For Disclaimer See the top of Chapter One for Warnings look in the note section at the top of Chapter one.

Minor Disclaimer addition. None of the movie referenced here are owned by me.

Also the slash finally happens in this chapter no sex.

Hybrids:

Chapter Four: After Effects

"So why do you think it went away?" Joshua asked as they set eating breakfast. They hadn't spoken at all since the discovery that the link was gone. "Well do you have any ideas?" He was getting tired of Liam's downcast look.

"I guess it served it's purpose." Liam said sadly. "Neither of us are just holding everything inside anymore so we don't need the link to force us to admit it." He was aware that Joshua was staring at him but he couldn't bring himself to meet the others gaze.

"Your the type who believes in destiny aren't you?" Joshua asked finding the idea rather funny. 'Well that's the first clue that he's really that young.' He noticed that Liam was still looking down at the table instead of at him. "And why are you staring at the table."

Liam looked up. "No reason." He then glanced at the clock. "I should be going soon if I'm going to make it back to the loft to get ready for work on time." He noticed that Joshua was still staring at him. "Yes I believe in Destiny to a certain degree but after experiencing that alternate universe I think we have a choice in what that is."

Joshua began to laugh. "That made no sense whatsoever." He glanced at Liam who looked slightly annoyed at that. "Maybe you should try explaining it clearer this time."

Liam sighed. "I mean I believe we have a destiny but how we get there and how much it cost depends on what choices we make." Liam was relieved when Joshua seemed to buy that. "Now I really have to go we need to get together soon and practice using our Shaqarava." Liam was up and out the door without even giving the other man time to react to his statement.

Joshua was sitting there in shock. "What is bugging him?" he wondered and once again found himself wishing the link was there and he could use it to pick up Liam's mood. 'Great it's probably a good thing this happened now and not later.' He glanced at the clock. 'After all it's only been a week of living with someone else feelings in my head if it was longer I might have a harder time going back to normal.' He looked down at his hands at a certain glow that seemed to appear as he stared at them. "Yeah right back to normal." He said sarcastically to himself.

Liam arrived late and wasn't surprised to see Da'an looking at him with a quizzical glance. "Sorry." He mumbled to Da'an as he headed to do his work.

"Liam I know you no longer trust me fully but I do care about you and want to help?" Da'an asked. He noticed Liam seemed to think about it. "I am worried major you have not been yourself these past few days."

"You can't really help Da'an it's not something Taelons would really understand." Liam said. 'Well that's sort of true they don't know much about the kimera or humans.' He noticed Da'an looking at him strangely.

"It is a human problem perhaps you are interested in taking a mate?" Da'an asked wondering if Liam's association with Mrs. Palmer might lead to some problems if they became involved. "You are aware that any children produced by such activity would be part kimera?"

Liam began to laugh nervously. 'Is Da'an trying to give me a sex talk.' He was trying hard not to laugh harder at Da'an perplexed expression. "I already know that Da'an and the few times I've been with any women I've taken precautions to prevent any other hybrids from being born."

Da'an glanced at Liam. "I see so are you in a relationship now and that is why you haven't been getting much sleep?" He watched Liam stop laughing at stare at him in shock. "Our knowledge of humans implies most of their mating happens at night."

Liam finally recovered from his shock. "No Da'an I'm not involved in a relationship." He said wondering what had brought on Da'an's sudden interest in his off duty life. 'Probably worried I'll end up revealing myself and endanger the future of his race.' He thought bitterly. He knew that's what Da'an's betrayal had hurt so much the statement he had made about never harming him because he was so important to the future. 'He wouldn't care at all if I wasn't Ha'Gel's son.'

Da'an had watched his young protectors face display hurt for a few seconds and was about to ask when they received a summons to the mothership. "Come Major Zo'or was most insistent."

Several hours later Liam continued pacing the halls of the mothership. He and Da'an had arrived just in time for Zo'or to order all non Taelons off the bridge so he and Da'an could discuss matters that didn't concern humans. Which as far as Liam was concerned was a warning flag that Zo'or was up to something that would cause trouble for the people of earth.

'Can this day get any worse?' He thought feeling slightly better when a memory of how fun it is to blow stuff up when your angry flitted threw his head. 'Wonder who's memory that was probably Sandoval.' the memory became clear and he nodded saying softly to himself. "Yep definitely Sandoval."

"Yes Major." Sandoval said calmly as he came around the corner and caught the last bit of the Major's talking to himself. He wasn't surprised when the major jumped visibly. "Major you mentioned my name I assumed you were aware of my presence."

