Resting

"Ai?" Yǎtíng's voice held concern as Ai woke. Wait! She wasn't supposed to sleep! The gift would activate! Ai fought her back to consciousness. "No! No." The former enemy turned oddity was suddenly concerned. "It is all right! You are all right!"

"I dozed off!" Ai stammered, dumbstruck by her weakness. "I... I can't do that!" Ai opened her eyes and went totally still. She was not where she last remembered being.

The last thing AI remembered, Terminal had transferred her to gurney that had been rolling. The motion had been oddly soothing to Ai's battered mind and she had dozed off! But now? She stared up at a metal ceiling that looked odd to the Nightstalker's eyes, but also oddly familiar. Ai turned her head and it moved without pain. She hefted a hand slowly and it moved as it should. So, her weakness was gone too. She looked over at where Yǎtíng sat in what was clearly a jump seat some kind. From the engine noise, the pair were in some kind of military transport. Nothing else did sturdy and cheap quite like those in Ai's experience. Military forces wanted things to function, but also to be the lowest cost to function as odd as that was. Military broke things, especially expensive things. The troop bay of this transport, for that was what this had to be, was narrow enough that her gurney filled the center of it with seats on either side. Ai did not miss the two forms in full heavy X-Com armor who sat nearby with weapon in their laps or the two other beings who sat a bit further away. Both of those were psis that she knew! Arisha looked sad and scared, but perked up when Ai looked at her. Syndrome was wearing his mask of course, but nodded to Ai.

"You needed the rest." Yǎtíng said with a smile as she sat back. "You need more."

"I could have killed you all!" Ai sank back onto the gurney she lay on. "I just…"

"Ai. No, be calm. I know you. You wouldn't have done that. You are a soldier, not a murderer. Ai, it is okay. Whatever trigger you put in that horrible thing wasn't set to go off if you slept naturally. That would be stupid of you and you are not stupid. You were stressed beyond anyone's ability to stay coherent. No one expected you to stay awake for the whole trip. No one. You are still exhausted. You need more sleep." Yǎtíng said sadly. "Part of that is what I did, not knowing any better. Part is the stress and fear that is part and parcel to your job and part is what you made yourself into to do your job." She looked at the floor. "When was the last time you fully let yourself relax, Ai?" Ai did not answer and Yǎtíng heaved a sigh. "Before you came here, I bet." Ai would not look at her and the cultist or whatever she was made a soft, sad noise. "And here, you locked your soul into storage to save lives. To stop us."

"It is what I do." Ai said softly. "What I did."

"Not any more." Yǎtíng said firmly enough that Ai stared at her, confused. "I am a mess. My mission is not one I can accomplish and even if I could? My mindset has been altered by contact with you and the Matron. I was a fanatic. I can make no excuse for what I did, for there can be none. But you, I can help and I will." Ai looked at her and then at the troops whose weapons were aimed at the cultist. Former cultist. Whatever she was. Ai also noticed that both Arisha and Syndrome had their psionic amps in hand and powered. They were guards.

"I set it to go off if I lost control of my mind." Ai said slowly. "Or if I lost consciousness abruptly." Ai looked at Yǎtíng who nodded.

"Not naturally, like you did. Like I said, you are not stupid." The clone of Ai said with a smile that fell. "Ai, you need to relax."

"How?" Ai begged. "My body is telling me I have to get up, be ready to fight and I can't… I…" She fought the burning sensation that crowded her tear ducts. The anger that seeped up in her at her own weakness. "No, I..."

"Your body is reacting as you trained it to." Yǎtíng said quietly. "As you made your body function through a horrible time in order to survive what you went through. The human body and human mind are incredibly adaptable. According to experts I have asked while you slept, yours and mine qualify as such even if we are not technically human. And yes, you were right. Don't rub it in." She pleaded as Ai stared at her.

"Yǎtíng…" Ai said after a moment. "I don't know if Alley can stop it. I know of nothing else that could." Hence why the supremely potent Viper venom was Cobra's last resort.

"I am not leaving you alone." Yǎtíng said flatly. Ai stared at her and then at the guards. The cultist nodded. "Alley accepted my parole, but after what I did, trust will not happen. This could be an elaborate trick and my masters were quite sneaky on occasion. I don't think they put an alternate personality in me to take command and do bad things, but I don't know." She made a face. "Matter of fact? I don't think they were the ones who put me on this path either."

