Chapter 4

Ok I know this has taken FOREVER but here is the long awaited chapter 4. Thank you Babylon for keeping me going. I really have been trying, but sometimes there are….distractions and not the good kind. Thanks for listening to me rant about some things as well. The chapter wasn't supposed to be as long, but I ended up adding more to it. Man I was so lucky today! Almost lost my folder that held my story! I had left it in the eating area at work and spent the last almost 2 hours continue working without it. I didn't know I didn't have it till the very end of my shift. Boy was I lucky!

Well…..hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4

It was only a short time since he had awoke, but Adam found himself growing fond of the people around him. Even Rob was beginning to like him.

The feeling of not belonging was beginning to fade now and soon Adam was forgetting about the people who might be looking for him, even the dreams about the pretty women with the dark hair was beginning to fade.

It was late evening as he left the forest from a long day of clearing out trees. Another storm had hit the night before, taking out several homes. Since he just happened to be a quick healer, and he had no pain, Adam was out with the men, helping them in any way he could.

"Come on." Rob said, slapping him on the back. "Maria is making some really good dinner tonight."

Even though he normally didn't have any pain, that slap caused pain to shoot through his body and he hissed in pain.

"Sorry."

"No worries." Adam straightened up. "Dinner sounds good. If she's not done by the time we get there I'll help out."

"Nah. Don't worry about it. You've done enough work out there."

Adam removed his sweat drenched shirt and used it to wipe the remaining sweat off his forehead. "I'm starved."

Rob laughed. "Me too."

Tucking a small portion of his shirt in the back of his pants, he walked shirtless beside Rob through the small village they called home.

Adam was Rob's height, but a little more muscular. His blond hair was longer now, almost to his shoulders giving him a surfer look, but his body had a different story to tell. His muscular body was covered in scars which told the story of his long forgotten past.

As they walked, many of the women would stop to watch Adam walk by and several would giggle and whisper to one another on how cute Adam looked, but he never seemed to notice.

"Maria makes really good food." Adam said.

Rob laughed. "I know it. About Maria…."

Adam glanced at Rob, giving him a questioning look. "What about Maria?"

"How do you feel about her?"

"Feel?"

He had to think about it. How did he really feel about her? Truthfully he didn't really know.

Rob laughed when he realized that not even Adam himself knew how he felt about Maria.

Adam only gave him a confused look which made him laugh even harder.

"Whatever. You're strange."

Inside, Maria stood at the make shift stove stirring dinner in a large black pot. The whole place was smelling of her great cooking.

"Mmm." Rob said. "It's smelling really good in here."

Maria spun around , her hair flying out around her with a big smile on her face.

"You two finally made it back. I was wondering if you would make it to dinner."

"Sorry, Adam is a little slow."

"Hey!" Adam playfully pushed Rob and they began to wrestle a little.

Maria watched with a smile. It was nice to see them get along. Adam has been with them for three months now and somehow everybody didn't mind him being here.

At first he felt like everybody despised him. They avoided him, whispered even the looks he received made him feel very uncomfortable.

"Come on boys." She finally calls to them. "It's time to eat."

"Yes mother." Came their replies.

"Oh you two!"

It wasn't a fancy dinner, but still very delicious. A simple stew with home grown veggies. Maria could take the simplest meal and make it taste so amazing."

"Mmm, this is delicious, Maria." Adam said.

"As always." Rob added.

"Thank you."

The sound came softly at first, but soon hit as if somebody was pounding on the roof.

"Another storm? " Maria asked.

"Rob looked out their door as a flash of lightning lit up the sky. He counted three seconds, then he heard the thunder.

"It looks like you're staying here tonight." Rob said to Adam.

"I'll be alright." Adam said absent mindedly.

"Please." Maria pleaded. "For me? I would feel a lot better if you spent the night here instead of trying to find your way home now."

He glanced at her. "Sure."

She gave him a beautiful smile. "Thank you."

'Baird…' the dark haired woman's voice from his dream filled his head.

Bending over, he held his head in his hands and he groaned in pain, causing both Maria and Rob to jump.

"Adam!" they were both at his side immediately.

"No….no I think I'll be alright."

"Are you sure?" Maria sounded really worried now.

"Yeah…"slowly he raised his head to look at her. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

"Why don't you lay down for a little bit. I'll help Maria clean up."

Before he could speak, Maria spoke up. "Don't worry. Just get some rest."

Slowly Adam stood and went to the small bed in the corner to lay down. Both Maria and Rob made sure he was comfortable before they returned to the kitchen.

For several minutes he laid there listening to the clinking of dishes and the splashing of water. They spoke in hushed voices, making it difficult for him to understand.

After what seemed like forever, he finally sat up. Their approaching footsteps caught his attention.

"How are you feeling?" it was Maria."

He turned to see Maria standing there with a cup of hot tea. He smiled.

"Thank you."

Maria handed him the cup and took a seat beside him.

"Where's Rob?"

"He went to make sure the storm doesn't blow down the house." After several long minutes she spoke again, this time her voice was quiet. "How are you feeling now?"

"Better."

More silence passed between them. Adam took a long sip of the hot tea. He felt the liquid run over his lips, over his tongue and down his sore throat, soothing it.

"Mmm."

Even though it wasn't much of a tea, just herbs in hot water, it still tasted good.

"Thanks."

"Adam…"

Before she could say anything, Adam leaned forward, cradling the side of her face gently with one hand, their lips met in a slow and hesitant kiss. They parted only for a second, their lips meeting this time for a more passionate kiss.

Slowly his tongue slid past her lips to press against hers, her parting lips inviting him even further. She slid her arms around him and in return she was pressed firmly against his chest.

They had been so lost in the moment that they didn't hear Rob come in. Just as he came to the room, he saw them, grinned and immediately turned away.

He knew it would eventually happen, this time, he didn't mind. Yes, it looks like things were going to be alright.

The sun had just barely come up over the mountains when they heard the approaching Raven. Panic filled the people as they herded their children and peered out of their door ways. All the men gathered outside to 'greet' their 'guests.'

Adam stood by the doorway of Rob and Maria's home, watching as they tiny dot in the sky rapidly grew in both size and sound.

"Adam…"

"Shh. It's going to be alright."

Rob stood at the front of all the men, his large arms crossed in front of him. The raven touches down in front and the same gears emerge from the back.

Col Hoffman lead the group to stop several yards away from the men.

"What the hell do you want?" Rob demanded.

"We are here to offer you guys a place to stay."

"Why ?"

"The human race is going extinct. We need all the people we can get. In return, you are part of Cog."

There was so much that he wasn't saying.

"And if we refuse?"

"Then you can starve, freeze and die here."

"Give us some time to talk it over."

"You know where to find us."

Again the Gears climbed into the Raven and once again it took to the air. All the stranded watched as it quickly disappeared.

Rob looked over at Adam, giving him a worried look. This could mean so many things for them. A place to stay, food, safety, life even death. But what about Adam… What would happen when he returned to their base. Would they recognize him? Would they take him away?

Only time could tell…

TBC…

OK Let me know what you think…. Did the end of this chapter sound ok? To those who are obsessed with spelling are you happy? I actually had spell check this time. Don't get use to it because I don't have long internet use at my house it sucks the big one right now.

Babylon: don't worry I'll write as fast as I can and get you the next chapter. I promise

I LOVE HAPPY FACES THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS! I AM GREATFUL LOL