River pulled away from Jack grateful their guests chose that moment to appear at the top of stairs. She wiped tears away as she flashed an embarrassed smile. The dramatic change in the Vshakians was every bit as startling as Jack suggested. They all had transformed from their pale blue, almost ethereal appearance to petite, olive-skinned beauties. Dark eyes framed by long eyelashes set off their delicate facial features.
K'Nar and Nela stood in front of the Queen dressed in long dresses that Jack explained were called abayas. Fine gold embroidery decorated the neckline and hem of K'Nar's pale purple dress while Nela wore a simple grey dress with beaded black cording. Both girls wore the typical hijab. They looked like typical Eastern European Muslim young teens. The abayas worn by the Queen and her aid were just as elegant but gave the two women a professional appearance. They were all stunning.
Jack was glad that he'd come up with a cover story to have them dress and act Muslim. Their clothing covered everything but their hands and faces, but Jack made a mental note to make sure they were always accompanied by a member of the team. They were too cute for words, and he didn't intend to take chances that overzealous teenage boys might spot them in Elizabeth.
They had reviewed early 21st century history, practised greetings and customs and tasted local food provided by the ship. They'd spent two hours practising typical human greetings. Getting the women to stop calling everyone My Lord or Lady proved a little tricky. It was a hard habit to overcome in a short amount of time. All in all, the few hours spent onboard the ship proved incredibly fruitful, and now it was time to go home.
" What's in your ear?" K'Nar asked as she and Neela came bouncing down the steps toward them, leaving the Queen and her aide standing at the top of the stairs.
He glanced down at the mobile on his belt and touched the earwig. A smile crossed his face at the realisation that a race of telepaths would have no concept of the 21st century device. A quick nod to the Queen and he launched into an explanation.
"It's called a telephone. This particular is a mobile or cell phone that bounces its signal off the time vortex and can reach any phone anywhere the technology exists.
"As long as you have the area code, " River quipped.
"Yea, well - anyway," Jack said as he pulled a face before turning back to K'Nar. "The thing in my ear lets me listen and talk while leaving my hands free. "
" It's like a mechanical telepathic link ?" Nela asked as she stepped next to her mistress.
"Well, yeah, I suppose, but I can't hear their thoughts, only their words. "
K'Nar just shook her head.
Jack jumped and pulled a face at River's smirk when his mobile finally rang making K'Nar giggle. "Ianto Jones, where are you?" Jack grinned as he spoke to the Welshman. Neither he nor River expected to be gone two long months. At least for Ianto it had only been a few days.
"We are just flying over Pennsylvania, sir. We should be landing in two hours and twelve minutes - our time."
"Very good and our covers are intact, I assume?"
"Absolutely, sir. Gwen and Rhys send their regards."
"See you soon." Jack smiled warmly when he clicked the connection off. He did miss the man.
"Okay," he looked at River, "Yan will be landing in two hours and twelve minutes. That means we need to set coordinates to land in two hours and thirty-two minutes, and no one will know we aren't coming back from the airport. I love it when a plan comes together." He allowed himself a small chuckle as he rubbed his hands together. They were both glad this was nearly over.
With the TARDIS's anxiety levels down , the two humans were finally free of the constant headaches. She tickled the back of Jack's mind letting her relief wash through him. For the first time in days, her alert system was quiet. Centuries had passed since so many telepaths were on board and their presence left the TARDIS feeling blissfully content. To make sure that this alien would help her children, she gladly shared her history and stories of her latest inhabitants. Now that she knew her nightmare would end soon she was ready to return her passengers to the hospital. Thief would come home soon after.
" Next call, " Jack grinned at the girls as he punched in Martha's number.
" Martha Jones, voice of a nightingale, how are you ?" Jack actually sounded in a good mood.
" How much longer, Jack ?"
"For me, thirty seconds give or take. For you, two hours and thirty-two minutes. Ianto will be landing at the airfield in two hours and twelve minutes. We will be walking in hospital twenty minutes after. How is he doing ?"