"What?" Ai asked, trying with all of her skill to relax, but it eluded her. She was a walking weapon. Maybe not of mass destruction, but a danger to everyone in their vehicle until or unless the Matron's Gift was deactivated.

"I am not a field operative like you." Yǎtíng said with a shrug. "You know what I was made to do and it wasn't pulling a trigger. You came here, looking to find a better way than you knew. I came here to do something that I am completely incapable of doing. My masters were many things, they were not idiots. Why did they send a brain technician on an assassination?"

"Program someone else to do it." Ai said with a growl. "That was what you planned when you caught me."

"And it would not have worked." The cultist said with a shrug. "If Alley had not intervened, we both would have died when you lost control of your mind and the Gift activated. When your mind broke free of the prison of honor and duty that your people built for it." Ai bristled, but Yǎtíng continued. "That is what it was. You were and are a powerful weapon, Ai. As long as they could aim you at your enemies, that was good." Ai's stare became a glare, but the cultist was unmoved. "Tell me I lie."

"I…" Ai stared at her one time arch nemesis and then slumped. When she spoke, it was barely a whisper. "No bars stronger than the ones we build ourselves. Piece by lousy, stinking piece in our own minds."

"True. I will say that your people used you far more gently than my masters used my kind." Yǎtíng was just as quiet. "You were fighting a war and in war, bad things happen. They happen to some who deserve it and some who do not. That has been the nature of war throughout human history. I don't know if right or wrong come into it, but your side had the higher moral ground. You were fighting to defend, not conquer. You did."

"I um…" Ai swallowed hard. "I am not sure how to take that, to be honest." She started to sit up, but stilled as Arisha shook her collapsed hood. "Arisha?"

"Lie back. You need more rest, Ai." Arisha said quietly. "We have four hours to our rendezvous and then four more even at max speed to the facility where we will meet Alley."

"I am scared, Arisha." Ai said weakly. "I wanted to make things better and all I seem to do-" She broke off as Arisha moved. She didn't dare move as the Viper slung her amp, slid to another sear right beside the gurney and reached out to take Ai's closest limp hand in both of hers. "Arisha! No! Too close!"

"You did what you thought was right." Arisha said quietly, just holding Ai's hand. "Yǎtíng? What would have happened if the other cult member had subverted Valere?"

"She would have been hurt in the process. Maybe died. Either way? The Lady and the Matron would have been very upset." Yǎtíng said with a full body wince.

"Yes." Arisha smiled at Ai. "You saved Valere, Ai. Add to that? You helped her past a mental stumbling block that none of us could get past. That girl is quite stubborn, but from what little I have heard from her therapists, she is doing much better now. Still upset, but not blaming herself so much."

"That is good." Ai said with a smile. "She is a good soul."

"So are you." Arisha smiled at Ai's sudden non-expression. "No, I am not talking about what you did as a soldier or here with Chimera. I am talking about how you act to help other people. I don't know what you did before, but as soon as you woke in this time, you acted to save Valere from being raped by a thug. Then, yes, you took a life, but the life was a terrorist who was going to hurt or kill innocent people to make a political statement." Arisha was eyeing the cultist who nodded.

"Stopping him was a good thing, Ai." Yǎtíng said quietly. "We were not involved, but we did hear about that. Well done."

"I murdered-" Ai started, but broke off as Yǎtíng snarled at her.

"No! You stopped him from killing children!" The cultist snapped, her ire fully fanned. "Yes, what I did was bad. Yes, what my masters did was worse, but what that scum wanted was just plain wrong. Whatever future you fight for, children are the future. Killing them makes no sense." Yǎtíng slumped as everyone eyed her. "Even… Even for the cult, it made no sense. I have killed, but never children. You stopped him from doing that! Well done."

"Why kill when you can brainwash?" Ai said very softly and Yǎtíng nodded, crestfallen.

"Ai. Enough." Arisha gave her hand a squeeze. "You need to relax now. You need to sleep. Only sudden unconsciousness will set it off, right?"

