Da'an's former protector was worried. He and his team of "Alliance Volunteers" had been carefully monitoring the situation in Washington and on the Mothership over the last few months, and the problem had become significant. Zo'or's anger at losing his chance to brand Da'an a traitor had not lessened over time. If anything, he had become even more determined to see the North American Companion discredited before the Synod. Fomenting distrust and suspicion, he was gradually eroding Da'an's position and power within that body, and the Companion's influence was waning.

Boone was also concerned about the Taelon's state of mind. His informants on the Mothership had told him that Lili Marquette had tried to destroy it and was killed, this after Da'an had trusted her as a friend. In addition, the Resistance seemed to be making more and more demands, so Da'an's trust in his allies there seemed to be evaporating.

Once again, all hopes for a trueTaelon/human alliance seemed to be in danger of perishing. It was only a matter of time before the Jaridians found their way to Earth, and from the information Boone had been able to obtain, Earth would not find them merciful. An alliance with the Taelons was the only way for both species to survive.

Boone considered the information before him. Somehow, Da'an had to regain his credibility with the Synod. Without his voice, Zo'or's unpleasant opinions of humankind would go unchallenged, and there could be no understanding, no reconciliation, no continuation.

Their time of shared consciousness, or their "cohabitation" as Boone jokingly called it, had established a psychic connection between the Taelon and the human. Da'an frequently blocked the connection, probably considering it for the human's own good, but there were times when Boone was very aware of his Companion, and it was through this link that Boone could now sense that the Taelon was becoming anxious. The problem was, if his information and intuition were correct, Da'an might be about to make an enormous mistake. It was time to pay his friend another visit.

^^^^^

The North American Companion sat in the Lotus Chair in his audience chamber, only partly attending to the reports he was filing on the data stream. The diplomat sighed. So many worthy projects. So many requests. He had come to a point, though, where he dreaded beginning any project, no matter how worthy. The Synod was demanding a point-by-point accounting from him of everything he involved himself in. Zo'or was suspicious of all of his projects, and the frequency of his accusations was increasing daily. He was becoming weary of having to justify and document every action and every word. How had he, a respected and honored member of the Synod, come to this place? How had he, who valued above all the restoration of the Taelon race, become a suspect traitor in their eyes. How? He had dared to believe in a dream.

And what of that other race who were so much a part of it? Did they share the dream?
Did they understand? Did they wish to build a bridge? Apparently not. Da'an's eyes glanced over to his protector's desk. Empty, as usual. Liam was undoubtedly off on some project for the Resistance. It was just as well. The Kimera hybrid was much more prone to accuse and demand, than to listen and understand. Da'an had to remind himself that Liam was, after all, very young and inexperienced. And, yet, in his youth, the leader of the Resistance.

The Resistance. Da'an had taken a great risk, hoping that the Resistance would prove to be true allies. Oh, they wanted an alliance with him, an alliance that would gain them information they could use against Zo'or; and he had assisted them when it seemed to serve the best purpose. But they were interested in nothing more. This they had proven when they took the earliest opportunity to use his good will against his own kind.

It was probably for the best. It was not likely that Da'an was going to find bridge builders in that organization, even among those he had considered friends. After all, the Resistance had always contained so many radical elements, so much anti-Taelon sentiment. Their association had been mutually useful, while it lasted, but it had become a threat to him now. In spite of his friendship with Liam Kincaid, the Taelon had to remind himself, his allegiance was first to his own people, and then to the vision--not to the Resistance.The action he was about to take would not be easy, but to him such action was necessary.There was too much at stake.

The reports continued to dance on the data stream, and Da'an's gaze fell to the floor as he let his mind wander.

"You know, I never liked paperwork either."

The Companion looked up to see the familiar silhouette of his former protector standing in the entrance to the audience chamber. With a graceful movement of his arm, he gratefully dismissed the data stream.

"Boone,what are you doing here?" he asked in mock sternness, the sidelong glance and slight smile he bestowed on his protector softening the words.

Boone advanced into the room to stand before his Companion, slowly and respectfully giving him a proper salute, as he had so many times in the past.

"With all due respect, you would think an advanced race who has eliminated some of our most dread diseases could at least do something about the proliferation of paperwork."

"That would be useful. I therefore do not hold out much hope that the Synod would take it under consideration."

"I see our worlds are not so far apart, then." Both smiled at this bit of shared humor.

"And what brings you here, my friend?", Da'an quietly inquired.

"Concern." Boone moved closer to the Taelon's chair and softly laid a hand on the alien's slender arm. "Concern for your position. Concern for you."

"And why would you have reason for concern?"

"Because I know that Zo'or is making it a personal point to discredit you with the Synod. Because I know that the Resistance has not proven to be the ally you had hoped it would be. Because I know that you will have to regain your credibility with the Synod if there is to be any chance of accomplishing your goals. And because I know you are a Taelon, and I am afraid you are about to apply a Taelon understanding to a human situation."

"Explain."