"He's okay , I think, we're all ready for this to end," Martha replied. "His pneumonia has improved dramatically, and the abscess has resolved. His energy production worries me; it's still bare minimum at best. I have to be honest, Jack, don't tell River this, I haven't told anyone here, but I'm worried that he has some brain damage. Even under, he's continued to have spikes in his EEG. I won't know for sure until he's awake."
"Damn," Jack muttered. "When we get this undone, what are his chances at a full recovery?"
"Honestly, I think it will be slow. Let's just get her to undo what K'Nar did, and then we'll see. How are we explaining the Queen? "
"Since she's a healer, she's telling everyone that she's a psychiatrist who deals with terror victims."
"That sounds good. How is K'Nar handling all this ?"
"She's scared for him. She's gone through a lot, and she blames herself. Her mum is just starting to understand what she did. She is a typical kid. She and her friend both ask a gazillion questions. We have an issue we will talk about later. It explains a couple of things, but it shouldn't change our present plan. How long before you wake him up ?"
"The plan is for him to wake up to her voice. We will turn the drip off thirty minutes before you get back. We'll pull everything, but an IV and his catheter, and wait for him to lighten up. And then we'll cross our fingers. He has a lot of support here. We all do."
"Okay, Martha Jones, tell all those folks to say a prayer this works. Let them know about the Muslim thing. I don't need anyone with a 9/11 complex upsetting these people. "
"Jack, I think their tongues would fall out before they said anything hateful, but I'll tell them. "
o0o
Martha closed her phone, and smiled at the group sitting in the little lounge area. She'd made sure that no-one could hear her, but she could see the looks of concern on their faces. Over a dozen people waited for a child coming from half a world away. Martha chuckled to herself; if they only knew. She pocketed the phone and walked back to the space that over the last few days, had become a hangout for the Americans and Brits, including the ICU staff. She marvelled at how fast a few of the older visitors sprang to their feet wanting information.
"They'll be here in two and half hours. Jack told me to tell you, they are Muslim so if that's a problem for anyone -?"
" Doctor Jones, please, we are better than that. " A woman named Barbara said as she looked at the others. "Still, they are bound to be hungry after such a long flight. Does anyone know whom to call, to get the right food for them ?"
Martha smiled ; these were amazing people.
" I need everyone to understand, this is just the very first step. When he wakes up, he will be confused and disoriented. He still needs weeks of therapy physically, and he will need a lot of support emotionally. All I did was buy him time for his body to heal. The hard work is just beginning. "
"Doctor Jones, no matter how long it takes, we're all committed to helping, but do you think he really will ? Get well I mean, after everything he's been through ?"
Martha looked at Bob Harrison. The older man, despite his early doubts, turned out to be one of the more committed visitors. "Yeah, I do, Bob. I just don't think it will be easy. For as long as I have known him, he has never turned away from a fight. He will get better, especially after he realises that people truly care. I need to let everyone in his room know what's happening. " Martha left the group and headed for Thete. She couldn't wait until he was the Doctor again.
Martha stood in the doorway of Thete's room with a multitude of thoughts running through her head. River and Jack were finally coming back. She had no idea how long they's actually been gone, but she sincerely doubted that it was just four and half days. She'd learnt that time travel trick her first time out. The room was semi-busy with everyone finishing last minute details to make the room look nice. Nan was just finishing straightening his bed. Sarah washed his hair, announced there was a bit of new growth and fussed that it would take at least three haircuts to make it all to blend in. The sight of his bow tie brought a grin. Rory had clipped it on for River.
She wasn't even aware of sighing deeply. He was better: the bruises were resolving with some of the older bruises already gone, though ones from his last beating still covered his chest and back. Since he'd stopped fighting so hard, the welts had started to fade, and the cuts were beginning to heal. The physical injuries from his rape were healing. With any luck and no back sliding, his pneumonia would be resolved in the next few days. The gene therapy had acted as a patch, but still - until his body was fully restored to Gallifreyan, he would be ill. Even restored, he needed a full two weeks of antibiotics, while his immune system recovered.
