Alicia and Ayani were in the lead vehicle while the men took the second. It was a two hour drive to the ocean and just past noon when they finally pulled out of the gate. The trip was a spur of the moment decision after Nathaniel got home from the portal and announced at lunch he wanted to do something to unwind like go fishing. It didn't take long for him and Elliot to throw a plan together and invite the women for a camping trip. Alicia wasn't about to let Ayani and him off together even if Elliot were along and agreed to ask Elizabeth to babysit. She told him the doctor was the only person she trusted her young baby with for two nights out.
"We have a camping spot that's quite nice," Alicia, informed Ayani as they drove into new territory Ayani hadn't seen before. She omitted the part where she and Nathaniel made love for the first time at that place.
When the ocean came into view, Nathaniel had a thought, "I hope I didn't dump Mira and gang into the ocean."
"Do you think she'll be able to carry through on her wish to come back here?" Elliot had been filled in on her last words before leaving the Command Center on the drive.
"I have no doubt she'll try and probably make a ton of money selling her story, which is incredible in its own right. Surviving for over three years in this wilderness will make her a legend. If there exists a way, she'll find it." For some reason, Nathaniel wasn't worried about Mira anymore. If she came back, most likely it would be to settle and start her own colony.
Nathaniel saw Alicia park her Rhino and took a parallel spot with plenty of distance between the rigs for privacy. He asked Elliot how far his advances with Ayani had gotten him before choosing sleeping arrangements.
"We are sleeping together now," Elliot admitted, not sure how Nathaniel would take this news.
"Great, two Rhino's, one for each of us and plenty of privacy under an almost full moon. Maybe we'll both get lucky," he laughed. Elliot was relieved.
Camp was quickly set up and the foursome trekked to the edge of the ocean where its angry waves pounded the surf and rocks below. Nathaniel gave a fishing bow to Elliot and showed him how to shoot the hook as far into the rolling waves as he could with his own demonstration. Elliot matched his shot and soon both men were seated in foldup chairs with poles in holders beside them.
"Wash," Nathaniel roared over the surf.
She and Ayani walked over to the men. They trailed along and were quietly talking about the scenery before them and Alicia was telling her of the abalone shells she'd gotten and suggested they hunt for some on the morrow, but for now she just wanted to relax and unwind and do nothing until she had to fix supper in a couple hours. Now she sat her chair beside Nathaniel's and looked at him. Ayani set hers beside Alicia's and they squeezed in between the men.
"Sweetie, would you get me a beer," he flashed his charming grin up at her.
"Me too, Ayani, please," Elliot joined in.
The women looked at each other with grins and headed back to the Rhino's. Returning with four beers, they settled in between the men and the talk flowed freely as Nathaniel told Ayani and Alicia of the Sixers leaving that morning.
"Now all you have is Lucas to deal with," Ayani and Alicia had been mostly silent, content to let the men swap stories.
Nathaniel cast a sideways glance at her, "You still interested in taking him with you?"
Her demeanor and expression morphed into total surprise, "Nathaniel, you mean you'd give him to me?"
He smiled and looked beyond her to Elliot, "I don't think you have much to say in the decision, Ayani. Elliot would have to approve, as would his bosses."
Elliot was making headway in his pursuit of Ayani and immediately knew Nathaniel put him in a vulnerable position, give in and get rewarded or say no and suffer the consequences. This was the artful Commander; Elliot remembered dealing with for over twenty years. On one hand, Taylor was honorable and on the other, knew how to play the political game. It was that combination that made him the natural choice for a mission like Terra Nova. The look he shot back at Nathaniel said it all and the Commander broke into a wide grin. "I'll see what I can do. What do you want, Taylor? You're not doing this for Ayani's benefit."
"Well there are a few more things we could use that we don't have here," Nathaniel paused. "We need four probes." He glanced at Alicia and saw her give him an inquisitive look, so reached out and took her hand.
"I see. Now why would you need a probe, hmmm?" Elliot could only think of one reason.
"Maybe we found another time and want to explore it."
"Maybe?" Elliot knew his unspoken guess was correct.
"I say maybe, because without a probe we have no way of checking our theory out. Malcolm found something and wants to explore it."
"And all you have to trade is Lucas," Elliot rubbed his chin and looked back at the crashing waves.
