I don't own Gears or their characters.

Read, Review, and Enjoy.

Thank you to nicole-envious your input, and ideas were a great help, as well as proof reading for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day at the Beach~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~Cross Roads~~~

Sitting as a spotter on top of the dill, Elaine looked up to the sky; the oppressive force of humidity bore down, it was sticky and hard to breathe as they drove down the old roads, dodging the ditched vehicles. The smell of something rotting mixed with the sickly sweet smell of some of the vines and trees caused her to gag more than once. Shaking her head as they stopped for the umpteenth time, She jumped down as she looked at Baird at the wheel, then strode past to Anya working on where they were heading. "We need to find cover for the night. There's a storm coming."

Baird looked out the window, there was no breeze, everything around them was still. His blue eyes glanced back to her. "Um why? We need to get to the Fort. Soon."

She shrugged, "Hmm lets see the fact I have lived on the island for almost elven years. That I know the same signs as the locals when a storm is coming. I give it three hours tops before it hits land."

Marcus nodded from beside Baird. "Okay lets get to work. Check if the cars in this stretch have any emulsion left. Then we can move what ever ones are in our way." He grunted, sliding out as the dill's engine was turned off.

Bernie slide out next,grabbing her rifle, and began walking along side Elaine. They stopped at the sun beaten red car, the doors were left open; exposing it to the elements. "So what do you think caused this?"

Elaine looked over to the body stumped inside, the ulna and radius had deep nicks into it. She slide inside the car, the springs in the seat groaned, and poked up thru the diminishing leather. She took out her seven inch black blade, comparing them to it, but noticed that the wounds in the bone were weathered. Frowning she looked up to Bernie. "It isn't metal, by the looks of it; it looks like an animal...and more than one."

Bernie's tanned face paled greatly, she pushed her finger in to her ear. "Marcus you need to come see this." Bernie's eyes looked back to the body next to El. The meat was still rotting off it, and it was slumped over like it was trying to reach for the door. 'Poor woman I wonder if any one realizes you're out here. This isn't a way for any one to go.'

Elaine looked over the car, frowning as she bent over the front seat divide, as she saw another body of a child huddled on the floor board, the horror on the little face. She then looked up to the windows, seeing the spider webbing crack. Sliding back out, making sure she didn't brush up against the springs. Looking to Bernie then to the forest on either side. She shook her head as she fought the urge to puke,

Marcus ran up as Elaine's body was bent over dry heaving, Bernie pointed inside the car. "Fresh ones too..."

His brow shot up, the smell attacking his senses then looked to Bernie. "Rats?"

Elaine stood up as she regained her composure. "No the bite is bigger. I think it might of even caused the cracks in the windows. But I don't want to be here after dark to find out."

He nodded, "Pick up the pace or we will end up having to walk in the dark."

Bernie frowned as she went to check on the tanks, seeing if there was any fuel they could pilfer out when El looked back at the car. "Fenix there might be a weigh station up ahead..." She looked back to him as he was about to say something. "Not the kind with the emulsion jockey. Its like a safe point for travelling between the settlements."

He nodded, looking to the body in the front seat, as he started to walk on to the next rusted out car, he noticed the kid. When he went to go ask El, she was already moving on to the next car; helping Bernie move it out of their path.

The process took a bit, they got enough emulsion for a Jerry can. Enough to get them to half way to Fort Armistice. Elaine climbing up on the dill again next to Dom. They drove on as the wind started to sway the trees around. Dom looked uneasy at Elaine while they bumped down on the road. The smell of a roaring storm wafted along now, the sickening taste of sulphur at the back of their throats as the first clap of thunder rang out.

As the sky continued to darken, the dill bounded thru the darkness. After the first piercing shrieks after the thunder, Dom looked at El, and she looked at him. "Uh...Baird can you move this piece of shit faster?" It was a familiar sound to Dom when he met Franklin the Junker stranded.

"Yah, why?"

"Oh no reason, just some kryll want us to pull over and say hi."

"KRYLL?"

Elaine looked at Dom. "Is there an echo in there?"

"Shit. Shit. Shit." Baird shouted as they veered out of the way of a dead car. "Hold on tight." As he slammed his foot on the accelerator.

"He's kidding right?" Elaine shouted at Dom as he gripped what ever she could while on the top of the dill. Her inky dresses knotting and whipping around her face. Her steel blue eyes whipped back and forth thru the now darkened road way. Trying to find where the shrieks kept coming from.

"Whats that?" Anya shouted from the back seat, pointing forward.

Elaine turned slightly to see the lights in the distance, the rain started to fall painfully in sheets all around as the wind started to blow harder. As she tried to turn back around, her boot slipped from its foot hold, sliding down as she frantically grabbed on to the door, trying to put her foot some where instead of it hanging dangerously close to the wheel well. "Baird pull in there."

"What?" He looked over his shoulder as he saw her hanging there for dear life. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

She growled as Cole grabbed on to her chest plate. "Oh I thought that it wasn't a dangerous enough ride that I would hang precariously off the side of the dill. Now just drive!"

