Here be the next one :-) Sorry for the wait!

xx

Skye:

Lucas and I hid in some of the tangled foliage as the Phoenix Group searched the area for us. We had successfully managed to get from the campsite without being captured, though we had been seen fleeing. The soldiers were hot on our trail, but Lucas seemed fairly confident that we wouldn't be found. He had a natural ability of being able to disappear.

As we remained crouched down in the bushes, Lucas gently squeezed my hand. I was praying that I wasn't going to be sick. My stomach was churning and my chest burnt with fiery acid; but so far I hadn't brought anything up. I had suspected that I had been coming down with something by how tired I had been feeling; but I seriously regretted my timing.

We were being hunted; I didn't have time to be ill. I had to be 100% if we were going to make it out alive. But I leaned my head on Lucas's shoulder, trying to swallow down the queasy sensation I felt. All I wanted to do was lie down and sleep.

"Over here Sir!" One soldier yelled. I peeked through the leaves and saw Hooper marching toward the soldier known as Hart. I felt Lucas tense as the anger consumed him. I got the feeling he had respected Hooper, possibly even liked him a little. I could understand how furious he was toward the betrayal. "Boot prints." He announced, gesturing in the mud.

My alarmed gaze switched to Lucas, worried they'd find us. But Lucas remained calmly watching the scene play out.

"Follow them." Hooper commanded. "Myles, Robinson," My heart jolted when I saw Matt walk forward. I refused to believe that he would betray me; he had my only friend in there. "Go with Hart." They both nodded and then the three soldiers starting tracking the prints. "Johnson!"

The older, grouchy soldier that I had encountered a few times stepped forward. He looked sheepishly at Hooper.

"Yes Sir?"

Hooper didn't look at him, but continued glaring forward.

"I gave you one job; keep an eye on Lucas and the girl until I got back." He switched his vengeful scowl to Johnson. "You've let me down." Johnson looked down at the ground like a scorned child. My eyes widened in horror when I saw Hooper pull his gun out from his holster. He began examining the gun carefully, toying with Johnson. "Give me one good reason why I should continue to let you breathe?"

"I can fix this. I can find them." Johnson replied, eyeing Hooper cautiously.

"Oh you better find them," Hooper turned the gun so it was pointing directly at Johnson's head. "Otherwise I'll decorate the forest with your brains." He hissed.

Just the thought of that carnage was enough to turn my stomach. I did a silent gag, feeling sick to the stomach. Lucas glanced at me. He frowned concernedly.

"We need to move." I breathed, unsure of how much longer I was going to be able to sit there without retching and alerting the enemy to our whereabouts.

Lucas's expression softened. He smiled sympathetically and nodded. Gently, he pressed his lips to my forehead and then tilted his head in the direction behind us. I nodded at his silent command and slowly began shuffling backward, wanting to get away. Lucas hesitated a moment, glaring back at the traitor soldiers, before he finally began following me.

We slithered through the thick brambles, creeping further away. My heart's anxious beating began settling as I heard the voices of the Phoenix Group growing more distant; though I knew I wouldn't feel entirely safe until I was back in Terra Nova.

Lucas stood by my side, rubbing my back as I hurled into a bush. I gripped onto his other hand, holding myself up as vomit spewed out from me.

I felt awful, and not just because I was throwing up; but because I was slowing us down. I knew we needed to get a move on, but I kept having to stop for breaks. We'd only progressed about a klick and a half before I had taken another funny turn. I knew the Phoenix Group were hunting us at that very moment; and I was certain that the Sixers probably would have joined them by then. We didn't have time to waste.

Yet still Lucas patiently waited as I gagged and groaned. All I wanted to do was lie down and go to sleep.

"I'm sorry." I muttered as my insides temporarily remained where they were.

Lucas shook his head.

"It's fine. They won't find us now; I'm good at disappearing." I smiled warmly at him and then suddenly acid burnt up my throat and more sick came shooting up. I coughed it up into the unfortunate greenery and moaned. "I'm more worried about you." Lucas remarked.

He sounded concerned as well. I shook my head, though I didn't look back at him; I kept my mouth pointing in the direction of the bush, feeling like more vomit was on its way.

"I'm okay. It was probably just something I ate."

I remained doubled over, waiting for the next wave. Lucas continued rubbing my back, trying to offer some comfort. The longer I lasted without being sick, the happier I felt. Tentatively, I straightened back up and carefully leaned my body back into Lucas's.

"Do you want some water?" He asked. I nodded. Lucas reached down to his backpack by his feet and unzipped it. He retrieved a water canister and offered it to me. I took it from him and had a few hesitant sips. "Do you want anything else?" He queried.

I shook my head, though quickly stopped as that made me feel a little dizzy.

"I just want to get back home and sleep this off."

Lucas lightly kissed my hair.

