Family portrait

After a quick shower, Alexandra had joined the other soldiers for the training session and had been happy to see that it was Jim Shannon who was leading them and not Damon. She wanted to focus her mind on something else other than her own problems and this week of sport would help her. She had spent the day running, climbing, crawling and jumping. She was exhausted and happy to go back home. She had completely forgotten all the tension between her and her father. She was even ready to give their relationship a second chance. Wasn't that what Terra Nova was all about?

"Muuummm," she shouted as she slammed the front door. "I'm ho... me," she cut her last word, in shock. There in her living room were her parents chatting with Taylor and Lucas. She stayed speechless at the door, her mouth slightly open.

"Hello sweetheart," her mother said, embracing her. Alexandra was still staring at the three men in front of her. Her father was beaming, Taylor seemed nervous and Lucas was clearly avoiding her gaze.

"What's happening here?" She asked, suspiciously.

"I thought we should invite the commander and his son over to thank them for all they did for you and for us."

"Oh my god! Alex, what happened to your arms?" He mother asked her in a worried tone, grabbing her arms in her hands to see them better.

"Oh, it's nothing," Alexandra tried to reassure her, taking back her arms from her hands. She had completely forgotten the multitude of cuts on her forearms. "I walked through sharp branches."

"You should go and clean those cuts," she advised.

"Yes, indeed. Well, have a nice evening," she forced a smile, ready to leave.

"You're not staying?" Her mother asked, confused.

"No thanks. I'm gonna go to bed. But don't worry about me, enjoy your dinner together," she said, trying to skip this evening that already looked like too much awkward.

"We did this for you," her father said in a gentle tone, yet his eyes were commanding her to stay.

"Well you should have not. I worked all the night and day, I'm quite exhausted," she replied in the same tone, her eyes disrespectfully mocking him.

"Alex, ne sois pas irrespectueuse," her father told her in French.

"Moi? Irrespectueuse? Je ne suis pas celle qui est en train de parler en français pour que les gens ne comprennent pas ce que tu es en train de me dire !" She replied in French too, rather upset.

"Alex, va te changer et reviens," her father commanded her. She glared at him a minute, challenging him, then she spoke again, in English this time.

"I need a shower. Actually I should go and get changed. I'll join you after," she stated. Alexandra went to the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She sat on the floor, her back against the door. She was very upset by her father's attitude. He always knew how to enrage her and it was driving her insane. Most of the time, there was a reason for it and now she didn't know why he was doing it. She inhaled and exhaled few times to calm herself down and went in the shower. Instead of having a warm and pleasant shower, she had a cold one. She needed to stay awake, her father was only at his first round, she was sure of it. She had to be ready for the next one.

Neither Lucas, nor Taylor, had understood a single word Charles and Alexandra had said. Yet, they were sure of one thing, the tension between Charles and Alexandra was growing, and it was not a good omen. They would have to calm her down or it would interfere in their plan.

"It seems like a lot of people have gotten hurt in your colony lately," Charles chuckled lightly.

"What do you mean?" Taylor asked, eyes narrowing.

"Well I saw this girl, at the infirmary, a little blond one, with a bruised face."

"Oh Skye, yes she unfortunately had a violent patient who hit her face," he lied. Taylor was sure Charles already knew the truth, that he was testing him, testing his loyalty to his daughter.

"You've got really young employees in here. Aren't you too afraid they don't know how to do their job?"

"Well, your daughter is a good element and she's only 22. I really think everybody has a use in Terra Nova, everybody has the potential to help. This is what it's all about, creating a new life, not repeating our same mistakes we made. Here, even the youngest know what's good and what's wrong, what they have to do in certain situations. It's very important for our survival that people can handle their life."

"Excuse me," Lucas said suddenly, standing up. "I need to use your bathroom."

"Sure," Alice smiled. "I'll show you," she said, starting to stand up.

"No it's okay, don't worry. Every house is made the same," he said before heading to the corridor.

Alexandra got out of the shower and put a towel around her as she walked to her bedroom. She took some clothes from her cupboard that she threw behind her on the bed. As she turned to get dressed, ready to drop her towel, she suppressed a shriek.