"For you, a member of a communal consciousness, it is only right and natural for individuals to make the ultimate sacrifice for the common good. In fact, such sacrifice is expected and the Commonality even has the right to request it, if necessary."

"And, do not humans agree that individual rights must often be laid aside for the good of the whole?"

"Yes, but such a decision must be made by the individual. No one else can make it for them. I am very much afraid, my Companion, that in applying such a Taelon way of thinking to your problem with the Resistance, you will find the human cost too high, and it will only add to your own distress."

"And if I do not find another way that is suitable?", Da'an looked closely at his protector. Boone lifted his hand and gently stroked the alien's cheek with the back of his fingers.

"Then I'll return to help repair the damage."

*****

Da'an was walking this night in his gardens, allowing the peace and solitude of the place to invade his soul. It was his favorite place to be when he wanted to soothe his mind; and recent events surrounding the Taelon had been most chaotic.

He was alone in the Embassy tonight. Liam Kincaid was spending the greater amount of his time with Renee Palmer, presumably taking care of Resistance business. Da'an was actually relieved that Liam was not choosing to spend any more time than necessary at the Embassy. The events of the last few weeks, his hiring of Pratt to gain information for Zo'or on Resistance cells, and the resulting raids and deaths, had strained his relationship with Liam nearly to the breaking point. He didn't blame Liam. He understood his hurt and sense of betrayal.He understood it from his own recent experience. He understood it, but he could not change it.

Perhaps Boone had been correct. Perhaps the human cost had been too high. What, he wondered, was the acceptable cost for the continuation of two species?

To the left of the water fountain was a small alcove, cozily nestled up against the high walls that separated the gardens from the rest of the world. It was Da'an's favorite place to sit and contemplate; the beauty of the climbing roses and the tinkle of the fountain never failed to calm his spirit. But on this occasion, as he made his way to his preferred bench, he spotted a familiar figure already in occupation of it.

"Boone...."

"Wait, let me guess...'Boone, what are you doing here?'"

The Taelon gave his friend a tired little smile. "I have become predictable, then."

"You? Never. Our meetings, however, seem to have developed a certain pattern. I've saved you a seat."

Da'an gratefully accepted the place reserved for him by his protector. As he regarded the beauty of this place, the alien suddenly felt an immense weariness overwhelm him.

"Things have been pretty difficult lately, I'd say", Boone commented, noting the fatigue that seemed to be pressing the Taelon .

"They have. I am afraid that you were correct. The human cost of my decision was very high, and even though it had the desired effect with my own kind, I regret the loss."

Boone looked closely at his friend. He knew that Da'an was capable of making tough decisions when he deemed them necessary for the overall good. His current distress seemed to be more personal in nature.

"But there's something else."

"Yes. I fear I have lost the friendship of my current protector."

Ah, Liam Kincaid. The young Kimera-human head of the Resistance. Boone recalled the first time he, Lazarus/Boone, had seen Kincaid on the Mothership. Through a foggy memory, Lazarus had known that this Kincaid was not exactly what he seemed, and found himself sizing him up to determine if he was an acceptable protector for Da'an. He had not even known at the time why it mattered, but it had.

But now, Da'an was fond of the hybrid and had expended a great deal of energy in mentoring him and shielding him from the Synod. Kincaid must have found out about Da'an's involvement in the Resistance raids. Things at the Embassy would have to be pretty tense.

"Well, you may have lost that protector, I can't say." Boone softly mused. " But in case you haven't noticed, you still have the earlier model."

With that, William Boone encircled the fragile Companion within the safety of his arms, and softly and carefully drew him close. At first Da'an was startled by the physical contact, but the comforting nearness of the one with whom he had already shared so much was a balm to his troubled soul. He relaxed, resting his head on his protector's shoulder. Quietly they sat in the dark, gazing at the star lit sky and listening to the sounds of t the night. Long moments passed before either of them dared to break the silence.

"I told you I'd come back", Boone finally whispered in his Companion's ear.

"Yes, you have always been most....reliable."

"I made a vow to you, that last day we shared thoughts. I promised I would always be your protector."

"I remember."

"Do you remember your promise to me, Da'an?"

Da'an hesitated at the memory, his energy form blushing through his human facade. "Yes, I remember."

"I've been keeping my vows, Da'an."

Da'an looked intently into his protector's eyes and saw only the affection and warmth they had always shared reflected there. He softly disengaged the human's left arm from around his waist, and lifted the man's palm to his own. Once again, for a time, two minds became one.

*****

"I know this, Boone. They need us as desperately as we need them. The fates of our two races are intertwined. Without them, we're doomed. Without us, they're doomed."

Ronald Sandoval was so right all those months...years?....ago. Boone knew now, more than ever, how much the two races needed each other. Ma'el had seen this, Da'an had seen this, and now he, William Boone saw this. Unfortunately those who understood, on both sides, were in the minority. Zo'or and the Synod interpreted "intertwined" to mean dominated. The Resistance, as far as he could tell, didn't even acknowledge the word.

