Part 2

The couple stood in silence for a moment both unsure what to do next. They had argued for what seemed like hours. Nancy unleashing all her frustration at being left in the dark, Cal trying to defend everything he said and done from day one of their relationship though neither really getting anywhere fast.

"Nancy," Cal began, his voice barely above a whisper. "Can't you see, I do all of this for us."

Nancy nodded, "but that's just it, it's for us. If I'm to protect Liz and myself I need to know what's going on. I need to know the full story, not just edited pieces."

Cal was silent for a moment, debating what his next move was. If he let her know everything, she could become a danger to herself and to the children if something ever happened to her. His greater concern was the children, Liz and the Royal Four and if he had to give up his love for their safety, he would.

"Cal?" Nancy's voice cut through his thoughts, "Cal you're beeping."

Beeping? He wondered, his mind still trying to gather all his thoughts. The pods! Reaching into his coat pocket he pulled out a handheld computer, about the size of a calculator, two bright red lights flashing at him. "It's Vilandra and Zan," he stated, not taking his eyes off of the computer. "I've got to go." And with that turned to leave the room.

"Cal?" Nancy asked, confused as she followed him out of the room.

"We'll talk when I come back." He stated, reaching the front door, he turned to face her. "This is what I was sent here to do; the entirety of my race depends on them. Please try to understand," he pleaded.

Nancy stared at him, understanding dawning on her face; and she felt her heart break in two. This was how it was always going to be now. Leaving at the drop of a dime to help the 'Royal Four,' leaving her to sit and wait, hoping he'd be back. He had other responsibilities that could not include her. She had lost him before she had even met him, only it took her years to realize it. Blinking back the tears that threatened to fall she nodded once, "go."

Cal smiled, relieved that she seemed to understand, and with a swift kiss and a murmured I love you, he was gone.

Cal raced down the highway towards the pod chamber, hoping they were still there. He knew he should have stayed and waited for them, but the others could've taken days to emerge and he had just had to see if Liz was all right.

"Liz!" He shouted aloud, cursing. He hadn't even asked what had happened, let alone check her for any damage. Although she was awake when he got there, her powers were still new and could've have done her physical harm. Unfortunately, he thought as the computer's flashing lights once again caught his attention, there was nothing he could about it until he found Zan and Vilandra.

Nearing the chamber, he could make out a truck; pulled off the road, headlights illuminating the dark desert in front of him. Pulling the car over, he cut the engine and watched as a man escorted two children, a boy and a girl, into the truck. Zan! Vilandra! His mind screamed; he could not lose them. Quickly starting the engine back up, he pulled back out onto the road to follow the truck.

Liz sat across from her brother, currently trying to teach him how to hold a crayon properly.

"No, no silly," she admonished, "you hold it like this." And she moved to fix his fingers, but as soon as they touched, a connection quickly formed, and the siblings were bombarded with images.

"Don't be afraid, Rath." Cal said gently, stretching out his hand to him. "I'm here to help you."

"And they all lived happily ever after." Nancy finished, closing up the storybook. "Good night, my Liz." She said kissing her sleeping daughter on the forehead before turning out the light.

"He's here."

"Who's here, sweetie?"

"My brother."

The two jumped back as if burned from the contact. Liz drawing her knees up to her chest protectively and her brother pulled the blanket tighter around his little body. And for a few moments they both sat there, staring at each other in shock, unable to understand what had just happened.

"Liz," her brother started after a time, pronouncing the word carefully, trying his voice out for the first time. "S-sister?"