Nathaniel let his gaze return to the water and kept Alicia's hand firmly in his, "Lucas has knowledge of the portal that you probably would find useful. Maybe if he's away from me and back around his mother or mother figure," he looked over Alicia to Ayani and she smiled back. Emboldened, he continued, "Maybe he will get over his desire to hunt me down and kill me. I have no desire to kill my son. Having him placed away from Terra Nova is the best answer, for me at least."
"It would be a win, win for both of us," Ayani agreed. "I'd get a chance to work with Lucas and maybe change his outlook and you can avoid the tough decisions."
Elliot listened to them reason and shook his head, "I'll ask, but that means we'll have to power up the portal. It's being monitored around the clock on the other end so calling home is no problem."
"We'll do it as soon as we return," Nathaniel agreed.
"Are you going to interrogate him?" Elliot asked. "I want names of all his contacts on my side."
Nathaniel nodded, "I'll be slipping him a truth drug and handle the retrieval of information myself. Want to help?"
Elliot nodded, "Actually I think we should do it before contacting my time. Something may show up that will make me change my mind about taking him." He wanted an out and just gave himself one.
Nathaniel agreed, knowing that was the best offer he could expect. He felt his line tighten and set the hook. They watched with awe as a ten-foot ancient version of the swordfish broke the surface of the water. Nathaniel fought him for an hour with everyone cheering him on. The fish, tired from the struggle was pulled to the rocks below. Alicia and Elliot descended the rocks with a gaff hook and dragged it to shore and held it down until it stopped trying to flop. Supper that evening was a lively affair with the men hauling the carcass up the hill in pieces and packing the beast in layers of ice packs in the back of the Rhino, Nathaniel had commandeered for the trip. Alicia took a large chunk and wrapped it in leaves and placed it in the coals of the fire she and Ayani built. More beer loosened inhibitions and soon Elliot and Nathaniel were telling stories normally reserved for male companionship as the women laughed and urged them on as the sun set and the large moon provided light for the night.
"That side of the camp is yours," Nathaniel pointed to one Rhino. "Wash and I get this side and that transport. As much as I enjoy your company, I need to spend time alone with my wife in the moonlight." Nathaniel stood and offered his hand to Alicia with a slight smile that told her exactly why he wanted her alone. He led her under the moonlight towards the edge of the cliffs. He held her in front of him, his arms securely around her waist as they looked at the moonlight dancing across the waves.
"If I haven't told you lately, I love you, Mrs. Taylor," he rumbled against her ear.
"No regrets that you have me and not Ayani?" She'd been watching them all day, looking for any sign he preferred his first wife. She knew as long as Ayani was here these feelings of insecurity would persist even though she was hiding it masterfully.
"What brought this on?" His arms tightened and his lips caressed her exposed neck.
"I need to know, Nathaniel, do you want her over me. Tell me now." Her tone was dead serious.
Nathaniel turned her and settled his hands on her shoulders, "Alicia Taylor, for the last friggin time, I love you with all my soul and heart. It's you who's my other half, not her. I had my time with my Ayani and now my future is with you, bound together with these rings we wear." He could make her pale face out in the moonlight. "Has she indicated she still wants me again?"
"No, it's just I'm so doubtful in my heart that it's really me you want," her hands played with the holster around his waist. "I push them back and they keep resurfacing."
His response was a fierce kiss and his tongue forced past her lips as his hands circled her slender neck, thumbs pushing on each carotid until she was dizzy. He pulled back and let his hands lower to pull her against him, "Ayani doesn't do this to me," he let her feel his desire. "When we are alone again I want to take you someplace like this where we can be away from prying eyes. I will drive all thoughts of her from your mind. I can't do anything right now, so hang in there, okay?"
"You've never really told me how you feel about her."
"I'll tell you when we are off alone after they've left. Right now, I have a beautiful woman in my arms and don't want to talk anymore." To prove his point he started kissing her again, this time deep and slow with the thought of stirring up her passion to the point she was putty in his hands. Soon his efforts were rewarded when she started tugging at his skin tight tee-shirt. He willingly stripped to the waist and laid it out. She let him make love to her on the ground. After three days of falling asleep on him, they were both more than ready. Satiated, they made their way down the cliff to the water and played in a shallow eddy and made love once again at the water's edge. The other Rhino was silent when they quietly made for the back of theirs. Nathaniel hoped they took advantage of the night like he had. Pulling his wife close, he drifted off.