As they approached the way point the shrieks of the kryll got louder, the beating of their wings was evident now. Baird steered left on to the dimly lit road. El's hand grabbed for Cole's arm as the rain made everything including her slick. She looked at him as she flew away from the dill. Landing hard on her side.

"EL!"

The dill halted with a jarring stop, Dom jumped down from the dill running down back towards the darkness. Baird tried to turn over the stalled engine. Hitting the steering wheel, he got out racing behind Dom. Bernie and the others stood there. As the two came to the end of the light, a line of bullets stopped them in their tracks.

"Don't cross that line."

El caught her breathe as she snapped back to reality. Her side hurt, 'but at least I fell into some mud.' Sitting up slowly she could hear the wings get closer. "Aw fuck." She muttered, pushing herself up. The mud slide down her form coating what ever parts weren't already. She tried to move quickly but the mud sucked her boots under, holding them there tightly. Causing her to fall.. "Elaine?" She heard over the ear piece as she pulled herself up again. This time she moved slowly. ' I don't want to become kryll slaw. Oh please, let a miracle happen right now.'

Baird paced back and forth, watching Elaine's barely visible form in the dark. 'C'mon El, get up. Get up.'

A yellow spotlight shone on her as the voice called out. "When we move the spot light you have to run. If you don't they we apologize that we can not help you." The heavy accent made it hard to understand but she nodded. "Move NOW!"

Elaine didn't need to be told twice as she pushed herself in to a dead run, her boots slide on the ground as she moved with the light, she could feel the kryll beat down, then change their trajectory from the light. The swarm's beating wings rushed with a whoosh sound. El didn't dare look behind her as she forged forward, the spotlight was starting to flicker as she moved, her left boot slide off her as she moved thru a bog. ' Don\t stop! Don't stop!' She thought as the light started to dwindle.

Delta stood there, calling and cheering her on, their voices seemed to mix together with the noise of the kryll and storm. Elaine grunted as she jumped over the last meal the kryll had. She fell again, growling as she pushed herself up again, kicking off the remaining boot that was twisted in vines and mud. Barefoot, tired, wet and muddy Elaine looked up fearful she wasn't going to make it.

Baird couldn't do anything but stand there and watch. He felt helpless, as she had made it already three quarters of the way, the light was dieing. As he watched her, she crossed the last bit, now back on the road she could feel her lungs burning, and her legs were ready to give out from under her. She could see the light flicker again.

Bernie stood a ways back, watching the lily pad hop with El and the light. 'El you can do it. Don't stop now.'I

"I'd hurry now lass we have only a bit more light to give." The voice shouted out.

Nodding she dove at the light where every one was standing. The rain slowed as she rammed into Baird, feeling the warmth of his arms clasp around her, keeping her from falling. Panting hard she looked up. Baird smiled at her as he helped her stand up.

"Lets go see who we have to thank." Marcus called out.

The squad moved up the road. Cole and Baird worked at the dill, getting it further up the way. El looked at her feet as she wiped away the mud off her face as they went up to the station. Arching a brow as it looked more like a shanty town with various chains, and ropes hanging between the lean to's and dilapidated sheds. It had one main over hang, and one building that was in reasonable repair. There were lights every where; some outside lights,were strung, and there were some lamps.

Under one of the lights across from a conservation tower that the spot light was stood a big, burly man, he had a grizzled face, and two scars running from the left side of his forehead near the temple to down across the bridge of his nose, to the jawbone on the right side of his face. He seemed to be dressed in clothes that were a bit tight for him except the brown duster.

"I see the lass made it." He called out.

Elaine nodded some as she finally caught her breathe as Marcus spoke up. "Yah thanks." They clasped each others hands, sizing each other up. Sand nodded, and gestured with his head that they should move further inside where the light was warm.

"What brings the C.O.G. Out this far?"

Marcus smirked slightly. "Trying to see who is left. But I didn't expect to find kryll still alive after the light mass bomb."

Sand nodded again as they were lead to a area with several armed men waiting for them. "Kryll are the least of your problems at this moment."

Elaine cleared her throat as she stood behind them. "Cally."

One of Sand's companions lowered his rifle. Sand just turned around and looked at her. "So I see you have a tour guide."

Marcus watched as the others lowered their guns, "Yah."

Sand made a gesture as the men moved out. He looked to Marcus. "Sorry but we need to make a living even out here. And some of these folk aren't exactly hospitable."

Marcus nodded as he walked along side with Sand, "I heard something like that."

He nodded gesturing for Marcus and the others to join him under the one lean too. "I am sorry that we had to shoot the line but if you go running, krill have a tendency to eviscerate anything in the dark. And we don't like having to shovel their shit."

"We've had our own run ins on the main land with the kryll. Just thought they were all wiped out." Anya spoke up.

Sand looked at her as if she were a meal fit for devouring as Bernie noticed this she moved close to Anya. 'I don't think so buddy, you can put those eyes back in your head. I got my eye on you.' The group seemed to be off doing their own things while Sand tried to entertain them as best as he could. Considering what was just said.

"They come out only just before a nasty storm. They get enough food from the cliffs. This was a small hunting party."

