For Disclaimer See the top of Chapter One for Warnings look in the note section at the top of Chapter one.
Hybrids:
Chapter Six: It all Falls Apart
Liam sighed and stared at Joshua in shock. "You want me to take him to work with me?" He stared at his lover in shock. "Are you crazy I can't take Spyke to work with me." He stared at Joshua and could tell by the shorter man's face he wasn't going to back down.
"I don't care what you do with him but Street told me not to bring him back to the lair since he chewed threw several cables last time." Joshua said. "And helping Street investigate what Sandoval is up to is easier with the equipment intact."
"Can't he stay here?" Liam asked "I mean sure he's not completely house trained yet but can't you lock him in the bathroom or something?" He shrunk back when Joshua turned a glare on him. "Okay bad Idea." The last time they had left the dog alone he had howled and made a very big mess in the bathroom. "I know you promised the neighbors he wouldn't bother them again."
"Yes and he's your dog your the one who decided to keep him." Joshua said even though Liam could technically argue he was Joshua's dog too since he spent just as much time at Joshua's house. "So take him to work introduce him to Da'an hell get Sandoval to baby-sit him since he's the one that gave him to you."
Liam choked and began to cough. 'Not that it wouldn't be worth it to see his reaction I'm not taking Spyke anywhere near Zo'or.' He thought and sighed realizing that he was going to have to carry the dog with him today. "Okay I'll carry him with me but see if Street can't find someone to take care of him during the day for us." Liam then smiled. "I know ask her to see if Augur will take care of him."
Joshua nodded absently and shoved the puppy into his lover's arms and then turned away. "Enjoy yourself." He said laughing at the look on Liam's face. "Relax I'm sure Da'an will love him."
Liam didn't think Da'an would be the type to like a small furry animal. "I doubt it I mean as far as I know the Taelons don't keep pets." Joshua just laughed at him but then seeing the annoyed look Liam was giving him he grabbed the other man's neck and pulled him into a kiss. "Okay I forgive you for making me take the dog to work." He said as Joshua let him go. Spyke was beginning to object to being held so he hurriedly said his good-byes to Joshua and then left for work.
Da'an glanced at the major as he entered carrying a small gray furball. "Major what is that?" Da'an asked and realized as the major got closer it was a dog one the animals humans kept as pets.
"Um this is my dog Spyke the person who usually keeps him couldn't today." Liam said wondering what had possessed him to actually go threw with it and take the dog to work.
Da'an stared at the major. "I have noticed you were in a better mood lately Liam is it because you got a pet?" Da'an asked knowing that humans often got extremely attached to the animals they kept as pets.
"Yeah along with other things." Liam said with a smile. "And anyway I only got him a few days ago." He wondered what Da'an would say if he told him who had given him the dog.
Da'an watched oddly amazed at how attracted the other humans in the embassy seemed to be to the dog. He had been surprised at first as word of the dog spread threw the embassy several people who had no reason to seek out his protector arrived on some fictitious errand. He also noticed the female staff seemed to be even more determined to use the dog as an excuse to attract the major's attention.
"Where's the mutt?" Street asked as Joshua entered the lair. She could tell he hadn't brought the dog since he would be apologizing for bringing him after she asked him not to. She noticed his distracted expression. "Well what happened?"
"Liam took him with him to the embassy." He noticed her disbelieving stare. "It's the truth he asked me to make see if you could get Augur to watch him." He sighed. "I hope Da'an doesn't throw a fit."
Street shook her head once she got over her shock. "Da'an lets Liam get away with allot of things." She chuckled. "If you ever take the time to read the old Resistance logs of Augur's you'll find out just how much." She glanced over at him. "Liam brought Da'an here once your dad freaked."
Joshua could imagine his father had an extreme dislike of the Taelons which he not only understood but agreed with. "I guess my father didn't really care for Liam did he?" He knew it was a stupid worry but he couldn't help but wonder what his father would think of his relationship with Liam.
Street glanced over at him. "According to Augur's logs your dad hated Liam at first but then came to respect him." She glanced over at him. "You still worry what you dad would think even after Renee said he wouldn't care?"