"I've never caught two in one trip," Nathaniel exclaimed as he hooked a second beast the next day and handed the pole to Elliot to pull in. The women took walks and hunted abalone in the shallows. Wash looked for signs of her and Nathaniel's night and thankfully didn't find any remains of the passion at this eddy just hours before. They found several abalone and Alicia told Ayani to take the shells home as a reminder.
"Bad news, Ladies," Elliot found them scooping abalone out of large shells and putting in the ice chest. "Nathaniel says we need to get all this meat home or it will spoil."
"It will be part of the celebration on Saturday," Alicia smiled at the overflowing ice cooler. She looked at Elliot, "Think you can keep up with me as I book for home?"
He looked at Nathaniel, who grinned and added, "I'm riding with Wash so you have to keep up."
"I bet I can be home in just over an hour," Alicia looked at Nathaniel seated beside her as she pulled away from camp.
"Go for it, Babe. Elliot has wanted to drive in this country. Give him a thrill," he gripped a handhold for the entire trip.
Ten minutes from home, Nathaniel radioed the colony to raise the gate and have the road cleared as Wash was driving like the wild thing she was. Guzman's mirth couldn't be hid as he acknowledged and made calls to the meat vendors that fresh meat was on the way and one to Shannon that the boss was coming home. Jim and Guzman were by the open gate when Wash rounded the corner and burst through the trees. They looked at each other with grins. She pulled in at a much subdued pace not wanting to run anyone over. Jim scanned the area behind the Commander for the other Rhino. When Nathaniel climbed out, he asked, "Lose someone?"
Nathaniel looked back, "If they aren't here in fifteen minutes, send a scout out. He went to the back of the vehicle and helped unload with instructions that the fish and abalone were to be saved for the party. He looked around for his wife, but she was gone. He smiled, knowing Jade would shortly be reunited with Mom.
Alicia checked the Infirmary and was told the doctor was home so she took off in that direction with long strides. As she walked, she looked down at her dirty clothes and felt grubby. Switching directions, she jogged home first. It was good to stand under hot spray and shampoo her hair. It was another perfect evening in paradise when she walked at a more leisurely pace to the doctor's home. She passed Nathaniel who was carrying both packs in the direction of their home.
"You smell funny," she smirked.
He stepped closer, "You smell wonderful. Want a repeat of last night?"
"Only if it's in our bed. I have a couple scratches on my backside."
He leaned down for a kiss, not caring they were in the middle of the street, "I'll kiss them all better," he promised and laughed when he saw a blush grace her cheeks.
She looked around, "Don't talk like that in public."
"We are meeting Elliot and Ayani for supper," he informed her as he stepped back and nodded to a couple walking by.
Alicia knocked on the Shannon's door. Zoe opened and looked disappointed, "I was hoping you would be gone for another day," was her honest greeting, bringing a smile to Alicia.
"Zoe, that's not nice," Elizabeth entered from the back to see who was at the door. She shook her head and motioned for Alicia to enter, "How was your trip?"
"We had a good time."
"But you'd rather have been alone with the Commander?" Elizabeth pressed as she led the way to the living room.
"As Nathaniel reminded me, it's only for a few more days," she picked Jade out of her day bed that was taken to the Shannon's. "We have an unspoken truce." She saw her daughter was awake and rooting so found a chair, her breasts heavy with milk. Picking a blanket Jade had been lying on; she pulled her tank top up and started feeding.
"Come to the kitchen. I need to get supper going," Elizabeth turned to Zoe, "Alright, helper, you get to cut the veggies up if you're careful." She watched as Alicia effortlessly held her daughter and leaned against the counter. "I'm teaching Zoe to cook. You know, Jim has been hounding me to have another baby. I would have said no until a night with Jade. He played with her for over an hour, I swear."
"I got to feed, Jade," Zoe interjected.
Alicia turned her attention to the older girl, "I think that was the plan. You help take care of a baby so you know how when you have a little sister or brother," she smirked back to Elizabeth.
"You're no help," Elizabeth muttered as she showed Zoe how to slice a tuber.
"You're not much older than me and I plan on one or two more. Have one for my kids to play with." They visited while Jade ate. Finally she stopped sucking and Alicia commented to her, "You must not have eaten much for you to pig out like this," she adjusted her bra and put the top back in place. She put the baby to her shoulder over the blanket for a burping.
