Sliding Into Antar
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For Whom The Bells Toll, Part1
Chapter 43
XLIII
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Wade gasped and put both hands over her mouth. Had she said what she was thinking out loud? She was mortified to think that she had let her personal feelings ruin Quinn's wedding. And now everyone was staring at her. What would she say?
"This marriage cannot proceed… until I have spoken with Captain Beckett."
Wade jumped and turned around. She had not even noticed the mist that had appeared in the aisle beside her, nor had she noticed the man who had stepped out of the mist. It was he everyone was staring at. Wade sank into her seat, somehow relieved.
The man walked purposefully down the aisle, as a general might, as though he owned the place, and Maggie gasped…
"Jonathan? Oh my gosh! Where did you come from? I thought… you had died!"
"I am happy to say that any rumor to that effect was premature. Many of us found refuge on an uninhabited world before the super nova destroyed our world, but the KroMaggs followed us. We're making a stand, Maggie. I was charged with finding you and bringing you back… if you will come. We need all the help we can get. Your experience could make the difference between our people… what's left of us… finding new lives on a new world or… being eradicated totally by the KroMaggs."
Maggie looked at Quinn apologetically and handed him her bouquet. "I'm sorry, Quinn. I love you… I really do. I hope you know that and will always remember it… but my duty…"
"I'll come with you."
Maggie shook her head. "No… It's not your fight. We may not survive against the KroMaggs."
"Then don't go."
"I'm a captain in the marines. I have a duty."
"Your duty ended when a super nova destroyed your world."
"My duty to an institution ended… not my duty to my people. Can you understand, Quinn?"
Quinn looked down then nodded quietly. "I've put my life in danger before, Maggie. I'll come with you. I'm not afraid to die."
Maggie shook her head and kissed Quinn lightly on the lips. "You would be a distraction… for me. I need to give all of me to the cause if we are to succeed. Goodbye, Quinn."
Quinn staggered and watched as Maggie disappeared into the mist with Jonathan. Then he looked at the crowd that had gathered for the wedding. What would he say? They looked as stunned as he was.
Alex leaned over and whispered something to Jung-Jo, lying quietly beside him on the far side, away from the aisle, and Jung-Jo hopped up and trotted gingerly around the seats until he got to Wade. He took her gently by the arm and pulled, but she resisted, so Jung-Jo put his mouth around her waist. This brought gasps from the guests, many of whom believed that the strange saber-toothed cat that the Sliders had brought back with them was going to eat Wade right in front of them. But instead, Jung-Jo gently lifted her off her chair and carried her to the front, then he put her down next to Quinn, on her feet.
Quinn looked at Alex and shook his head in disbelief, then he smiled at Wade.
"I lied," Wade said quietly, "I do love you, Quinn. I didn't want to ruin what you had with Maggie, because I knew she was what you wanted… and what you needed to be happy."
Quinn took Wade's hands in his and shook his head. "You turned down my proposal just so I could marry Maggie?"
Wade nodded sheepishly.
"Wade, Maggie is an amazing woman, but she can't hold a candle to you. As much as I loved her… and I did… I love you more. You're special. But you and I always had sort of an agreement… to be friends. I didn't want to ruin that. And when I asked, you said…"
"I know," Wade nodded, "I said that I didn't love you like that. It was the hardest lie I ever told in my life. I was sick all night."
"And you did that for me?"
"Well, I didn't do it for her?"
Quinn smiled, then he got down on one knee, still holding Wade's hands in his…
"Wade, will you marry me?"
This unexpected turn brought thunderous applause from the guests.
Wade smiled, and tears ran down her cheeks. She dared not try to speak, so she just nodded, but the smile on her face told Quinn all he needed to know. And this time, the smile was also in her eyes.
"I'd like to have time to prepare, Quinn… a day or two. I want this to be our wedding, not yours and Maggie's. I don't want to be the leftovers at her wedding."
Quinn smiled. "Wade, you'll never be leftovers. You're definitely…"
Wade put one finger on Quinn's lips. "Save it. You can tell me later… after we're married."
"When do you want to do it, Wade?"
Wade's eyes opened wide, and she smiled.
"Get married! Get married, I mean!"
"Can I have till day after tomorrow… about this time… right here in the garden?"
"You can have anything you want."
Quinn turned to the guests… "We're going to have a slight delay, just till day after tomorrow… same time. I hope you'll all be here."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," one man said, standing up with his wife, "This is real entertainment!"
His wife smiled, looking slightly embarrassed, but she didn't contradict him. One by one, the guests all filed out of the garden and drove off, leaving Quinn and Wade together with just each other and the group from the New Granolith.
"I wanted Mom and Dad to be at my wedding," Wade said to Quinn. "I want Dad to give me away. But I want you guys to be here, too," she said, turning to Liz and Max. Can you stay just two more days?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Michael said, mimicking the man who had left earlier, "This is entertainment. How often do you get to see a pawgor carry the bride up to the groom?"
Wade grinned. "Well, I had something else in mind for Jung-Jo this time. Isabel told me that he has some experience in this already."
Liz looked at Jung-Jo, then she suddenly knew what Wade was talking about. "You want Jung-Jo to be the ring bearer?"
Wade nodded emphatically. "Is that okay?"
"I think Jung-Jo would be delighted," Liz said, "He's becoming such a ham."
"Do you think… the droids on the ship could make me a wedding gown, too? Isabel said they work fast and they've done it before."
Liz nodded. "I'll get them right on it. You'll need to come back to the ship tonight and choose the style you like… and take some measurements."
"Okay. Eight o'clock?"
"We'll come get you at eight."
Max and his group turned and walked into the little chapel. From there, they would call the ship and transfer up to it… out of sight of prying eyes. Finally alone, Quinn and Wade went for a walk together, but as they reached the road, they were suddenly surrounded by black cars. Then seven men jumped out, armed to the teeth.
"Stop right there!"
"Who are you?" Quinn asked, stepping in front of Wade.
"Name's Pierce… Daniel Pierce. You can relax. It's Max I'm looking for. I've already checked you both out. You're human."
"You're the FBI guy… the one with the secret unit," Quinn said, remembering Max and the others telling them about Pierce once.
"Where's Max?"
"You're too late. He's gone."
"Gone where?"
Quinn pulled out his timer and pressed the button; and when he did, the vortex appeared.
"Where does that go?"
"To another place… where they're safe."
"They walked into that thing?"
Quinn nodded.
"Come on," Pierce said, waving to the other men, who looked a bit less eager than Pierce did. Pierce rushed into the vortex followed by all six of his men, then the vortex closed.
"Where did they go?" Wade asked.
"I'm not sure. I think it's a KroMagg world. They want to fight aliens… let them fight KroMaggs. They're not aliens, but they're as alien as you can get on earth. We need to tell Max that this guy was looking for him. When they come to take you to the ship at eight, I'll go with you."
"Yeah, that's a good idea. Do you think Pierce can get back here?"
Quinn smiled. "Not a chance. He doesn't have the timer."
"The KroMaggs have slider capabilities."
Quinn nodded. "He would have to form an alliance with them. Somehow I don't see that happening. My bet is, Pierce and all his men will either be dead or in a KroMagg camp by nightfall."
"Ugh! As repulsive as that thought is, I can't think of anyone more deserving."
Quinn smiled.
End of Chapter 43
tbc…