Joshua nodded. "I know it's silly to want approval but my whole life that's all I wanted." Joshua turned to begin going over what she passed him to look threw.
Street watched him for a bit then turned back to her search. She enjoyed Joshua's company and he listened to her instructions. She still remembered the mess Liam and Renee had made trying to use Augur's equipment. She always wondered how they could make such a stupid mistake. It was a mystery since she knew from Augur's resistance Logs that Liam wasn't computer illiterate while he would never be in her or Augurs league he wasn't the type to make such a stupid mistake.
Street realized she needed to ask Augur to watch Liam and Joshua's dog. She couldn't wait to see his reaction to that one. She decided to visit him in person and leave Joshua to go over everything she had found besides she wanted to ask his opinion on Liam and Joshua without either of them being present. "I'm going to go ask Augur to take the dog during the day just keep going over those files." She said heading over to the portal.
She arrived at the checkpoint as she had taken to calling the empty bunker Augur had set up as a halfway point. She knew as soon as she arrived his security alerted him and identified who it was. If it wasn't someone on his list of okay to visit she would find herself portaled into a random City. She keyed her access code and waited as the portal reset and reactivated.
She wasn't the least bit surprised when she was greeted by Augur offering her a glass of wine. "I need to ask you for a favor on behalf of the happy couple." She said figuring that was the easiest way to find out what his reaction would be.
Augur shrugged and said "So what do they need a genius like me to do?" He said it in his traditional tone so Street felt relieved he didn't seem to object but then again this was Augur who was way to obsessed with his appeal to women.
"Well they need you to dog sit for them the dog Sandoval gave them is currently at the embassy with Liam and they really need someone to keep it during the day." She wished she'd had the forethought to bring a camera to capture an image of the shock that played across Augur's face. 'Bet he didn't expect to be asked to keep the dog Sandoval gave Liam.' She knew Liam had told him about everything after it happened. That was why they set up the complex transit system so they could stay in touch and Augur could help without to much additional risk.
"They want me to keep their dog?" Augur asked and then shrugged. "I shouldn't be surprised." He muttered then nodded. "Fine Tell Liam I won't keep the dog but I know a lovely old lady who would be glad to." He flashed a brilliant self important smile. "Since she thinks the world of me she'll be glad to keep the dog."
"So do you have any problems with Liam and Joshua as an item?" Street asked she didn't think he would but she wanted to be sure. She didn't know why she had such a protective streak toward Liam.
"No I don't have a problem with it." Augur said sounding offended that she would even suggest that. "I mean I own the Flat Planet Cafe I've seen every couple and threesome imaginable and nothing bothers me." Augur then sighed wistfully. "I bet Lili would be surprised if there was any way to contact her."
Street gave her friend a comforting hug. They talked for awhile before Street noticed that she had been gone for several hours. "I should head back Joshua is bound to be done with those files and I don't' want him to get bored and try to play with the computer." She shook her head. "I had a hard enough time cleaning up the mess Liam and Renee made that time."
"Which I'm sure Liam did on purpose since he didn't trust Renee." Augur said glancing at her. "Liam is a very trusting individual but he'd been burned one two many times I think to ever trust openly again or so I thought." He said calmly wondering how Liam managed to forgive him and Da'an for their betrayal or if he ever truly had.
Street nodded and saying her good-byes to Augur headed for the portal to begin the whole procedure of passing threw his checkpoint again she'd never asked Augur if it was always the same checkpoint even though it always looked the same. She knew better than to assume with Augur. 'I should have kept better track of how he did it after I helped him design it but he put it up so fast.' She shook her head at the thought as she appeared in the familiar comfortable setting of the Liar.
Street saw Joshua setting there looking depressed. "What's the matter?" She asked and saw he'd been looking threw the resistance logs. She glanced at the screen and frowned seeing which entry he'd read. "I take it Liam didn't tell you?"
"No I mean my dad tried to have him killed and he didn't tell me." Joshua sounded betrayed. "I mean sure you said they eventually worked it out but still how could dad ever accept our relationship if he had attempted to kill Liam." He sounded extremely depressed and angry and that worried Street.