"She didn't like the foreign nipple and kept spitting it out," Elizabeth commented.
Jim entered with his customary smile. He stopped for a kiss from his wife and stepped to Alicia, "You can leave her here anytime."
"Every diaper and she's yours," Alicia quipped and turned to Elizabeth who was directing Zoe to set the table. "Thanks for watching her. I'll buy you guy's supper out after everyone leaves."
"I accept," Elizabeth said while Jim hurried for the diaper bag and opened the door for her.
Nathaniel mingled with his colonists, catching up and giving micro speeches in groups on how happy he was with everyone and to be home. He ran into Max and Tasha walking with arms around each other. He purposely stopped them and Tasha shyly held her hand out. On her left ring finger was a small diamond. He grinned and shook Max's hand, "How'd you get up the nerve to ask the father?"
"I was supposed to ask your father?" he threw a shocked look to Tasha.
"Cut it out," she giggled and slapped him, so he turned back to the Commander.
"I was scared as bad as when the slashers got us, Sir. I needn't worried though, Lieutenant Guzman was not surprised at all and gave his permission."
"No threats?" Nathaniel didn't believe it for a minute.
Max's smile slipped a little, "Well, maybe a little."
"Max, you told me Daddy shook your hand and slapped you on the back with congratulations!"
"He did, kind of," Max smiled down at her.
"What did Daddy do to you?" she all the sudden was all business and he got a glimpse of what it would be to cross her or a little white lie.
"I shook his hand and slapped him on the back," Guzman joined the group. He smiled at Nathaniel, "It wasn't my fault the handshake took him to his knees or the friendly backslap put his face in the dirt. They don't make boys like they used to."
"Daddy!" Tasha fumed.
"I did give my blessing in the end," her father reminded her. "But the wedding isn't until you're over eighteen, so you have a few months to make sure he's the one." Neither he nor Max mentioned the boot on the young man's neck for several minutes while Guzman had a monologue conversation about marriage and hurting his baby.
Nathaniel laughed and moved on. He spotted Josh and Skye sitting on top of the fence overlooking the festivities. He stopped and looked up at them, "How's the view?"
"Nice from up here," Skye answered.
"How's things going, Skye?" he lowered his tone so only they could hear.
Skye shrugged, "I feel like a bug under a microscope. Everyone is looking at me and I know they're talking about it."
"Anything to your face?"
"No, Sir."
"I don't know if you heard about an incident that happened to Lieutenant Washington when she surrendered. She didn't want to tell me who all had badgered her, but I found out. It didn't go good for them."
"Is that your way of telling me to tell you?"
"It is," he forced a smile, "come on down and join the fun." He watched as Josh helped her off the fence. He could have helped at the lower level, but Josh jumped the rest of the way and reached to steady her. He walked away laughing to himself at where Josh's hands lingered.
The day passed with games for the kids and no work for the adults. That evening Nathaniel took the dais for his annual speech. It started with him welcoming the new additions. This year there were five, not counting his daughter. He kissed each one and the crowd laughed as cries rang out.
"Our guests leave tomorrow and I want to thank all of you for making their stay a memorable one. We have made lasting friends and in one year I've agreed to open the portal to their time for a repeat visit for a few of them for a few days." There was much clapping so he paused until it tapered off, "Also, they've agreed to take my son, Lucas, back with them and keep him incarcerated for the remainder of his life. They have a list of people he worked with in our future and a full report of his activities has been given to General Simmonds. Tonight we celebrate our victories, remember our losses and rejoice to be with our families. From this time last year, we fought off an invasion, buried and mourned our dead and eliminated the threat they possessed. This will always be one of my favorite years with the addition of a wife and daughter. Let's face it, I've been busy."
He stopped for the laughter and claps. "In conclusion, I want to thank General Simmonds for his generosity. He provided us with copiers and now probes for further exploration. Also, on a personal note, to find a future where the brutality my first wife was subjected to didn't happen gives me hope that her scenario is greater than mine, where I was forced to watch my wife suffer and die. Seeing her again has been a joy and I have it on good authority that she's made a place for herself in their past for what she'll be able to contribute from her stay with us. Enjoy your evening and thank you." Nathaniel went to Alicia who was standing in the front of the crowd, daughter in her arms.