"Great love to see where the rest of them had reservations." Baird shifted his stance a bit.

Sand gave Baird a odd look then laughed. "Well with our luck all we need is some razor hail."

Marcus nodded though his blue eyes looked up to the sky then back to Sand. "Lets hope not."

~~~/~~~

Baird and Cole walked up to the lean too that Elaine was in, washing the mud away. Grumbling. "I had mud in places that I didn't know you could get mud in." Turning when she heard the sly chuckle. Pulling a towel over herself as she sat down and grabbing her old armour with a frown.

"How are you holding up?" Cole asked as Baird sat down handing off a ration bar.

Elaine wanted to shrug but it looked like a weird body twitch. She grasped her side then took the bar. Settling down next to Baird. "In one piece."

Cole chuckled as he picked up her cracked chest piece of her armour. "I hadn't seen some one take a fall like that since my last championship in thrash ball baby." Then he looked at her with a slight frown. "Sorry I couldn't keep a grip on you."

Elaine smiled, shaking her head softly. "Cole I wouldn't expect any one to have a good hold on me with the rain coming down as it is. It happens." She opened the wrapper, biting in to the bar with disgust. "Ugh.." Forcing herself a mouthful in her mouth, she grabbed her armour piece from Cole, checking it along the side.

Baird got up, leaving the two alone as she looked to Cole with a raised brow. "He was worried about you."

She nodded, and sighed. "This puts a hamper in things."

Cole nodded, "Yah, hey what does the whole Cally thing mean?"

Elaine looked around, making sure none of the owners were lurking. Then set down her armour piece. "Cally was his daughter. One of the drifters between the settlements told us what word to use. It keeps you safe. Each place is different, keeps you from getting robbed, tortured, raped, etc." She smiled.

"Good thing we have you with us then El. You're like a lucky charm for Delta." Patting her arm he made his way over to Marcus and Dom. Leaving El to shake her head and finish off the awful tasting bar.

She looked up as Baird came up with her C.O.G. Armour, handing it off to her. Then sat next to her. "Told you it might be useful."

She laughed with a nod, wincing as she grabbed her side again. "Yah. But don't make me laugh." Then smiled to him, 'He was really worried about me?Why?'

Baird looked at her worried, "sorry about that." He sat down next to her. 'I am so much better with my hands than talking.' He ran a nervous hand thru his blonde hair. ' I should of been paying more attention then we wouldn't of had to see El run like that either. Geez.'

She shook her head as she stood up. "About that? Baird you saved our lives, by driving like a maniac." She ducked behind a dark purple curtain with black strips on it, sewn to a red one. Her shadow revealing that she was getting dressed in to the new armour. She could barely breathe wondering if she was a good luck charm at all. Between the board smashing in to her chest, and the flying lesson from the dill.

Coming back out she sat back next to Baird. "Do you got a knife?"

Nodding as he took out the one from the sheath in his armour. Handing it to her handle first, remaining silent as she pulled her old set close, the point dug in to the left plate. Lifting it slowly, she set the knife at her feet, pulling out her trinkets she kept close to her heart.

"Whats that?" Baird looked curiously.

She smiled some then looked sad. "A letter I promised to give back to the writer if I saw her again outside the hollow. And a picture of me." She looked at Baird, handing off the picture.

He smiled seeing a bright eyed, younger version of Elaine. She was sitting on a medical slab table, in a white outfit. 'Hard to believe Elaine ever smiled. She seems happy there. I wonder if she thought her life would be this messed up.' Her hair was braided down her back, it seemed to be a sterile lab, and there was a woman standing next to her. But he couldn't make out who it was. Just that she was wearing a ornate design on her skirt, and a dressier shirt. He nodded turning it over seeing the cursive writing. 'Elaine.' He handed it back to her as she tucked the two items into her armour. Discarding the old.

"You were a cute kid." She gave him the please don't tell me I was cute look. He nodded slowly as he looked around then back to her as she handed back his knife.

"Thanks."

Baird nodded, rising up; holding a hand out to her. "C'mon lets go see whats happening."

Elaine took it, rising up in front of him as she smiled. The pair walking off to the rest of the group under multiple lean to's. Deep in her own thoughts. 'Why would he be so worried? He's an odd one. One minute hes calling the stranded parasites because they don't join a cause that seems to be more a danger than the locusts or the pirates. And next hes nice to me and saying the same people he put down one minute are Survivors after I had corrected him how many times.'

~~~/~~~

As the rain kept pattering down, Delta spread themselves under the covers; there was tension in the air as Baird continued tinkering with the Dill, trying to make sure it didn't flood or stall again when they leave in the morning. He grunted as he cleaned out the intake, then started going over everything under the hood when Elaine walked up with some coffee for him. Chuckling softly as he started to hit random things with the wrench. "C'mon ..." Baird turned to see Elaine smiling at him.

"Did you try sweet talking it?" Handing off the coffee to him in a small peace offering.

His fingers brushed hers as he lifted the cup carefully, setting it down on the roof of the dill. Nodding some as he looked up at her, leaning against the side. "Yeah but I think I lost my touch."