"Nope just talking to myself wondering if you knew when the meeting would be over." Liam stammered out not used to being caught off guard around Sandoval he tended to always be alert when dealing with the suspicious agent.

Sandoval noticed how Jumpy the major was but since he was preoccupied with his search for whatever had destroyed Va'on's experiments he didn't give it much thought. "No I'm sure Da'an will fetch you when it's over." with that he continued on is way not noticing the sigh of relief that escaped from Liam.

Liam groaned once Sandoval was out of earshot. 'Well that was close.' He turned to one of the many places that you could see out from. 'Amazing.' He thought seeing the view again he'd never got tired of it unlike some of the volunteers he heard complaining about the view getting old. 'I don't see how but then I don't have family and friends to miss.'

Liam sighed. 'Strange all my friends are involved in the work I do I never just see them socially.' Liam was beginning to depress himself. 'Ever since that time when we thought Lili died I've had no life except my work.' He began to think back to his first year when he Augur and Lili would spend their time after work talking in the flat planet cafe. 'Watching Augur hit on Lili was always fun.' He felt a twang of envy that even though life had been just as hard for them they had still made a life for themselves. 'So why can't I?' he thought to himself.

'I mean Street and Renee are both my friends I should spend more time with them than the occasional drink at Streets.' He smiled fondly as he remembered the last ridiculously healthy concoction she had forced on them. 'Though I should supply the drinks this time.' He was in a much better mood by the time Da'an came to fetch him. "So What did Zo'or want?" He asked as they returned to the embassy.

"It doesn't concern you major." Da'an replied curtly. "I have no further use for you services for the day you may go." The Taelon walked over and taking his seat seemed intent on ignoring Liam till he left.

Liam nodded and left knowing it was no use trying to argue with Da'an. 'I'll worry about it later.' He knew it was irresponsible to think like that but he had made a decision to see some folks outside of work and he was going to stick to it. He pulled out his global and tried Renee finding a message from her that unless the call was important that she was not to be disturbed since she was in meetings all afternoon. 'Well Renee's out how about Street.' He frowned when Street mentioned she was experimenting with new health food ideas. 'No don't want to be a lab rat.'

After making excuses about having already eaten he frowned. 'No one left to try but.' He didn't know why he was so reluctant to call Joshua. 'I mean I slept in the same bed with him had his feelings in my head for a week I should be able to spend time around him without getting nervous.' His mind made up Liam opened his global and waited.

Joshua answered the global and was surprised to see Liam there he had been expecting Renee. "Liam what's the matter have the Taelons found out I'm still alive?"

Liam nearly lost his never seeing the panicked expression. "No Da'an told me to take the afternoon off I wanted to see if you'd like to do something." He felt like an idiot. "But if your busy."

Joshua frowned. "No come on over and we'll think of something." He sighed wondering what on earth had possessed Liam to call him. 'Of course the guy doesn't have allot of friends.' He remembered that there were only four or five people Liam had mentioned fondly during his recounting of his lifes events. 'and most of those are gone now.'

Liam arrived later and entered the safe house nervously. "So what did you want to do?" Joshua asked him trying hard to avoid asking any questions about the events earlier that morning.

Liam just stared at him before looking down. "I have no idea." He looked up to see Joshua laughing at him. "It's not funny almost everything I've ever done has been work related or someone else's idea."

Joshua managed to stop laughing and nodded. "Sorry what brought on this desire to do something non work related?" He watched Liam fidgeting. "It didn't have anything to do with this morning did it?" He watched Liam stiffen. 'Way to go brilliant he'll never tell you now.'

"No." Liam said finally. "Or at least I don't thing so." He headed over and set down on the uncomfortable couch. "You should get Renee to replace this thing." He fidgeted trying to get more comfortable before continuing. "I just realized that I never do anything non work related anymore." He sighed bitterly. "Even my few short lived relationships with women were work related." He noticed the odd look he was getting. "I met them on the job."

Joshua set down. "But your jobs important to the future of the planet." He wished for the link yet again. Liam frowned and he hastily added. "But you deserve a life too."

"I know my work is important and I don't intend to ignore it but I want a life too." Liam sighed. "Maybe find a nice girl or guy and have a real relationship instead of just one night stands."

Joshua stared at Liam in shock. "Girl or Guy?" He asked staring at the man sitting on the couch he hated that he really needed to get Renee to replace. "I didn't know you were that way."

Liam looked at him rather sheepishly. "Is that a problem?" he asked quickly than looked down. 'Wonder if he's going to kick me out of his house and tell me to never show up again.'

Joshua shook his head. "No problem but I don't remember you mentioning this in your life story." Noticing that Liam was still studying the carpet he went and set down next to him on the uncomfortable couch. "It doesn't bother me at all just you picked an odd time to tell me."