"I want to thank you, Wash, for seeing to Lucas." They both turned to look where he was chained to a post, sitting in a chair where he was eating from a loaded plate and watching the colony. "I offered him the choice of death or going to their future. I was so scared he'd choose death."
"Would you have followed through with it?" she spoke quietly mindful of people mingling close by.
"Probably not, but I wouldn't have let him know it until he was at the portal. He'd have gone, willingly or not. I still want to hurt him for what he did to you." He pulled her close and rested his cheek against hers. They enjoyed the closeness, pulling apart when the first boom of the spectacular fireworks display that lasted fifteen minutes started. Jade was screaming so Nathaniel covered her ears with his hands and that helped. At the last burst of red, families gathered children and headed to their homes. Nathaniel and Alicia found Elliot and Ayani for a last gathering. They walked slowly to the quarters issued their guests. Jade was still crying so Alicia said goodnight and walked across the colony. She figured the baby had a headache and pulled a bottle of baby analgesic from the medicine cabinet in her bathroom. Putting drops in the baby's ears, she was soon sleeping as Alicia changed her diaper and undressed her for bed. It was still hot at night so she opted for a diaper only and settled a lightweight sheet over her lower half.
She readied herself for bed surprised that Nathaniel wasn't home yet. Picking up her plexpad, she settled on the sofa to wait.
Ayani put her hand on Elliot's arm, "Elliot, I want one last visit with Nathaniel, for old time's sake."
"I understand," he looked at Nathaniel and bid them goodnight.
Nathaniel walked her the short distance to her door.
"Please, come in," she turned the light on.
He followed her inside, but kept the door open, halting just inside. He was careful to only be with her in public settings. He knew the rumor mill would love gossip involving him and anyone other than his wife. He wasn't sure what she wanted to talk about, she got her wish with Lucas.
Ayani smiled and took his right hand in both of hers, "Nathaniel, in a few short weeks you've changed my life. All those years I mourned you. Now I can put your memory to rest and move on."
"With Elliot I hope," he squeezed her hands and pulled his away.
"Most certainly with Elliot. I had a moment to speak with Lucas today. He was happy to be in the fresh air again. He told me he was surprised by your offer after everything he did against you and all you built here. I told him a father's love doesn't end with crimes. I asked him where he lived all those years after you kicked him out and he spent an hour telling me of his struggles to survive. He also said supplies would mysteriously appear every couple of months at the falls. I told him it was probably you and he surprised me by saying no."
"I wasn't aware of any supplies set out for him," Nathaniel frowned.
"He saw Washington placing a coat and boots in his size near his campfire one day. He didn't know if you were behind the act or not."
"She took it upon herself without my knowledge," he admitted.
"Lucas gave me a list of items that kept him alive, medicines, clothing, blankets and tools. He said he shot her with the intent to kill when she invoked your name, in a burst of rage. Afterwards he felt horrible because she'd been so good to him. When he was told she was still alive and in the clinic he went to see her, but she was unconscious so he left."
"He told you that?"
"You think he was lying?"
"I think Lucas will tell you anything he can get you to believe. I'll check with the Infirmary and see if anyone saw him go to see her before I believe what he says."
"Would the same people be on call right now?"
He looked tentatively at her, "We can go and see." He shut the door after she preceded him.
He looked around the empty building, unlocked the door and punched up the on call roster, "Nurse Ogawa is on call." He palmed his radio, "Taylor to Ogawa."
Her prompt voice returned his summons.
"Nurse, do you remember who was on call when Lieutenant Washington was first taken to the Infirmary the night she was shot?"
"I was, Sir."
"At any time did Lucas pay her a visit?"
"Yes Sir, he stopped by after I had done my best to patch her up. I was scared he'd come to shoot her again and told him she died and I was cleaning her up for the burial. He left without a word. I'm sure he believed me as she looked dead."
"How come that wasn't in your reports, Nurse?"
"I must have forgotten to include it. So much happened during that time, I am still remembering details and everyone was sure Lucas didn't know she was alive."
"I want another report on everything you remember that wasn't included. Read over your original report and indicate additions so I have them to compare."
"I'll get on it right away."
"I'll give you a week, Taylor out," he cut the connection. Looking back at Ayani, he locked the door behind him and they meandered towards her quarters. "Coffee?" he asked as he noticed the food court still had several young people congregated.