"What the hell? Lucas, get out!" She commanded him, tightening the towel against her body.

"You should not have let the door open." She shifted as he stepped closer.

"I clearly remember me closing that door."

"There's nothing I haven't seen before."

"There's nothing you are allowed to see anymore. Turn." As Lucas didn't move from his spot, she glared at him, folding her arms. They stared at each other and Alexandra decided to give up first, forced to admit this was leading nowhere. "What do you want?" She sighed as she walked back to the bathroom and grabbed some antiseptic to clean her cuts.

"Alex…"

"What?" She sighed, slightly annoyed, trying to take off the cap from the bottle of antiseptic.

"Look at me," he murmured. His voice startled her, making her realize how close he was from her. She had not seen him come behind her. She turned and looked at him in silence. Once he was sure he had her full attention, he continued. "I just wanted you to know that, no matter what happens in the future, no matter what happens between us, it's not because of you, it's not because of us. It has nothing to do with you, ok?" She nodded, unable to say a single word. She was not sure what he was talking about but he seemed really serious, his eyes begging her to believe him. She suddenly winced in pain as, too focused on him, she let some antiseptic fall on her arms.

"Let me do it," he said, taking the antiseptic from her hand. His warm hands made her shudder at the contact. One of his hands was holding her arm while the other was slowly cleaning her cuts. He was so close. She was so close. She hated herself for being so weak and enjoying his presence so much. She was surprised by the softness of his touch as he was gently cleaning her cuts. She looked at him, his gaze focused on her arm.

"Branches, huh?" He chuckled softly. She didn't say a single word, she was just watching him. She felt again this electricity growing between them, like magnets attracted to each other. She hardly swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. Lucas could feel Alexandra staring at him. He quickly glanced at her with a questioning gaze before focusing again on her other arm. As he felt her eyes still locked on him, he lifted his head and looked at her with an unreadable expression. His eyes leered on her natural pink lips as her mouth was slightly opened, her breathing growing quicker, reminding him of the taste of her tongue, the flavor of her skin. His glance continued on her hair that was falling on her beautiful and round breasts. His gaze headed down as he ogled her legs. The towel was way too short for him not to notice her thin yet muscular thighs.

Lucas was fighting inside to stay put. He wanted to reach for her and touch her, he wanted to come closer and kiss her, he wanted to grab this towel and throw it away, but he knew he couldn't. He had already crossed the lines by following her in her bedroom and talking to her. His eyes came back to hers, realizing she was still staring at him with curious and inquiring eyes. She looked at him for a moment, her stomach twisting at the look he gave her. It was a personal, intimate but also inscrutable look that left her confused once again.

"I better go," he said, knowing he had to stop it now or he wouldn't be able to stop himself. He still had her arm in his hand and he reluctantly let it go. Then he grudgingly moved away from her and left. She exhaled loudly as she had been holding her breath since he had looked at her. What had just happened? She tried to wipe away this strange feeling and to forget those butterflies that were flying in her stomach. How was he able to do that to her? He had succeeded in calming her, which was twisted in a way, as she used to be the one who knew how to calm him. She quickly got dressed and joined them for dinner. She was sitting on a side of the table, her parents at each end of it, Taylor in front of her, Lucas next to him.

"I hope my daughter didn't bother you too much. I know how stubborn she can be," Charles chuckled lightly. Alexandra clenched her jaw but said nothing. She could feel everybody staring at her. She forced a smile, one that looked more like a grimace than a grin.

"Oh no, Alex is a good girl. I'm glad we have her," Taylor said, smiling warmly to her. Alexandra gave him a shy smile. She was grateful he was defending her. It softened her mood. Lucas said nothing and it didn't seem like him. He did not look at her. Actually, he didn't put his eyes on her the whole evening. It upset Alexandra a lot. Why was he doing this? He was so close a minute before and then so distant. What was he planning? And his strange advice, what was that? She would have to accept that Lucas was weird and that he was not going to be better. Maybe he had always been like that and love had blinded her. She decided to avoid him as much as he was avoiding her. Anyway, she was already too busy with her father right now.

"Well, I'm happy to hear it. She is not really like that at home," he mocked, beaming at Alexandra.

