Chapter 7 -- More Than Meets the Eye

"You?" Vic repeated, staring at her. He crouched in front of her, surprised confusion overcoming self-consciousness. "What do you mean?"

"Um, well, Vic…" She paused, took another deep breath, then sighed again. "God, this is… um, harder than I thought it would be…" She smiled nervously.

"What is, Mel?" Vic asked gently, confused and concerned by her obvious anxiety. "Come on, it's okay. Remember when we broke up?" he asked, keeping his voice low and soothing. "We agreed to still be friends, that we could always tell each other everything? Remember?"

Mel nodded slowly, smiling at him. "Yeah, I do." She absently caressed his throat. "This is big, Vic, and it's probably going to change things with us."

Vic was struck that she was imitating the same gesture that Cole had made towards her earlier. The touch was obscurely comforting. "Hey, nothing is ever going to make us not friends."

"I'm not human," she whispered.

Vic stared. "Beg your pardon?"

"Not human," she repeated, sighing. "Not… not entirely. My grandfather was Cirronian, like Cole."

"Is that even possible?" Vic asked. The idea that hybridization was possible was so stunning that Mel's revelation seemed minor by comparison.

Mel shrugged helplessly. "Living proof, Vic." She stared at him anxiously, waiting for his response.

"Hey, I always knew you were out of this world, right?" he asked with a grin.

Mel smiled faintly, both complimented and pleased. "I should have known that you of all people would accept me anyway," she said, shaking her head.

"How long have you…" He trailed off, wondering why she had not told him before, if she had not trusted him enough when they were lovers. He did not entirely buy that, though, so he was curious.

"A couple of months," she supplied. "Um, a few months after we broke up I kind of… stumbled onto the truth."

"Stumbled onto it?" Vic repeated, wondering how one 'stumbled onto' the fact that they were not entirely human. "What happened?"

"Um, remember when Cole took Kellen's life-force."

Vic shivered. "Not likely to forget that any time soon, Mel."

She nodded. "Yeah, guess not. I was a little ticked off and nearly accidentally did the same thing to Cole," she explained with a little shrug.

"You were pissed at Cole so you were going to suck out his life-force?"

"I wasn't pissed at Cole. I was pissed at Zin. And Nestov."

"Nestov?"

"Um, just your basic alien scum-bag."

"Ah. So you were angry with him and nearly sucked Cole's life-force out, which showed you that you weren't human… because?"

"Only Cirronians can use the Collector thingy."

"Ah." Vic nodded. For some reason, that actually made perfect sense to him. "Got you."

"Yeah?" Mel smiled and shook her head. "Now why was I nervous again?"

"Not a clue." Vic grinned widely at her, rising. "So, heal away." He spread his arms.

"I need to get Cole," she told him.

"Does he have to be here?" Vic asked. He knew from experience that healing was an amazing experience, a sharing process, and he very much wanted to share it with Mel alone. As much as he was growing to care for Maria, Mel would always hold a very special place in his heart.

Mel nodded. "Yeah, he kind of does. I've never done this before. Something similar once, but never an actual healing. I need him here to walk me through it."

Vic nodded, smiling at her. He could tell she was nervous. "You'll do fine, Mel."

"Thank you. For everything." Mel touched his throat again and rose.

"That a… Cirronian thing?" Vic asked.

Mel nodded. "Yeah, it's a Cirronian thing. I guess I kind of picked it up hanging out with Cole."

Vic smiled and nodded. "It's nice."

"Yeah, it is." Mel nodded. "Comforting," she said, remembering how Cole had used a similar touch to soothe her after her close call with Tev. "If you're ready, I'll go get Cole."

Vic nodded. "Let's do this."

Mel nodded and opened the bedroom door, calling to Cole. He walked in from his own room, carefully examining each of them in turn. Smiling, he gave a satisfied nod. Things were clearly well with them.

"Vic, if you could lie down on your stomach," Cole requested. "And, Mel, you kneel next to him. We'll start with the bruise on his leg."

"You sure this can't… misfire or anything?" Mel asked. She had seen the kind of damage Cole was capable of doing with his energy when so inclined.

Cole smiled. "Ashi was nervous her first time, too."


"Great, I'm on par with a five-year old," Mel muttered.

"She was closer to three at the time," Cole laughed.

"Great…" Mel shook her head and sighed. "Bear with me, guys," she said, kneeling on the edge of the bed. She looked up at the feel of Cole's strong hand gently grasping her shoulder.