"Sure," she allowed him to escort her to the man she came to know as Chad. Nathaniel asked for two coffees. Chad told him they were on the house. They found a small table away from the boisterous young crowd. They noticed he was with the 'other woman', but gave him a wide berth.
"See those two dark complected kids," Nathaniel pointed to Max and Tasha.
"Umm hmmm," she saw who he was pointing to.
"They just got engaged."
Ayani looked carefully, "Isn't that Tasha Guzman?"
"She is."
"I had her as a student about five years ago, or rather her counterpart. I wonder what she's doing now."
"Is Guzman with Philbrick?" Nathaniel asked.
Ayani nodded, "With her mother dead, who knows who's taking care of her, or if she'll find that same young man to love."
"Maybe you should look her up when you go home and find him. His name is Max Pope. They are meant to be together." He sipped his coffee in silence for a moment. "I wish you luck with Lucas."
"I understand that he's going to try and manipulate me, but what he told me today was the truth. He's the same boy as mine and I always knew when my Lucas was lying to me. It was a character flaw you never seemed to pick up with him."
Nathaniel grimaced, "I always assumed, like my soldiers, he would tell me the truth. It was one of his lies that earned me a scar to remember him by."
"Speaking of people meant to be together. You and Wash sure make a cute couple," she lightened the mood.
"Oh, and how did you come by this sage revelation?" He couldn't help but smile.
"By the way your eyes always follow her the way they never did me. She's the first person you always look for in any group. And I see a certain disappointment when she's absent. She watches you also and there is an added protectiveness with her. She's looked out for your back for a long time and marriage hasn't altered her behavior. I would hate to face her if I were the person to injure you."
Nathaniel chuckled, "It's been over a year ago now that a Sixer named Carter tried to shoot me. She wasn't present, but when word got to her, she paid him a visit in the jail. He got revenge for the beating she gave him a few weeks later when the Sixers caught her out. After she came back from the jail, she looked me over real good. Now normally she was the perfect soldier, but she told me if I'd been hurt, Carter would have been hung off the gate until he was nothing but bleached bones and she'd have taken the war to Mira. I was again glad she was on my side. Mostly, she followed orders to the letter, but every once and a while, always to protect me, she'd do things her own way."
"When did you fall in love with her, Nathaniel?"
"Honestly, when I saw her after being here alone for three months. She was the most beautiful woman, standing in direct sunlight that made her black hair shine. I teased her, but really wanted to drag her off and make love to her."
"Teasing like that is your way of showing interest. Did she know that?"
"At that time she didn't. As the years passed we established a teasing relationship, our version of foreplay I guess." He didn't stop to think who he was talking to as his mind was on his true love.
"You once made a reference to your relationship having a rocky start. I never did get that story," she pressed her luck. She saw his countenance darken and was almost sorry she asked and figured he wouldn't respond.
He sighed and played with his cup, eyes never leaving the object in his hand as he started his story. "She made an error in judgment a few months after we came here. I needed to get outposts and relay stations built and she was a natural at building I found out so admit to using her in a way I'm not proud of. She was in charge of the construction of the jail and substructure of the Command Center while I spearheaded the fence and Tate the upper floor of the Command Center, Mess Hall and Laundry facility. She finished ahead of schedule and as you can see, the work was outstanding. I punished her by sending her OTG to build needed buildings. She felt she had to prove herself all over again to me and I shamelessly took advantage of her. The work was accomplished in record time with her at the helm. I forgot to bring her home."
"Forgot?" Ayani's tone held a ton of suspicion.
"I forget who I'm talking to," he looked at her with a sheepish smile. "I used her, but my mistake was I never told her the suspension was lifted. For two years, she thought she was being punished. It changed her. I wanted my Wash back and she had matured into a formable woman out there and it was my fault. I brought her home and reinstated her as my third and tried to make it up to her. In time, she seemed to come around, but still pushed herself to be the best, never wanting to disappoint me again. Never again did she step out of line, but I paid a horrible price for it. I couldn't find the opening to start a relationship with her. She had a stone wall in place between us. Then the Sixers came and on their heels was the Syncillic Fever outbreak that took Alex. With just the two of us to rely on, she became my protector and me hers. I wanted so much to erase what I did to her, but there was always something to stop me from pursuing her. She was my best friend and I always thought she would be here. Then the eleventh rolled around and I made her stay back due to my love for her." He stopped and finished the last gulp of his coffee. "She survived, but I didn't agree with her handling herself as leader pro tem."
