William Boone was crouched in the shadows of the garden at the Washington Embassy, watching for Da'an. With Ronald Sandoval prowling around at odd hours, and Liam Kincaid and Renee Palmer popping in whenever they felt like it, Boone was cautiously trying to avoid discovery. It was becoming more difficult to have a few moments alone with his Companion, and the circumstances of recent months were leading the protector to believe he might be needed. Boone was worried about Da'an; very, very worried. In the last few months, the one he now cared so deeply for, had seemed to suffer one heart wrenching crisis after another.
First Lili had returned with her Jaridian mate, needing a large amount of Taelon energy to give birth to their child. So, of course, Ronald Sandoval, who orchestrated Lili's sacrifice to the Jaridians in the first place, was more than willing to sacrifice Da'an as well. And Lili had been more than willing to accept. Maybe it was maternal instinct, maybe it was the Jaridian DNA, or maybe Boone simply had not known the Captain as well has he had thought, but whatever her reason, her willingness to take the life of one who had been her friend disappointed him. Boone had been frustrated that the lack of information from the Volunteers had prevented them from assisting in the situation. Da'an had managed to protect himself, this time, by faking his own death, but Boone felt as if he had let his Companion down. He had, however, been impressed with the quick action of Liam Kincaid. Perhaps the young Kimera was growing up, after all.
Next came the incident with the Kryss. Kryss---Boone had not liked that situation since he first heard of it. Da'an, unknown to either of his protectors, had engaged in experimentation to discover if this substance that had once been the Taelon's food, could be used to sustain their lives....and had become addicted to it. Liam, once again, had shown remarkable quickness of mind and response to save the Taelon Companion from death, and to give him a human produced synthetic. But Boone was afraid that Kincaid and Dr.Curzon had left much undone. Da'an had not, to his knowledge, gone through addiction recovery; and Boone's Volunteers were reporting that the diplomat's behavior was still somewhat erratic.
Then came the devastating loss of the Core Energy reserve at the hands of Joshua Doors. The Taelons, already desperate, now found themselves facing an even closer crisis deadline.
And the Jaridians came. Oh, not the great armada that the Taelons had thought was headed for Earth, but Jaridians none the less. Their goal of racial cleansing, their intention to exterminate the entire Taelon species, was no longer in doubt. And now that they had found Earth, they had no intention of showing the "Taelon contaminated" humans any mercy.
And, as if all of this were not enough, Da'an had been the guinea pig in one of Zo'or's experiments. An experiment allowing Taelons to experience the intensity and depth of human emotion, emotion a Taelon would be ill equipped to deal with. Da'an was now restored to himself, but Boone worried that the experience, combined with all the others, had left his Companion overwhelmed and in a less than stable state.
And so, the sworn protector waited in the dark, hoping for a chance to speak privately with the Taelon. His patience was rewarded by a glimpse of the slender form of his Companion, carefully making his way through the delicate foliage of the garden. As Da'an stopped to linger at the fountain, Boone scrutinized his Companion's tired, drawn face in the silvery moonlight. Yes, Da'an was in need of help.
Just as Boone was about to step out onto the path, his well-trained ears picked up the sound of footsteps approaching. Merging back into the shadows, Boone observed carefully as Ronald Sandoval stepped into the garden and approached Da'an.
"You look tired, Da'an."
Da'an whirled about to face Zo'or's protector, his pale face tense, and his fingers rapidly moving in agitation.
"Agent Sandoval, why are you here? I have expressed my wish that you not be allowed in the Embassy after closing."
"You can express that wish all you want, Da'an, but I have highest level security clearance. To keep me out you would have to present a justification to the Synod. I don't think, under the circumstances, you will want to do that. I repeat, you look tired."
"I have had a long and arduous day, so please leave me to my respite."
"You know, I have what you need."
"No, go away. I do not want it."
"Of course you do. Think of how much better you will feel afterwards. You really shouldn't punish yourself this way. It's so much easier just to take what you need."
"I have all that I require. I have the substitute."
"Inferior quality. You know it doesn't make you feel the way the real thing does. Dr.Curzon's substitute may help, but it can't give you what you need. Only I can do that. See?"
Boone watched from the shadows, his anger rising to nearly unmanageable proportions, as Ronald Sandoval opened the palm of his hand to reveal a vial of deep lavender crystals. The FBI agent held the vial up between his fingers, allowing the moonlight to play in it's sparkling depths. "No, Da'an, don't!", Boone whispered, as he saw the desire rise in the Taelon's eyes. Slowly, as if pulled by an unseen force, Da'an held out his palm to receive that which would relieve the unbearable, gnawing hunger within.
Boone crouched behind the FBI agent, and recoiling like a spring, shot out of the bushes to land a knockout blow to the back of Sandoval's head....just as the Taelon's hand absorbed the Kryss his first protector had offered.
