Quantum Leap

Jason Morgan finds himself on a mission that could end his life and cost him his dreams, but when he meets his target, he is powerless to fight his attraction and need to protect her. Although the stakes are high, he is all in and it will forever change his life.

A/N – Alright, I hope you like this one. It's Evason (Evangeline and Jason), so if you don't like them, skip it and complaining because I spend most of my time writing Liaison and I need a break occasionally. I will be posting a ficlet for Liason starting next Monday. It's steamy, so I'm still deciding if I'm going to just include it on my site or in both places (directions to my site are in my profile). This one is sci-fi, and it won't be super long, so things will develop fast.

Chapter 1

The present reality of all beings rises and falls, oblivious to any sort of threat unless the Alliance, a group of elders that were chosen by a higher power, is forced to reveal the evil within. There were steps taken to preserve the elite and their savior, a woman unknown except by lore. For now, she sleeps within, ready at any moment to fight the evil that threatens their dimension. As the battle teeters in the direction of tyranny, chaos, and destruction, there are those called to help fight. It is referred to as the provocation. Throughout history, when evil rises, the light has extinguished it, but with every provocation, the antagonists get more powerful, and the quest to stop them is more difficult. If they don't succeed, then the planet will become a true void; a black hole of evil that sucks everything good out and leaves disorder and chaos in its wake.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Is it possible that every move she makes is meant for seduction? Why is just the act of her sniffing some flowers and then licking her luscious lips so tantalizing? Stunning doesn't even come close to describing her. She radiates something that he can't put his finger on but can't look away from. When her head lifts and she displayed a smile that could light up the world, his breath catches and then he realizes that his fascination is making it impossible for him to focus on his mission.

Arcadia is not a place he cares to frequent. Most who live in this dimension are the chosen few, untainted by the violence in other worlds. The fact that not all are permitted to experience this kind of peace when others know only sorrow, makes him angry and disillusioned. However, he doesn't have a choice regarding his current mission, since all the Alliance has to do is scan his mark and they'll throw him into the void; a perpetual chasm of nothingness that slowly makes you lose your mind.

Cursing under his breath, he backed away as his thoughts did battle. This is the last job he must complete and then his debts to the Alliance will be finished. Failure would end all his plans and others are depending on him as well. The council had hired him to inject the woman with whatever is in the vial that is burning a hole in his pocket. If he doesn't follow through, then he'll be hunted which is a fate he doesn't want to attract. While he has some tricks up his sleeve, hiding would be difficult. A lot of money is riding on this, and the council is running out of patience. Sighing heavily, he follows her at a distance and then jumps on his hovercycle and guns it, taking the back way to her home. When he arrived, he used the card he was provided, easily entering her private space which is small but has every convenience and feels like a place you'd want to relax in after a long day. Hearing the door of her vehicle shut, he moved into her bedroom and stood in the closet while she made her way to the shower.

As darkness swallows him up, her voice soars above the silence, mesmerizing him as she continues to sing. There are no words to describe how beautiful she sounds. The din in the bathroom rose as the water is turned on and he waited patiently as she sang another song and then turned it off. It's quiet and he assumes that she is dressing and then the door to the closet is flung open and for a second, he takes in her naked form. She is exquisite with beautiful mocha skin, long tresses, and doe-shaped eyes. A gasp leaves her lips, jerking him out of his trance and he pounces, stabbing her arm with the needle as panic floods her face. When she tries to scream, he quiets her with a scorching kiss until her body goes limp, and then he lays her reverently on the bed and covers her.

Grabbing his telepath, he held it to his ear and then thought about his contact instantly connecting them. "It's done."

"Good. Now, stay by her side until she awakes and don't leave her. Protect her with your life. We need to see where she goes. There will be an extra bonus if you can provide us this information. Under no circumstances is she to be damaged or hurt though." Her destination is cloaked, so the Alliance is not aware and can only track her up to a point.

"Who is she?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Let's just say she has been lying dormant waiting for the Plenian alignment to occur in ten days. Don't fail us, Mr. Morgan. It could cost you dearly."