She scoffed as she walked closer, "that's hard to believe." She reached in side the engine cavity checking the hoses and then looked at him. Seeing him smiling. "What?"

Baird moved his hand over hers, pulling her close to him. His light blue eyes stared in to hers almost if searching for something, she was intoxicating. Her smell of nature and axle grease made him smile more. Shaking his head as he moved his hand to her lower back, holding her in place with a loose hug. She bite on her lower lip as her one hand played with his C.O.G. Tag and the other rested on his shoulder. "El..." He one hand moved up to her chin, his thumb softly stroking along her jawline. "El look at me." He whispered.

Her eyes drifted up his features, linger at his lips then straight as his eyes. She smiled weakly. Leaning slowly in to each other, their lips barely touching. "Don't touch my dam dill again." Elaine blinked as tried to step back out of his arms. But he pulled her back, his hand entwined into her tresses, his other hand at the small of her back holding her in front of him.'Might as well takes Cole's advice and plunge in. Whats the worst she can do, kill me? If it ain't her, it will be the left overs.'

His lips brushed lightly on hers, slowly she warmed to him her arms wrapped themselves around his neck, their armour brushing against each other as he slowly deepened the kiss. His tongue playing at her lips, trying to gain entry. Her eyes went wide as they slowly parted. His tongue rubbing against hers as he tasted her, sweet and warm.

Elaine shivered as she kissed him back, she could hear her heart racing as her tongue danced with his between their two mouths. Closing her eyes as she felt his other hand slide up the length of her body, then resting opposite of the other as they cupped her face. He was intoxicating to her as her brain scrambled for thought, slowly their kiss broke away, with soft kisses linger after wards.

As their kissed slowed, their eyes opened and staring deeply into each others as they heard some one clear their throat behind them. Elaine's eyes went huge as she dropped her arms, Baird lingering for a moment longer, then stood there.

Her cheeks were bright red as she stumbled back a few steps walking in to a pile of broken crates. "Um... yah." Turning on her heel, quickly marching towards where Dom was sitting a few yards away.

Bernie cradled her rifle closer to her as she looked down her nose at Baird; giving him the motherly stare. "Enjoying yourself Blondie?" Her right brow seemed to arch higher up as she glared at Baird, feeling the urge to protect the woman of Delta from inside as well as outside distractions. 'Try it Blondie I may have punched you once for being an ass but I will kick your ass royally if you think I am going to let you lead Elaine around, taking advantage of her naiveness, and innocence towards men.'

Baird cleared his throat, claiming his cooled down coffee. Nodding. "Huh?" Sipping his drink even though it was cold now; trying to avoid Bernie's darkening stare. 'Oh shit, how long was Bernie standing there. Why is she looking at me like that. It was a kiss. It wasn't like I was checking her valves or lubing the shaft. Quick Baird get back to work, make it look like you are busy.'

"Mm hmm ... just treat her good Blondie... or I will have to make myself some nice Baird skin glove liners." Nodding as she walked off chuckling.

~~~/~~~

Dom looked up at Elaine as she sat down, he was looking at Maria's picture again. Then he went to put away again. She smiled weakly as she caught the image as the wheels in her mind wondered why she looked familiar. Pulling out the picture from its hiding spot. Staring at the image as the woman was so faded, her face paled a bit, it felt like a blow to her stomach.

He looked at her oddly, then at her picture. He couldn't believe it. There was Maria, his Maria with Elaine. Carefully taking the image from Elaine's hands. 'What was she doing there? Why was she with Elaine. Where are they? That's my Maria, smiling. Did she even know I was looking for her? Why did she leave?"

Elaine watched him, the pain washing on his face, his hand flexed, Dom looked up at her. He was quiet for a few minutes until he spoke slowly thru gritted teeth; "How did you know Maria Elaine?"

She frowned, looking to her hands, they clasped each other tightly. Licking at her upper lip nervously she sighed. "She was the one who took care of me down in the hollow Dom." She looked at him. "I don't remember anything before the hollow besides a endless test." She swallowed hard.

"What happened? Why wasn't she with you when he escaped?" He growled out. Dropping her picture as he held up his hand with both fists.

Elaine watched him for a minute, she didn't want to relive that memory; "She was taken away." Holding up a hand to stop Dom from asking. She felt her throat close as she closed her eyes. "I wasn't co operating with the Locusts. So he took her away to punish me."

"Who?"

Her nails started digging into her flesh, causing pain to ripple thru. "Skorrge. HE allowed her to stay because I would do what ever to keep her safe." She shook a bit as the tears fell down her cheeks. But she didn't dare move. Her mind kept drifting back to the dank, dangerous underground of the hollow. She could still smell the rot, and wetness of the lair. The cold iron that they used to keep her in place. "I failed. I should of listened. Just did what I was told to." Shaking her head trying to dislodge the feeling of helplessness that was threatening to wash over her. "That's how they broke me."

Dome looked at her. He was a bit confused, he was angry still, jealous at the fact she was with Maria before she was destroyed inside and out. She was long gone when he found her. Elaine had those memories of her smiles, her voice, her laughter. "What did they do ..."

Elaine opened her eyes, her hands opened slowly, there was a strange after feeling as she wiped her eyes. " To Maria I don't know. But its not just berserkers that they rape. Dom I didn't think that it was her at first. I'm sorry." She reached grabbing her picture, trading it for the letter. Holding out to Dom. "This is yours." She rose up before he took the letter. Elaine let it just fall.

Dom's fists tightened, his body so wound up he glared at the fire. Finally he picked up the letter. He ran his fingers over her writing on the letters surface before unfolding it. "Elaine remember your promise!" He spoke softly, then opened the letter.

Dom,

I don't know if you will receive this from me or from Elaine. Please don't be mad at me for leaving. I couldn't be in that sterile house any more. And I couldn't go home. To keep reliving those emotions over and over again. I miss them Dom. I miss Benny and Sylvia. I know it was something that happened. And that I didn't handle it well, I still don't. I dream about them every night. Some times I swear I could hear them too.

At first I thought I would be able to find them, Adam Fenix found me wandering the streets not far from our home. He brought me to a facility, so that he could keep a closer eye on me. But he wasn't ever around. This is where I found Elaine. She didn't have any one Dom, she was all alone. There's something about her that Adam was obsessed over. It wasn't a life for any kid to live.

I know I promised not to do anything stupid Dom, but for once since E day I feel like I am doing something right by our kids I love you Dom, I always will. And if this finds you after I have died please promised me that you will find some way back to me.

Always with you

Maria

He broke down, the letter fell from his shaking hand. He cried, Maria was his life. But what life was it to live with out her there? He felt robbed, and he let it out, getting up he started to punch the wall nearest to him. He didn't know what to believe in now. Stopping as his moment of clarity reached its apex, he strode back to the letter. Ripping the last part of the letter, tossing the first portion of the letter into the fire. Tucking it inside the baggie with the pictures of Carlos, the kids, his parents, and Maria. "I'll find a way back to you Maria this life or the next."