Boone watched as Da'an's entire form blushed blue. The Taelon looked up, and just as he noticed his protector's presence, his startling blue eyes went wide with fear, and his fragile frame began to violently tremble.
Leaping over the inert form of Agent Sandoval, William Boone rushed forward to catch the delicate form of his beloved Companion as he collapsed into his arms.
^^^^^
Da'an's world swirled around him in a confusion of sight and sound.
There was disorientation and pain, fear, and the raging hunger
of addiction; and there was darkness. But it was in the darkness
that Da'an found relief, and it was in the darkness that he would
have stayed, if not for the voice.
"Da'an, Da'an...come with me."
"I do not believe that I can."
"You must, Da'an. If I leave you like this, you could die."
"Then, perhaps it is time for this passage."
"You don't believe that. You have a dream...a vision to fulfill; a bridge to build. But., we need each other...human and Taelon, you and I, Da'an. Separate, but one. And I need you, Da'an. I, William Boone. I need you. You must return."
"How might that be accomplished?"
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"Where I go, my Companion. Where I go."
And so Da'an gave his assent, and the North American Companion was quietly taken from the Embassy by his former protector.
*****
William Boone turned on the television in his study, and settled in, with satisfaction, to watch an update of current events. Tonight's lead story, as it had been for the last two weeks, was the disappearance of the North American Companion. In spite of recent Taelon public relations disasters, Da'an had never lost his appeal with the public. They liked the diplomat, and leaders from all over the world were bowing to public pressure to find him, and those responsible for his disappearance. Amazingly enough, according to the news, no one had made any demands, leaving law enforcement uncertain as to the nature of the vanishing.
Of course there certainly wasn't any shortage of those willing to make accusations. The Resistance blamed the Synod, the Synod blamed the ANA, the ANA blamed Zo'or, and Zo'or blamed everyone.
And, an added benefit to Boone's way of thinking, Liam Kincaid was spending every hour of every day and night, searching for the Taelon Companion. In fact, according to Boone's informants, his single-minded concern had sparked a rather heated arguement with Renee Palmer. The sooner Da'an's protector removed himself from that influence, Boone thought, the better.
And, even better, today's news was announcing that a massive unified search would be undertaken, utilizing both human and Taelon manpower all over the world. Boone smiled at the irony, and then chuckled to himself. All of those powerful agencies would be kicking themselves if they knew that the charismatic North American Companion was quietly resting in the guest bedroom of a rustic little farmhouse.
It had been a difficult two weeks for both Companion and Protector. When Boone took Da'an from the Embassy, the Taelon was suffering from the cumulative toxic effects of the Kryss, as well as the drain of constant psychological stress. Da'an had tried to restrict himself to the substitute, but without going through any serious attempts at detoxification and recovery, he still found himself deeply craving the Kryss, and recent events had not made it easier to resist temptation.
So William Boone had pulled in a friend to help. In addition to the Volunteers, Boone had recruited many others into his organization, something he called the Underground Taelon/Human Alliance. Members of this organization believed in the need for Taelon/Human inter-relationship, and were often dissatisfied with the results of governments, synods and resistance movements that were most often polarizing in their approaches. This Underground was working to build understanding, not division, and stood on the side of truth, wherever that led.
Surprisingly, Boone had found many former, and current, resistance members among his rolls. They were people who, like himself, had discovered the lie in the "good human/evil alien" scenario so often presented by resistance leaders such as Jonathan Doors, and Renee Palmer. They weren't eager to be victims or Zo'or's manipulations, but neither were they willing to sacrifice the benefits that a true alliance with an advanced species could offer. Former resistance members like Doctor Melissa Park.
Doctor Park had personally supervised Da'an's detoxification and recovery. For several long nights and days, Boone had held his Companion, who suddenly seemed so small and vulnerable, as the pain of Kryss withdrawal racked his fragile frame. But now, two weeks later, Dr. Park was satisfied that, with some initial supervision, Da'an would be able to comfortably use only the substitute. Now free of the Kryss, Da'an had been spending his days here in the quiet solitude of the countryside, resting and meditating; regaining his physical, mental, and spiritual strength.
Boone turned off the television and softly padded down a hallway. Opening the door, he peeped in, expecting to see his beloved Taelon resting in his room, but he was not there. Boone found his Companion outside in the twilight, sitting on a bench under an gnarled old apple tree, looking out over the pasture in apparent deep thought.
"It is a noble being, is it not?"
"It's a cow, Da'an."
"You seem surprised at my comment."
"Well, it's just that cows aren't usually described as 'noble'. 'Content'. 'Placid'. 'Peaceful', even. But not 'noble'.Cows are pretty common."
"And yet, what makes one noble? Is not such worth conferred on those who strive to fulfill all the good that they are capable of? Is this not the essence of dignity and integrity?"
"It should be, yes."
"Then, it is a noble being."
The Taelon turned, and tilting his head, focused knowing eyes upon William Boone. The tall human caught his breath as he gazed down into the luminescent pool of blue energy that was Da'an.
