Hey everyone! So, in response to the amazing reviews I got for the last chapter, I decided to write this one in a day! Speaking of the reviews, OMG! Thank you guys so much! Your feedback seriously motivates me to continue, you guys are awesome 3 Enjoy this chapter!
Skye woke up with a start the next morning, her cheeks still wet from her tears. Her night had been filled with nightmares about Lucas, both alive and dead. Though she had been half-asleep as she dreamt, Skye remembered feeling Dr. Shannon stroke her back sympathetically as she slept. As she reached up to wipe her tears, Skye realized that she wasn't alone.
"Lieutenant," said Skye, her eyes wide. Her voice was still groggy from sleep, but she was still surprised to see Wash nonetheless. She was perched awkwardly on the stool, obviously much more comfortable with standing.
"Skye," Wash's face softened and she reached out to place her hand over Skye's. "How are you feeling?"
Skye looked down at her ribs, analyzing the pain quotient in her body. "A lot better, actually."
"That's great," said Wash, her mouth tilting into a warm smile. She squeezed Skye's hand slightly as she thought of something, her smile disappearing. "I'm so sorry that I shot you, Skye. I should have been more careful."
"Don't worry about it," replied Skye, trying to smile even though it turned out as more of a grimace. "We both know that it wasn't your fault."
Wash pressed her lips together, her eyebrows furrowing. She hesitated before opening her mouth again, and Skye was pretty sure she knew what Wash's question was going to be. "Why did you do it? Take the bullet for him?"
"Because I love him," said Skye, cursing under her breath as tears filled her eyes again. The proper word would have been 'loved', but she couldn't bring herself to say it. Wash's frown deepened, and she reached over and grabbed a tissue for Skye.
"Even after everything he did?" asked Wash as Skye wiped her tears. Skye looked up and met Wash's eyes, her question bringing up a million memories. Lucas had done so much to her, threatening everyone she loved and even hurting her more than once. The scar on the back of Skye's head symbolized more than that one time Lucas smashed her head into the rover; it represented his holding her mother hostage, trying to hurt the Shannons, threatening to kill Josh, and much, much more.
"Of course," replied Skye, surprising herself. She wiped away the last traces of her tears, but her heart still felt heavy inside of her. "He may have done a lot of things, but he really was a good person. I loved him, and I always will."
Skye looked down at her blankets, biting down on her tongue to stop any more tears from falling. She still felt numb, as though everything was just a bad dream. A few months ago, the news that Lucas was dead would have brought her relief if anything. Now, it promised a lifetime of sorrow and heartbreak. Skye's heart sank down another few inches as she realized that she would never get to look into those mesmerizing jade-green eyes and hear that raspy voice ever again. She wouldn't get to feel the warmth of his body, or his scarred skin as he caressed her cheek. Skye quickly swiped at her cheek as a tear escaped her eyes, trailing down to her lips.
Wash stroked the back of Skye's hand, only reminding her more of Lucas. "Skye… I know what I said before. About the two of you being together. But you have to understand that he is – was – no good for you."
Skye coughed to cover up for the sob that escaped her lips, and she nodded numbly, hoping that Wash would leave. Wash pulled Skye into a hug as she stood up, murmuring into her hair. "It's going to be okay. Get some rest when you get home, alright?"
Skye nodded again, exhaling in relief as Wash turned away to leave. However, the moment Wash left, Dr. Shannon came over to Skye's bed. "Good morning, Skye. How are you feeling?"
"Better," replied Skye, her voice cracking slightly. She quickly faked a smile as Dr. Shannon looked up with a concerned expression at her voice.
"Great," said Dr. Shannon, her smile reappearing. "So, I have some good news. You're being discharged."
"Seriously?" Skye raised her eyebrows, genuinely surprised. Dr. Shannon nodded, tapping at her Plex.
"Yes, you can actually leave as soon as I get you a few painkillers from the back room," said Dr. Shannon. "Thankfully, the bullet didn't hit anything important. You're all sealed up now, good to go."
"Oh!" Skye threw her blankets off, looking down at the wound. "Okay, sounds good to me."
