Lili sat on the rock and watched Volunteer Tanya as she tossed a ball back and forth with Ariel. It was their exercise time, when they were allowed to get out of their quarters and go into the gardens, or for a walk. Lili had just finished a brisk walk around the gardens, and was cooling down while her child enjoyed some playtime.

The accommodations on the moonbase were comfortable enough. Lili and Ariel had been given a small apartment, as had Tazog and Kuzak, and within the parameters that were set, they had a certain amount of freedom. But Lili and the Jaridians were never allowed to be together without supervision, and it seemed they were constantly answering questions. Comfort or not, they were still prisoners, and Lili chaffed at the thought.

Of course the Taelons had reason to be suspicious. She had last been involved in some very anti-Taelon activity. And after the Jaridian attempts on Earth, Lili guessed the resistance would be less than friendly as well. It was going to be difficult to prove their good faith, but they had to try. The High Command had every intention of seeing the Taelons and Earth destroyed, even at the expense of the Jaridian people. An alliance was the only chance anyone had.

"You seem deep in thought."

Lili turned to see Liam Kincaid looking down at her, his smile somewhat tight.

"Yeah...well. A lot's happened...got a lot to think about."

"Mind if I sit?" Without waiting for an answer the young protector plopped down in the grass beside her. A few seconds of uncomfortable silence passed.

"Ariel seems to be doing well..."

"Yeah. She's great.

"And what about you?"

"I'm okay. I've been better, but I've been worse, too." Lili took a deep breath, trying to release the tension. "Liam...be honest with me....how badly have I blown it here?"

Liam sighed. "I don't know Lili. I guess it depends on how much you mean what you've said. If you and Tazog are really prepared to work with Humanity and the Taelons for the good of all species, I think we've all come to realize that's the main priority. But we have to know that you mean it."

"I'm confused, Liam. I don't understand what's happened, everything's changed. I mean,who do you mean when you say "we"? Cause you don't even talk like a resistance fighter anymore. Do you just work for the Taelons?"

"No, I don't work for the Taelons, but I don't work for the resistance, anymore, either. I work for a different cause, the Taelon/Human Alliance. The resistance fought against the Taelons, and maybe we did some good. But things have changed, I've changed. And I've learned something; our species' futures are intertwined. We have to work together, not fight each other."

Liam went on to explain to Lili some of the changes that had taken place in the last few months: how they discovered the Taelons were dying and how the ANA had wanted to eliminate them. He told her how, in defiance of the ANA, he and Palmer had worked to keep the Taelons alive and try to find a solution for them. He related how Street had solved Ma'el's riddle and led them to the regeneration chamber, and described for her how the Taelons and Vorjak's party, in an attempt to save both species, had entered the chamber for a joining. He told her how the volcano had interrupted the process, and how he and the Taelons had been rescued and brought back to the Mothership.

"The Taelons are healthy now, Lili. Zo'or was seriously injured in the chamber so Da'an is Synod Leader now. With his leadership the Taelons are coming to an understanding of their need for Human partnership. And no one wants war with the Jaridians, but we are prepared to fight if we have to. I think, though, the Taelons are willing to move toward peace."

"I hope you're right, Liam." Lili thought for a moment. "And Boone, how does he fit in all this?"

"Boone started the Alliance. I guess through his relationship with Da'an, he came to understand the connection between our species. He's been working for it ever since."

"Yeah. Boone always took his responsibility to Da'an seriously."

Liam looked carefully at his ex-collegue. "Responsibility. Right. Anyway, it's all about building bridges between us now."

"So why is Boone so angry with me?"

Liam shrugged. "I guess you'll have to ask him that yourself."

"Maybe I'll just do that."

^^^^^

"Security has been questioning Captain Marquette and the Jaridians. What is your opinion of them, William?"

"They say they are concerned that there is a threat to Earth from Jaridia, and that continuation of the war with the Taelons would only further harm the Jaridian people. While I agree that all of that is probably true, I hesitate to fully trust them, Da'an."

"Even Captain Marquette?"

"Especailly Captain Marquette."

"Explain."

"It may be true that Captain Marquette was under mind control at the time she joined with Vorjak and tried to take your life, but that's all the more reason we cannot trust her now. She may still be under their influence, and they may still be attempting to use her to get to us."

"The Earth governments are requesting that we state our intentions toward Captain Marquette, and wish us to account for the Jaridians, as well. Although we have some serious security concerns, I feel it necessary that Captain Marquette stay with us, if we are to ascertain the truth of her return. We may not quite trust that she and Tazog are being completely honest; yet the Synod might be prepared to bargain, if the outcomes are mutually beneficial."

" I understand, and I think that can be arranged."

^^^^^
Boone was examining the information on moonbase security when the Volunteer announced Captain Marquette's presence. He often made trips to the moonbase, where they were in the process of reconfiguring all of the security codes and access protocols, and on this trip he had asked that Marquette be sent to him so they could talk about the Synod's proposition. She entered the room with a steady walk and a direct gaze, but having served closely with the ex-Marine, he could read the subtle signs that she was somewhat nervous, unsure. Boone waved away the datastream he was working on, and gestured for Lili to sit down.