"Just remember what we talked about," Cole soothed. "It's all energy, all connected. Humans, Cirronians, the stars and planets, all parts of the same Whole. No matter who or what we are, we all have a little spark of that Whole inside of us."

Mel nodded and drew a deep breath, gentle splaying her hands over the bruise on Vic's upper leg and closing her eyes. The feel of Vic's flesh under her hands and Cole's hands on her back combined to remind her of the connection of which Cole spoke.

"Don't think," Cole advised. "Just let it happen."

"Given and received in trust," Mel whispered, nodding as she repeated what Cole had told her the night before. "To give of yourself for the good of another…" She trailed off as she felt the energy fields within her shifting. She felt Vic's gasp as she became aware of the energy pouring from her into him. Too much energy, she knew. It would not hurt him, but she could feel her own body protesting.

"Slowly, Mel," Cole whispered, sensing the drain. "Gently. It doesn't take much. Pace yourself or you'll tire."

Mel nodded and pulled back a little of the energy, smiling. She could feel it work, could actually feel Vic's pain receding. And then there was no pain at all.

She opened her eyes with a laugh, staring at his no longer bruised leg. "I did it!" she exclaimed in triumph.

Cole smiled proudly. "Yes, Mel. You did it."

"Okay, Mel," Vic said, shaking his head. "I used to think you were amazing. Now I know you are."

"It was a very good start," Cole agreed, nodding.

"Good start," Mel repeated, realizing that she now had to repeat the same effort two more times and on a much larger scale. Somehow, though, she knew that she could. She flexed her hands a few times and moved farther up the bed. "Ready, Vic?" she asked.

He nodded, smiling at her. "More than."

"Okay."

Mel straddled his back and rested her hands on his shoulders, reaching inward. This time, she kept her eyes opened, smiling widely as she saw the glow under her hands as she slid them down his back, leaving it flawlessly healed. Without a word of guidance from Cole. She was drained by the effort, but not exhausted, and she knew instinctively that she had enough left in her to do it again.

"Roll over, roll over," she told Vic, feeling elated.

"Mel, rest a moment," Cole told her.

"Come on, Cole! I can do this! I'm in the zone!" Mel jumped off the bed and pulled the Cirronian into a bear-hug. "This is amazing! It's like… a hot-fudge sundae followed by really great sex!" she laughed. "Followed by another hot-fudge sundae," she enthused.

Cole smiled tolerantly and shook his head, gently pushing her away, aware that Vic was staring at them, unsure what to make of Mel's uncharacteristic behavior.

"Mel, take a few deep breaths," Cole advised gently. "Your energy is unbalanced and it's affecting your behavior."

"It is?" she asked, frowning. "You sure?"

Cole nodded. "Yes, Mel." He touched his hand to her forehead but released no energy. That would only have compounded the problem. "The imbalance is causing your brain to release endorphins."

"She's high?" Vic asked, sitting up.

Cole had to think a minute before he remembered that 'high' was also human slang for drug-induced euphoria. "Yes, Vic."

"She going to be okay?" he asked, frowning.

"Whoa," Mel groaned as the high vanished as abruptly as it had appeared, leaving her just plain tired. "That was interesting…"

Cole helped her to sit down. "Rest now. You can finished once your energies are balanced again."

Mel nodded and flopped back onto the bed. "That's totally different than reenergizing your life-force was."

Cole nodded. "Different energies are called upon."

"Reenergizing your life-force?" Vic repeated, glancing at Cole.

Cole nodded and quietly explained what had happened with Zin on the occasion when he had lost his Cirronian powers and how they had discovered that Mel was part Cirronian as a result. His explanation of the different types of energy required for the two different processes was interrupted by a groan from Mel.

"You didn't tell me I'd end up with a hang-over," she moaned, rolling onto her stomach.

"It will pass," Cole assured her, gently rubbing the back of her neck until he found the right pressure-point. He gave a sharp jab, drawing an outraged yelp from Mel.

"Hey!" she protested, pulling away and sitting up. She frowned thoughtfully. "Hangover's gone…"

"Yes, Mel," Cole agreed.

"Next time warn me." She shook her head. "That hurt."

"Yes, Mel," he repeated. "We should finish with Vic now, Mel."

She shook her head. "We will talk about this later," she told him firmly.

"Yes, Mel." Cole smiled faintly.

Mel closed her eyes and sighed. "Okay, okay. Vic, lie down."