Liam laughed "It's not something I talk about." He glanced over and Joshua before continuing. "I mean it's easy to see why I am thought." He noticed the confused look on his friend. "It's rather embarrassing but occasionally I'll see a guy that looks like one of my mom's old boyfriends and well having those memories flash across my mind isn't always pleasant."

Joshua stared at him in shock. "You mean you experience her memories of having sex?" He started at the blushing embarrassed Liam. "Does the same thing happen with women who remind you of you dad's lovers."

Liam nodded. "and when you combine that with the fact that Kimera were neither male nor female and it's not surprising I swing both ways so to speak." Liam noticed a question forming in the other man's eyes. "And I'm all male neither Dr. Park nor Dr. Belman found any evidence to suggest I was anything but."

"So why don't we go rent a video or something my new ID is so complete I even had video rental cards." Joshua said laughing to himself at Liam's reaction to even a hint of a question about his gender.

Joshua could not believe it he was sitting on the most uncomfortable couch he'd ever seen eating pizza and drinking beer with Liam Kincaid watching of all things Transformers the movie. "I still say we should have gotten something more modern." He had been rather surprised when Liam insisted on dragging him threw the science fiction section and grabbed this rather strange choice.

Liam ignored him and continued to stare that screen. "Wonder if that would work on the Jaridians next time they come." He said referring to the universal greeting. "So next time they come lets walk up and say Baaa Weep granna weep ni ni bong."

Joshua reached out and tried to take the beer from the other man. "I think you've had enough." Liam began to laugh at him and said something that he couldn't here. "What was that?"

"You just afraid I'll get drunk and try to take advantage of you." Liam said a slight slur to his words as he tried to take his beer back. He was suddenly distracted by the movie and when he turned back he found Joshua had placed his bottle out of his reach.

"You've had to many." Joshua said sitting back and laughing at Liam's expression it was much better than the movie that he couldn't follow because the couch was too uncomfortable to pay attention.

"You've had more than me and you keep looking at me funny what is it." Liam said a slur still in his voice only he seemed to be more alert than his earlier behavior had let on.

Joshua just leaned in and kissed him and Liam did the to him logical thing to do when your presumably straight friend kisses you will drunk. He jumped away and fell off the couch and begin to laugh uncontrollably. Joshua just got up and stormed out of the room. Liam realizing Joshua was probably hurt by the fact he burst out laughing got up and having the forethought to shut off the movie followed Joshua into his bed room.

He arrived to find Joshua curled up and crying. 'Okay what did I do?' He asked himself in shock he hadn't expected this at all. "Joshua what's wrong?" He asked sitting on the bed and putting an arm on Joshua who flinched violently away. "I'm sorry it's just I was surprised when you kissed me I didn't know you were interested in men?"

"Your the first I've allowed myself to be interested in since college." Joshua said. "I mean wouldn't want to disappoint dad so I've only ever acted on it when drunk like now." He said between sobs. "And figures the first person to really understand me rejects me."

Liam sighed taking a moment to focus his thoughts in has admittedly foggy brain. "It wasn't rejection but don't you think we should wait till we are both sober to think about anything more?"

Joshua laughed "I won't have the guts when I'm sober it's now or never we either have sex now or stay just friends." He said turning to face the other man.

Liam only nodded and told him to get ready for bed. Joshua nodded and began to strip when he reached to the waistband of his underwear Liam stopped him and said. "No we aren't going to have sex your going to sleep if you want more it has to be when were sober." Liam said calmly and got up to leave. Joshua snaked out a hand and grabbed his arm.

"Where are you going?" Joshua asked convinced Liam was leaving and he wouldn't see him again. He nearly fell out when Liam said he was going to sleep on the couch. "You can't Liam you'll be a pretzel in the morning stay sleep in the bed I won't try anything." Liam nodded and stripping down to his boxer briefs got under the covers with Joshua. "I know I said I wouldn't try anything but would you hold me?" Joshua finally got out as he felt what he thought was a panic attack coming on.

Liam didn't say anything just slid closer and put his arms around the small man and held him. Soon they both had drifted off to sleep. Liam awoke early in the morning to the familiar light hangover and Joshua doors trying to get out of his arms without waking him. 'Guess he was serious.' He thought sadly as he released his arms and rolled over to his back before sitting up.

"Thanks I really need to go to the bathroom." Joshua said jumping up and running into the bathroom. Joshua returned a few minutes later and climbed back into the bed. "Thanks for saying no last night." He glanced away and said. "Why don't I have as bad as hangover as I remember."

