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Trinity Blood: Divergent Path
Chapter 18: Behind the Line, Part 1: Edge of Life

"It would improve their life here, right?" Lilith asked. She stood before Kayson, her heart fluttering with hope and a light fear.

"It would," Kayson agreed, "but I would run this by the admiral before going through with it. He's a right to the diction."

"I'll speak with him when he's out of his meeting. Thank you, Kayson." Lilith nodded to the man before leaving the small room she'd been talking with him in. She moved through the halls, pausing to speak with a few people she passed. Many people were sullen these days but were happier with the resent victory a few weeks ago over the rebels. Not many knew Abel and his team had nearly been killed the night before last.

If Lilith had her way she'd have Abel stay in hospital for a few days. But Abel was fine compared to Tabitha, Alexander, Barrack, and Arthur who had been hit hardest by the gas. Even Solomon was going in and out of the hospital. For some odd reason the gas hadn't had as strong of an effect on Abel. All Lilith really knew, was she was happy her love was fine. Though he did look as if he could've done with a break last night, besides this his health was great.

Lilith exited the hospital and headed back towards the capital. The ruins of the city were hard to see in this part. There was little rubble remaining in the streets and it was far easier to get to the capital building than it had been the day the first attack had come. She entered the building and headed straight for where the meeting was taking place. She had a feeling that Abel would need her support. The rebels had done more than nearly kill her love and his team.

"It's your fault the rebels got away with our supplies!" one of the higher ranked personal shout carried through the door to Lilith.

Lilith glanced at soldier sitting at the security desk. He shrugged in response. "I'd head in just to cool their heads a little, Lilith."

Lilith nodded and entered the room. The fact he'd called her by name served as a sharp reminder Lilith had lost her military rank and position when she'd become pregnant. Abel had wanted her as far from the fighting as she could get without leaving Mars.

"You shouldn't be blaming the admiral," Solomon snapped, leaping to his feet from where he sat to Abel left.

Abel was at the end of the table, an empty seat to his right where Lilith normally sat. "Even if my team had been here when the rebels hit the supplies, do you think any of us would have noticed in time to stop them?" Abel asked in a tight voice. He showed little of the strain she'd seen last night.

"Besides, general," Lilith started as she took her seat, "Admiral Nightlord was on his day off when the call came in for him to head to the barricade. You, meanwhile, stayed in rooms asleep. This situation could've been a lot worse if Admiral Nightlord hadn't headed out when he had."

The general snorted. "Yeah, because falling headlong into a trap is very helpful. Half of us are missing today because of that little 'heroic' stunt."

"I'm aware of this," Abel stated, he gave Lilith a soft smile before returning to his gaze to the general. "But what you must remember is that none of us, including yourself, expected the rebels to be able to get this far passed our defenses." Abel shifted his gaze from the general to Solomon.

Solomon was leaning back in his chair, his hand on his chin in thought. Over the past several months his hair had grown out so it was now brushing his jaw line. He wasn't the only one either, Abel's hair had grown out to a point Lilith really needed to start trying to get it cut. Not that longer hair didn't look good on him, his hair, nearly to his shoulders, softened his hard features. It made his wintery eyes stand out more.

Abel leaned forward his hair falling around his face. He continued, "With how much the rebels have taken, we should ration some of our food supply. Not much, just some."

"We should also tighten our forces around the few farms we have," Lilith put in.

Abel nodded. "That would be wise." His expression was grim and he looked as if he'd aged years in the past few hours. "General, since you're so concerned about this. I'll have your forces move from the capital building to the farms. That way you can make damn certain the rebels don't take any more of our food supplies."

"I—"

"You were the complaining about how we lost the supplies," Solomon reminded the man. "You should be the one to guard the farms then."

"All right, I won't let you down, Admiral Nightlord," there was almost a bitter note to the man's voice.

"I'm sure you won't. Dismissed," Abel drew the meeting to a close.

The few people in the room stood and filed out. Solomon muttered a few curses under his breath as he gathered up his laptop before he followed the group from the room.

Once all of them left, Abel let out a heavy breath and leaned back in his sit. The façade he'd been wearing fell away to reveal his fatigue. "I'm sorry you had to see that," he murmured, "and thankful you arrived when you did."