"Yes." Ai drawled the word out and Arisha smiled at her. "Um…" The Nigthstalker's eyes went huge as the Viper started to hum and then to sing!

'I have often dreamed of a far off place
Where a hero's welcome would be waiting for me
Where the crowds would cheer, when they see my face
And a voice keeps saying this is where I'm meant to be'

Ai was aware that she was gaping at the Viper as Arisha sang. How was she doing so many sub-vocal harmonics? It had to be something psionic! Did it matter? Yǎtíng was also staring, eyes huge and mouth ajar as the Viper continued. The Nightstalker turned to the former cultist and held out her free hand as Arisha sang. Yǎtíng took Ai's hand and both lost themselves in the pure bliss of listening to beauty.

'I'll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way if I can be strong
I know every mile would be worth my while
When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong'

Ai had heard concerts in her time. She had actually heard a treasured ancient recording of Arisha singing. That had been nothing like this. This was so perfect. Everything worked in the soft voice, the kind eyes, the swaying body and even the long forked tongue that somehow kept out of the way as she sang so effortlessly! It had to end. Everything beautiful in Ai's experience did. But for just a moment, the hard bitten soldier lost herself in the pure wonder of listening to someone express herself in a way that hurt no one and made people smile. Finally, after an eternity that might have been five minutes, Arisha bowed her head and finished.

'I will search the world, I will face its harms
'Till I find my hero's welcome waiting in your arms'

There was sudden, utter silence as the Viper slumped back in her seat. Ai felt worry rise, but Arisha smiled at her and spoke before the Nightstalker could find her tongue.

"I just need a moment. It is a lot more work than most think." The Viper smiled at the pair of clones who were clearly flabbergasted.

"That was incredible." Yǎtíng all but gushed as Arisha sank back, a bit self conscious. "That was- How did you hit those notes? A Viper's throat can't do that!"

"I have no idea." Arisha admitted. "The Elders made me this way. They made me to sing, but I have no idea why. I was rescued before whatever plan they put in place happened or I died like all most of kin." She slumped further, desolation rising in her memory. She jerked as Ai flipped her hand, grabbed the Viper's hands and squeezed hard! Not enough to cause damage, but it was jerked Arisha up short. "Ai?"

"Music can cross almost any boundary, Aunt Arisha." Ai said the Viper's title very quietly. She had no idea who was cleared for what in this vehicle. They likely were cleared, but better not to bandy some things about. She smiled at the Viper who was eyeing her oddly. "Alley said I helped you?"

"I was beating my head against a brick wall of stubborn male blindness. He made me so mad!" Arisha said with a grin and Ai smiled back! Both of them turned to look at Syndrome who jerked and his hands sank to cover his groin! He didn't move otherwise and neither of the X-Com soldiers did either but both seemed amused anyway.

"Must be a story there." Yǎtíng muttered but no one reacted. "Um… maybe later."

"Maybe. If stubborn dares to rear its ugly head again." Arisha's glance at Syndrome held warning and he shook his head.

Ai was more relaxed now, but when she tried to lie back, she could not keep her eyes closed. She was still too hyped even with Arisha's help. She could not bite back a sigh of regret.

"Um, may I try?" Yǎtíng asked a bit timidly. Ai looked at her and she flushed. "Um, I am nowhere near that good."

"It will be a long trip." Arisha had a shrug in her voice. "Ai does need rest, but she is so tense even now, I fear for her."

"Me too." Yǎtíng took several deep breath and then she started to hum. Arisha gasped, but then was silent as the cultist sang. Not a tune that Ai knew, but it was beautiful.

'In the quiet misty morning,

When the moon has gone to bed,

When the sparrows stop their singing,

And the sky is clear and red,'

Ai felt the soft words waft over her and it felt heavenly. She relaxed as the soft words pulsed deep into her body and things that she had no words for loosened.

'When the summer's ceased its gleaming,

When the corn is past its prime,

When adventure's lost its meaning,

I'll be homeward bound in time.'

Ai gasped anew as Arisha's voice came in matching the words on what was clearly a chorus, but it did not cover Yǎtíng's voice! Indeed, it supported the other's singing. That was not psionic, that was pure vocalist skill!

'Bind me not to the pasture;

Chain me not to the plow.

Set me free to find my calling

And I'll return to you somehow.'