"Well why don't we ask him?" She blurted out. "I mean I can probably retrieve the code for that Cyber Johnothan Doors and put it into a simulator so you can ask him." She couldn't believe she was offering to do that she knew how much harm it could do if the cyber Johnothan didn't approve of the idea.
Joshua looked up at her. "Are you sure you can do it?" He asked. Street couldn't tell from his tone rather or not he hoped she could. She only nodded and he took a deep breath. "How long will it take?"
"I can probably have it ready for you in a few days." She shook her head. "But this is a one time thing I'll have the virtual program I create delete itself after one activation." She looked straight into his eyes. "And I won't create it again." She was willing to give Joshua a chance at closure but she wasn't going to allow him to become dependent on cyber dad again.
Joshua nodded. "Okay can you have it ready by the press conference Liam has to go to with Da'an?" He asked figuring it would be the best time since Liam was too busy to actually interfere he had to do this himself. "Oh and don't tell Liam about this."
Street nodded. "All right I can have it ready by then I think." She sighed. "And I won't tell Liam about this but I think you should."
Liam was relieved to hear that someone Augur knew would be willing to keep the dog. After meeting the woman he was amazed at the deverse group of People Augur seemed to know. She was a woman who seemed to almost personify the perfect little old lady image. She insisted that they call her grandma which they had no choice but to agree to since they didn't know her real name.
Liam turned toward the man sitting next to him in the car. He knew something was bothering Joshua but every time he brought it up the other man retreated even farther into a shell. He opened his mouth to ask again what was wrong but the look Joshua turned on him made him change his mind. "I should be going to the embassy now."
Joshua just nodded and headed the car toward the nearest portal center. "I'll see you after you get off." He was glad Liam seemed to have dropped the matter of what was going on for now. 'As soon as I talk to my dad I'll talk to him about it.' He told himself for perhaps the hundredth time since Street agreed to do it.
Liam arrived to see Sandoval standing there talking with Da'an. "What's going on?" He didn't like the look that was in Sandoval's eye and suddenly wished he'd been late this morning.
"Nothing important major how is the dog?" Sandoval asked aware that Da'an seemed intrigued as to how he knew about it. "You did keep the dog I gave you and your lover didn't you?"
Liam really wanted to hit Sandoval for that. "Yeah we did." He said while thinking 'Please don't ask Da'an please'. Liam knew that even if Da'an didn't ask in Sandoval's presence he would ask as soon as the other man left.
Sandoval decided he had tormented the kid enough and since he and Da'an couldn't discuss the hybrids in front of Liam he turned to leave. "I have to go enjoy the dog major." He said leaving via portal to return to the mothership.
Liam shook his head and turned to see Da'an looking at him quizzically. "I suppose you want to know what that was about?" He really didn't want to have this conversation with Da'an.
Da'an just looked at him with an intent but closed expression before saying. "Your personal life is your own major." He then stated his fear. "Just remember to be careful it is possible any children you had would develop like you."
Liam shook his head. "Not much chance of that happening." He said under his breath and seeing the obvious question in Da'an's eyes. "Um you know how some humans choose to enter into relationships with members of the same sex?" He hoped Da'an wouldn't object his relationship with the taelon was strained enough as it was.
"So the person you are involved with is male." Da'an said and Liam nodded. "Congratulations Major I hope you are happy." Da'an said sincerely and Liam was extremely relieved to hear that. "Perhaps you could arrange for me to meet him at some point."
Liam paled at that. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea." He didn't elaborate but knew Da'an would probably figure it out. "I'll mention it to him that you would like to meet him but I don't think he'll go for it."
Da'an nodded. "Very well Major." Internally he wondered if the major was seeing one of his former resistance agents. 'Which would be understandable as to why he would be nervous about me meeting him.'
Sandoval stood on the bridge with Zo'or. "Agent Sandoval I have a job for you." Zo'or said turning to face him. "I want you to find out what the project of Da'an and Va'on is and if I deem it a threat eliminate it." He said turning away again not even waiting for his subordinet's accent.
