Chapter Four

It took entirely too long to track and dispatch the remaining Phoenix, but it did earn her the use of one of their motorcycles. She chose the one with the most power left. Not enough to get her home, but it got her a whole lot closer.

Exhaustion was setting in when the bike died, she had drained the power cells but would have a couple more hours to hike home. With night settling around her Alicia kept her weapon in hand and kept moving; she was too close to home to wait another night.

She hoped that predators were scenting the blood spilled in the clearing she had left; she was not in the mood to fight against something looking for dinner. This area wasn't usually predator territory, she'd taught survival out here a few times; but creatures migrated. Darkness fell and her eyes adjusted to the dim light of the moon filtering through the canopy.

Alicia came to the trail head and glared at the rutted road that would lead around to the main gate. It wound around the colony, opened out to the gate and the guard stations where she would be given entrance to the colony, her home; and her husband. It would take several hours to walk it. Or she could cut through the jungle to the fence; it meant sneaking into the colony. But she wanted to be home.

With that thought she cut off the path and turned towards the colony. It wasn't an easy trip but an hour later she could see the dim glow of chemical lighting; she figured it was about two in the morning. A grin broke on her face as she eyed the high fence of the colony. In a matter of moments she would be in her home, in a real bed; beside her husband. A man who loved her and understood her and would hold her; her heart beat a little faster.

Dropping to her knees Alicia shoved her rifle under the lowest rail before squeezing her body under as well. When no soldiers appeared from night watch she frowned and looked towards the towers; the search beams and heat sensors must still be down. Not that it was any excuse but she headed towards the unit she shared with Nathaniel; that could be sorted out in the morning.

It was early and the streets were empty, she pressed her palm to the security plate but when no light flashed she realized it was dead. Taking out her knife she carefully jimmied the lock, the door swung open and she checked that she hadn't damaged the locks. Satisfied she stepped into her home, about to close the door when a noise made her shift. She turned and glanced down to see a little dinosaur racing towards her.

With a smile Alicia leaned down and scooped up her pet; Boxer must have taken off on Nathaniel. She carried her inside and the little creature squeaked in happiness. Alicia felt the same, even in the darkness everything looked the same as when she left; familiar and safe.

…

He couldn't say what woke him, not that he had been sleeping all that well. The smallest of sounds caught his attention, with a groan Nathaniel rolled to the edge of the bed and reached for his knife on instinct. Moving quietly towards the kitchen he was almost wondering if he had been hearing things; until he heard a distinctive squeal.

Nathaniel shook his head, Alicia's pet must be at the door; little thing decided to come home. Boxer was probably hungry. He started into the kitchen and froze, a figure stood in the entry way; just as still as he was. Heart in his throat he reached over and lifted the cover on the chemical lamp.

His wife stood in the entry way, the little dinosaur in her arms; nuzzling her cheek in effort to regain Alicia's attention. She was a sight, he scrubbed a hand over his face; he wasn't dreaming. Rifle hanging off her shoulder, body armor bloody and damaged, her skin darkened with what he hoped was sweat and dirt dried to her; but the sun had also gotten in it's punch.

It seemed she was taking stock of him as well, granted he had much more on display as he only wore soft sleep pants. He watched her set Boxer on the floor, taking it as an invitation he drew closer to her. Ignoring the critter attempting to climb her leg and back to its perch. Something flickered in her eyes and he followed her gaze to the combat knife still in his hand; Nathaniel tossed it on the counter.

He reached for her as Alicia leaned in, she settled against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. Hers slid around him and tightened like a vice. They both fought emotion. Nathaniel didn't know how they stood wound together.

After a time she shifted and their eyes met; she smiled. "Hi."

"You're home." He whispered, nuzzling her cheek and stealing a kiss.

"Chew out the night watch out tomorrow. I want to sleep. With you." Alicia grinned, pressed against him; he had missed her so much.

"Does food factor in?" His arms around her he could feel that her armor was loose and he knew she had been working under pressure for months; he wanted to feed her. Nearly as much as he wanted to hold her.

"I'm starved, and filthy." The soft tone, the way she stayed pressed against him; she didn't want to let go any more than he did.

"Shower, food in bed then sleep. I will hold you all night." There was a sandwich he had brought home but not eaten in the ice box and thanks to Reilly's skills he could offer her a warm shower.

Alicia nodded as he began to open her body armor and strip away her weapons. She wasn't idle, and by the time they reached the shower both stepped in. Nathaniel pulled her under the water and began to wash her carefully; thoroughly. Looking for any injuries she hadn't mentioned.

He found scrapes and bruises all over her, insect bites she had scratched into welts but nothing serious. What bothered him most was how much weight she had lost. And how tense she was, though she relaxed under his hands. Her entire body relaxed, tension in her muscles easing and her head tipping to her chest, leaning into his shoulder. She shut off the water and stepped out; he was struck again by how beautiful she was. And that she was looking at him with that same desire; his wife was home.