"That might be because it's doesn't feel like home," she spat.

"Not yet," her mother intervened, avoiding an argument that she was sure was going to follow.

"I'm sure you'll be all like a family again really soon," Taylor smiled to all of them. "Family is sometimes complicated. But in the end, it worth it," he said, putting his hand on Lucas' shoulder. Alexandra bit her lips, forbidding her to add something she would regret.

"Indeed Commander," Charles chuckled. "And in my daughter's defense, she has not only inherited from my best sides!" Alexandra couldn't suppress a laugh. Stress, nervousness, exhaustion, she didn't know why, but she started to cry from laughing so much. At first, it was only wet eyes and her biting her lip, then she started to sob and everybody stared at her in disbelief. That was when she opened her mouth and let escape a loud laugh. She continued to laugh under their gaze, unable to stop.

"What's so funny?" Her father asked, confused.

"You. You are funny. 'Cause for once… You… You said something… that is really, really true," she said between sobs of laughs. "I'm not as smart as you, but you clearly gave me your bloody character." They all felt embarrassed by her answer. Only Lucas had a smile that was starting to spread on his face. His father gave him a dark glance and it stopped him.

"Sorry," Alexandra said, trying to stop laughing. "I'm knackered, that's all. There's nothing funny about it," she said, trying to be serious again. Yet her eyes were wet and bright, betraying her mischievousness.

"Ooookkkkkaaayyy," her mother said slowly, rolling her eyes. "Alex if you're that exhausted then maybe you should go to bed now," she proposed to her.

"Yeah," Alexandra nodded, a smile still visible on her face. "Thank you for your presence tonight, I really appreciated it. Good night," she said as she stood and left them.

"Would you excuse my daughter," Alice said once Alexandra was gone. "It was quite strange, wasn't it?" She chuckled lightly.

"Yes indeed," Taylor said, making a face.

"My daughter is having the teenage crisis she didn't have the chance to do with us," Charles apologized.

"Don't worry, I had a teenager too."

"Yes. I've heard you lost your wife when your son was a teen. It must not have been easy," Charles said viciously. Lucas tensed at the understatement. Charles was testing him and his father.

"Well… We had our problems. We solved them though. It's not really a good memory," Taylor said, his tone making it clear he didn't want to have this conversation.

"Actually, Lucas, you were 14 when your mum died, no?"

"Yes I was," Lucas said, glaring intensely at Charles who held his glare easily, his eyes bright with the excitement of annoying Lucas.

"Alex was 14 too when we disappeared. I guess you two have this in common." Lucas swallowed with difficulty. So that was where Charles was going. Lucas' relationship with his daughter. Lucas cursed himself for not having seen this coming.

"I don't think this is the kind of similitude that helps people to like each other," he said heartlessly, no trace of feelings in his tone. Charles' eyes narrowed on him, as if he was trying to see right through him.

"Indeed. Excuse me, I've been rude talking to you about bad memories," he suddenly apologized, giving them a warm smile.

"Do you want a cup of tea or a coffee?" Alice changed the subject, standing up.

"No, thank you. I think my son and I are going to leave. We both have to work early tomorrow. Like you I presume," Taylor said, standing up too. "It was really nice of you to invite us. I guess next time it will be my turn," he added, shaking their hands.

"Yes," Charles smiled, shaking Lucas' hand. "Next time it will be your turn."

"Where have you been?" Taylor asked Lucas suspiciously once they were outside.

"Pardon?" Lucas replied innocently.

"When you left us, where were you?" He insisted.

"I told you, the bathroom," Lucas replied casually, annoyance audible in his voice.

"Lucas…" His father sighed, shaking his head doubtfully at him.

"I might have talked to her, and so what?"

"You said you would stay away from her, for her own good, remember?"

"Yeah well look at you and how you managed to push her away from you? Huh? 'She's such a sweet girl'," he mimicked him.

"Yeah well," he said, uncomfortable. "I also said she had to behave herself and stay with her real family."

"Yeah right, that was definitely your best shot," he mocked.