Vic nodded and reclined on the bed. He blinked as Mel straddled him at waist-level and rested her hands on his chest. Looking up at her, he struggled to keep a straight face. Struggling to keep his laughter, breathing, and certain other physiological reactions in check was a loosing battle. He closed his eyes, his body shaking with embarrassed laughter.

"Yeah, I know," she muttered, nodding and closing her own eyes. "Awkward as hell…"

Cole frowned and rested his hand on her shoulder again. "It's okay, Mel," he reassured her gently. "Just reach inside, claim what's yours…"

Mel focused intently on his voice as she slid her hands down Vic's chest. Feeling Vic's sensations and emotions had her feeling guilty of voyeurism. He was doing his best to ignore how good the healing felt, to remember that they were just friends. She jerked her hands off of his chest with a start as an image of Maria's smiling face filled her awareness.

"What?" he asked, half sitting up. "Are you okay?"

"Mel?" Cole asked, concerned.

"Okay, that was just strange," Mel muttered, ignoring both men.

"What was?" Vic asked.

"What did you see, Mel?" Cole added.

"You were thinking of Maria."

Vic's eyes widened. "Well, y… you know… um… I mean…" He shifted defensively.

"I know what you mean," Mel said softly. "I… I know what you were trying not to think about. And I appreciate it."

Vic nodded slowly, swallowing hard. "Thanks, Mel."

Mel slid off of the bed. There was one bruise left, a large one on his stomach. "Cole, can Vic and I have a second?"

"Yes, Mel." He nodded. "I'll be in the living room."

"Okay. Thank you." When he had gone and closed the door, Mel sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.

Vic gave her an apologetic shrug. "Didn't know telepathy was part of the deal or I would not have been thinking about Maria," he began awkwardly. "I just…"

"I know." Mel smiled at him, touching his throat reassuringly. "Thank you for respecting the fact that we don't have a physical relationship any more. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that."

Vic stared at Mel, awed. She had changed. She was so different from the woman he had dated less than a year ago that he barely recognized her. There was an ancient, ageless quality about her, a sense of serenity that the frenetic Mel Porter had never displayed. She was still the gentle, compassionate woman he had loved, still loved, but she was different, too. It was hard to quantify, but it was there, just beneath the surface. Her association with Cole had changed her. Hesitantly, he reached towards her throat, his face curious.

Mel leaned forward, allowing the touch, encouraging it. His touch was as awkward for her as their earlier position had been for Vic, but also necessary. He was doing his best to understand, and she thought this could help. If nothing else, she was rendering herself as vulnerable to him as he was to her. Since she could not make his position less vulnerable, it was the best way to put them back on equal footing.

"Wow," was all he could think to say as he dropped his hand. There was a strength there, a passion, that he had never even suspected Mel of having. It was amazing, uplifting. He smiled and chuckled softly. "You, Melanie Porter, are a butterfly."

"And you, Victor Bruno, are high on endorphins," she replied, grinning.

He shook his head, amazed. "You really don't see it? Wow."

"See what?"

"Yourself."

Mel frowned and shook her head. "Let's get this last bruise taken care of," she suggested.

Vic obediently reclined again. "You've changed, Mel, come out of your cocoon." He closed his eyes as she healed the last injury. "And, damn, you are glorious…"

Mel shifted uncomfortably. "Vic, don't…"

He sat up again, catching her hands in his. "Look at yourself, Mel."

She shook her head. "Vic…"

"Look at me. Look at what you just did to me." He placed one of her hands on his stomach, where the last bruise had been. "Look me in the eye and tell me that this is not an amazing thing that you have done."

"Vic…"

"Shh," he whispered. "I know we're over, Mel. I know that we'll never have that kind of relationship again. That's not what this is about."

"It's not me." She shook her head. "Not really. I don't deserve this gift. I was so scared at first…"

"You think that makes you any less amazing?" Vic asked, shaking his head and pulling her into a gentle, almost brotherly hug. "Of course you were scared, honey. Who wouldn't be? But that doesn't change a thing."

"It does, though. That's just it," Mel sighed, sliding her arms around him. "I'm still scared. All the time. I'm not like you and Cole…"

"You think I'm not scared by all this? That Cole isn't? Mel, we're all scared here. Horrified. We'd be stupid not to be."

She shook her head. "Cole's not scared of anything."

"Hey, Cole!" Vic shouted.

Mel recoiled, startled by the shout. "Vic," she protested.

Cole hurried into the bedroom. "Is something wrong?" he asked, looking from Mel to Vic.

