Yes, I'm still alive…. Here's the next part, sorry it took so long. I think I've started to get away a little from back-story and into the actual plot of the fic, but there is some back story here too. However, I'm hoping the next chapter will end the back-story and I can get into the actual fic…which may prompt me to write faster!

This story is now dedicated to the memory of Midnight the cat…who will be making a guest appearance in later chapters.

Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Later that night found Liam and Renee sitting on the floor in front of her low coffee table, security plans spread out on the table and up on the vid screen. They sat beside each other talking - their conversation drifting off course occasionally - and eating Chinese take-out.

"Alright," Liam began. "After lunch on Wednesday we're getting a tour of the new portal station. There'll be a security team of about 6 Volunteers with us, as well as several Volunteers on patrol arou –" He drifted off as a knock came from Renee's front door.

"Just a sec," she replied, getting up and walking to the door.

Renee opened the door to reveal a man and woman; she recognized them as the couple that had just moved in, whom Liam and she had seen the night before. "Hello," she greeted, a bit of confusion evident in her voice.

The couple smiled warmly at her. The woman spoke up, "Hi, sorry to just drop in on you like this, but we just moved in two doors down and we wanted to introduce ourselves. I'm Jenny Connor, and this is my husband Sean."

Smiling a bit more invitingly, Renee shook hands. "I'm Renee Palmer, welcome to the building." Wanting to make a good impression, she opened her door wider. "Please, come in." As the couple walked in, Renee shut the door.

Liam looked up from the sheet he was reading when he heard footsteps approaching. He saw two vaguely familiar people walk into the room, followed by Renee. He stood up to greet them.

Renee walked past her visitors to stand beside Liam. "Jenny and Sean Connor, this is Liam Kincaid."

"Nice to meet you," Liam replied, holding out his hand. The two smiled at him and shook his hand.

"Please, sit down," Renee gestured to the sofa. As they sat down, Renee quickly yet discreetly turned off her vid screen while Liam gathered up the papers on the coffee table. "Can I get you anything?"

Sean replied, "Oh no, we're fine, thanks."

Jenny, noticing what Liam was doing, said, slightly apologetically, "I hope we didn't interrupt you."

Liam smiled. "Don't worry about it, it wasn't a pressing matter, and we could use the break." Putting the pile of papers back into a folder, he sat down beside Renee on a smaller sofa opposite the one the Connors were seated on.

"So," Renee began, curious. "What brings you to Washington? I noticed the logo on the moving truck was from California."

"I was offered a new job," Sean explained. "I used to work for the Sarron and Harper Firm in LA, but JMH offered me a better position in Washington."

"JMH?" Liam asked.

"Offices of Jensen, Mansbridge, and Haycock," Renee answered. "Doors does business with them." Liam nodded.

Sean looked at her. "Do you work for Doors International?"

"Yes, I'm a CEO." Looking to Jenny, Renee asked, "Do you work?"

Jenny smiled. "I was a nurse at Cedars Sinai, and I'm hoping to get a position at Washington General, or somewhere near here."

"Good luck," Liam said before finishing what was left of his drink. Jenny smiled and nodded her acknowledgement.

"So, Mr. Kincaid, what do you do?" Sean asked.

"Call me Liam," Liam began. "I'm a Companion Protector."

"Major Liam Kincaid?" Sean asked at the same time his wife asked, "Da'an's protector?"

"Yes," Liam said, slightly embarrassed, "To both."

There was an awkward silence as neither couple knew what to say.

"Finally, Renee broke the silence. "So, I noticed you have children."

Smiling, glad for a topic, Jenny responded. "Yes, two, a boy and girl."

Sean took over. "Scott's ten, and Alexandra's eight. But she prefers Ali." Sean smiled.

"A nice name," Liam replied.

"So what about you?" Jenny asked. "Do either of you have kids?"

Renee looked down and shook her head, trying to keep the emotional turmoil from her face. Liam subtly took her hand, to unknowing subjects it would be seen as an affectionate gesture, but it was really one of calming reassurance. "No, neither of us does," Liam answered.

Another awkward silence descended, but this one was quickly broken by Sean. "Well, speaking of kids, we left ours playing video games, and we should be getting back." They got up and headed to the door, Renee and Liam following.

Stepping out into the hall and turning back to face their hosts, the Connors smiled. "It was nice meeting you," said Sean.

"Yes, and again, I hope we didn't disturb you," Jenny added.

Renee forced a smile, still fighting off conflicting emotions. "Not at all." As her guests left, Renee shut the door. Immediately turning, she threw her hands around Liam.

Liam, slightly confused, recovered quickly and slid his arms around her, holding her tight. From her shuddered breathing and the slight tremors running through her body he could tell she was fighting back tears. "Shh," he began in a calming voice, "It's okay." He wasn't sure what else to say, he wasn't used to Renee showing this much emotion, and though the thought he understood why she was upset, she'd never been as choked up as she was now.

They stayed like that for a few seconds longer, and then Renee was aware of Liam manoeuvring them back into her living room. Liam sat down at the far end of the sofa, grabbed one of the throw-pillows and place it in his lap. When Renee sat beside him, he pulled her down so her head rested on the pillow and her body was stretched the length of the couch, her back to him.

"Calm down," Liam soothed, rubbing his hand up and down her tense arm. He felt relieved when she began to relax. Wanting to know why she reacted so intensely, he decided to broach the subject. "I understand why you're upset, but remember what Zo'or said, there's a possibility the damage will reverse itself."

Renee tensed ever so slightly before speaking. "You're absolutely right, Liam. Zo'or did say that, there's a perfectly good chance I'll be able to have children. Guess I was just overreacting."

That was too easy, Liam thought. Renee's voice had been very convincing in hiding her true emotions, and he would have believed her had he not known her well. But Renee never overreacted, and on the extremely rare occasion that she did, it was not without good reason.

"There's something else, isn't there?" he prodded, keeping his voice neutral.

She tensed again and Liam regretted pushing her. "It's okay Renee, you don't have to talk abo--"

"No," she cut him off, surprising both of them with the forcefulness of her voice. "No," she repeated, quieter this time. "I think you should know." Renee was surprised by her own words. She'd vowed never to talk about this subject again.

"Okay," he whispered. He slid his hand down her arm and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "Take your time."

"I just…." Renee began, clearly disturbed. "Please, promise me you won't judge me based on my past, too many others have."

"Of course not," he answered, voice full of emotional concern. He was beginning to wonder if this was a good idea; he certainly wouldn't judge her, but this was obviously very hard and he wanted to protect her against the pain.

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Well, guess I kinda left it hanging…but I figured I should post the next chapter soon, and that's as far as I got. Hopefully next part won't take as long!