"And you grounded her again," Ayani uttered disapprovingly.
He nodded and looked miserable at his silent admission, "I knew this time I'd lost her for good and she would never come back to be my second, and not having her friendship was killing me. I wanted to take her in my arms; instead I pushed her away. With nothing more to lose, I declared myself to her, expecting to be rebuffed. I just knew she'd tell me to go to hell, but she didn't. She'd been waiting for years for me to get over Ayani and see her as more than my second. She loves me, Ayani," he finally let his eyes bore into her.
"And you don't think you are worthy of that love?"
"After the way I treated her. Some days, I just look at her in disbelief that she married me. I don't want to ever disappoint her again and will devote my life to her happiness. I owe her that." He got up and escorted her back to her assigned room. "How are your quarters?"
"Comfortable."
"They were Wash's quarters until she bought her house."
Ayani took note to look around a bit closer when she went to bed. "Nathaniel, I wish you the best with Wash, and I mean that."
"Good night, Ayani," he left her at her door and cut across the colony to home. He quietly entered expecting Wash to be sleeping in bed. He was surprised to see her reading in the soft yellow light.
She looked up, "You took your time."
He focused on her babydoll of shear black, "And I'm sorry I did. I had a long talk with Ayani, in the market," he added. Crossing to her, he took her plexpad and shut it off. "I told her how much I love you." He leaned down for a kiss.
"I guess wearing this was a waste if you'd rather be with another woman," she slipped out of his arms and headed for the bedroom.
He smiled and followed, "It will only be a waste if I accidently ruin it cutting it off," he reached down and pulled his boot knife. "If you're not out of it by the time my teeth are brushed, you can plan on replacing it." He slapped her on the butt as he passed.
"A night with your other wife sure has left you froggy," she commented and pulled the comforter to the end of the bed and lay down. If he wanted her garment off, he knew what to do.
He returned a few minutes later completely nude and ready, "You're still over dressed," he joined her on the bed.
"I thought you might want to unwrap your presents."
"Got that right," he growled against her willing lips and proceeded to show her how much he loved her.
Nathaniel was happy to see not one person leaving was devoid of trinkets from the past. Everyone stopped to thank him for his hospitality as they packed Cretaceous period artifacts, mostly intact skulls, flora and some fauna, with the fauna consisting of innumerable insects. He presented Elliot with a fishing spear he made and used during his hundred and eighteen days of solitary. They took the spears to the river a week before where Elliot and Nathaniel had a good time spearing fish and cooking them over an open fire to give his guest a feel for what he went through. They camped out that night, just the two of them under the open sky.
Lucas, in binders was halted before him. The two men looked at each other without speaking. Nathaniel reached out and pulled him into a tight hug, "I'm truly sorry what your mother and I put you through. Take care of yourself, Son," he stepped back, eyes moist.
Lucas swallowed hard, "I've been told I get a special cell on the base and not Golad and that I have you to thank for that. Thank you, Father," he turned and let his returning soldiers escort him through the portal. Nathaniel listened to his tone and not the words. He felt a hand squeeze his arm and looked down at Alicia.
"He didn't mean it," he spoke to her softly.
"No act of kindness penetrates him," she replied and looked at Ayani who was at the end of the receiving line along with Elliot. They were the last two remaining. "Lucas has the compassion of a serial killer. Have his brain scanned," she advised.
"He'll get a complete medical and psychological workup. If something is physical that is causing his behavior, our doctors will find it," Ayani replied to Alicia and they hugged briefly. "Take care of Nathaniel."
"I will."
Ayani and Nathaniel looked at each other and then spontaneously hugged hard. They stepped back, hands still interlocked. "I'm glad I fell into your world, Ayani."
"I am too," she let go and took Elliot's left arm, leaving his right to shake hands with Alicia and Nathaniel. Taking his spear back from Guzman, they left with see you next year as a parting promise.
Four years of intruders and finally they were alone at last. Nathaniel looked around, "We're really on our own, people. Malcolm, shut that thing down, we have work to do." He took Wash's hand and led her to his rover and home to their waiting daughter.
The End
I want to thank everyone for your encouraging reviews. It kept me writing.