Twenty Three

It was late when he got home, Alicia woke as he opened the door, and she had been dozing on the couch. The Seagoers camp had not been interrupted by the Sixers activities and continued with construction and turning land beyond the river for the next seasons crops.

"What is Carter up to?" Shoving to her feet she followed him to the bedroom.

"Carter raided Mira's camp, most escaped into the jungle, two we got and a couple others were captured. Thought it better to claim they supported him until a better opportunity presented." She heard the irritation in his voice, and saw the tension in his body as he removed his holster and checked his weapon. "I've sent a team with Shannon, they'll report in as soon they know anything."

"What did he hope to gain from today?" Alicia smoothed a hand along his back, she knew what he was thinking. Mira's camp had been full of people who wanted to leave the past behind and make peace with the colony. "Was he testing our defences?"

"Wouldn't surprise me. But some of them are not to healthy; the two we've got aren't." He stripped off his shirt and rubbed a hand through his hair, it must have started raining again. It would slow their search team, but it would also have an effect on everyone not under shelter tonight.

"Has Elisabeth synthesized much of the vaccine yet?" The science team and the doctor had been working hard to develop the vaccine. It had been tested in the lab and had positive results in treating the sick in the infirmary. They had begun

"We'll spare two doses, but we've got to decide what to do with them. I have no idea if they'll have anything to go back to." Turning back to sit on the edge of their bed. "They said Carter had Phoenix men with him, at least twenty to thirty."

"Probably about all that are left. Carter may be a lot of things but he learned how to survive that jungle; the Phoenix never meant to." And when the portal sealed they began to fall.

"It might mean we have one less enemy; or they've joined forces. They've been quiet a long time." Nathaniel didn't reach for her as she sat next to him and Alicia tried to ignore it; there was a time he wouldn't have hesitated. "We'll wait for the report."

As he took off his boots Alicia went to get him some food. There was nothing to do but wait, and she was sick of waiting and being cooped up. Her body ached, but she had known far worse pain, and while she knew her husband worried she was not made of glass.

Women from the seagoing camp worked up to almost the day they gave birth in circumstances far harder than she lived. Elisabeth would have her in bed until this child came but if lives were on the line she wouldn't stand by; no matter if it was colonists or Sixers.

The report came just before dawn and she shifted to sit on the side of the bed as Shannon's voice cracked through the comm. "Something went down out here, they've fled; we need a tracker out here if we're going to find anything."

"Damn." Nathaniel snarled, she knew as well as he did what the problem was there; it had been raining all night. "Skye can't track in this rain."

"I can." Alicia rose, pulling her cargos on and reaching for her boots. "I want Reilly, she can pick the rest."

"No!" Nathaniel swung to his feet. "You are not going out there."

"I am, we need to know what happened to Mira; we need to know what Carter is doing." She strapped the holster around her waist and then to each thigh, setting a pistol against each thigh and a blade at her waist.

"Alicia, no; we agreed; no trips OTG until our son is here." There was fire in his eyes as she took his armour and strapped it around her.

"I am tracking, Mira has no cause to attack us; and you know I can handle myself." Alicia squared off with him, held her ground for a moment and stepped quickly around him; they would fight later. She doubted that Carter would have hung around, he had to know they had search parties out.

She crossed to the women's barracks and strode in. "Reilly, pick two and let's go."

"Yes Wash." She knew the woman had worked a late shift the night before but she couldn't have Reynolds as he headed a unit and Skye was out with Shannon already.

In moments she sat shotgun in a rover rolling out through the gate; her husband glaring at her again only this time she wasn't hanging back. They rolled across the rough track out to where the Sixers camped; it was mud the entire way.

..

She had been out all day, and he knew he was itching for a fight; and suspected she was too. Nathaniel knew Alicia could generally talk him into what she wanted to do, this morning she hadn't even tried. He did a little work as he waited for news, her team met up with Shannon's and that encouraged him some.

At a knock on the door he called out. "Enter."

When no one began to speak he paused and looked up as Zoe Shannon peered through the door way. "Is Alicia here?"

