(Note: Characters from Earth Final Conflict are not mine and this is meant only for entertainment purposes only, so don't sue! This occours somewhere in the fifth season and is a Renee/Howlyn pairing. R for adult content/language.

Another note: I had intended for 'Dance' to be just two chapters but have received requests to write more. Upon thinking of the progression of the story I decided to do so. Enjoy!)



Dance of the Atavus



Chapter Three

Pregnant...oh god..

Renee closed her eyes as she leaned against the viewport in Howlyn's chambers. Instinctively she placed her hand against her still flat stomach, feeling the flutter there. There was life within her, but it would be part Atavus, part of him. Anger welled within her at the thought of giving birth to a human/Atavus hybrid, and yet could she kill someone who was a part of herself? A war had waged within her since she first knew and it was a secret she had kept well within her. No, she didn't dare tell Howlyn.

Renee opened her eyes and smiled grimly. She was going to escape. It was what she should have done in the first place, but surprisingly enough he had kept his end of the bargain to the letter. Now it was time for her to fly, to get out of his grasp before he knew of the child within her.

~And just what are you going to do with the baby, Renee?~ she thought.

She knew that when humans and Atavus beings were joined in the hybrid chambers that the new hybrids were still human but were predominantly Atavus, with all their enhanced abilities as well as the need for feeding upon the Chi of humans. But this baby - her baby, would it be the same way or different? After all, the hybrid chambers were specifically designed to create the type of hybrid that was needed by the Atavus. Perhaps her child would be a sort of wild card.

No, she could not destroy life that was precious. She had seen too much death and had had a hand in it herself. She would take the chance.

***

Renee had no weapons, but that did not stop her from easing her way through the mothership. It was a bitch since she did not have her global link nor any sort of outside help, but instinctively she moved beyond Howlyn's deck. After all, she had been here many times before. Oh yes, she knew just where she was going, and that was to Liam's ship.

She held her breath as she peered around a corner. Juda and Sandoval. Renee's eyes narrowed. Damned if she'd get caught now by those two. In her time here with Howlyn, Juda had stayed away from her, but the few times Renee had seen her, there was pure hatred in her eyes for her. Renee did not mind, for she felt the same about the female Atavus.

****

There. Yes! It was where she had left it. Only a few more feet and -

"And just where are you going, lovely Renee?" A low voice said in her ear. Renee jumped. She turned her head and saw Howlyn.

"Where the hell do YOU think?" Renee's eyes flashed with anger.

"I knew you would try this eventually." Howlyn smiled as he touched her hair. To his surprise, she actually made a break for it, backhanding him in the face before she streaked across the room. Howlyn snarled in surprise and gave chase, reaching her quickly.

"Son of a bitch!!" Renee hissed as she felt his hands clutch her waist.

"Miss Palmer, I'd advise you to stay where you are." Sandoval's cool voice filtered through her rage.

"Go to hell, Sandoval." Renee smiled even as Howlyn held her in an embrace. She felt his hand on her abdomen and froze without realizing it. So alarmed was she that she did not notice Howlyn's fingers elongate into the cleaves that they used to feed on their prey. Howlyn's eyes widened for his fingertips felt the flutter within her - something that an ordinary human would not have felt at all.

"I've been there, Miss Palmer." Sandoval smirked and then watched in curiosity as Howlyn's face changed to one of wonderment - something that he had never seen before on the alien's face. Juda stood beside Sandoval, her beautiful face scowling at the sight of Howlyn pawing at the human bitch. She had not expected her to last this long in all truthfulness and if she had had her way, would have terminated her life as painfully as possible.

For a moment, Howlyn and Renee were frozen, uncaring that Sandoval and Juda were in the room.

"My child..our child.." Howlyn said lowly. "You carry our child within you, Renee."

~Oh god! He knows!~ Renee felt her heart leap into her throat as she looked down. Her abdomen seemed to glow softly under Howlyn's hand, almost matching the glow of his cleave.

Juda hissed in anger. The bitch carried his child! Her anger completely overcame her as she leaped towards Renee and Howlyn, uncaring of the consequences. But Howlyn was quick as he backhanded Juda hard, sending her crashing to the floor.

"You will NOT touch what is MINE!" Howlyn growled as he picked Juda up by her throat, still holding Renee with his other arm. She remained almost frozen, the embryo within her responding to it's father's touch. Uncaring, the female Atavus laughed in Howlyn's face.

"What a fool you are, Howlyn. I cannot believe that you would wish to sire your own progeny from a human!"

"YOU are the fool, dear Juda.." Howlyn's voice was filled with cold venom. "As I said before, I choose my own lovers and now - " He glanced at Renee. "I choose HER."

"You can't be serious!" Juda exclaimed.

"Do not tell me what I can and cannot DO, Juda!" He tightened his grip upon her throat. "You have ceased to be of importance to me." He tightened his grip further, the cleave forming from his fingers. Juda felt the sharp tips press against her skin painfully.

"Do you really think you can kill me, Howlyn?" She managed to say. "I, who has done nothing but aid your cause? You once said that we would rule to - get - her." She felt blood trickle down her neck as he pressed further. Angrily, he let her go and she fell to the floor. As he looked down at her, a thought came to his mind and he chuckled softly.

"I wonder, Juda, if you would like to know how the other half lives?" Howlyn said. "Take her to the hybrid chamber."

Renee seemed to come out of her state and looked at Howlyn and at Juda as two Atavus pulled her up. The female Atavus seemed dazed and Renee could see Sandoval smirking at Juda as if he were waiting for something like this to happen. Renee's mind started working on what Howlyn had said to Juda.

~See how the other half lives?~ Renee thought. ~And a hybrid chamber? Could - ~

Her eyes widened. Could it be that they could somehow change an Atavus to - to a human? Howlyn caught Renee's surprised look and smiled at her, still holding her waist.

"And you thought we had no surprises left.." Howlyn said softly. "Come, Renee. I simply must show you this."

Renee went with him calmly. Escape could wait. If they were able to reverse the process then perhaps there would be hope for them after all!