"Lucas," Taylor grabbed Lucas' arm and stopped him, turning his son to face him. Lucas glared at his father, taking his arm off his grip. "I don't want this plan to hurt you," he said honestly, making Lucas drop his cocky attitude. "But here, it's not about you, it's about Terra Nova's safety, it's about taking down Charles and Alice's plan, it's about Alex's protection. I didn't like the way Charles talked about Alex's similitude with you. He is testing us and I really don't like it."

"Do you really think I don't know what I have to do? I know it. That doesn't mean I want to do it."

"But…?" Taylor said slowly, waiting for what he would say next.

"But I'll do what we've planned. I know why I'm doing it. And I won't let Charles succeed in his plan."

Alexandra was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the evening. It had been so weird having her ex with his father, who was actually the boss of Terra Nova and kind of a father to her too, at the same table with her own parents. If it had happened in other circumstances, it would have been like a real family night with her boyfriend and their parents. She smiled at the thought of it.

"Yeah, could have been great," she sighed to herself. But instead, it had been a disaster. Yet, despite the disparaging remarks of her father, Taylor had defended her And Lucas, despite his heavy silence, she had been able to glimpse some reactions depending on his attitude and especially his eyes. He seemed to agree with his father and it was the first time. This brought her back to think about what had happened earlier. Lucas had warned her about something. She didn't know what though. Or maybe he was just playing with her mind like he liked to do with people. She had to stop believing he was seeing her as someone special that he would not hurt. He could hurt her. Actually, he was trying to, no later than the day before. She had definitely lost it, he had changed into someone else. Or maybe he was back to the real him. She didn't know and actually she didn't want to know. Lucas was part of her past from now on. A knock at the door brought her back to reality. She sat on her bed as she said to enter to whoever was behind the door. Her father came in and shut the door behind him.

"Do you have a minute?" He asked, concern palpable in his voice. She nodded and he came to sit next to her. "Alex, we didn't start off well together. I know how much of a pain I can be and I apologize for it. And I know that your attitude is due to me. I can see you blame me for what happened. I understand that. I'm not saying I agree, but I understand. And if there's something you inherit from me, it's your cleverness. Don't lie to yourself Alex, you're smart. Don't pretend the opposite. I told you I was proud of you and I wasn't lying. I believe what I said." Alexandra listened to him carefully, recording every single word he was saying. "All I want is my family back. You might not remember it, but we used to be a great family and you used to love me. We were really close and I miss it. Don't you miss it?" Alexandra was surprised by his honesty. He seemed to really believe what he was saying.

"I don't remember it," she said honestly, shaking her head sadly.

"It's the truth. We used to play together. Don't you remember?" She shook her head from side to side in response. "I promised you I would tell you stories about you and I will."

"Like what?" She asked hastily.

"Like… Like when you were younger, you used to follow me everywhere. You always wanted me to ask you questions about the place where we were to prove to me you had learnt your lesson." As Alexandra was looking at him with a blank gaze, he added. "Do you believe me?" Alexandra wanted to believe him, she really wanted to, even if deep down inside her something was warning her there was a trap somewhere. Unable to speak, she just nodded. "I'd like to be close with you again. I want my daughter back. You'll give it a try, yeah?" It broke her heart to hear him beg for her love.

"Yeah," she sighed, slightly smiling.

"Fantastic," Charles grinned. "Good night Alex."

"Good night dad."

It was really strange for her to not to remember some part of her childhood. When she had first met Lucas, she had told him her memories. Only now she realized pieces were missing. She had kept some funny memories, some nice feelings. She had said she missed her parents and how great they were. Now, it was like she discovered it was not the total truth. Was it all made up? Had she lied to herself? It seemed unimaginable. Yet, here she was, with her parents, feeling like a stranger to them, like she did not fit with them. Most of all, something didn't feel right. It was a kind of nausea, something in her that wanted to get out, something she couldn't remember and that was bothering her. She didn't like this feeling, not at all. Maybe she should keep it shut away, maybe she should enjoy her life just the way it was, maybe she had to stop thinking and just live her life. Yes, she had said she would give it a try and she would, even if it meant not being really her, even if it meant losing a part of who she really was.


Hmmmmm... In the end, it's Lucas who has problems to keep his mouth shut, isn't he? I think in the end it's only more confusing for Alexandra. No?