"No Miss Shannon, she is working." He pushed his chair back as the girl crossed to his desk; her face full of disappointment. "What is wrong?"

"I wanted to feel the baby moving in her belly." Zoe looked so sad.

"When your dad gets home you come and visit, Alicia will be home and I am sure she will want to see you." Nathaniel promised, she smiled at that.

"Can I ask you something?" The smile broke for a look of some concern.

"You already have." He murmured, perhaps he needed this break, when the baby came he was going to have to need the distractions. "What is your question?"

"Maddie says I can't be a big sister because I'm the baby; but I'm not a baby anymore." Zoe put her hands on her hips and looked at him straight on; her eyes very serious. "Your baby doesn't have a big sister, and he won't cause he's your first baby. Can I be his big sister?"

Forced to bite back a sad thought he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. In truth his child did have an older sibling, and one day he would have to know of him. "Zoe it would mean a lot to me if you would be my son's big sister. He couldn't be luckier."

The girl's grin was contagious and the little thing launched at him. Wrapped in her hug Nathaniel sighed, perhaps a big sister who chose to love him unquestionably and unconditionally would someday soften the truth of his brother. As he set the child back on her feet and loosened her arms from his shoulders Nathaniel thought perhaps he had a good way to avoid a fight with his wife.

Unable to continue to work Nathaniel went back to the unit, Alicia had been gone most of the day now, she would be tired, sore and hungry whether she was willing to admit it or not. She usually got the meal, but he could manage to pick something up from the market; he didn't need to make her sick.

He returned to find his wife approaching the door from the other direction. Quickening his pace he met her near the door and opened it for her. "We found Mira and her group, we brought them back; bunked them in the pods."

"It's better than their last accommodations here. Mira have anything to say?"

"Nathaniel I didn't ask, and you won't until morning. Shannon's going to see they get medical care." Alicia's tone was firm but her eyes said it all, he gave her space, knowing his touch might be the last thing she wanted.

He gave her space while she stripped away her gear, bending over the sink she washed her face and paused; holding a cool cloth to her face for a moment. Watching her he swallowed hard, he knew the anger he felt when she was in danger, it wasn't true anger but fear. He couldn't loose her, couldn't loose their son.

"I had a visitor at command today, I brokered a deal without your consent." Glancing out the window he spotted a little girl in the street, but her head came up and he saw her eyes flash a little.

"What was this deal?" Her voice was tense as she came into the kitchen, she was still irritated with him for this morning. They had both known what was best but he had still tried to talk her out of going; she wouldn't like it.

"Well it has something to do with our son." Crossing to the door he opened it as Zoe stood on the step, her hand raised to knock.

As the girl spotted Alicia her face lit, oblivious of the sparks in Alicia's eyes and he couldn't help but smile as his wife was wrapped in Zoe's hug. "Can I feel the baby? Mommy says it will move soon."

"He's already started." And before he could protest she wrapped her arms around Zoe and carried her to the couch.

He couldn't help but feel a little jealous as he watched Zoe press her palm to his wife's belly, eyes wide with surprise as temper left Alicia's. Zoe looked so excited, and he watched as she pressed her cheek to Alicia's belly, his wife laughing. "Commander Taylor said I get to be his big sister."

"What?" He watched her smile, her fingers gently tucking a flyway curl behind Zoe's ear.

"Well he won't have a big sister or brother, and Maddie says I won't have a little one." Zoe told her. "I really want to be a big sister, Commander Taylor said I could."

"That would mean a lot to me Zoe." Alicia murmured, her eyes on the little girl who pressed a kiss to her stomach; he watched the two. Once he had dreamed of a big family, when he was just a boy playing alone and wishing for a brother or sister himself, and then when he was older he wished of it but abided the laws.

If he and Alicia never had another after this at least their son would never be alone. But if Alicia was willing they would, and Zoe would be a big sister a few times over if she wanted. Their children would know their dream for this place, they would have a life and future here carved out for them for generations to come.