Lilith pushed herself to her feet and moved so she was behind Abel. She worked of his coat before rubbing his tense his shoulders. "You need to take a day off and I don't mean a day to just do paperwork either."

A gentle hand touched hers. Abel's touch, as it had been since he'd been fused was light as if he scared she'd break. His lips touched her wrist. "I can't afford a day off," he whispered, stroking her hand.

"Even if it's for your health."

Abel choked on a laugh. "Even then." His wintery gaze locked onto her eyes. "I'm saving the day I take off for the first day of our daughters' lives." He turned in his seat and touched her stomach. "What was it you went to see Kayson for?" he asked, expression so soft Lilith felt her heart swelling with warmth. Abel was going to a marvelous father.

"It can wait."

Abel frowned. "I'd like to hear it."

A sigh escaped Lilith as she leaned against the table. "I was thinking of fusing our daughters with the bacillus before they're born. I want them to have a fighting chance in this world."

"Hmm," Abel pulled back on his jacket. "I don't see why not. I'd rather them live than be killed because we held off on this matter."

Lilith kissed him. "I knew you'd understand. I'll see Kayson again and get it all arranged."

Abel smiled at her. "Becareful, will you?"

"I always am, my love." Lilith kissed him again before heading out of the room.

xxx

Several months had passed since Abel and his team had nearly been killed. The war had continued to ware on Abel. He felt more drained than ever. Even still, he knew the second he dropped his guard again someone close to him would end up injured or killed. He wasn't about to let what had happened those months ago to happen again. His friends had nearly been killed because of him. He wouldn't let something like that happen again.

Abel paused at the edge of a farm. The workers had gone in awhile back and he could just make out the guards at the far end of the farm. The night was crisp, but not as cold in this part of the colony. The air here was carefully regulated for the perfect growing climate.

Sighing, Abel knew he should be back with Lilith. It was extremely late. For some odd reason he'd been unable to sleep. He kept dreaming of Lilith being attacked and their children dying before being born.

As Abel turned, he noticed the lights were on in one of the old labs. A frown creased his lips. No one should be out this late or this close to the front. If it was the rebels, then he needed to call for backup. But if it wasn't the rebels then he would've wasted his men's time. Abel walked over to the lab. It was the best he investigated on his own then.

Abel entered the lab and moved down the worn, metal halls towards the main source of light. His hand rested on his gun. The closer he drew to the door emitting the light, the tenser Abel grew. His heart raced. His senses become hyperaware.

At the door, Abel peered and sighed. "Doctor Asran," Abel started into the room, "what are you doing out here alone?"

Sonya turned and let out a breath. "Dear Lord, admiral, you spooked me." She gave him a nervous smile before saying, "I'm not the only one who shouldn't be out here alone." She nodded and rubbed her swollen stomach.

"Yeah, but I can defend myself. And aren't you due any day now?" Abel asked, crossing over to her. He leaned against the table and cocked a questioning eyebrow at her.

A slight flicker of pain crossed Sonya's face. She snorted, the pain vanishing so quickly Abel wasn't sure he'd seen it. "You sound like Arthur. You certain you weren't an American like him?"

"No, I was born in England," Abel stated. "What does that have to do with you being out here?"

"England? Wasn't your sister born in Canada and brother in Germany? I feel sorry for your mother."

"Yeah, umm…" Abel trailed off, not wanting to answer why he and his siblings weren't born in the same nation. "Why are you out here anyway?" he changed the subject instead.

"Ah, that," Sonya winced again. She turned back to the table and laptop. "I was looking at the last mineral samples that were collected before the war broke out." She gave him a pain smile. "It seems you were right."

"About?"

"Take a look for yourself, admiral." Sonya gestured to the microscope.

Abel sighed. "Honestly, Sonya, you can just call me Abel." He leaned in and peered at the sample. The microscope adjusted to his vision and – and, "Gold!" Abel exclaimed at the sight of the precious metal mixed with rock of mars.

"Yes," Sonya confirmed. "Enough to make an extremely rich nation by the readings the probe droid returned." She laughed. "I can't believe I lost an argument with a military man."