~~~/~~~

"I'm fine Marcus." Dom gruffed out he climbed up on the dill.

Marcus looked at him oddly, he could tell Dom was upset about something new. Dom had been making progress coming back after having to help Maria find a end. He just didn't seem like himself now. The weight of the world rested on his brother's shoulders. Shaking his head. "Fine."

"Marcus it seems that Sands' group had moved out this morning. No clear indication as to where they were going." Anya stated.

"This day keeps getting better and better."

Bernie smirked, hoisting up on top of the dill. "All the more reason to get to the Fort."

Marcus nodded as he looked up. "Everyone move out."

Elaine slide into the dill, she remained quiet since last night, a feeling of dread washed over her, and the realization that she was opening herself up too fast, and to far than she had ever before. Resting her hammer burst nose down. She slouched forward staring at the floor boards lost in thought. The rocking of the dill lulling her slowly asleep till her eye lids couldn't fight to stay open.

"Maria please understand that this is my life's work. A way for Sera to recover with some measure of hope." A blurred figure stated confidently as he his figure slowly came to shape.

She could hear the rustle of fabric, then a tug at the restraints. "She's just a child. A child Mr. Fenix that you are succumbing to torture. You're no better than the locusts!" The female voice shouted at him, the same comforting voice she has always heard in the middle of the night.

"Maria please. Understand this is the only way."

Elaine blinked her, trying to focus her eyes under the blinding light. A slow whine escaped her lips as she tried to twist her arms free from being hugged so tightly against her sides. The faint beeps from a machine echoed in her head. "Uh," She groaned out, trying to move, the jarring feeling like something was under her skin, it was hurting.

Maria's fingers feel to the ties, quickly undoing thing from Elaine's chest. "Ssh its okay sweetheart." Helping Elaine up, Maria wrapped her hand around her. Hugging tightly as she glared up at Adam Fenix. "She's a child Adam. A child!"

"M... M... Maria?" Elaine whispered as she felt her arms freed, moving slowly as if their was weights on them. Wiping the sleep from her eyes. Her body had a tidal wave of tingles through out. She whimpered again holding tightly on to Maria.

"Ssh sweet heart. You're okay. Ssh." Maria brushed her fingers thru Elaine's hair. "Honey, honey; you're hurting me." Maria felt the sharp embrace grow tighter and tighter around her neck, Maria's hands when to try to pull Elaine's arms away.

"Elaine. Release Maria."

Elaine's arms slacked, then fell to her sides. She looked fearful at Adam who was standing there like he always had. The white lab coat, with the brown strip down the left side. His yellow badge, and receding hair line. This time he had the tray ready with several different needles. He had that pointed look for a moment as Elaine stared at his hand then him. Pushing the metal tray aside. He nodded.

Maria looked at him in disgust. "You treat her like she's a lab rat." It didn't phase her the strength in little girls arms. Maria quickly undid the rest of the straps across Elaine's legs. Then she started to pull out the I.V. s from Elaine's bicep.