Early Thanksgiving posters and fifty get-well cards decorated the wall of the neat room. They came from Nan and Hank's churches and from people in town who had never met the young man, but believed that he's stood up to terrorists and won. Once word went out that he'd been placed in a coma, Thete's story had grown. He had no idea how many people were pulling for his recovery. He would, though. Someone had started a scroll on the window at the café, for people to leave their good wishes and prayers for a recovery.
It was time for him to wake up. It was time for that brilliant brain to heal and to function as the brain of a Time Lord should. Everyone sitting next to him was ready for this to end.
Martha looked at Amy sitting next to Hank. She looked bloody exhausted. For five days, they'd practically forced her to go to bed at night. Annie wasn't much better. They were all outraged that her parents refused to shelter her. Nan moved her and Emily in with her, even paying the sitter to stay with Emily when Annie came to the hospital. They made sure someone stayed close by to ensure Mike didn't get anywhere near her. When they couldn't, Vince or a couple of buddies acted as her bodyguards. Martha knew Jack would have a cow when he saw the marks on her face. That all this drama had occurred because of a wounded stranger still amazed Martha. She was sure there was a cosmic meaning in there somewhere.
" They'll be here in a couple of hours," she called from the doorway. "Abby, you want to go ahead and shut off his feed, and then we can pull the tube ?" Martha said as she walked up to the bed. Abby nodded and turned off the pump .
Everyone gagged slightly as she flushed the tube and pulled it out. Two hours later, they stopped his drip. Abby suctioned him one last time, and then pulled his airway. The line from his neck was next. That left him with just an IV in the back of his hand, and a nasal cannula for his oxygen. His last IV would stay until they knew he could swallow pills and his catheter would come out when they knew he was strong enough to handle things of a personal nature with just a little help.
o0o
Perfectly timed with the TARDIS, Ianto pulled the black SUV into the third floor parking space closest to the recess under the fourth floor stairwell. Thirty seconds later, the TARDIS fully materialised filling the space with the familiar whine of engines. Ianto hoped a different Jack was returning, hopefully in a much better mood than when he left. Jack held the door open to allow Queen G'Na and her daughter out the door. River shepherded the rest of the group out the door behind them. The Vshakians stood in the car park, blinking with surprise.
They were standing on a world 30 000 light years from home, twenty centuries from their own.
"Welcome home, Sir." Ianto grinned when his friend/boss stepped out of the ship.
"anto, how did everything go ?"
"It's all been arranged. You just need to sign the documents. "
"Good. Your Majesty, let me present my friend Ianto Jones. Ianto, I'd like you to meet Her Majesty G'Na LLew. From now on, we have to remember, its Madam G'Na or Doctor Llew. And this," Jack laid a gentle hand on K'Nar, "is Her Royal Highness, K'Nar Llew. "
"Your Majesty - - Doctor Llew, it's my pleasure. Your Highness - - Miss, it's my honour. There are a lot of people excited to meet you. "
"Thank you, Mister Jones. " G'Na nodded her head numbly, obviously awed by her surroundings. "My Lord - - Mr Jones, what is this place ?"
" It's called a car park, Ma'am. It's where people put their transportation vehicles when they ' re at the healing centre. In this time, on Earth, healing centres are called hospitals. Transportation is fossil fuel based and they're called cars or automobiles. " Ianto answered.
" We call the vehicle that my friend Ianto came in, an SUV. They have cars and coaches, or busses, that carry a large number of people; and here in this part of the world, lorries, lots of Lorries. Except in America, they're called trucks. There are no transmats here. The only people with vortex manipulators are visitors from the 43rd century and beyond, and they stay hidden. " Jack finished.
"It's so strange, " K'Nar muttered. Holding each other's hands, the two girls turned in a tight circle, awestruck at the sight.
The humans couldn't help chuckle as the girls walked around the cars. K'Nar slid her finger on the hood of a Taurus. Ianto pulled her away, gently reminding her not to touch, lest she set off an alarm.
"We should go, please," River encouraged as she closed her mobile, "they're waiting for us. "
G'Na turned to her servants instructing them to wait in the TARDIS, and followed Jack and River to the lift.
Just outside the hospital doors, G'Na stopped, taking in a deep breath and turned to River, " She sings to him. "
"Pardon ?"