A grin split his features and Abel laughed. He couldn't help it. "This is amazing, Sonya. Just imagine the shock the UN will be in when the colony gets back to earth." He straightened. "We'll toast to this after your child's born."

"I look forward to it… Abel." Sonya grinned, her face flushed. "It's a wonderful find that's for certain."

A gun went off. Sonya gasped. Abel whipped around to see several rebels entering the room.

Taking hold of Sonya, Abel pulled her to her feet and raced off. Gun fire echoed around them. Sonya staggered. "You have to keep going," Abel shouted at her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her nod, one hand over her chest.

Abel led them from the room and raced off down hall. A loud crack split the air, followed by a shout from Ron, "Hope you stay buried this time, admiral."

Abel pushed Sonya into a room and dived in after. Rubble fell in behind them, sealing them in. Panting, Abel turned to the wall of rubble and listened.

"Head back out. We need to secure the farm before the general takes back his offer." Ron's voice was followed by them moving away.

"I think we're in the clear," Abel whispered. "I'll dig us out and we can get back to—"

Gasping interrupted Abel.

Whipping around, his eyes widened to see Sonya lying on the ground, her back to a wall and bleeding. "Sonya!" he raced over to her. "Come on, hold on." Abel touched his radio, but a bloodied hand reached up and touched his.

"I-I'm not going to make it," Sonya gave him a pained smile, her breathing was uneven as she pulled her other hand away from her chest to reveal a where some of the blood was coming from. "P-please, take my child from me. It's coming anyway." Sweet trickled down her face.

"You're not going to die!" Abel put pressure on the wound, heart hammering. "I'll get you back to the capital or behind our forces. You can deliver there."

Pain filled her eyes but she smiled, tears sliding down her face. "I-I know I w-won't make it."

"Damn it, Sonya, you're a Russian. You're strong!" Abel pleaded with her.

Ripple raced down her stomach. She gasped. "Please," she placed her hand over his. "Please," her voice cracked with pain.

Abel nodded, his throat tight. "All right." He slipped off his jacket and took off his lower shirt. He lifted Sonya little. She gasped. "It's all right. I'm bending the wound so-so you can old out a little longer. Just enough for you child to be born," he tried harder than he had ever tried before to keep his voice even.

Carefully he took off her two coats and wrapped his shirt around her shoulder. He then bundled up the lab coat and placed it behind her. The softer coat he-he'd wrap the child in. He pulled back on his jacket.

Abel didn't know how long he was there with her. The time passed in a blur of her pained screams and him trying to help her as much as he could. He didn't know what to do other than the little Kayson had shown him incase Lilith went into labor and the doctors couldn't reach them in time. Soon the fresh cries of a newborn filled the air. Abel wrapped her in the sweater and showed the baby girl to Sonya.

"It's a girl," he whispered. His heart sank at how pale and sickly Sonya looked. She was still loosing blood.

"My little angel," Sonya's voice came as far less then a whisper. Her hand trembled as she reached up and touched her daughter. "Abel?"

"Yeah?"

"W-will you stay with me; then get her to Arthur," she panted.

"I'll stay." Abel held the girl and somehow managed to take Sonya's hand. "We'll both stay."

"Do you know any Russian lobbies?"

Abel nodded, his throat tightening again. "A few, but only in passing on the internet."

"Then listen." Sonya began to weakly sing a song in Russian. Her words were weak and still spoke of so much hope. A tear trickled down Abel's face. Sonya's hand slipped from his, her voice fading midsentence.

"Sonya?" Abel shook her.

Sonya didn't respond.

"Sonya!" he shouted, tears slid down his face, but she still didn't respond. "Please, Sonya." The tears slid to sweater. The little girl was still fast asleep, lying as she had since her mother had started to sing. "I'll come back for you," he whispered to Sonya. "I promise, I will." He brushed his fingers over her eyes, closing the lids. Never again would her eyes shine with joy. Never again would anyone see her smile or hear her laughter.

Shaking, Abel stood. He held the unnamed child to him protectively.

"I'll get you home," he whispered to the child. "I promise you, I'll get you home."

Abel moved to the blocked door. With one hand he shifted the rubble to find it was only a thin layer between them and hall. He pushed the rubble away and slipped into the hall.

"Look there!" someone shouted.

