"Tell me again what you just said Boylan and just how it is you came by this information."

Taylor stared across his desk at Boylan who was standing before him with Guz off to one side, the last person he had expected to see that morning was Boylan and he certainly had not expected the information about Private Marshall that he had just been given.

"Ryan Marshall is Lieutenant Washington's son and he is not as old as you all think he is, he's only seventeen years old not the nineteen you thought he was, I know this because I got the information from the commanding officer of the mercenaries, private quarters while I was scavenging before you guys came back."

Boylan shrugged as he finished his speech to Taylor, staring at the man's face to see what his reaction to his news would be.

"That information could be wrong, planted by the mercenaries for you or someone else to find. "

Taylor turned his back to Boylan, his hands clasped behind him as he moved from the desk to peer out of the window, taking in the state of the colony as he digested internally what Boylan had just told him.

"It changes nothing concerning Marshall, he betrayed this colony and he has to pay for his crimes."

"For god sake Taylor, just because you found information stating that Ryan betrayed the colony, information by the way that could have been planted by the same people that could have planted the information about who Ryan really is and who is parents are. At least with the question of the boy's parentage and age you can do medical tests to find out if the information that I found is correct. I am willing to bet that Ryan did not betray this colony despite the evidence against him, as we all know false evidence can be planted that looks to be truthful even when it is not."

Taylor turned sharply and glared at him before turning to and addressing Guz. He wanted to be sure that what Boylan had said was the truth and despite the evidence against Marshall, he had believed the teenager when he had questioned him the day before.

"Guz, what do you think? Could the information that Boylan found be correct?"

Guz who had been listening silently and watching the commanders face for any reaction to the news about the private's possible parentage while Boylan repeated the information he had told him the night before.

Part of him had not wanted to believe Boylan when he had told him but as he thought about it during the night, he had started to wonder if the information was in fact correct and that in turn had started him thinking about whom Ryan's father might have been. He knew that Wash and Taylor had had an on/off relationship about eighteen years ago despite the fact that Taylor was married and loved his wife deeply but Guz also had had a brief fling with her and he had wondered if by any chance that perhaps the boy was his.

"When Boylan first told me sir, I thought he must have been incorrect but as I thought about it during the night, I realised that there was a possibility that what he told me could in fact be true and as for the information that Ryan betrayed us and the colony…I'm not so sure he did, I think the boy might be telling the truth sir and as Boylan has said there are medical tests that can be done to prove whether or not Wash was Marshall's mother but also who the father may possibly be. At the same time we will also be able to discover if Marshall is as young as Boylan claims he is."

Taylor gritted his teeth as he pondered his words and it seemed as though he was not going to listen to either his or Boylan's words but he sighed sharply and looked back at Guz.

"Do it, take Marshall over to the medical centre and get the tests done, at least in this case we can find out the truth or not and as for the possibility of him maybe being a traitor and what to do about it, we will cross that bridge after the results of the test. Guz I want you to take him over there and stay there until the tests are done and then return him to his cell."

"Sir."

Guz nodded once to Taylor before strolling out of the command post.

xXx

Reynolds had been on guard duty outside the command post at the time that Boylan had been talking to Taylor and overheard everything that had been said. He was presently making his way over to quarters pondering over the information he had heard about Marshall, he was finding it difficult to believe that his housemate was as young as Boylan claimed he was and the information that he was Wash's son or might be the lieutenants son was an even bigger shock.

He liked Ryan and had liked the young communications specialist ever since the first day the lad had arrived at the colony and to now find out that he was not who the thought he was disturbing to him. He really hoped the information about him was false and the lad could clear his name, he knew if it wasn't that it was unlikely that Taylor would allow him to remain in the colony and that he would be banished.

xXx

Ryan was still sitting on the floor of his cell, he had not moved from his place on the floor since he had been pushed roughly into the cell the night before when he heard Guz ordering the guard outside to open the door. Struggling to his feet he stood shakily as the unsmiling man entered the cell, glancing around briefly before spotting him at the back of the cell.

"Come with me."

"S…S…sir."

Ryan stuttered as the older man approached him, he managed to mostly control his fear and only flinched slightly as Guz reached for his arm, if Guz noticed the flinch he said nothing and dragged Ryan out of the cell passing the guard who glared threateningly at the teenager as he was pulled past him.

Ryan stumbled as he was pulled out of the detention area, the bright light of the sun blinding him a little as he was pulled across the compound towards the medical centre. Colonists glanced momentarily at him as he and Guz passed them and he imagined them hating and loathing him. Condemning him although they knew nothing of what had happened or what was going on, Ryan chewed his lower lip and kept his eyes on the ground.

Guz pushed open the door of the medical centre and immediately spotted Dr Shannon across the room. He marched up to her, forcibly but gently shoving Ryan towards a cubicle, ordering him to stay put as the doctor approached.

"Lieutenant Guzman, what can I do for you?"

She asked while peering curiously at Marshall, she knew he had been released from the hospital the day before but he did not look like he needed to be back in despite the dark bags under his eyes and the obvious exhaustion on his face.

"We need some tests done on Marshall doctor, Taylor's orders."

"Okay what sort of tests?"

Glancing at Ryan, he told the doctor exactly what sorts of tests were required. The doctor glanced in shock and surprise at Ryan before leaving them both to get the items she needed to do both, the tests for proving Ryan's parentage and his age but also the one that might prove who the young mans father was.

A/N: So who would you like to be Ryan's father Taylor or Guz? Review and let me know, if no one does I'll pick the father.