The connection is ended, so he lays on the other side of the bed and shuts his eyes. She'll be out for a while, and he needs to get some sleep. The news of the oncoming provocation can wait for analysis later.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason felt a pressure on his body and his eyes snapped open to find her straddling him with a knife to his throat and the fact that she is naked is not lost on him.

"Talk, and maybe I'll let you live."

He's stunned at the change in her demeanor. All sweetness is gone, and he does not doubt that the woman on top of him could kill him without blinking. Strength emanates from her, and her stare is fierce. "What do you want to know?"

She tried not to let his good looks and raspy voice deter her. He's simply exquisite and his eyes are like blue pools you could fall into. "Name?"

"Jason. What's yours?" She apparently could care less that she is naked, but he does. Hopefully, his body won't betray him because it has been quite a while since he allowed himself such pleasure, and never with someone on her level.

"You stabbed me with a needle, yet you don't know my identity?"

"I was told to inject you or die. Self-preservation won out. Name?"

She smirked. "Evangeline." She likes it when he gets a little testy. That scowl is everything.

His head tilted as the puzzle pieces began to fit. "Wait—the Evangeline?" There are all kinds of lore regarding the woman with no last name and her exploits. It's legendary.

"So, you've heard of me?"

"Yes."

His soft tone almost made her shudder.

"We have much to talk about it. Who hired you?"

"The Alliance..."

It had been a long time since she was awakened, so she assumes it's a new governing body. "Did they say what for?"

"No. I'm to not let you out of my sight and can't let any harm come to you."

She laughed. "You're going to protect me?"

Without blinking, he disarmed her and pinned her onto the bed wishing he could ravish her body as their hearts beat faster. Their bodies fit together perfectly, and her heat is making him grit his teeth, but he schooled his features and never let his gaze stray.

Mirth filled her eyes, as she admires his restraint. "Nice trick, but I'm afraid it won't be enough to contain me."

Her energy promised pain, and as he considered the lore that always follows in her wake, retreating will be less painful than the alternative. Before plopping onto his back, he did notice that her eyes did not hold the same promise. It is an interesting dichotomy.

After a long moment, she sat up. "I'm hungry." She boldly got up and fished around in the drawers and put on some clothes as his eyes trace her form. This time, it pleased her that he was brazen enough to not look away. Maybe he'll be of some use to her after all.

"What do you remember?"

"I think I was sickeningly sweet."

He grinned. "That sounds about right. You have a beautiful voice though."

Touching her lips, she glared. "You kissed me without my permission." Although the rest of her fake existence is spotty, she always seems to be able to remember what led to her being changed.

"I needed to quiet you and my mouth was the only thing available."

"Keep your hands to yourself unless I permit you otherwise in the future." Although his lips had lit a fire, he must understand that she is not his to take without her permission, but that doesn't mean she won't choose to go there if the situation warrants it.

He held his hands in the air. "Okay, I'm sorry."

"Let's eat."

They ventured into the kitchen. "Was she a health food freak as well?"

Jason shrugged.

She took out some meat, cheese, and then located a loaf of bread. "This will do." At least she apparently worked out and is toned and strong.

He observed as she quickly made the sandwiches and then placed two plates on the table. "It's too late to leave now. We'll talk strategy and then, we will head out before morning light."

He nodded. They ate in silence, both with a million questions running through their minds. Whatever the Alliance had involved him in, he suspects is very dangerous. If he had known, he would have charged double. His telepath beeped and he checked the message. A shit load of credits had been added to his account. Now, he just needs to survive this mission, get off this planet, and disappear for a while. After sending a message to his tech geek, Spinelli, to transfer the credits into a new account, he focused on the rest of his meal.

She eyed him curiously. "Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is it the currency or another reason?"

"Both… I'm an adrenaline junkie too, but I'm saving up to buy my own place and workshop."

"You build things?"

"I can build machines. I have a knack for it." Despite the accident that had irrevocably damaged him, he is still very smart and gifted. That is what got the Alliance's attention. They needed someone with his temperament and skillset for the mission.