Another verse started and Arisha stopped, but the cultist continued with renewed vigor even as Ai felt her muscles slowly, so slowly relax. It as so wrong for her to just lie here and listen, but so right and so beautiful.

So…

Beautiful…

Ai was smiling and singing softly with the words as she fell asleep.

Quite a bit later

"Hey, sleepyhead." Arisha's voice eased Ai back to wakefulness, but with no fear this time. For the first time in a long, long time, Ai was completely relaxed. The music had soothed her and she was rested.

"Aunt Arisha. Thank you." Ai said very quietly. "Both of you. I am a mess."

"Yeah, you are, niece. PTSD and so much more." Arisha said sadly but then something touched Ai's cheek. Just a whisper touch. A tongue like Aroa had kissed her with? "We will help if we can. Yǎtíng is still asleep, but I will wake her in a few minutes. We will arrive in about ten minutes. Alley is set up and ready."

"Tell me no one else is at risk." Ai begged but Arisha's hand stroked hers gently.

"You cannot keep people from trying to help you, girl." Arisha chided her, but so gently. "Everyone who has met you has been impressed. Even Jack was impressed, as hard as that is to believe."

"Is Aroa all right?" Ai pleaded and Arisha crooned to her. "I tried not to hurt her!"

"Yes." Arisha had a wide smile in her voice now. "She has always been a bit of a mess, but she is better. She didn't hurt you and you didn't hurt her. I think that was the first time she did what she did and it didn't hurt her or her subject. Once Alley is done, the rest of the nest want to meet you."

"I can't stay here, Aunt Arisha." Ai said weakly. "If Alley doesn't need me… I…"

"Oh, girl." A warm mass settled down beside Ai and something hugged her gently. "Alley doesn't need you to defend her. That doesn't mean she, or we, cannot use you in a some non-combat role. It is not the end, girl. A new beginning. If you will have us."

"All I know is fighting." Ai said weakly.

"Ai, we can find a better path for you." Arisha said firmly. "We will. We will also see about making you whole." At that, Ai went totally still and Arisha did as well. "Ai?"

"I… I can't say." Ai said very softly. "But if you offer me such, I will refuse it." A gasp came from Arisha and the warm mass beside Ai withdrew. "I mean no offense, Arisha. Not to you or any of the nest, but you must not do that!" She opened her eyes and Arisha's scaled face held shock. Ai slumped and shook her head. "I cannot explain. I must not explain. But… I cannot stay."

"Girl." Arisha pleaded again, but then a rumbled sounded and then a shock was felt. At sat up on the gurney and then went still as hatch on one end of the troop bay opened. Yǎtíng sat up in her seat and jerked as the guards rose, but they filed out of the craft, silent. Syndrome rose from his seat a bit jerkily, as if he hadn't dared move for a while, nodded to the trio and left as well!

"I can walk." Ai said softly as Arisha stared at her, dismay coloring her kind face. "I um... Yǎtíng?"

"I heard." The cultist said softly. "And yes, you are right, Ai. It must not be."

"Why?" Arisha all but screamed that, horror on her face.

"I can't say." Ai said with a sigh as she slid off the gurney and took the hand the cultist offered to steady her. Unthinkable a day ago, but now? Normal. "Please? Lead on? We mustn't keep Alley waiting."

"I want an answer!" Arisha moved at Viper speed to stand up straight in the sole exit to the bay. "I will not let such a hero as yourself fade without trying!"

"I am no hero, Aunt Arisha." Ai said softly. "I did my job. No more. No less."

"And what you have done for me? For Aroa? For Valere?" Arisha's voice was heading towards the shrill range.

"Fringe benefits." Ai replied with a small, sad smile. "I need the weapon disarmed. After that? If I can find something to do that doesn't involve fighting, that is great. If it helps you or your family? That is better. But I will not reproduce. That is final."

"And you will not say why." The Viper jerked and then she seemed to wilt. "Alley says to drop this, but if you survive what she does, we will talk." Arisha nodded to someone who wasn't present, turned away and starting off.

The other two followed, sad.

'I can go the Distance' is from Disney's 'Hercules' and 'Homeward Bound' is copyright Marta Keen Thompson. Neither are my work.