The Taelons needed human help to solve their core energy problem and rescue their species from extinction. Humanity needed the Taelons to provide solutions for the problems of deprivation and disease, to introduce them to new concepts, and to elevate mankind. And, yes, they needed each other to stand against the Jaridians. In other words, the Taelons needed Protectors, and the Humans needed Companions.

And so for the next few months the Taelon Da'an and the human Boone explored in their own lives the relationship they dreamed their respective species would embrace.

William Boone was truly Da'an's Protector. When Zo'or pulled Liam Kincaid out of Da'an's service for his own purposes, leaving the diplomat less than adequately provided for, William Boone and his team of Volunteers filled in the gaps by ensuring that security remained tight at the Embassy. When Resistance activity cut into Kincaid's work time in Washington, Boone made sure all the security protocols remained updated, and the premises were well staffed. He secretly followed his Companion to every speaking engagement and public appearance, standing out of sight and on the fringes, but ready to act if necessary.

And Da'an was truly Boone's Companion. In quietly shared moments, he opened to the human worlds that he never imagined existed: intriguing worlds of space and time, of other beings and other places that could scarcely be believed; and soul-melding worlds of mind and spirit; of the individual awareness of two merging into the intimate consciousness of one.

And in those quiet moments together, they also talked. The two friends, so different in every way, continued the quest they had begun so many months before; the quest to understand.

^^^^^

"Da'an, tell me about the Hartley twins."

"The Hartley twins were the result of a very early program to develop Human/Taelon hybrids. You are aware that our race is dying. We have been searching for ways to ensure the continuation of our species."

"I know, my Companion, but I'm afraid that the manipulation of human beings in this manner would be interpreted by the people as an invasion of human rights for Taelon purposes."

"But, the continuation of our species can only be of benefit to humankind."

"Perhaps. But without full disclosure of Taelon need, the public is not going to draw that conclusion. And humankind still must be allowed to make the decision for itself. You have come to understand this, Da'an."

"Yes. But I am afraid the Synod has not."

"Then, you must convince them, my friend."

^^^^^

"There has been an attempted assassination of War Minister T'than, and I very much fear that my child is responsible."

"I didn't think a Taelon could kill another Taelon."

"Ordinarily that is true. But It would seem that our current state is so deteriorated that our bonds to one another are not as strong as they once were. The Commonality is weakened, and it is the Commonality that keeps us at our current level of evolved consciousness."

"Are you afraid?"

"I believe that I am."

^^^^^

"But, Da'an, is there no other way to obtain the Kryss?"

"None that I am aware of at present, although I had thought that the Synod would have approved the development of a synthetic by now."

"And why haven't they?"

"I am afraid they do not see the need. We are adequately supplied by the missioners."

"But isn't the process quite painful?"

"Yes, but the missioners are all volunteers. They wish to contribute to the well-being of the Companions."

"I know, Da'an. But if suffering is needless, it should not be allowed to continue."

"Perhaps you are correct. However, I am but one voice."

"Sometimes that is enough."

^^^^^

"Boone, I have no understanding of why humans would consider the Commonality to be something undesirable. To a Taelon, it is our most priceless possession."

"I suppose, to most of us, such a communal relationship represents the surrender of individual freedom. In human society, the freedom to act independently is one of our most valued rights."

"But in such freedom, is there not a responsibility to the whole?"

"Absolutely. Laws are enacted to ensure that individuals do not abuse their freedom at the expense of others."

"And what of those who abuse the privilege by acting too independently."

"They are tried, and if found guilty are sent to prison."

"And human prisons are more desirable than the Commonality...."

^^^^^

"If your mission imperative was originally to gain human help, why did it change? You know it is not going to be easy to undo the damage caused by all the deception, Da'an."

"And yet, I do not know that there was a better way."

"Why?"

"When we arrived here, your people were engaged in a global war. I believe you refer to it as the Sino-Indian War."

"Yes. Not a pretty chapter in our history."

"Precisely. Humans were killing large numbers of their own kind. If humanity would so readily kill those who were the same, it was very difficult for us to imagine that you would be more charitable to us, who are so different."

"I see."

"And so we manipulated the war and orchestrated it's end, making ourselves indispensable to humanity and ensuring our own safety, that we might then begin our own investigations."

"And you gave those who served you CVI's to ensure their loyalty, and so that you would not become targets."

"Yes. Something I now regret."

"And you hired protectors like me."

"Yes. Something I value more each day."

^^^^^

"Willam Boone..."

"Yes, Da'an."

"You did not speak the truth."

"When, my Companion?"

"I once asked you a question, but I do not believe that you were honest with me. I did not know then that my implant was involved with the Resistance."

"Then ask me again. I swear to you, you will hear nothing but the truth."

"Very well then. Do you, William Boone, believe that Taelon well-being serves the interests of humanity?"

"Completely."

"Once again, that is certainly true in the long run..... I promise you."

^^^^^

With each sharing, their bond grew deeper, and with each conversation, their understanding grew. And in their quest to understand, the alien and the human discovered in experience what thought had always known: they were separate yet one; Humanity and the Taelons, a Human and a Taelon, Boone and Da'an.