"Alien metabolism ours works faster cause of the energy it takes to make the Shaqarava work." Liam said smiling. "It's why street yells at me about all the junk food I eat." He laughed "She doesn't know without it I'd get really tired."

Joshua nodded he had been eating more he thought it was just a reaction to what he went threw. "Okay so about last night well lets just forget it." He noticed Liam's sad expression and winced internally. "It's not you it's just the only other guy I was ever interested in fucked me one night while we were drunk then told me the next day he'd kill me if I ever told anyone." He laughed "He didn't need to worry no way was I going to let it get out Jonathan Doors son had slept with a man."

Liam nodded. "You should know I'm not like him I didn't take advantage of you and I could have very easily." He said hurt that Joshua didn't trust him even though he understood why.

Joshua nodded. "I know." He watched Liam get up and mumble something about having to go. "Relax you'll find someone else." Joshua said trying to cheer him up. Seeing the look on Liam's face he came to a startling realization Liam was really interested in him. 'Your an idiot Doors you were afraid he was just being nice out of pity.' He told himself and making a decision he got up and caught Liam's arm. "I'm sorry stay we need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about." Liam said calmly and began to pull away. Joshua sighed and pulling Liam back around. Liam opened his mouth to ask what he thought he was doing when Joshua's lips covered his own. "What was that I thought you weren't interested."

Joshua sighed. "I am it's just I don't have any experience at this and was afraid you were only nice to me last night out of a pity." Liam stared at him. "Seeing how much I hurt you brought it home to me that you really do care." He laughed "I don't know if this will work but we can try."

Liam nodded slightly shocked. "We need to practice our shaqarava tonight and I have a great idea for a target?" He didn't know why he changed the subject but he just needed time to process what had just happened.

Joshua glanced at him wondering at the topic change. "What?" He asked he still wasn't one hundred percent clear on what the Shaqarava did but he wasn't going to ask that now.

Liam smiled. Liam nodded slightly shocked. "We need to practice our shaqarava tonight and I have a great idea for a target?" He didn't know why he changed the subject but he just needed time to process what had just happened.

Joshua glanced at him wondering at the topic change. "What?" He asked he still wasn't one hundred percent clear on what the Shaqarava did but he wasn't going to ask that now.

Liam smiled. "That couch if we blow it up Renee will have to give you a new one." Liam began to laugh as the smile spread across Joshua's face.

Later that Day

Da'an stared at his protector as Liam smiled rather goofy as he went about his work. Da'an was wondering what had caused the major's radical shift in mood. He was about to ask what it was when Liam disappeared into his office. 'Perhaps I do not want to know.' Da'an thought calmly.

Renee Palmer sat on the couch in Joshua's home. "Is there a specific reason you asked me to come to lunch today?" She hadn't seen much of Joshua since his return but he'd been so morose she was a bit put off to see him so happy.

"Several but most importantly I need to be honest with you about exactly what the Taelons did to me." He took a deep breath and held up his hands and felt the tingle realizing they were glowing again. Seeing her shocked look confirmed it. "You know what these are then?"

Renee could only nod in shock. "Well Liam and I need a place to practice controlling these things do you think you could arrange one." Renee nodded in shock. "I didn't tell you at first cause I was scared of how you'd react but now that I have I'm glad I told you."

Renee nodded. "I'll arrange a place was there anything else?" She noticed him jumping from one foot to the other. "I take it you can't tell me yet?" Joshua nodded. "Alright but I'll expect an answer later."

Renee sighed as she stood in the empty Warehouse by a portable portal. She watched as the familiar flash of light appeared but nearly gasped out loud when she saw them carrying the couch between them. "What are you doing with that Couch?" She asked in shock.

Liam smiled "It's uncomfortable so we are going to blow it up." Joshua nodded and helped Liam to carry said piece of furniture over to the far wall. "Okay just point your hands at it and will your Shaqarava to fire." He smiled "Just think of how uncomfortable it is and how much you want to blow it up." Liam said as they backed up Renee stared at them in shock as they raised their hands and fired.

As Pieces of the couch were still falling they turned and smiled at each other and then at Renee. "Okay So what other uses do these things have?" Joshua asked as he looked at the still glowing palms of his hands.

To be Continued.

Next time: The fun of telling the others and something that's a major surprise.

Notes:

1. Okay the slash is finally here those of you who have been waiting can relax does that mean the fic is now going to be sappy fluff or sex. It's actually going to get darker from here on out.

2. Transformers the movie is my favorite movie.

3. That couch was inspired by the old couch we used to have it wasn't comfortable Like the new couch I would have loved to blow it up.