"And you, William Boone...you are perhaps the most noble being I have ever met."
"Compared to...what....a cow?"
Da'an smiled at the thin attempt at humor.
"No. Compared to all that I have known. You have embodied to me all that is good and true in humankind, and I believe, that is, I know.....I have been.... privileged....to consider you my friend". Da'an's voice trailed off into a near whisper, as his eyes slipped from beneath the regard of his protector.
"And I...I cannot express the gratitude I feel for the honor of knowing you. Everyday, my mind is awakend to new thoughts, new worlds... a new and beautiful consciousness, that is, in essence, you. I can't imagine my life without that. The emptiness would be..."
Boone broke off, emotion blocking the flow of words. Needing to express what speech would not, the human gently placed his hands on his Companion's shoulders and slowly drew the Taelon close. Resting his head against Da'an's, he cradled him against his chest, in a soft caress.
"Da'an...."
"Yes, Boone..."
"Our sharings lately have gone so deep..."
"Yes...there are many levels of sharing."
"I know. And with each new level, I feel our bond, our connection, growing."
"Yes. I too, am aware of this."
"Da'an...Listen. I don't want it to stop. I want to experience everything there is to experience. I want to go...deeper... to the deepest possible level."
The Taelon closed his eyes as the energy surged within him, causing him to lose his human facade. He pulled away from the human and regarded him with wide and serious eyes.
"Do you fully understand what you are saying, Boone?" he softly asked.
"I believe I do."
"What you are suggesting is a joining. In Taelon terms we would be..." The Taelon dropped his gaze, his fingers tracing slow and graceful patterns in the air.
"I know; life partners, companions.....mates."
"And you would choose such a joining with one... of another...kind?"
"No. But I would choose such a joining with you."
The Taelon slowly blinked his eyes and tilted his head, the blue of his energy pathways flickering beneath the translucent facade. He smiled a slow, gentle smile. To the human's delight, his Companion raised a slender hand to his protector's face, and with soft, cool fingers, trailed a slow, electric caress along his cheek."
"And I, William Boone, would be honored to choose such a joining with you", Da'an whispered.
Boone cupped the Taelon's face in his hands. He gently raised his Companion's gaze to once again fully meet his own, and the warmth of Boone's soft brown eyes slowly melted into the electric blue of Da'an's. That night, under the soft light of the harvest moon, and the approving supervision of a noble cow, the essence of two became one.
*****
Da'an was finally able to relax as the last of the press made their way out of the audience chamber. His inexplicable return to the Embassy that day had, as expected, caused quite a stir. He had already spent much of the morning side-stepping questions from Zo'or and the Synod, and then, of course the human public demanded their turn.
But Da'an was an expert diplomat. It would take them a while, but eventually both the Taelons and the humans would realize that, while he had talked at length about the nature of his disappearance, he had not really said anything informative.
Following the crowd to the door, Liam Kincaid secured it behind them and then turned expectantly to the Taelon.
"Thank you, Major Kincaid, for your diligence in conducting the search for me."
"I'm sworn to protect you, Da'an. It's my job."
"Yes, your job. Therein lies a significant difference, I think."
"Difference? In what?"
"In...purpose, it would seem."
"Look, Da'an, I really was worried about you."
"Were you, Major? Then perhaps we make progress, after all. Thank you for your concern. I am sure you are exhausted, so please, go home and rest."
Da'an's protector picked up the jacket he had slung across his chair, and began to move toward the door. He looked back at the Companion, who seemed different to him somehow. Or was it that he looked more like he formerly had; more assured, more serene?
"Da'an, are you ever going to tell me what happened?"
Da'an quietly regarded his young protector. "Perhaps one day, Liam. Perhaps one day", he said, softly. With a gesture, he signaled his protector that their interview was over, and Liam thoughtfully retired from the chamber.
^^^^^
It had been a long and trying day, so the Taelon was eager now to be left alone. Taking his seat in his chair, he gracefully reclined and activated the energy stream.
*Testing, 1-2-3. Testing. Is this thing on?*
Da'an abruptly sat up, his eyes wide in amazement.
*William. What are you doing?*
*Amusement* *Just checking to see if you're there.*
*Of course I am here. Where else would I be?*
*Oh, I don't know. Out looking for some other noble cow, perhaps.*
*I have told you, I did not intend that as a personal reference. You are not to take it as such.*
*I'll try. Say...This isn't a lover's quarrel, is it?*
*I do not think it possible.*
*Hmmm...not sure how to take that. You seem tired.*
*I am. You will comprehend the reason if you observe the news. I was just beginning my rest when I was interrupted....*
*All right, all right. I can take a hint.*
*Obviously you cannot.*
*Don't blame me...I'm new to this telepathic communication bit.*
*William....*
*All right. You rest. Just know this: I love you, my Companion.*
*As I do you, my Protector.*