"Marquette...I've just come from Da'an, and there's good news from the Synod. They are willing to reduce the charges against you and give you a much lighter penalty."

"And...what do I have to do in return for this favor?"

"Nothing. The reduced charges come without any strings attached. However..."

"Aha..."

"However, the Synod is also willing to give you some additional freedoms while you serve out your term...if you and Tazog will agree to assist them in establishing contact with Jaridian outposts. They would like to establish a network of contacts in the peace movement."

"I can't answer for Tazog..."

Boone looked at his ex-partner, and Lili hoped to see some of the old warmth return to his soft brown eyes. "I know. But what does Lili Marquette say?"

Lili thought for a few minutes. It really didn't seem like she had that much of a choice. But when she looked at the familiar face of William Boone, the situation didn't seem too threatening.

"Deal."

^^^^^

Liam Kincaid was baby-sitting, and although he hated to admit it, he liked it. Lili and the two Jaridians were busy in meetings with Boone and Da'an. Volunteer Tanya, who usually looked after Ariel, was off duty, so he had volunteered his services. He had taken Ariel up to the Mothership, to play in the gardens there, and she was running from place to place, exploring and enjoying herself immensely.

Zo'or had done a wonderful job with the gardens, and Liam tried to come round each day and visit. People often questioned his newfound dedication to Zo'or, but the Taelon was now Liam's friend and, aside from Da'an,Liam was pretty much the only person he associated with. Zo'or had come a long way since the incident in the Atavan pool. He had changed in many ways, and Liam was not going to abandon him now.

It was funny how, during the short time that Zo'or's consciousness was hosted by Liam, the young protector had come to see the ex-Synod leader in a new light. Their forced association had revealed the truth of Zo'or's nature to Liam, and instead of an evil tyrant, what he had found was a frightened young kid. A youth, really, forced into a position of leadership before he was ready; a situation that Liam could definitely identify with. And, Liam thought, in exchange, Zo'or had learned much about him and humanity. Through it all, the two had become fast friends, almost brothers, really. And with Da'an and Boone, and now Zo'or, Liam was beginning to feel less disconnected; almost as though he had a family. The amazing thing was, he knew that Zo'or felt the same way. He, too, was only now beginning to feel connected to others.

Liam looked up as he heard Ariel squeal with delight. Zo'or was in a far corner on his knees, tending to a rose bush; but the Taelon looked up when he heard Ariel, and a smile crossed his face as the child rushed headlong into his arms.

"Zo'or!!" Ariel cried. "Is you!!"

"Ariel? It is you!" Zo'or replied, patting the child on the back.

"Oh, I see you two have met", Liam commented. Ariel and Zo'or exchanged a look between them, and Ariel laughed at Liam, while Zo'or just smiled in an enigmatic way.

"Okay, what have I missed?" Liam asked.

"The Commonality, Liam. Surely you have sensed Ariel's presence? It is slight, but present."

"So you guys know each other through the Commonality?"

Ariel laughed again and shook her head. "Da'an is Zo'or Da'rhu'shee. Da'an is Ariel Da'rhu'shee."

"Right...how could I forget. You guys are connected through Da'an." Liam wondered if Lili realized this. Not likely, since she hadn't realized Ariel's connection to Da'an until just the other day.

Ariel took Zo'or's and Liam's hands, and walking between them, together they explored the garden. Ariel would point to a flower or plant, and Zo'or would patiently name them for her, helping her repeat the names until she said them right. Liam thought what a difference there was between this patient gardner, and the irrational Synod Leader; two opposite extremes of the same personality. Perhaps, one day, Zo'or would find wholeness and balance again.

The trio walked on, exploring the meditation and Taelon gardens; and in general, each pronounced it an enjoyable afternoon.

^^^^^^
"You must understand our position. We cannot allow ourselves to be at risk, and a verbal promise of good will is certainly not going to sway the Synod in your direction."

"We understand that, Da'an. And we are willing to abide by your restrictions. But it is essential that this war between our people ceases. We can no longer support such a strain on our society."

"I agree. The Synod may be willing to assist you in your quest to seek support from the Human governments, but we would have to know that Taelon interests are not being compromised...."

The discussion went on and on. William Boone watched as Da'an and Tazog hammered out an agreement that would be mutually beneficial to the Taelons and the Jaridian Peace Movement. Watching his mate at work, Boone saw clearly the gift that Da'an possessed. He was, most definitely, a diplomat; and the Taelon seemed to gain a great pleasure from wrangling over slight differences in interpretation, and the underlying meanings of words. He smiled inwardly as he noted a little glint of satisfaction that lit up his mate's eye when he won a point.

The discussions were really between Tazog and Da'an, with Boone and Lili providing some input from a Human perspective from time to time. The other Jaridian, Kuzak, sat quietly at the table, rarely looking up, and never speaking. Boone couldn't quite figure out what his role was in all of this. As the security chief looked the big Jaridian over, Kuzak glanced up and caught Boone's eye. After fixing Boone with a firm stare, the Jaridian let his gaze slide over to Tazog, and he slightly shook his head as he returned his eyes to Boone.