"Mel thinks you aren't afraid," Vic told him, rising and reaching for his clothes.

Cole frowned in confusion, looking from Vic to Mel, trying to make sense of the statement. When its meaning hit home, he could not help but smile faintly. "Every day of my life," he told Mel honestly. "Scared that Zin will find the weapon, that someone else will die because I'm always one step behind, that they'll come after you again…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "Mel, fear is… it's not something to feel ashamed of. It's a tool to be used, a… motivation to do what you have to."

Vic could see the love in the Cirronian's eyes as he spoke. He could hardly blame him. "Tell her how special she is," he suggested to Cole. In the past he had always, without reason, been jealous of Cole. Now that he had an actual reason to be, though, he found himself not jealous at all. It was hard to see the joy that Mel's very presence gave Cole without being anything other than happy for him. It was strange to Vic, but it felt right, too.

"You are as rare and beautiful as a Cirronian sunrise," Cole told her simply.

"Cirron doesn't have sunrises," Mel pointed out, embarrassed to be on the receiving end of such strong praise from the two most important men in her life.

"I know. But if it did, they would be almost as amazing as you."

Cole gazed at her with so much intensity that even Vic could feel it. The human would not have been entirely surprised if Cole had started glowing like a firefly. Vic dressed quickly, doing his best to ignore and be ignored as the two stood, just staring at each other in rapt silence. He slipped from the room in silence, unnoticed. There was no longer the slightest doubt in his mind that the two were lovers, but he could no longer find it in himself to be even a little jealous. Regretful, perhaps, but not jealous. In light of Mel's revelation, he could not help but wonder if the two were destined to have found each other.

Sighing, wondering if he would ever find anything as special as those two had, he walked into the war-room. There was a matted print on one wall that he had not noticed before. Impressionist Sunrise, the caption declared. And on the matte, in Mel's neat, intricate handwriting, a short note. 'Every time you look on this piece of home, know that a love like ours is as rare and as beautiful as a Cirronian sunrise.'

Vic shook his head, tears in his eyes. Cole was a very lucky man. Vic regarded the painting, wondering if the amazingly vivid colors really did resemble Cole's home. Smiling in spite of his tears, he kissed two of his fingers and pressed them to the glass over the picture, over Mel's handwriting. Strange how, when he had had only suspicions, he had been so jealous of Cole, but now, that he knew the truth, he could not find it in his heart to be anything other than happy for them. Maybe knowing how Maria felt about him, how he felt about her, helped, but he thought there was more to it than that. The simple knowledge that Cole was good for Mel.

It hurt to think of her with another man, but they seemed so happy together, too. He shook his head again, wondering if he would ever be able to see the two of them together without the knife twisting just a little more deeply. Would time heal the wound or only intensify the pain? Did it really matter if Mel was happy? He smiled and dried his tears, shaking his head. He stared at the picture until he heard footsteps behind him.

"I was beginning to think we were going to have to put this operation off until another day," he said with a grin, not turning around.

"Are you upset?" Mel asked softly. He was looking at the picture, at the inscription. He knew.

"Yes, but I'll get over it." Vic turned and smiled at her. "You two are… amazing together." The admission hurt, but it was the truth.

"I was always faithful to you…"

Vic laughed softly. "Of course you were. I know that." He nodded. "Mel…" He shook his head, smiling at her. "Look at you…"

"I don't see what you and Cole see." She shook her head. "I can't. I've tried, but…"


"Hush," he suggested, approaching her. "Show me how Cirronians say good bye."

She frowned uncertainly.

"No, I am not walking out of your life, Mel." He smiled and shook his head. "You aren't going to get rid of me that easily. I'm just… accepting that I'm never going to play the part in it that I might like to. Show me how Cirronians say good bye," he repeated.

Mel rested one of her hands over his heart, covering it with one of his own and then rested his other hand over her heart, covering it with hers. "Like this."

"It's perfect, very fitting." He kissed her cheek. "Now, how do they say 'I love you'?"

"Can't pronounce it," Mel told him quietly. She was grateful that he understood and accepted her relationship with Cole.

Cole stood at the door, watching them with a small smile. There had been a strain between them since the breakup that was gone now. He was glad to see them friends again. It did not matter what had passed before. Vic would be a valuable ally to him and, more importantly, a close friend to Mel. It was right, fitting, as it was meant to be. In a gentle voice, he supplied the phrase that he knew suited Vic's feelings for Mel as well as it suited his own feelings for her. "Hwa'annin, ey tenat anyahka."