Sandoval said calmly. "Of course Zo'or I'll get right on it." He turned and left the bridge He already knew what they were up to but better to let Zo'or wait and have time to work on his own projects. 'Ma'el's manuscript is proving difficult to decode there is just so much information.' He shook his head. 'No wonder Zo'or has the major up here once a week to open a new chapter and then probably has the mothership working round the clock to decode it.'
Liam entered Joshua's house to find him laid out on the couch with Spyke asleep on him. "And he says it's my dog." Liam said quietly before walking over and kneeling down to wake Joshua up with a kiss. He watched Joshua open his eyes with a slight jump. "Sorry couldn't resist." He said and the puppy which had been awakened by Joshua jumping scrambled forward to lick his face.
Liam then turned to glance at Joshua and sighed. "I don't know how your going to take this." He said seeing the concerned look Joshua was giving him he elaborated. "Well Sandoval spilled the beans that I was seeing someone and I had to tell Da'an something so." He hesitated and then just decided to blurt it out. "Well I told him I was seeing a guy and he didn't care but he wants to meet you." He said in one breath.
"Hell No!" Joshua said angrily. "I'm not going near another taelon as long as I live." He said darkly glaring at Liam for even suggesting the idea.
Liam only nodded. "I thought you'd feel that way which is why I told him I didn't think it was a good idea." He glanced at Joshua. "But I decided to ask just so if he asks I can say honestly that I did ask and you said no."
Joshua just shook his head. "Do you want me to meet him?" He asked since it sounded to him Liam was as against the idea as he was and he wanted to know why.
"I just don't want him putting you in the same position I'm in." Liam said sadly. "It's hard being constantly reminded that I'm the best hope for the Taelon race." He shook his head. "If he knew about you he'd be even more convinced hybrids were the answer to the Taelons future."
"Are they?" Joshua asked he didn't much like the idea of the human and Taelon races merging. He glanced at Liam and saw him thinking about it.
"Possibly." He shook his head. "But not without the jaridians included and I doubt that will happen." He glanced over at Joshua. "I mean I trust Da'an with my secret but I'm reluctant to trust him with yours."
Joshua was surprised that Liam would be so protective of him but at the same time it was kind of comforting. "I suppose we should take the dog for his walk now." He said gesturing to the dog which having gotten tired of being ignored had wandered off to the pet bed on the other side of the room.
Several days later Liam stood at Da'an's side as the Taelon spoke outside the Children's hospital. He was still slightly worried about Joshua who had seemed to get more and more withdrawn in the days leading up to this. He glanced around the crowd something wasn't right he didn't know how he knew he just did. Suddenly he saw a vision of Da'an exploding similar to the one he experienced years ago at Boone's funeral. "No." He yelled knocking Da'an out of the way seconds later the podium was destroyed as a woman in the audience morphed into a Jaridian Replicant.
Liam stood up without thinking and did the only thing he knew would stop a replicant released a blast from his Shaqarava. He watched as the replicant exploded and then remembered where he was. He turned to see the news camera pointed at him and all the people in the area staring at him in shock. "Liam run." Da'an said from behind him. "Zo'or will know you have to get away now." Liam didn't hesitate he took off running as fast as he could.
Zo'or stood up staring at the Television feed in shock. "I want all volunteers alerted Major Kincaid is to be brought in for immediate questioning." He then turned toward Sandoval. "I suggest you bring him in quickly Agent Sandoval if you value your position." The veiled threat was obvious to everyone on the bridge.
Sandoval nodded. "Of course Zo'or." Internally he swore. 'Stupid kid this stunt could ruin everything whatever happens Zo'or can't see what's in that head of yours.'
to be continued....
Notes:
1. Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Real life has been intruding and then when Fanfiction.net went down I didn't feel as compelled to work on this as I should.
2. Next time things take an even darker turn. And Da'an learns the truth about who Liam has been seeing.
3. Why did Liam react instinctively about the Jaridian Replicant. I'll explain more in depth in the next chapter.