"Maria, you're too emotionally attached at the idea she's a child." His hands flew to stop her. There was a trickle of blood already at the I.V. Sight. Sighing in defeat. "Maria if I let her stay awake will you let me do this?" Adam looked at her, his eyes pleading. He truly believed whatever Elaine was, she could help Sera.

Maria looked to Elaine. Then back to Adam. Nodding softly with a cold glare. "Fine, but no more dangerous tests Adam or I will find a way to get her out of here."

Elaine looked at Maria who walked out of the room, then to Adam. He pulled out the I.V. As gently as he could. He was angry at not being able to keep Elaine in a deep sleep for longer. But he understood the need Maria had. As each electrode came off Elaine felt a bit freer.

Folding up her arms on the pale blue hospital gown Elaine stared at Adam. "Why am I so special?"

Adam blinked at her, he studied her for several years. She wasn't much; a scraggly, average, lanky child. Her hair had been braided tightly, resting against her back. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of steely blue. She was pale from the lack of outside time. He regarded the question over and over. 'Why is she special.' There had been silence as he brought his hand to his mouth. Looking studios, nodding. "because there is no one else like you." He nodded again. Then left the room.

Elaine looked around at the strange sterile room. Machines lined the far wall, a computer and numerous pieces of loose papers littered a desk. Throwing her legs over the side of the metal slab table, she slide to the floor with a loud thud. Her legs weren't working, they didn't want to move. Her hands grabbed on the table, pulling herself up slightly as she focused on getting her legs to work.

Maria was in the supply room trying to find Elaine something more suitable to wear. Grabbing a pair of white scrubs. Then a pair of normal running shoes when Adam stormed past. She smirked, pleasantly pleased with herself. Then hurried back to Elaine. Finding her using the table to walk around half bent over trying to push herself. Maria tried to help her.

"No. I want to do it."

Nodding as Maria watched her slowly get better before falling on the floor tired. Too tired to fight against the mother hen disposition Maria assumed. Helping her dress properly in to the scrubs. Showing her how to tie the running shoes.

Adam returned to see Maria and Elaine on the floor, sitting there talking. Maria looked frazzled at the complex questions. 'Why are you here? Where is your family? Where is his family? Why does he hate me so much?' He looked perplexed at the complexities Elaine had to of learnt while sleeping. He slowly entered, carefully helping Maria up. Then lifted up Elaine, sitting her back on the table.

Before Maria could object he pulled out a camera. It had been the first time Maria seem to smile, as he snapped the picture, Maria was already helping Elaine up, and walk out the sterile room. Looking to the image he seemed to smile. "I wish I had spent more time with my own son." As soon as the image was dry, he wrote on the back. 'Elaine.'

Elaine woke up with a sheen of sweat on her face. Running her hand over her face, she sat back. Setting the hammer burst in to the mesh tie backs. Her eyes lazily looked around then focused on Baird. A small smirk crossed her features. Then her eyes closed again. 'Maybe he can prove that there is a reason to fight for a right cause, maybe he can prove not everything has a motive that is one sided. Maybe is a long ways away though.'

Cole looked up to see Elaine wake up for a instant then shift back in to the chair. Drifting away again. Shaking his head as he looked around. Anya was too busy trying to co ordinate a link to get back to Hoffman on the other island. Marcus closed his eyes slightly deep in thought. Baird caught Elaine looking at him in a reflection. He couldn't help but smile to himself as they continued to drive on the barren road driving around any of the obstacles left.

Night came, long after the picture was taken. Long after Elaine learnt how to read, and write. Maria taught her how to take care of herself. Adam vanished, and a new doctor had taken over Elaine's experimentation, concluding that the tests need to test various things including some aspects that Maria couldn't bare to go thru again. It took her three long years to plan and map their escape.

"Elaine time to wake up."

"Nuh."

"Elaine wake up. We have to go."

It was the urgency in her voice that caused Elaine to awake from sleeping. Rubbing her eyes as Maria finished writing something, folding it up with the picture. Tucking it in to a simple backpack for Elaine. "Maria whats wrong?"

She looked to the now teenaged Elaine. Taking her cheek in hand. "C'mon we have to leave now. Its not safe for you here."

Elaine blinked at Maria's statement. "What about Adam?"

Maria frowned. "We are going to meet him." She lied. She had to get Elaine from there. There was something in her blood that the C.O.G. Doctors wanted to extract out by any means necessary. Helping Elaine from bed they went down a long shadowy corridor as a few of the technicians were leaving. Hiding from them, Maria turned to Elaine. "What ever happens Elaine you are going to run. Do you got me. RUN."

Elaine nodded a bit afraid of how Maria was acting. Then they slipped thru on of the windows, dropping to the ground. Missing the yard lights, they moved quickly between vehicles and sheds from the compound. In the distance they could hear the low whine of a fog horn.

Maria tugged her hand as the smell of fish and sea mixed together, kicking dust as they skidded from one hiding spot to the next, not to far from the gates and lines for the boat. It was heading back to the inland. That was where Maria decided to go. Not to another island. But to find Dom. He would know what to do. Maria knew she couldn't play house anymore. It wasn't her intent to act like a Mother to Elaine but Elaine was all that she had at the moment.

