Disclaimer and stuff: You all know this part...I'm sure that you clicked here for the story and not the disclaimer anyway. :)

Note: See…no worries. The other fic here (Star Crossed Enemies) is something I work on with my brother. This story is mine…all mine! So, this is my personal project where I only work on the other when I have time with my brother.

WOW! Someone (cough-Blue-cough-Trillium) actually caught on to the whole Vulpine/Silver fox thing. Hahaha, when I named Marietta's company, I looked up words on the online Thesaurus. I can't remember the word I looked up, but I found Vulpine and looked it up on the online Dictionary. Hahaha, I wouldn't have known what it was unless I had looked it up.

Inside My Heart

Chapter 6

After gathering anything possible from the abduction site, Gates found himself in the lab aboard the Silver Fox.

Among the things found, he was to run test on several items. The items were the blood found on Adray's sword, a dart, and a piece of black cloth. Fayt and Roger stood ready to follow any instruction he would give while Mirage and Cliff investigated the area Albel had disappeared from.

The lab onboard the Silver Fox was not elaborate, but it would do nicely. Gates was sure that he could come up with fairly accurate results. Though, he knew his knowledge was limited, he was still the most qualified. Marietta had sent for one of her members to help, but he was almost a day's distance. Gates would do what he could until help arrived.

"Alright, let's get to work." Gates tried to smile but found it difficult.

Fayt looked down at Roger. "Don't touch anything, okay."

Roger frowned at him. "I won't." Roger looked around the lab. He wasn't sure what anything was used for…but some of it looked interesting. He tried to stay focused on the reason they were here. The thoughts that entered his mind made him shiver. He had to stay strong and prove himself. This was just another trial. He kept repeating to himself to act like a man.

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After a brief visit with the king, Mirage and Cliff set off for the Traum Mountains. The walk wouldn't take long so they had refused the transportation the king had offered.

Neither of them spoke for a while. The tension was almost too much for Cliff. He had to do something to ease it a little. He understood what it was to be serious, but he never could stand for situations like this.

He looked over at his companion. He couldn't believe that she had left everything behind to come and find him. That had to be one of the most stupendous things anyone had ever done for him.

"So, when this is all over, what you say we take a vacation?"

She looked at him and smiled. "I thought you were on vacation?"

He shook his head. "I was…but that changed, so this doesn't count."

She continued walking a steady pace. "Well, I'm sure you'll have work to do after this is over. Might be a while before you get more time off."

He gave her a nervous laugh. "Well…not really. About a month ago I sent Lancar home. His wife and kid really missed him and he wasn't really happy roaming around. He has a good job now with the Federation and is stationed close to home. Right now, it's just me."

She stopped and looked at him. "Just you?"

She studied him. The Cliff she knew wasn't one to go off on his own. He was strong, but always preferred to have others close by. He got lonely fast.

He shifted slightly. "Yeah. On my own. After about a week of nothing to do, I figured I would check up on everyone. I was close to the Elicoor System, so I just headed over here."

A week? That definitely wasn't like him. What could have happened for him to spend a week alone?

She giggled, trying to keep her tone light. "Why didn't you call me? I would have been happy to help out."

She continued to smile, hoping he wouldn't hear the hurt in her voice. Why didn't you come see me? was what she wanted to ask.

He stopped and took her hands. His head was slightly bowed. "Um, okay, I'm going to tell you the truth." He swallowed hard. "I thought about coming to see you but I thought maybe you were seeing someone and you didn't need me to interrupt your life. Or maybe you just didn't need me at all."

Was that it? Had he spent a week alone trying to figure out if he should stop by and see her? She could tell by his voice that the idea of her being with someone else upset him. Her heart pounded a little heavier. He had cared all this time but was too apprehensive to try. She suddenly wondered if it had been harder on him than on her when they parted ways three years ago.

He couldn't look at her. Even after the events last night, he still feared rejection for his past failures.

She lightly squeezed his hands. "Seeing someone? Me? And how can you think I wouldn't want you around?"

He let out a nervous giggle. "After the way I left you like that three years ago, I…"

"No, Cliff. I understand that. Honestly, I was hurt you didn't come and see me after all that time. But that's over and done. You know me-I'm never one to stay in the past."

He looked at her. "Sorry, I just thought…"

She cut him off again with a kiss. When the kiss was over she hugged him and whispered in his ear. "That's what you get for thinking."

They both giggled softly.

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Sashia pulled herself to her hands and knees. Her eyes locked on the floor under her. She couldn't believe how easily she had been beaten. She tried to calm herself as anger twisted in her gut.

She sat up and rubbed her wrist. He had been irritated when he put the restraining cuffs on her. Her wrist ached slightly from the rough contact the metal had made when they were hastily thrown on her.

