looking happily at her, but without a word.
And Nick as well as Jenny and the others saw the emotion in Adam's eyes and knew he liked Eve quite a lot.
Adam and Eve... Now all thats missing is the paradise... Nick thought smiling to himself.
Next chapter will be the last one to complete the story!
Let me know what you think of it, ok? You know how much I love reviews!!!