Elaine turned her head slightly as she could hear the shouts from ominous building. It seemed to bare down on her like in her night mares. It seemed so much smaller from the inside. Worriedly she looked back at Maria as they ran for the gates. The sounds of the canines barking in their kennels and the sounds of a army massing behind them.

They passed the gates as they started to close. Those left behind they were searching trying to find the escape test subject. Maria snugged Elaine next to her, forcing Elaine to bow her height so they weren't recognized as they boarded the gang plank. "They won't hurt you now."

Elaine looked back as she heard the cries from those that they cut ahead of. They walked with the crowd to the deck. It was water all around her, as Elaine leaned against the rail, her shoulder length hair swayed in the wind as she down cast her eyes to the water. Something lurked there.

The week it took to trek across the water to the inland passed relatively easily. Maria had seemed to fall in to a haze as they waited to touch land again. Elaine found it so interesting, the outside world. Never having spent much time out in it, Elaine talked to much of the stranded and soldiers who enlisted to help in the fight against the locusts. But when Elaine was asked where her and her mother were going she never had an answer. She was warned not to draw attention to herself. Just to nod and shrug.

Once on land in Jacinto, they continued to trek on. Finding a stranded group. The mutterings between people were.. "Keep ahead of the horde."

Elaine opened her eyes as they slowed to a stop again, sweat trickled down her neck as she hopped out. Repeating the same process of trying to find the fuel, move the cars that were blocking the way and avoid getting killed. As she moved out a bit further than the other with the Jerry can and a syphon Marcus marched up.

His thudding boots and the smell of clean after the rain were too much. Turning around as she felt being pushed back against a car. Her eyes went wide staring up at Marcus, pushing his hand off her. "What?"

He glared down at her, his hand didn't falter on holding on to her armour. "What did you say to Dom?"

She blinked, 'he was upset over the fact I know Maria.' She cleared her throat, noting that every one else was further away that they couldn't hear it. 'Most likely out of respect for Dom' She tried to straighten up from where she was pinned. "Nothing."

Marcus growled at her. His fist clenched. "It wasn't nothing. I'll ask it one more time..."

"Maria. Alright." She pushed him off her. Watching him as her body went in to a fighting stance, her feet sliding out to be shoulder length, her knees bending slowly to lower her centre of gravity. Marcus stood straight, if her eyes didn't look like they were ready to kill he wouldn't of noticed her change.

"What about..."

She watched him closely. Her lip curled up as she slower her breathing. "I knew her."Marcus stopped, looking at Elaine with regard. Silence passed between them as well as heated looks. He went to open his mouth but she cut him off. "All of my awake life ... drop it."She kicked the Jerry can away from her, then walked away dropping the syphon on the hood of the car. Her muscles were rigid, she was an intolerable disaster most days even to herself.

"El where you going?"

She looked at Marcus. "Shopping."

Her flippant attitude was grating, but she needed Delta as much as they needed her. "El why can't you answer a question straight? "

She tossed her head back as both hands went thru her hair. "Because if I think of my past it becomes harder to live for the future. Alright... I am a walking test subject. Marcus." She looked at him. 'Why am I trying to protect his feelings? Should I care.' Her hands grabbed fistfuls of hair and tugged, the pain brought her back. "She was the one who was there when your father treated me like a gawd damn lab rat. She was the one who got me out of the sterile room. She was the reason I kept fighting instead of dieing in the Hollow. Maria was the one person who I trusted."

He doubled back, the venom in her words as she shouted at him drudged up a painful past with his father; or the lack of. But the fact remained she relied on Maria. She was the last one to see her alive. He was silent. He didn't know what to ask. He wanted to defend his father, he believed though absent, and a liar; that overall Adam Fenix was a good man.

She stood there, about to say something when Dom came up. He had been close enough to hear her shouting at Marcus. Looking between the two. Hurt marred his face. Shaking his head. "You and you grow up." He pointed to each in turn. Then turned to El. "What ever Adam Fenix did to you, was him not Marcus doing it. So stop acting the way you have been to him. The sins of the father don't pass to his son." Then he turned to Marcus. "And your going in guns a blazing routine doesn't get answers all the time. And another thing stop treating me like a special case all of you." He picked up the Jerry can tossing it at El. "Just find some damn fuel so we can get to the Fort. Hoffman will want a report soon or he'll end up shoving his foot up our asses."

Elaine caught the Jerry can, shaking her head as she moved to grab the syphon. Walking away as she felt embarrassed about being lectured by Dom. He was right, Marcus wasn't Adam but it was hard not to hate. Sighing she went to work.

Marcus stood there he felt embarrassed for a moment, then turned as Anya walked up. "Everything okay Marcus?" She asked with genuine concern.

Sighing. "Yah." And turned walking off.

Anya stood there, shaking her head, when Jack reappeared again. He was whirring and beeping. Turning to face it. She noticed the screen folded out. Tilting her head as the static cleared and a image appeared.

"Sir we have contact with Delta."