"When we landed, I was expecting to be bombarded, so I raised my shields, and reached out to see if there were any other telepaths. I hear only you, Captain Harkness and the ship. The minute we walked out the doors, she started singing to him. She is trying to get him to respond. This is unlike anything I have ever experienced. He's bonded to K'Nar, but his ship is bonded to him. Captain, Doctor Song, " G'Na brought her focus back, " As soon as we break his bond to K'Nar, we must re-bond him to his ship. Is there anything that can help act as a bridge between them - something we can use as a link."
"I don't know. " River answered, " Me, maybe. I was conceived on her. "
Jack's mouth dropped open " Really, how did that happen ?" Two months of their own time line together, and she'd left that little nugget out.
"Spo ..." she started with a grin.
" Yeah, I know spoilers. "
The Queen smiled at the two as she continued. "When we start the healing process, he will feel lost, and confused. There is so much work to do. I suggest we get started."
o0o
Amy and Rory stood at the lift waiting for the doors to open. They both rocked on their heels in nervous anticipation. All their hopes were pinned on the people they expected to find coming out of the lift, any minute now. When the doors slid open, they were both stunned to see K'Nar. It was easy to know which girl was which; her grin was genuine and ear to ear. The haunted look was gone from her now green eyes, and despite looking a bit thin, she genuinely looked well. Amy opened her arms and K'Nar rushed into them without thinking. Amy hugged her tight and smiled at the older woman who was obviously her mother.
Thank you so much," Amy extended her hand. "I'm...
"You are - Amy Pond Williams, his dearest friend and this fine young man must be your bondmate, Rory. The TARDIS showed me your pictures." G'Na greeted her warmly.
" We are so grateful that you came. We are even more grateful that you would allow your daughter to come after everything she's been through. "
"It is my honour to meet the people who saved my child. She told me how you sat with her for hours trying to bring comfort to her. I am so very sorry that her misguided efforts have added to his pain. We have much to consider, but first let's go see him. " G'Na took Amy by the arm warmly. " Show me where the Time Lord is. "
Amy and Rory led the group back to the room and introduced Nan, Hank and Sarah. Amy held River's hand as they walked into, not missing that she and Jack both sucked in a deep breath. "He really is better," Amy whispered. It's just hard because he was ranting when you saw him."
"Right," Jack muttered. "okay, Madam G'Na." Jack started as he introduced everyone.
"Since Doctor Jones has turned off his sedation, may I suggest that we wait for further discussion until after I exam him and review his records. May we have a few minutes, please," the Queen spoke gently.
Right then, " Martha said. " Sarah, can you show everyone to pie, please?"
G'Na joined the human doctor at Thete's bedside after she asked River to keep K'Nar in the lounge. Once they were alone, G'Na placed her fingers at his temples, and touched her forehead to his. She searched his mind for any sign that his shields were in place, and found none. She could hear the TARDIS singing to him, but he showed no sign that he understood. His mind was in hiding. Scanning deeper, she found the trail her daughter left. A thin, delicate red line led to its deepest recesses where she found him. Huddled in a cave, frightened, and holding tightly to a red balloon. He was a child, at the first blush of teenagehood. She guessed his age the same as her daughter's; thirteen summers. For such a remarkable old soul to fall so far, was incomprehensible to her. The pain in his soul came at her in waves. She moved gently toward him.
Hello, child.
Who are you and why are you here. This is my place. The sudden appearance of an outsider by his box terrified him.
I'm a friend. Who are you waiting for, child ?
My friend. I've called for her and called for her. I know she'll come. She always comes, but I'm afraid they hurt her. She has to come, I can't think without her.
Why can't you think without her ? The Queen whispered to his mind.
She did something and then gave me the balloon. I don't ... I can't remember, but she said that she'd come back. I've waited and waited. Why hasn't she come back ? She's my half. I can't live without her.
Why can't you live without her ?
I told you, he sounded increasingly agitated. She's my half.
Child, have you slept since being here ?
I don't need sleep. If I sleep; I'll miss her answer.
Child, do you remember why you're hiding ? What brought you to the cave in the first place ?
