Finally, another chapter! Notes at the bottom, for now, just enjoy and please review!

The Impercipient

Chapter 6: To sights my brethren see

"You can't be serious!"

The cry echoed through the observation deck where the crew of the Andromeda was gathered. They had been discussing the situation on Taher and that of Elena when Rhade objected to Dylan's proposed plan

"I don't like the idea any more than you Rhade," said Dylan. "But if we're going to change things on Taher, it's our only option."

Rhade shook his head. "There has to be another way. We can't let Elena go back there, you've seen what that place has done to her!"

"There is no doubt she has suffered greatly on that planet," said Trance quietly. "But there is no other way."

Beka sighed and stood from her seat. "In that case we need to get an army to go down there too."

Dylan shook his head. "Not going to work. Remember, the goal is to impersonate the trader and buy time while we build up an army from the outside. The Taherian have never met him before, so that will work in our favor. But this is going to require a lot of precise timing, trying to coordinate the slaves from the inside and the resistance from the outside."

"Dylan," interrupted Trance. "We should speak with Elena first. She is instrumental in this and we should see what she thinks."

Dylan nodded. "Of course, Rhade - " He didn't even finish the sentence as the Nietzschean was already out the door and on his way to Elena's quarters.

Rhade's stride was long and even, eating up the metallic distance quickly. He did not like the idea of sending Elena back down to the planet, even if he would be there the entire time. It puzzled him how he had become so protective of the woman in the course of a day. He supposed it was due to being subjected to Dylan's influence for too long: he now had the drive to defend those that couldn't defend themselves.

Elena had spent her life in turmoil as she worked to save others, always at a cost to herself. It seemed that peace of life was ingrained into her very being, as it seemed she could do no harm to others. Therefore the protection she gave could extend only so far. It was high time that someone fought to protect her.

Rhade did not marvel that the task fell to himself. He preferred it that way. He hated to see sorrow in the innocent. He thought there was too much pain in Elena's eyes. The few times she had smiled, her face was transformed. It was so rare, it seemed like all the worry would lift away from her features.

The Nietzschean sighed as he stopped before her door. He was not looking forward to the conversation, but it had to be done. He knocked on the door and grew concerned when a weak 'come in' filtered to his ears.

When Rhade entered, he found Elena seated on her bed, all but hidden beneath the blankets wrapped around her. Only her head and a mass of dirty blonde hair were visible, the rest of her was safely cocooned in the grey material. "Elena? What is wrong?"

She looked up at him, her eyes tired. "I am cold, inside."

Rhade frowned, coming forward and crouching before her. "What do you mean?"

Elena shrugged, evidenced only by a slight shift in the blankets. "Sometimes, when a person's feelings are particularly intense, it translates into, simply put, hot and cold. Love is warm. Joy is warm. But fear is cold. And anger is cold. When I felt Colus' hatred, it was so fierce, a bitter chill set in me. It will remain until I either experience that of another or let enough time pass."

Her eyes closed once she finished speaking and she pulled the blankets tighter around her. Rhade silently growled. His annoyance with Colus and all things Taher continued to escalate. He could at least fix this problem, even if he was a little wary about what he was about to offer.

"Elena," he began, waiting till she opened her eyes to look at him. "There is no great fear or anger in me. Take my feelings."

She stared at him, her eyes filled with confusion. "Why? Why would you do this?"

Rhade sighed. Why indeed. "You do not deserve any of this. You do not deserve to suffer. I said I would help you. This is only one of the ways that I can. I would have you feel warm again."

She faintly smiled and chuckled. "Who would have thought I would have come to know kindness again. If you are sure?" Rhade nodded and Elena shrugged the blankets off. They stood and faced each other, Rhade rather unsure of what was to come.

Elena's eyes held Rhade's as her hands rested on either side of his head. Rhade tried not to flinch: her hands were like ice. Slowly, her fingertips trailed over the skin of his cheeks and neck till her palms rested on his shoulders. Her hands then slid down to rest on his chest, one palm directly over his heart. She closed her eyes, though Rhade continued to watch her.

The feeling that coursed through him was hard to describe. It was not strong and it certainly didn't hurt. It felt as if there was someone else there, in his mind with him. It was more intimate than he cared to admit, having someone able to see him. The feeling brought on a surge of affection for the woman before him, for being shown something he would have never experienced before.

Elena's eyes opened and she took her hands away from Rhade's chest. The feeling slowly left his body, though the area over his heart that her hand had rested remained warm. She titled her head to the side. "There is a great deal of affection in you. It allowed me to push away the cold that had taken me. You offered a great deal when you - let me in, as it were. Thank you." She paused to consider him. "But I felt that you are also very troubled over something. What is it?"

Rhade was surprised that she had picked up on his somewhat turbulent feelings about the plan. The very plan that he had to talk to Elena about. He sighed and carefully ushered her to sit back down, himself taking a seat next to her.

"The crew has come up with a plan to help those on your planet," began Rhade. He sighed. "But in order for it to work, you would have to return to the planet so we can work out a rebellion from the inside."

Elena's eyes widened. Her hands, which had been at her sides, now came up so she could clasp them in her lap. She met Rhade's eyes for a moment. "Go back?" She turned her head to stare at the floor. "I - I don't know." She bit her lip as she tried to consider the possibilities. "Why do you need me?"

"Because we are going to pose as this trader that was supposed to come. It would be like we captured you as you were trying to flee. We could gather up the slaves from the inside while others coordinated the efforts of the rebels from the outside. You would be the key to getting inside."

Elena nodded. She sat in silence, her eyes fixed on the floor. Quietly, she asked, "Can I have some time to think about it?"

Rhade stood. "Of course. When you wish to talk to me, just ask Andromeda where I am." He headed toward the door and activated the panel to open it.

"Telemachus?" Rhade stopped and turned around. The use of his first name surprised him, it had been a while since anyone had called him that. It was refreshing in an odd sort of way.

"Yes?"

Elena's eyes raised to him. "Thank you."

Rhade frowned. "For what?"

"For giving me a choice," responded Elena sincerely. "In the past day you have done more for me than most people have done in my entire lifetime. I feel I may actually know hope again, thanks to you." A small smile graced her lips.

Rhade smiled. "You do not need to thank me for that. I am glad that you have found hope. Maybe soon you will find joy as well."

Elena's smile, though small, seemed to grow brighter. "Maybe."

Rhade nodded to her and closed the door behind him, leaving her to her thoughts.

TBC

Well, what did you think? I have had the idea of the scene where Elena 'reads' Rhade's feelings since day one. But I think I might have built it up in my mind so much that it didn't quite turn out like I had wanted it to. Eh. Maybe you thought it was fine?

I can say that I am happily settled into my dorm and classes start Monday. Hopefully I'll still be able to write quick chapters. What I don't like about my dorm is that it is the only one on campus with no cable tv (no I didn't choose this dorm, got stuck with it). And we get about four channels with bad static and the color on the fritz. I managed to catch about 20 minutes of 'A Symmetry of Imperfection' on WGN today while I was at the gym working out, but I couldn't stay and watch, I had to switch rooms. It sucked anyway, the captions were incomplete so I was just watching Rhade, Harper and Rommie talk to each other about something. Yeah.

Anyway, I doubt any of you care about that, but no one I know will let me complain, so you got stuck with it. Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think so far, comments and suggestions welcome! Until next time!