"Good," The weathered voice said approvingly. Then the older man appeared on screen, taking off his hat, rubbing a hand over the closely shaved head. "Delta, Hoffman here. Where in sam's hell have you been?"

"Sir, we are en route to the Fort." Anya stood at attention.

Victor Hoffman nodded. "Good to hear. Several weeks have gone by, we were worried that you had met the same fates as the scouting teams."

Anya nodded for a moment. "Almost Sir. We have our few troubles." She went on to explain the situation at hand including their head to head with stranded pirates and straggling locusts. And Elaine.

"You have your orders Lieutenant. Hoffman out."

~~~/~~~

By the time they reached another settlement the squad was tired. Dom had shut down again, staying silent. Marcus had a constant eye on Elaine; which made Anya quite uncomfortable. When they finally were able to sit down, their meager meal of ration bars and island fruits met with silence and grumbles going from one side to the next.

"So... " Anya drawled out, Elaine's brow perked up; giving her a leave me alone look. "Elaine?"

Sighing heavily, Elaine wrapped up the rest of her meal, tucking it away for when she had piece and quiet. "Yes Anya?" Looking up at her thru her inky tresses.

Anya gave a weak smile, wringing her hands. "Is there any thing going on between you and Marcus?" She looked between the woman and the distant man she pinned for over the years. 'Please let it be my over active imagination.'

Elaine choked on what she was eating, coughing and sputtering till Cole hit her on the back. "Seriously Anya?" She nodded to Cole then looked back to a blushing Anya. "Oh gawd No. Oh HELL no!" Elaine shook her head, then cringed. "Seriously?"

"You said that." Cole added.

Anya sighed and nodded. Feeling sheepish over her overly active imagination. "Sorry, I..."

El's hand shot up with a laugh. "Anya I wouldn't tread on some one else's man. And I wouldn't go after Marcus." She nodded with a impish chuckle. Her eyes danced at a distant thought, her fingers touched her lips.

Anya grinned brightly. "Uh huh... as I see... "

Cole laughed. "That's why Baird has been smiling lately."

Elaine looked up her face and ears went bright red. She sat up straight and squared her shoulders. Trying to be nonchalant, "I have no clue what the two of you are talking about."

Anya looked at her with a knowing look, before Cole laughed again. "Uh huh... and I am the locust queen."

Elaine looked at him then tilted her heard. "You're too tall and I don't think you would look good in that weird buggy dress." She heard a few laughs but her eyes and attention drifted to Baird standing off with some of the survivors. She held up a hand in a small wave, then looked back to Anya and Cole watching her. "Yah yah you're majesty."

Marcus watched Baird for a moment after Elaine waved. Shaking his head. "Just remember the mission Baird." Then walked off. 'Shes just trouble waiting to happen.'

Baird had waved back to Elaine then looked to Marcus oddly. Shaking his head, striding over to sit next to Elaine. Bumping his leg against hers. Anya got up, chuckling as she went off to go talk to Marcus. Cole, rested back trying to get some sleep, murmuring "Mm hmm don't act like I didn't know what I was talking about."

Elaine smiled up to Baird, then propped up her head on her head. His hand took her arm closest to him, running his fingers lightly over her skin as he watched her.

~~~/~~~

Anya watched as Bernie nodded to Marcus then left. Smiling to him, striding to his side. "Marcus?"

He gruffed for a moment then nodded to Anya. His stoic features never change or twitched, but his eyes seemed more at ease. "Yah Anya?"

She smiled softly to him. "Hows Dom?"

He shook his head, letting his shoulders sagged. "I don't know Anya." He looked worried at her. Seeing her nod softly, then feeling her hand rest on his shoulder. Even with the carbolic soap smell, he could smell the soft fragrance she always wore. Touching her cheek lightly. 'I don't know what I would do with out you.' She felt his fingers gently caress her cheek, Her hand resting atop of his. Leaning into her he kissed her forehead softly then walked off.

Anya felt defeated, 'I wish you would let me in Marcus. Tell me what you've been hiding.' Running a shaky hand thru her hair, she decided to walk off. Trying to pick thru her own thoughts. As she walked along Anya realized that there was some one following her in the shadows in between the moveable shanties. Her hand falling to her side arm, she calmly kept pace, keeping her senses sharp in case.

As Anya moved a bit faster, trying to keep up with the shadow watching her, her stomach knotted, pitching and rolling at the thought some one was there. 'I should go back to the others. I don't know why I am trying to catch this person.' She slowed down as her surroundings had changed drastically with in moments as she followed the shadow thru the settlement. Now she was standing where the houses crowded together, the tall trees on other side, and the sounds of children at play.

Her heart kicked up a notch as she turned on her heel, there were several shadows now lurking. Taking a slow breath in thru her nose, holding it, then releasing it thru her mouth she started back down the way she came. The thuds of several foot falls fell behind her. She could feel the pressure build in her ears as she went to run, a hand reaching out and grabbing her arm. Stopping her fleet of foot escape.

By the time she turned around, a scream ruptured the serene stillness. She was face to face with who was lurking at her. 'Oh Marcus where are you.'