She paused for a minute. Had Fayt called him Luther? The tone in Fayt's voice had been in anger. Could this really be the same Luther? She had barely retained her consciousness the whole time and parts were still hazy. She knew she had heard Gates. He was worried, she could feel it. She cursed to herself. She should have been stronger.

She scanned the room quickly. So, he had locked her up. She didn't like being locked up.

Finally, she stood and walked to the door. Peering out the window, she noticed two guards standing silently at the hallway entrance. In front of her were two metal doors with barred windows (obviously other holding rooms). Glancing to her left, she spotted three more doors.

"Hey!" she called out. Both the guards turned in her direction. "Hello. I was wondering if one of you mentally defective morons would like to explain something to me." She kept her tone friendly.

Gregory stepped to the middle of the area in front of the cells. "What is it with you prisoners and not keeping your mouths shut?"

"Hey!" Peppita piped up. "That's no way to talk to a lady!"

Jonnas turned to her cell. "Oh, shut it brat."

Sashia giggled. "That's exactly how a twit like you would reply, huh?"

Gregory stepped closer to her cell. "You better shut it girl!" His face was slightly red with anger.

"Oh, does that mean I'm supposed to be scared?" Her voice was laced with sarcasm. She smiled sweetly at him.

Peppita was laughing from her cell.

Albel kept his seat on the bed as Nel got up to investigate.

Adray watched silently from his cell window.

Gregory approached her cell. "Look, girl, you better shut it. If you don't, all I have to do is press this button here and you'll be out for a good four hours."

Sashia locked her velvet eyes on the guard. "So, I take it that your boss only recruits gutless cowards. You prove nothing by harming one locked and defenseless. At least you could have some pride."

"HA! She sure showed you!" Peppita nagged.

"That's it!" The guard reached over and pushed the button.

Sashia looked up to the vents that were releasing a green mist. "Okay. So you really are a coward."

She turned from the door and sat quickly on the floor. Resting her back against the wall beside the door, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Keeping Mirage's training in mind, she willed her body to slow down its natural functions. This included breathing.

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Mirage and Cliff made simple small talk as they investigated the area. They were just past the mountains in a clearing that serves as a training place for new Airyglyphian recruits.

"Hey, Mirage," Cliff called. He was looking over the edge to a short drop.

Mirage approached and looked over the embankment. Just a foot below her she spotted a silver ball with something engraved on it. She looked at Cliff and nodded. Together, they hopped down.

Cautiously, they both bent down to get a closer look. It was slightly covered in dust and looked harmless enough.

Mirage was contemplating whether to grab it or not when her communicator beeped. She straightened up, motioning for Cliff to do the same, as she retrieved her communicator. She opened the lid to see Gates.

"Hiya, Sensei." He gave her a brief smile. "I'm still waiting on my backup, but I thought I would fill you in on what I've found so far."

Mirage noted how steady his voice was. The thought of being cooped up in a lab while his sister was in trouble had to be hard on him. He was doing remarkable. She nodded at the screen. "Go ahead."

"Well, the dart was filled with a sleeping compound. According to the readouts, this compound will instantly put an Elicoorian to sleep. The effects on a Velbaysian and Earthling would be similar but not instantaneous. It has no effect on Klausians."

Mirage nodded, turning this over in her mind. Wait, did he mention the Velbaysian race?

"Gates? What does this have to do with Earthlings and Velbaysians?"

"I looked into those races after investigating the black cloth. There were some strands of hair on it. I put the strands through the Bio-reader and came up with four different races…Klausian, Earthling, Velbaysian, and Elicoorian…and a fifth race I can't identify." He leaned back a bit and scratched his head. "Sorry, Sensei. I'm better with electronics and mechanics then biology. I've only dabbled with chemicals and such so, for biology, I have to depend on the computer."

"I understand."

"Thanks. My backup should be here in a few hours." He shifted uneasily in his seat. "About the blood on Adray's sword…the computer us unable to identify that also. I'm hoping that the guy Marietta's sending over has better luck."

Mirage forced a smile. She could see the loss in his eyes even if he was trying to hide it. "Just hang tight and keep an eye out. There's no telling what Luther is up to. Can I speak to Fayt a bit?"

Gates nodded. He stood and motioned for Fayt to take his seat.

"Fayt. It looks like things are worse then we thought. You caught the part about Velbaysian hair?"

Fayt nodded. "Yeah. More then likely, he's got Peppita too. That leaves just the four of us."

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Nel paced the floor, making lazy circles. She needed to clear her head but found it really hard to think of anything but her cellmate.

She looked at him briefly. "Who was that?"

"That's the girl Luther brought in right before you woke up." He spoke in a monotone.

