Plain of Sorrows

Author: Milady Dragon

Disclaimer: same as always

Rating: PG-13

Author's notes: I just realized this might go on for a little while, hope ya'll don't mind! Thanks again for those who've taken the time to review. I love you guys!


Chapter Six

"Well, that went well," Alonzo said sarcastically as he entered the tent.

"I'm going after him." Devon swept past the pilot and out into the night air.

"Hey!"

She ignored him, trying to discover which way John had gone. He wasn't amid the rest of the group, who had set up a common area in the middle of the camp and was currently staring at her in curiosity. They had elected not to light a fire; the night was certainly warm enough, even with the wind; plus, with all the grass surrounding them, the threat of starting a wildfire had been too great. Besides, the moons were very bright, illuminating the area for meters beyond the campsite.

Devon scanned the area. If Danziger hadn't joined the others, then where was he? She walked around the perimeter of Julia's tent; perhaps he'd been serious about needing to relieve himself? If so, he would have sought privacy…

As she circled around the back, Devon finally caught sight of him. John was standing with his back to her, about 20 meters outside the camp. He was speaking, but his words were being carried away from her.

She moved closer. "John?" she called.

Danziger jumped and spun to face her. "Christ on a crutch, Adair! I wish you'd wear a bell or something!"

Devon held her hands out to placate him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"Yeah, sure." He shrugged. "Look, I'm fine. Why don't you go back and join the others, okay?"

"Who were you talking to?"

"You're not gonna let this drop, are you? As a matter of fact, Adair, it's hard enough to take a quiet piss around here without someone or something coming after you, and now I have to deal with this…presence…who insists on keeping her metaphysical eye on me." He tilted his head back, staring into the sky. "I'd just like a little peace, okay? You can come and lurk after I'm done! I don't perform well under pressure!"

He stayed that way for a few minutes. Then his shoulders slumped, and Devon heard him whisper "Thank you." He turned to regard her. "Do you mind? We can talk after I've finished my business?"

"Of course." Devon spun on her heel, heading back toward Julia's tent.

She leaned against one of the tent posts, patiently waiting for him to be done. She heard him approach after a few minutes and, when he was standing even with her, she quipped, "I hope everything came out all right?"

"Ha, ha. Very funny. Come on, I want to wash my hands."

They'd left the water barrels tied to the side of the Trans Rover. Together, the two of them walked over in an almost companionable silence. One of the things she most liked about John was that he didn't feel the need to fill quiet with conversation.

She could feel the eyes of the camp upon them, as John washed up. "Let's go someplace more private," she suggested.

"All right." John wiped his hands on a towel that had been left there for just such a purpose.

They went back out of the camp's circle, following the party's back trail. A few meters out Danziger sat down amid the tall grass, and Devon joined him, sitting almost close enough to touch him if she wished.

"Did she leave?" Devon asked.

The mechanic snorted. "In a way. I didn't feel like she was breathing down my neck anymore, but she was still there, still watching." He leaned his forearms on his knees, hunching slightly forward.

"Has she moved closer again?"

"Not yet." He sighed. "It's really strange, Adair, but after she backed off a bit, I started feeling…exposed, I guess."

"In what way?"

"In that, somehow, her presence is…protecting me from something."

"From what, do you think?"

"If I knew that, I'd tell you!" John was frustrated.

"Why don't you tell me precisely what happened to you today? Maybe we can figure it out together."

Danziger closed his eyes, and then began. As he spoke, his words weaved a spell; drawing her into this waking-dreaming world John had found himself a part of. Devon listened, processing everything he told her. She appreciated his trust in her, more than she could say.

Once he was finished, he opened his eyes and looked at her squarely. "Well? Am I insane, or what?"

Devon chuckled. "Hardly insane, John. Just in above your understanding."

He let out the breath he'd been holding. "Thanks, Devon. I appreciate that."

"Anytime." She looped her arm through his to show her support. It felt very right. "Can I ask you a few things?"

"Sure. Don't know if I'll have the answers." His arm tightened around hers.

She smiled at his admission. "You say this cat-girl looked sad. What did you mean?"

"I meant just that…she looked sad, like she was ready to cry. Like she'd just lost the most important thing to her in the entire world." He actually shivered. "I don't think she's old enough to have that much pain."

"How old do you think she is?"

She felt him shrug. "A little older than True. Maybe early teens, in Earth years."

"Are…are you certain it's this girl you're sensing now?"

"Absolutely."

The conviction in his tone completely convinced her. "What does it feel like?" she whispered.

His voice dropped to match hers. "It feels like being afraid all the time. Like something is going to happen and I can't prevent it." He paused. "Like she's trying to tell me a terrible secret, and she can't find the words."

"We're not that far from the mountains. We can still turn back –"

"I think it's too late for that, although I appreciate the offer." Danziger laughed quietly. "She's in my head, Adair; and she's not going anywhere. I was damned the moment I looked at that skull." He began to shake against her. "She's back now. I can feel her, looking over my shoulder, seeing us sitting here. I saw what I saw, and the ghost of her won't go away."

Devon closed her eyes. Ghost. It was the one word she'd been avoiding. "Is that what you think she is?"

"I don't know. God help me, I don't honestly know. I never believed in spirits before landing here, but I've seen too much weird shit to discount anything. I'm seeing her, whether totally in my imagination or some other way…I guess I must be dreaming her, right?"

"Right. Don't worry, John, we'll figure it out."

"I don't doubt you'll try, anyway. Thanks for that, at least."

"You're welcome." She tugged on his arm. "Come on. Let's get back to camp. It's Uly's bedtime."

"And True's." He pulled his arm from hers; Devon found herself missing the contact. Then he rose, helping her to her feet.

"John." She looked at him. In the moons' light, he looked very vulnerable.

"Devon?" He returned her gaze.

"Can I suggest something?"

"You can suggest…" His mouth quirked upward in an attempt to smile.

She didn't want to, but she had to. "The next time you see her, maybe you should try to get her to tell you what's wrong. After all, we can't help her if we don't have any information."

He nodded. "I've already decided to do just that. Gotta admit though, I'm not looking forward to it."

"If you did, I would say you're insane," she joked.

He laughed. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Adair. You really know how to make a guy feel good."

"Glad I could help."

And she wanted to help him more than anything.