Boone gave him a questioning look, but the interaction was interrupted by Da'an, who was asking about a point of Human law; and after he answered the Companion, Boone was never able to catch Kuzak's eye again.

The final agreement was reached in a fairly short time. Tazog, Kuzak, and Lili would assist the Taelons in establishing connections within the Jaridian Peace Movement and other dissenting Jaridian groups. In return, they would be given more freedom on the moonbase, and the Taelons would allow them to establish relationships with Earth, under Taelon supervision.

The meeting broke up with everyone feeling satisfied. Everyone except William Boone.

^^^^^
"You took her where?!?" Lili was more than outraged, she was livid.

"I took her to the Mothership to see the gardens, I told you we were going", Liam explained, firmly.

"You didn't tell me that homicidal maniac, Zo'or, would be there, now did you?"

"Come on Lili. You're not being fair. Zo'or has changed, it's not like it was."

"Look, I don't want my daughter to ever come in contact with that alien...understood?"

Liam followed them with his eyes, as Lili hustled Ariel off, heading for their quarters. One of these days he knew Lili was going to have to recognize the bond her daughter felt with Zo'or. The question was, how would she deal with it? With a shrug and a sigh, he turned down the corridor and headed for the portal.

^^^^^

Lili was walking in the moonbase gardens. It was the evening period, and she really enjoyed having this extra bit of free time. Tazog and the Synod had reached an agreement, and so, true to their word, the Taelons had given them additional freedoms. Ariel was in bed and Volunteer Tanya was watching her, so this was Lili's time to think and reflect.

She thought back on the conversation she had some time ago with Boone. Previously, everything had been very strained, and there had been no doubt that Boone was angry with her. Now she hoped that her explanation, and Tazog's account of the mind control she had been under, had helped to restore some of Boone's trust and friendship; something she found herself wanting more everyday. She was hoping for an opportunity for a more personal conversation, one in which she would be able to explain things from her perspective, and she and Boone would be able to regain their friendship. And you never could tell where friendships might lead...

Lili smiled at that last thought, and pushing back a strand of hair, sighed. As she rounded a bend in the path, she saw a tall, familiar figure leaning against a tree, his head slightly bowed. She bit her lip at the timing, which was just too good to be true. Here was her opportunity to really talk to William Boone, to really come to an understanding; perhaps even to reach a reconciliation. She took a deep breath and trotted up to him, tapping him on the shoulder from behind.

As Lili came around the tree, she suddenly realized that Boone was not alone. The slight figure of Da'an rested against his protector's chest, engulfed in the big man's arms. The Taelon rested his head against his protector's shoulder, his eyes closed in a familiarly serene expression. Boone's head was resting on the Taelon's in an intimate seeming way, and he held Da'an's hand in his, an expression of peace and contentment illuminating his countenance.

At the touch on his shoulder, Lili's ex-partner raised his head, and turned toward her. He slowly opened his eyes, and blinked in a deliberate way that eerily reminded Lili of a certain Taelon; then focused his brown eyes just past her with a far-off, dreamy gaze. Lili's eyes shifted to the Companion, and she saw that the Taelon was lying quietly in the human's arms, perhaps in some form of altered psychic state.

"What may we do for you, Captain Marquette?" It was Boone's voice, but the words seemed disconcertingly more like Da'an's. Definitely becoming uncomfortable, Lili tried to stammer an excuse to leave.

"Oh, well...nothing really. I mean, it can wait until another time...I can see that I'm intruding.."

"You are not intruding, Captain. We are merely enjoying the garden...together."

Lili was becoming confused, and was annoyed to find herself sputtering out anything that came to mind. "Oh, well, I was just going to say 'hello' to you, Boone... and tell Da'an 'thanks' for the extra considerations and all; but I can tell him later, when he's, you know, awake..."

Boone smiled, and Lili drew a sharp breath as she saw the same smile mirrored in Da'an's face; but this time the words she heard were distinctly Boone's.

"Lili...what's said to me is said to Da'an. We are, as I said before...together."

As realization of his meaning took hold, Lili's world reeled and became disorienting, the gardens taking on a surrealistic feel. She was suddenly having difficulty breathing, and felt as though her lungs would explode from the tension. Muttering something incoherent, she said her goodbyes, and half stumbled, half ran down the path that led to the garden exit. She fumbled through the door, and once outside, leaned against the bioslurry walls, the coolness of the surface bracing her disordered thoughts. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and with it took command of her nerves.

Attempting to put everything she now knew behind her, she slowly and deliberately walked back through the softly lit corridors to her quarters. With a word of thanks, she dismissed Volunteer Tanya, and looked in on her sleeping daughter. Ariel stirred and awakened, and then looked up with vivid blue eyes that were far too reminiscent of the Taelon she had just seen nestled in the garden with Boone. The child tilted her head and solemnly focused those uncanny eyes on her mother.

Quietly and seriously, Ariel raised her hands and clasped them together in the gesture she had previously used to demonstrate the nature of things to her parent.

"Boone-Da'an," she explained.

"I know, sweetie. I know," Lili whispered. And as she kissed her child and tucked her back into bed, Captain Lili Marquette wiped a stray tear from her eye.