G'Na watched the child struggle. He looked around his carefully constructed cave illuminated only by the light generated by the energy balloon. Without that light everything in his cave would be as dark as the rest of his mind. Finally, tears threatening, he shook his head. I don't know. Bad people chased me here.
Do you remember her name ?
K'Nar, her name is K'Nar. Do you know her ?
Do you remember your name ?
Thete nodded, Thete, I'm Thete. She calls me, My Lord. Is she coming ?
I promise you; she is coming very soon and then we will start fixing things. Rest now, child.
G'Na eased him to sleep and then withdrew. When she opened her eyes Martha was watching; her worry plainly evident on her face.
"I need to speak to Doctor Song and the Captain. " The Queen was now in full healer mode.
Five minutes later G'Na stood with Martha, Jack and River in an empty room.
"What's wrong, Your Majesty ?" River as soon as the door closed behind them.
G'Na sighed deeply, " Except for his bond to my daughter, he has completely shut down. At the moment, he is nothing more than an exhausted child. Despite your drugs, he has not slept for fear of missing K'Nar's answer to his call. I have eased him to sleep while we talk."
"What bond?" Martha looked at them with obvious confusion.
"That's the glitch," Jack answered. "Evidently when she tried to help, they accidentally bonded ... as mates. He was serious when he said that he called and called. He was telepathically hunting for his wife, but doesn't know that's what K'Nar has become."
"Oh, that's ... that's just rich," Gob-smacked, Martha dropped heavily into a chair. "
Seconds later, she was back on her feet facing G'Na. "But, you can fix him, right ? You can undo what she did?" Martha asked. It was obvious that she found it harder to hide the frustration and anger this whole mess generated.
"I can break the bond," G'Na interrupted, "and unlock his doors to help him remember, but it will not be easy. This is worse than I thought. I wish that he was strong enough to take home. I'd have a whole team. "
"But, you can undo what K'Nar did - right?" Martha repeated.
" Yes, but you must understand that this is more than what she did. From what K'Nar explained, she left him with some residual memory. He has nothing, except her. He has locked everything away. I scanned your memories, and there is a term, hypnosis, that I suggest we use to justify his sessions with me. We will do several short sessions today and tomorrow and then extend them. I also want to be the only one who stays with him at night except, for you Captain. He sees the Hank person as a father, and his friend Rory is too attached. He will instinctively seek them for comfort, instead of facing his fears. I will need you to restrain him. He will not like it when I enter his mind, and he will not cooperate. "
G'Na watched Harkness rubbed his tired face. A shadow of a beard was just beginning to show. He looked frustrated and unsure of what to do. River's face had the same haggard appearance. He knew that, after all their waiting, telling the Munsons, Nan and the others to go home would break their hearts.
"I can explain this to them, so they understand. I have scanned their minds, and I know how to phrase it so no one is offended. "
"Tell me, do all of you just scan without asking ?" River snapped. Her anger was bubbling to the top, and without meaning to, she suddenly sounded petulant.
"I'm sorry, but yes, " G'Na answered. "Just as you see with your eyes. Doctor Song, normally we do not speak. Our scanning is no different from your seeing and then assessing your surroundings. It's just - how we are. "
"Let's get this going. Madam G'Na, tell them what you have too; it's why you're here. It's why K'Nar is here. We need him back. Scan whoever you want; do whatever it takes to undo this mess. They aren't going to know, and privacy is the least of our worries. " Jack ordered.
Walking out to the concerned gathering, G'Na studied the faces of the humans in front of her. They were a sweet, kind people, and their distress was palpable. G'Na opened her arms for her daughter.
With her daughter snuggled in her arms, the gentle Queen did something she had never done before. She lied. " I'm not sure what you have been told. My daughter was held by the same people who took Thete. She was stolen because I work with victims of extreme terror. My life's work is to restore their mental health. For some, that means just going outside their houses without fear. There are those in my world who do not like that a woman involves herself in such things. They stole my daughter to punish me. "
She felt the rush of sympathy from the people in front of her. "When he met my daughter, Thete was already hurt, but he tried to protect her and she, him. Two lost people locked in hell. When they took him away, the Captain tells me, he believed that they killed her and that it was his fault.
