Plain of Sorrows

Author: Milady Dragon

Disclaimer: Earth 2 isn't mine, and while I just got a raise at work, I still can't even afford to buy a new car…

Author's note: Yet another chapter! I'm really cooking now!


Chapter Thirty-One

"Is my dad really going to be okay?"

Devon glanced down at True Danziger, as the girl walked between herself and Julia. She realized the question was for the doctor, and let the other woman answer.

"I'm sure," Julia reassured her. "The last scans I took showed the changes already reversing themselves. He'll be back to normal in a few days."

"That's good." True was fiddling with her braid, as they walked behind the Trans Rover.

It was hard for Devon to wrap her mind around the idea that the child beside her had been changed, or possessed in some way. She acted like the same old True: same mannerisms, same way of speaking; and above everything else the same worry about her father. But wouldn't the aliens be concerned with what John was planning? They had to know that the ghosts were helping them. Wouldn't they want to get one of their own close enough to listen in?

That's why both she and Julia were there: distracting the girl from John's conversation with Uly. While no one in camp really made a secret out of the changes in her son, Devon also knew they didn't really talk about it, either. Did the ghost within True know what the girl did? And did True really comprehend just what had been done to Uly?

Did True really care?

That was the question, wasn't it? Devon had witnessed quite a bit of her son's interaction with John's daughter, and while they did study – and sometimes play – together, Devon got the impression that both children were at that stage where the opposite sex was considered gross and disgusting. She'd often heard Uly use the sentence: "But she's a girl!" with that horror boys his age had of catching some weird, female disease by just being in the proximity of a pre-adolescent of True's ilk. She had to admit, it made her laugh, but with a mother's trepidation, knowing that someday Uly would take an entirely different interest in girls…and quite possibly True Danziger. When that day came…

Argh. Best not to think about that yet. Stay in the here and now, Devon Adair!

The Dune Rail was hidden from her by the bulk of the Trans Rover, so Devon decided to do something about it. Yes, she meant to keep True from knowing what John, Alonzo, and Uly were talking about, but that didn't mean she couldn't keep an eye on their meeting. She tried to be discreet about it, but Julia must have realized what she was doing, judging from the look the doctor gave her over True's head. She just shrugged slightly, wanting to point out that, certainly, Julia wouldn't mind being able to see Alonzo. She refrained, more out of not wanting to let True – and, by extension, the ghost that was currently possessing her – find out there was something going on, than from not wanting to tease Julia. Devon wasn't above doing a little harassing over the relationship that had cropped up between the pilot and the young, genetically-skewed woman. It was sweet, really.

They meandered out of the Trans Rover's shadow, until the Dune Rail was visible ahead. John still walked next to it; in that place where Devon didn't rationalize her interest in the mechanic, she acknowledged the notion that watching Danziger was very pleasant. Even though he moved differently than before, with a feline-like grace that was distinctly un-John-like, it was still Danziger striding there. And, yes, he did have a nice ass…

Get your mind out of the gutter, Adair! Why on Earth are you thinking stuff like that, now of all times? Have you lost all sense of propriety, not to mention the fact that we're all in danger here?

Devon could just see Uly, legs curled up under him as he sat in the passenger seat. She loved her son fiercely, and was still a little concerned about letting him in on what was going on. Getting him involved wasn't something she'd really wanted to do, but she could see no other way around it. She couldn't protect him forever, and if the Changed were to make their move then he would be in serious danger. Would it be fair to keep him ignorant?

She sighed, watching her son respond to something John said. Uly sat up straighter, and Devon guessed the mechanic must have just said something complimentary. She was very aware of her son's relationship with John, and while he sometimes let Uly do things she didn't approve of, she had to admit Uly came out of his shell around the man. Devon was grateful for John's attention, and was glad that her son finally had a man he could look up to.

Then Uly settled back into the seat, and while Devon couldn't actually see what was going on, she could guess.

Uly was dreaming.

All good thoughts of John Danziger flew out of her head. How dare he let her son go off onto the dreamplane like that, knowing what danger the Changed were? It was irresponsible, stupid, and Devon was going to put a stop to it…

And suddenly realized she couldn't, not without giving anything away to True.

Devon ground her teeth in frustration, even as she thought daggers in Danziger's direction. He must have sensed something, because he glanced in her direction. He didn't react to seeing her, but he had to know how angry she was. And how could Alonzo have let him do it? The pilot wasn't about to escape her ire!

Her heart threatened to push its way out of her chest, she was so scared and angry. Devon just couldn't believe the balls of that man! All his assurances that he wouldn't do anything to deliberately put her son in danger…then he turned right around and did it anyway! He'd known she'd never agree to anything, and he'd lied right to her face.

And there was nothing she could do about it at the moment.

"Devon?"

She pulled her gaze away from her sleeping son, to look at Julia. The other woman was concerned; she obviously couldn't see what was going on. "Uly is sleeping," she managed to answer in a calm tone.

Julia's eyes flared open, then her professional calm took over. She'd understood what Devon had communicated. "It's good for him," she replied.

"He…didn't sleep well last night," Devon tried to cover.

True made a hmph'ing noise, sounding suspiciously like one her father might have made. It was slightly disgusted.

"What, True?" Julia prompted.

"Nothing," she answered, returning her attention to the end of her braid.

Julia didn't push it. Devon's heart clenched. Had it been True, or the ghost, who'd made that sound? Did it mean something, or was she reading too much into it?

Did the Changed know about her son's ability to access the dreamplane? And if they did, what would they do about it?

Damn Danziger for putting her son into such danger!

She was never going to forgive him for this!