"I will get you back to Terra Nova; I promise." I smiled weakly. "Come and sit down."

"Don't we have to keep moving?" I queried, not wanting to hold us up.

"We'll be fine Bucket. They won't find us now. Like I said, I'm good at disappearing." I beamed. "Come and rest for five minutes."

I obeyed and allowed him to lead me to where a large boulder lay. I happily sat myself down, wanting nothing more than to rest. I clutched onto the water canister as Lucas sat down beside me.

"Maybe you could try Taylor again?" I suggested.

At our last rest break, Lucas had decided to try to contact Taylor so he could come and pick us up to save me from walking the whole way back to Terra Nova. But we were a long way away, and he hadn't been able to get a signal.

"I doubt we'll get a signal Bucket." Lucas remarked honestly. I sighed and looked down at my hands. "But I'll try. You never know." He quickly added, getting to his feet.

I watched him quietly as he went to his backpack and retrieved the radio that he had shoved in. Lucas started pacing around the area, trying to get a signal; I continued sipping my water. When he spoke through the radio, he addressed Taylor as 'Commander' and not 'dad'. I knew I shouldn't interfere in their relationship, but I really wanted them to sort things out. I cared about both of them so much, and I hated watching them tearing chunks from one another.

"Damn thing." Lucas grumbled, smacking the radio with his hand.

"Well hitting it's not going to help." I scolded.

Lucas's green eyes flashed up to me and he smirked.

"It's making me feel better." He remarked. I chuckled and watched as he came and sat next to me. "How are you doing?" He queried, brushing my hair behind my ear.

I smiled weakly at him and nodded.

"I'm okay." I lied. But Lucas saw right through me and eyed me suspiciously. I sighed. "I just feel exhausted and a little light headed."

Lucas's eyes widened.

"Please don't pass out on me." He begged.

I chuckled hollowly.

"I'll try." I remarked, sipping at the water again.

He tentatively caressed my cheek.

"I'm sorry Bucket."

I eyed him cautiously.

"For what?" I questioned hesitantly.

"For you being out here." His gaze drifted to the jungle ahead of us. "I was selfish convincing my father to bring you out here. I knew you'd be perfectly safe in Terra Nova...but I saw a chance to see you again...and I did the selfish thing and took it." He looked intensely back at me. "And now I've put you in danger because I was too self-centred." He shook his head. "I never should have forced my father to bring you here. And for that I am truly sorry."

I sighed.

"Lucas..." I groaned. I gazed straight into the depths of his predatory eyes as I spoke. "I don't want to be anywhere else but here with you. Taylor didn't force me to come...it was my decision. I wanted to come...I wanted to see you again also." I touched his cheek with my fingers. "If I hadn't have come, then we would still be apart." I smiled at him. "I'm pleased you suggested it."

Lucas's mouth twitched into a small smile. I leant forward to kiss him but he jerked backwards.

"Back off...I don't want your germs." He teased.

I smirked at him.

"I thought my kisses were worth getting ill for." I retorted lightly.

Lucas chuckled.

"That was before I saw your breakfast make a reappearance." I pulled a face at him and then took another sip of the refreshing water. "Come on...we'd better get moving again." His eyes flicked back to me. "If you're alright with that."

I nodded slowly and smiled.

"I'll be okay. I probably just need to sleep it off."

Lucas smiled and then stood back up. He offered me his hand which I took immediately. My legs shook as I stood on them and I moaned as my mind began fogging over. The water bottle dropped from my trembling hands and I swayed on the spot.

"Bucket?"

I shook my head at him and quickly pushed past him. I leant against the trunk of a tree as I violently threw up again. Lucas sighed behind me and I heard him begin to approach me. His warm hand rested on my back, and he gently rubbed in a circular motion.

"I'm sorry." I murmured.

"Again, you don't need to apologise. You can't help being sick."

I nodded and glanced at Lucas.

"Actually I think it's your fault." He eyed me curiously. "I told you that meat you cooked the other night didn't taste right." Lucas smirked. "You've probably given me food poisoning."

He chuckled lightly.

"Brilliant...now I feel guilty as hell."

I frowned playfully at him.

"Well you should Mr Taylor, making me feel so sick."

Lucas put his hands up in a mock surrender.

"I'm sorry."

I giggled at him and then leant my head back against the tree trunk.

"We should get moving." I remarked. Lucas nodded. "Go get the bags. I'll be fine. I'll just keep the water with me." I glanced back at where the flask lay deposited on the grassy floor. Lucas nodded again and then wandered back and threw the bags over his shoulders. Then he grasped hold of the flask and handed it back to me. I smiled gratefully. "Thanks."

Lucas smiled warmly.

"Ready?"

I nodded. Lucas took hold of my hand and then began leading me through the dark trees.

So what do we think is wrong with Skye? ;-)