Nel rested her chin in her hand and closed her eyes. "Doesn't quite fit in…" she spoke softly.

She hadn't spoken to him, but she had expected a response. So far, he had yet to insult her. He had called Peppita and Adray names, but not her. Actually, his voice was calmer then she remembered.

"Um, Albel? Are you okay?" She opened her eyes slightly.

"Huh? I'm locked in a cell, woman. How do you think I'm doing?"

She shook her head. "That's not what I meant. It's just…well…your behavior is odd."

He stood up and put his left hand on his hip, leaving his right to hang. "Oh? And could you fill me in on the proper behavior for a prisoner." He spoke with just a hint of sarcasm.

He still hadn't insulted her. She almost felt like pushing his buttons until he snapped. She wasn't sure if she liked this or not. It would be harder to share such a small space if he was rude, but she couldn't help but wonder…and worry. He didn't seem quite as arrogant as she remembered.

While she thought, she was unaware that she was fumbling slightly with a corner of the now exposed letter. Her gaze had drifted to the floor between them.

When his boot came into her view, it took her a second to realize that he had stepped closer. She was so lost in thought that her reflexes were slow. What the…

"What do you have there?" Before she was able to register his question, he had plucked the letter from her.

He quickly turned his back to her and opened the letter.

"Albel! Give that back!" She charged her shoulder into his back.

He was knocked forward, but didn't fall. The whole time, he continued to scan the paper.

Her frustration grew. "Albel!" She reached around him and snatched the letter from his hands. "This is none of your concern."

He turned and faced her. He was too close for her comfort. "Oh? Looked very much like it concerned me."

Her face reddened as she balled the paper in her fist. She locked her eyes on his, refusing to be intimidated.

"It's an arrangement by the queen, nothing more."

He gave her a smirk. "Then why are you so defensive?"

"Look, Albel," she poked her finger at his chest as she talked. "The queen sent a response to your king's request. Both kingdoms think it would be wise to combine forces in the hopes of lasting peace."

He raised his eyebrow slightly as he grabbed her finger. "And you think it's a bad idea to combine the Crimson Blades and the Black Brigade into one unit?"

She pulled her finger from his grasp. "Do you really think we could get along well enough to share command of a single unit?" Her voice clearly betrayed her anger.

"Humph." He smiled slightly at her. "You act as if this is an arranged marriage."

She couldn't find a response. She stood still with her mouth open; desperately wishing words would find their way out. Giving up on the battle, she shut her mouth.

He chuckled and took a step toward her. Instinctively, she stepped back. He locked eyes on her as he took another step forward. She responded in turn with another step back.

"What are you afraid of?" he asked, stepping forward a third time.

She shook her head and tried to step back again, only the wall wouldn't allow her. She pressed her back against the wall as she held her balled fist between them.

He rested his hand on her fist and gently pushed it down. Her will was lost to her as her hand followed his unspoken directions. He leaned forward so that his face was only two inches from hers.

She tensed, but didn't move. She wouldn't allow herself to be intimidated. "What are you doing?" Her voice was shaking slightly.

"What are you afraid of, Zelpher?" he repeated.

Her brow drew together as she frowned at him. She mustered her firmest voice. "Not you."

He chuckled again. "So sure are you?"

"What reason would I have to fear you, Nox?"

He smirked. "I could easily kill you."

That was the first thing he had said to her that sounded right. Finally, something that wasn't so…out of character for him. She felt new strength.

"You really think I would let you try without a fight." She smirked back at him.

He raised his eyebrow and smiled. "Wouldn't be fun if you didn't."

She felt they were acting like a bunch of kids having an argument on the playground. She sighed. "Back off, Albel. Now's neither the time nor place."

"Perhaps…not for a fight anyway. Still, you look uncomfortable."

She crossed her arms across her chest. He was so close that her skin brushed against his shirt. "I'm locked in a cell, Luther's come back from the dead, and you have me up against a wall. Of course I'm uncomfortable."

"You're also worried."

"Oh, and what would I be worried about?"

He closed the gap between his face and hers to one inch. "Worried I might do something to you?"

"What could you possibly do to…?"

Her voice failed her when he pressed his lips to hers. Instinctively, she pushed her head back, but once again the wall stopped her. She closed her mouth just in time to feel his tongue against her lips.

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Mirage looked at Cliff as she put her communicator away. "Looks like we'll have to work faster. He's not taking his time."

"Yeah. Why don't we get this back to the ship and have it analyzed," he said pointing to the silver orb.

She nodded and bent down once more. She only hesitated briefly before she scooped it up. She held it in her open hand so that both of them could get a better look at it.