Nan nearly sobbed. " He does believe that. He kept asking what he had done wrong. He thought Jack and the others were coming to arrest him because he'd hurt her somehow. "
G'Na dropped her head to her chest. She was glad these people were not telepaths. She found it increasingly difficult to control her fury, and the last thing she wanted was to project her emotions toward them. She smiled and refocused on the task at hand.
"The Captain came for my daughter because Thete cannot recover without knowing she's alive. Little did he know that my daughter has also struggled with guilt. She doesn't understand why they didn't hurt her as badly as they hurt him. In fact, they did. They beat him and then told her to be glad it wasn't her. They were saving her. She still doesn't know what that meant, and I am not telling her."
She ignored the mental question from from her daughter, instead she flooded her with love. "Putting them together, I hope they can star t healing. We will allow them be alone for a while and talk, and then we will start. The hard part for you, is for a stranger to tell you to go home. "
"Why ?" Hank asked. She was right. He was a father to Thete and G'Na felt his immediate suspicion.
" Mr Munson, the Captain told me about you. You are an remarkable man, sir, and a remarkably kind person. Thete cannot be sedated into a coma again. We are going to use deep hypnosis to unlock his memories. His nightmares will return full force once the drugs are out of his system. It is you, he will scream for. He will expect you to stop his monsters, but I must teach him to stop them, himself. "
"Can you - - teach him to do it, himself ?" Nan had tears sliding down her face.
" Yes, I can. He is young and resilient. I think, if those vermin had not assaulted him the last time in such a horrific way, he would have recovered by now. But between that - - assault, and believing my daughter was dead, he just couldn't cope. Once he sees her, we will be able to start the struggle to get him back. Can you trust me to let me try ?"
Martha walked up to them and smiled tightly, " He's waking up. If we're going to do this as planned, we need to do it now. "
Hank inhaled sharply before he spoke, "We'll stay until he's awake, and sees her. What about Amy and Rory ?"
"Everyone he can lean on should go home; it will be much less stressful for everyone. When he is ready, you can visit all you want between sessions. Eventually you will need to be involved in those sessions. You must understand, he will not recover overnight. Just to be functional again may take weeks and to fully heal, it may very well be months." G'Na looked at them sympathetically.
The group who had waited all day just looked at each other with a mixture of fear and disappointed. It was clear to G'Na that the thought of leaving made them all sick. She hoped she could live up to the trust they were putting her. Without them being aware of what she was doing, she flooded their minds with comfort.
o0o
The plan was for him to wake up just to sound of K'Nar's voice. G'Na would act as back up to calm him if he became overwhelmed. She felt their nervousness and before entering the room she turned and flashed a reassuring smile. "Remember, this is just the first step," she said as she held the door open for K'Nar.
K'Nar stifled a sob at the sight of the still sleeping young Lord. She was not sure what she expected, but seeing him looking so ill, broke her young heart. Old bruises added to his fragile appearance. A good wind could snap him in half. He shifted and pulled away from her touch, and then turned on his side. He tucked his good hand up under his chin. She walked up to the bed and waited while Martha dropped the rail and helped her get situated next to him. She couldn't stop tears from sliding down her cheeks. She no longer cared that adults were watching as she cuddled his limp hand against her cheek.
This wasn't fair.
She looked up at her mother and felt encouragement brush against her mind. A smile crossed K'Nar's face when Thete shifted,pulled his hand back and rubbed his nose. She remembered the first time she touched his mind in that filthy cell, when he brushed the invisible fly away. She watched as he chewed his bottom lip.
" He's in normal REM sleep. " Martha whispered to G'Na. " He should be able to hear her. "
K'Nar barely heard the human as she sat on the bed with silent tears running down her cheeks.
Her mothered whispered to her daughter's mind. Go ahead daughter ; you may talk to him only. Help him wake up, but do nothing else.
K'Nar stroked his head gently, and then stepped through the doors to his mind. She expected turmoil, but there was almost nothing. His mind was dormant making it was easier to move than before. She knew what to look for. She found the remains of her trail and followed it to his safe place.