Before Skye knew it, she was standing outside the medic center with a handful of medication and a free pass to go back home. Hoping to avoid talking to anyone just yet, Skye took off towards her cabin as fast as she could with a bullet wound in her side. As she passed the front of Terra Nova, Skye found herself looking up at the fort and wanting to go talk to Taylor.
After battling with her conscience and her heart for a few moments, Skye steered herself towards the fort with determination. Just as she stepped onto the first step, someone reached out and tapped her shoulder. She whirled around to find Shannon standing behind her, his eyes wide. "Skye!"
"Mr. Shannon," Skye smiled, feeling genuinely happy to see him in one piece. The Shannons had had enough troubles in Terra Nova, and Skye was relieved that everything was over for their sake. Shannon looked surprised to see Skye up and about, his eyes flickering from the medication in her hands to her face.
"You were discharged?" asked Shannon, looking back at the medic center. Skye nodded, gesturing towards her armful of drugs.
"Not without enough painkillers to last a century," replied Skye, hoping that that sounded normal. To her relief, Shannon cracked a grin.
"So, what're you doing at the fort?" asked Shannon, looking up at the structure. Skye followed his gaze, shielding her eyes against the sun.
"I, uh, wanted to see Commander Taylor."
"Ooh, he isn't in right now," said Shannon, grimacing slightly. Skye shrugged nonchalantly.
"I'll wait for him upstairs," she replied, stepping up another level. Shannon reached out and grabbed Skye's arm, pulling her back down.
"You know, I don't think that's a good idea," said Shannon, his eyebrows furrowing together. Skye's eyes narrowed suspiciously; she always waited for Taylor in the fort. What was wrong now? Shannon cleared his throat awkwardly, looking around for an excuse. "You should, uh, get home. You were just discharged, weren't you? Why don't you rest for a bit and come back this evening?"
"O… kay," Skye frowned slightly as she stepped off the stairs, walking back towards her house. She turned around again to see Shannon looking up at the fort nervously, and she raised an eyebrow. "Good to see you, Mr. Shannon."
"Y-you too, Skye!" called Shannon, waving back at Skye. She picked up her pace as she walking down the path, her mind racing. So Shannon was hiding something. Was Taylor in on this too? And if he was, would he really lie to Skye again? Whatever it was, there was something in that fort that Shannon didn't want her to see. And she was determined to find out what that was.
Taylor inhaled deeply before pushing the wooden door open for the second time since he had locked up his son. The lights were off, as he had left them, and Taylor flipped the lights on with his elbow seeing as his other hand was carrying food. Lucas squinted across the room, blinded by the lights.
"Food," said Taylor shortly, walking over to set the bowl beside Lucas. Lucas looked over at the bowl with distaste, and turned his glare on his father instead.
"So, father," Lucas narrowed his piercing eyes. "What're you planning to do with me? You know, seeing as I'm supposed to be dead."
Taylor looked down at his son, a range of emotions running through his mind. No matter what he did, all Taylor saw was the same little boy who he taught how to hold a gun when he was 12 years old. The little boy who carried his wife's beautiful green eyes. The little boy who, at a time, loved him. "I want to forgive you, Lucas. I would love for you to join Terra Nova again, but I can't let you back into the colony right now. You may be dangerous, and I can't put Terra Nova in harm's way."
"Well, I guess that's why you're Commander," scoffed Lucas, his voice bitter. Taylor heaved a sigh, stepping back from Lucas. He opened his mouth to speak again, but decided against it at the last moment and turned around to leave.
Lucas watched his father go with a twisted expression on his face. Though he wanted to let his thoughts curse his father, all he could think about was Skye. He missed her so much that he could physically feel the pain. Lucas could almost smell the enchanting scent of her citrus shampoo, and feel her soft curly hair tickle his face as he slept. He missed the soft touch of her skin, the tease in her voice, the feel of her lips… but what hurt the most was that Skye thought he was dead. And he couldn't bring himself to imagine what would happen if she decided to move on.
:( Watch Terra Nova Season 2 start and I'll be feeling bad for the psycho. Drawbacks of writing fanfiction :P Till next time!