The ball was approximately three inches in diameter. The strange engravings looked like some form of language and they circled the object in a neat line.

"Ever seen anything like this?" she asked, pointing to the marks.

"Nope."

She brushed her fingers over the engravings. They weren't set very deep. She turned the ball over and lightly rubbed along the remaining marks.

"Huh? It feels like there's a button here."

He brushed his finger of the spot she had indicated. The surface appeared smooth, but the texture felt a little rigid. "Think we should push it and see what happens?"

She looked at the object and thought about it. Sure, they were both curious, but there was no telling what would happen. On the other hand, it might be unwise to take something like this aboard a ship. It would be safer to inspect it in an open area first.

She nodded. "You can push the button, just be ready to duck if I have to throw it."

"Maybe you should just give it to me and back up a bit." He looked at her concerned. He did like the idea that the ball might be an explosive device of some kind.

She shook her head. "We're in this together."

"I was afraid you'd say that." He smiled at her before turning his attention to the ball.

He found the button and pressed it. For the first few seconds nothing happened. Then, the two hemispheres of the orb twisted slowly in opposite directions. There was a dull click and the spinning stopped.

Mirage was ready to toss the object from her, and nearly did when the item opened along the axis. The two halves split apart half an inch. A small rod at its core held the two pieces together. Unlike the silver orb, the core rod appeared to be made of glass or crystal and was a dull blue color.

"Well, that's not exactly what I expected."

"What were you expecting, Cliff?"

The rod started to glow dully. "Something like that, I guess."

Mirage stared for a moment in wonder. Unsure what the glow indicated, she decided to put the object down. "I'm putting this down. We'll observe it from a distance."

She had just started to lower it when the light intensified. She quickly dropped it. Both of them shifted, eager to get back.

Before either could mover too far, the orb illuminated a light which was wide enough to encircle them both. She glanced at the orb. Suddenly, the familiar sensation of teleporting seeped into her. She watched as the dirt ground under her was replaced with metal.

The light dimmed. The orb closed itself back to its original state.

She looked up, quickly locating Cliff. The look on his face mirrored her confusion.

They scanned their new surroundings. Instead of the open area, they were now in what appeared to be a transport room. Sudden dread landed like a rock in her stomach. Instinctively, she knew exactly where they had been transported to.

"Cliff, we better move before we're discovered."

No sooner had she spoke when the hurried sound of footsteps sounded. Acting in unison, the two quickly ducked behind crates that had been stacked in a corner.

They crouched, listening. Cliff had made sure Mirage had gotten in first. He was ready to take on anyone who would come around the corner of the boxes.

"Here," a voice from the other side said.

"It's just a P.T. The boss said they would return on their own."

There was a shuffle. "Um, I don't think this one came back on its own."

"What do you mean?"

"Look here. The P.T. was manually activated."

There was a brief pause. Mirage assumed the two men were examining the P.T. – whatever that was. She could only guess it stood for something like Portable Teleporter.

"We might have intruders. You and you, go check the halls. Everyone stay sharp. If there's someone here, we need to find them before the boss finds out."

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Blue afterthoughts: Okay, please forgive me if some of the analysis parts aren't exactly 'scientific'. I don't really have a lot of knowledge there and even if I did, I would still simplify it…it's no fun reading something when you have no idea what it's talking about.

Also, originally, Albel was going to nag Nel until she told him what was in the letter, but after reading My Past by IceBlueWings, I fell in love with the idea that he would read it himself. Hope you don't mind IceBlueWings, I kinda took that idea from you – it was just too good!

Blue Reviews:

IceBlueWings: Sometime soon, don't know when, there will be more of Luther and all will be explained. Well, the letter is revealed…and Nel's not too happy, though it seems Albel doesn't mind a bit. A little OCC for him but I don't think anyone will mind too much, it's too amusing:)

ElusiveCat: I'm glad you like the balance of characters. Yes, it does seem Albel has done quite a bit of spying. He must have taken some pointers from her during the first fight with Luther. I loved writing the Peppita part; she's such a courageous little girl – of course, here she would be about 17 years old, but I kept her short cause it just fits her.

darkladyxion959: Is he a romantic, or a tease? Maybe he's a little from column A and a little from column B. Or maybe he's just smitten! Now he's done it twice, only this time there's no one around to interrupt…I wonder what she'll do? ;)

BlueTrillium: I love that movie 'Ever After'…can't recall how many times I've watched it. I couldn't resist after reading your review…I had to throw in the arranged marriage somewhere, so I had Albel joke about it…or was he joking? Hahaha, yup, I think he's smitten. I don't know if I'll get to it in this fic, but the idea is that Wolter was to convince Albel to go through with the combining of forces (and not kill any Aquarians) and help arrange the basic stuff.