He sat just outside his cave, leaning against his box as he stared up at a deep orange night sky, oblivious to everything but the sky. She could feel his deep longing for his home world and quietly snuck up to his side. He looked her age now, and that made her giggle as she plopped down next to his child self.
Hello, My Lord. Did you miss me ? she teased.
His head whipped around to see the other half of his soul. K'Nar! His mind leapt with excitement and relief. I knew you would come back. I called. Am I dead, is that why you are here ?
Mentally, he leapt up and enveloped K'Nar in a hug. Red energy began to flow through and around them. Before realising it, she felt their bond grow stronger. She heard her mother's warning, but she couldn't stop. As the balloon began to glow with their energy, she felt her mother's anger and K'Nar pulled away.
I heard you call across the stars, My Lord. I came as fast as I could.
I can't believe you're finally here. I have you back. Please, don't leave me again. He pulled her back in his arms.
It felt so right to be held snugly in his arms . It didn't matter that it was wrong. She belonged here. Ignoring her mother, she hugged him as tightly as she dared, feeling her heart race as the bond between them grew.
I'm here, My Lord. She whispered to his mind.
Are we dead K'Nar ? I saw it when they blew you up, and then there was nothing. I can't... . I don't know what I am. I'm lost, K'Nar. I must be dead.
My Lord, we are not dead. She gently kissed his cheek. You used the vortex manipulator to come back to Earth. You just got it wrong a bit. Don't you remember ?
Thete shook his head.
My Mum is here. She will help me fix things; she will make things better. Your friends miss you. Won't you take my hand and come back with me. It's time, My Lord.
No, it hurts too much out there. Stay with me. No one can hurt you here.
My mother will help, my Lord. Hold my hand and I will walk with you to the gate. You will have to come through by yourself. Just know if you don't, my Mum will make you anyway. Please Lord, for your friends and for me. I must go now, please - take my hand. You have to come back with me.
What about all the bad people out there ? They'll hurt you. I promised to protect you.
Not anymore. They are all in jail.
K'Nar realised that he truly was her half. He worried for her, not himself, but for her. It confused her. She didn't want to break the bond, not ever. For the first time since he disappeared into the vortex, she could breathe. Mentally, she clung to her friend as her mother urged her to hurry.
Storm clouds of confusion gathered around two lost souls. He'd been locked away alone for so long, and she had felt so guilty for so long. Her mother's voice grew louder in her head, pushing through the storm, telling her to hurry. She took his hand and pulled him with her toward a growing arch of golden energy. She tried hard to ignore the monsters as they grew louder, keening around him. She felt his mind go rigid with fear.
You must come through alone, My Lord. Please Lord, trust me.
There was singing, sweet sounds of relief on the other side of the arch.
Come through the arch, My Lord.
Thete dropped her hand and followed K'Nar through the arch back to reality.
K'Nar stepped back out of Thete's mind and opened her eyes. She watched him make a face as reality seeped into his world. Reaching up, he rubbed at his nose then chewed at his lower lip. She smiled as he brushed once more at that annoying invisible fly. When he stretched his leg while pulling the covers up to his chin, her smile broadened. He was coming back to her. Under different circumstances, this would all be cute. She missed the expression on the faces of the two adults watching as she tenderly brushed a lock of hair from his face.
Her voice broke the silence that hung in the room. " My Lord, it is time. Can you hear me ?"
A half smile played at his lips seemingly enjoying a good dream. His face twitched as she called him again.
" Now, My Lord, before our Mums come and we get into trouble," she teased.
After several seconds, his eyebrows knitted together, vaguely aware someone was calling him.
"Open your eyes, My Lord. " K'Nar whispered in his ear.
" No, go away. " Thete mumbled his first coherent words in five days.
" My Lord, my Mum is coming. You have to wake up now. "
Still too drugged to open his eyes, Thete reached for the source of the voice. It was familiar ; it even smelled familiar.
" Hello, My Lord. It is so very good to see you again. "
"K'Nar?" His barely audible voice cracked as he reached to pull her head down.