Abel bolted. Gun fire echoed off the walls. Pain lanced through his back. Abel didn't slow. His heart raced, mind locked on getting the girl to her father. The pain increased. Blood filled his mouth. He could feel something sharp growing as it pushed aside his teeth. He growled. Faster, he had to go faster.

Legs searing, Abel ran through the night. He didn't know where he was going or how far he'd run only that he had to keep going. He couldn't stop. The warmth of the child he held kept his eyes wide and feet sure on the uneven ground.

"Sir!" a familiar shout made Abel slow. He'd come upon a barricade. Tabitha was the first he saw racing towards him. Soon Arthur, Barrack, Solomon, and Alexander came into view. "Sir, what happened? I heard the farm in this direction had fallen. What are you—"

"Where's Sonya?!" Arthur demanded. "I know she went to that research lab. Where is she? You couldn't have left my wife behind."

"I—" Abel's voice cracked. He swayed. "I couldn't…"

"Where is she?!" Arthur's voice went high with fear. "Where's my wife? And our child?!"

"Sonya's… she-she's dead." Abel slowly revealed the small child he held. "She wanted me to get your daughter to safety."

Arthur stared at the baby before shakily taking her from Abel. Once the girl was out of his arms, the ground swayed under Abel.

"Sir!" arms wrapped him, catching him as the world buckled and gave way to darkness.

xxx

A fuzzy ceiling greeted Abel. He blinked. It came further into focus. Soft breathing sounded from beside him. His ear pressed against his pillow as he looked next to him. Lilith had fallen asleep at the bedside of their room. How'd he even gotten here?

The memory of what had happened came crashing down on Abel. He started to sit up. Pain lanced through his body. Gasping, Abel managed to get into a sitting position.

"Abel?" Lilith opened her eyes a slit. At once she sat up and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You need to lie back down."

"No," Abel started, trying not to pant. It was taking so much strength just to sit up. "I need to speak with Arthur. I need to-to apologize."

"There's nothing you could've done." Lilith's beautiful eyes glittered with worry. "You need rest and not to move. You were shot several times trying to escape with-with…" she swallowed.

"Please, Lilith," Abel whispered. "Let me do this, then I'll rest."

"The last time you said something like this, you didn't rest for twenty hours afterwards," Lilith stated. She sighed. "I'm going to drag you back here if I have to."

"Understood, my love," Abel smiled and touched her beautiful face. The pain Arthur must've been in right now was unimaginable to Abel. He didn't know what he would do if he ever lost Lilith.

Abel stood and dressed. With Lilith's help he made it to Arthur's room.

"Lilith, I need to speak with him alone."

There was a pause before Lilith nodded and stepped back. "I'll be waiting out here."

Abel hesitated before knocking.

"Coming!" Arthur's voice sounded from the other side of the door. A few moments later the door was opened by Arthur. It was the first time Abel had ever seen the man in civilian clothes. "Sir? What are you doing here? You should be recovering."

"I needed to speak with you. May I?" Abel gestured into the apartment.

"Of course, just be quiet so you don't wake Athina."

Abel bowed his head and entered the small apartment behind Arthur. When the door had hissed closed Abel spoke, "I need to apologize. I should've been able to get Sonya bac—"

"Don't," Arthur said, shaking his head. "While you were out a group retrieved her body. Kayson told me that both she and Athina would've died there if not for you. The bullet had hit too close to her heart for her to survive making it back here. You at least brought me my little girl."

An awkward silence fell between them. Abel wanted to confess all the guilt and shame which still weigh on his mind. He couldn't. Not after what Arthur had said, Abel just couldn't.

"I've decided to make you Athina's god-father," Arthur said after several long moments. "If I die, I'll know she'll be in good hands."

"Arthur, I don't…" Abel trailed off and took a deep breath. "I'm honored, thank you. I promise you this, you won't die here." He be damned if he was going to lose another friend on mars. To hell with that! Abel never lose another friend to this war or to any war. He'd ensure it.

(Author's Note: I cried while writing this chapter. It's just really sad. This chapter and the next are some of saddest in this part.

And I know this is a terrible chapter to release on Christmas.

We passed chapter 8 of the old book a few chapters ago, but we're still no where near the old chapter 9.)