"That might come in handy." She closed her eyes and then surprised him by pushing the table back, making him scurry to get up and out of the way. Kneeling, she placed her hand on the tile, and suddenly, it opened, and a light flickered on.

A smirk eased onto his normally blank face. "After you…"

"Coward…"

He grinned distracting her for a moment. When he's lighter, his eyes sparkle. Something tells her he has many layers, and she'll enjoy peeling them back. They are going to have to work together closely to get through this. In the past, she hasn't always gotten along with the person they've sent to retrieve her. It's nice that it seems they will mesh well.

She hopped into the opening and dropped a bit before hitting the floor. Jason soon landed beside her.

"Holy shit," he muttered.

There are lots of weapons and gear.

"Jackpot…"

"Seriously, who are you?"

She chuckled. "Unfortunately for you, you're gonna find out soon." She grabbed a bag and threw it at him. "Let's pack. We need weapons—knives and guns including extra ammo. The laser gun has a charge that is pretty much unending, so bring one of those." It leaves a lot of carnage, but they have a distance to travel before they get to their destination, so they'll need all they can get. "There is a transporter that will allow us to do the jump and then, we'll decimate those who come up against us and I will do what is expected of me."

Quantum leaping is very dangerous. If you're not focused, you can jump into a heap of trouble. "What are we driving?" It would be hard to load this gear onto his bike.

"There's a car in the garage. Faux me had no clue how much power it has. Lucky for you, I'm very familiar with it."

They spent an hour packing and then she rolled out a map. "This is where we're headed."

His eyes almost bulged out. "That's suicide." The most dangerous people are put on that island to fend for themselves and there is no escape. "Why?" It will probably take most of the time they have left to get there.

"There are several mountains on the island, but inside of one is where I need to be before the sun intersects with a ray that will obliterate the planet. Unfortunately, due to what Arcadia represents, there are a lot of disgruntled people who want it gone." There is a way to get out once inside the mountain, but no one else knows about it. The Alliance is not privy to this information.

"And you're going to stop it with what—your good looks?"

She smirked wondering how deep his attraction goes. "I am the weapon. That is all you need to know."

His intensity almost pierced her soul.

"So, they have you lay dormant until there's a threat and then bring back your kick-ass persona to save the world?"

"Something like that…"

"And you don't care that they turn you into some sweet, naïve, shell of yourself until you are needed?"

"No. I've done this for a while."

He averted his gaze. "That doesn't seem like a way to live." Freedom has a price here, but that doesn't mean he's willing to give up.

"It's all I know."

"That doesn't mean it's right. You should be able to live on your own terms and be free."

She seemed to retreat into her thoughts for a minute. "I don't allow myself to want things. I exist to serve a purpose." It is what she was groomed for, and she knows no other way.

There is so much he doesn't understand. "And how did I get roped into this?"

She moved closer as her eyes bore a hole in his. "It's your destiny too." Telling him more will just mess with his head too much, so she decides to wait before dropping the next bombshell.

Sensing there is a lot she's withholding, he backs off and hopes that at some point she'll trust him enough to divulge it, even though the destiny plot change is making him uneasy.

"Promise that you won't ditch me." Normally, he doesn't give a crap about anyone except his geek, but there is a pull between them that he simply can't ignore.

She grinned. "Well, if you're as good as you think you are, then you should be able to keep up."

"The lore said you're fighting ability is impressive. You're quick, smart, and almost invincible. I'm not sure why you need me."

"An enemy will always try to find a weakness and strike. There are a lot of them and just one of me. I have a bounty on my head, so people will try to stop me, thinking that I'm the enemy because they've been programmed to believe that. Nothing happens by chance in this space, until I'm needed and then, the game is changed." She rested her hands on a table and slightly leaned forward. "I will tell you this, as we get closer, you will have your own awakening. Your powers will increase and let's just say, you'll be a formidable foe; even more than you already are."

What she is alluding to makes him scared to ask for more information, but he still has a million questions nonetheless. First, if the Alliance is using her as a weapon, why make it so difficult for her to save the dimension? Second, is he like her and has been dormant? That means his life was never his, and he's not okay with that scenario due to his plans. Third, what is their mysterious connection?