K'Nar took his hand, laying it against her face. His skin was cool against hers.
"K'Nar, did we win?" His voice was weak and raw.
K'Nar smiled remembering all the times he told her that he had to win against his abusers.
Thete pushed through the confusion unsure if the voice he heard was real. "K'Nar? K'Nar?"
He tried to sit up only to have an unseen hand gently push him back. He pulled her forehead to his.
His voice was so weak that it was hard to hear. "You are alive? I thought they killed you. " He wrapped his arms around her pulling her to his chest. "You're alive. Are we in the cell ?" Her sweet scent filled his nostrils.
She wiped the tears tracing down his cheeks. "No, My Lord, you are in a healing centre on Earth. We are safe now. Our families have us now. It is over, it's truly - - finally over," K'Nar sobbed. She laid her head on his chest, and tried to hug him.
It didn't matter that his arms were unbelievably weak, they wrapped around her. It was his tears that landed on her hair and his hearts that pounded against her chest. It didn't matter that this was all horribly wrong. It only mattered that she had him back. She would take care of him. Oblivious to the stranger and her mother, she laid in his arms and cried.
"Did we win , K'Nar? Is she safe, did I keep her safe ?"
"Yes, we won, my Lord ." K'Nar sobbed against his chest. " She is safe. They never found her. You kept her safe. "
"I'm so tired, K'Nar. Can we sleep now ?"
"Yes, My Lord. We can sleep now. " She cried as she cuddled against his chest smiling when she felt his protective hug tighten. Now they were safe.
G'Na wanted to sink to her knees in grief at the sight of her daughter laying wrapped in the arms of a barely conscious man. This was something that she'd never thought possible. G'Na realised for the first time how powerful a telepath her daughter was destined to become. A lesser telepath could never have managed to hide behind such strong mental walls. She felt a failure as a mother, a healer and a ruler. A long list of should haves ran through her mind, beginning with forcing K'nar to yield to a mind probe. How this thirteen year old child managed to fool holographic EEG's was beyond her. G'Na brushed a hand lightly over her daughter's head feeling waves of confused love and pain come back. She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder and one on her daughter and gasped.
Once they linked, the bond had strengthened. She was furious with herself that she hadn't anticipated that. The two victims clung tightly to each other's arms. Neither would heal without the other, but this bond could not stand. She could not let a marital bond between an adult and child - her child stand. Breaking it would be difficult and painful for both of them.
Finally, she spoke to the man that she had travelled across the universe, and two thousand years to help.
" Lord Doctor, can you hear me ?"
"Go away, please, leaves us alone," he mumbled.
"I am Queen G'Na Llew of the Vshak , I am K'Nar's mother. I cannot go away. I have come a long way to help you." She watched his arms tightened protectively around her daughter.
"Please - don't hurt her. Please. "
"No one will hurt her, My Lord," she re-assured him. " No harm will ever come to her again. You are both safe now. I came to help you. Will you let me help ?"
Obviously confused, he clung to K'Nar, " Please go away, just leave us alone. I have to take her home. I promised. "
G'Na touched his temples and closed her eyes. You are both safe, she repeated. I'm going to help you, but now - go to sleep.
G'Na sent the same message to her daughter and watched K'Nar's eyes drift closed
Martha looked at G'Na, they both had tears running down their faces. " What did they win?"
G'Na drew a breath and exhaled slowly. " Their lives, Doctor Jones. They have won their lives. I don't know how I could have been so blind to my daughter's pain. The healers who cared for her assured me that she was doing better. She hid behind walls that no child should have. They are too emotionally exhausted to do more than sleep. "
Both women wiped their tears and stepped out to a hall filled with concerned friends. Martha walked in to Jack's arms, " He knows her, Jack; he knows her. "
After explaining what had happened, G'Na opened the door quietly to check on the two. A sad smile crossed her face as she stepped aside so Thete's adopted family and friends could see in the room. The two survivors of unspeakable horror lay curled in each other's arms sound asleep.
"Look at them," Hank said, "My God, just look at them."
G'Na nodded. Her heart broke knowing what lay ahead. She had to break their bond, but not just yet, not today.