The Trap

They stood together for a long time looking out of the large Cafe window at the unchanging star field, the nothing between time and space.

Eventually Sapphire laid an elegant hand briefly and lightly on Steel's shoulder before moving away to sit on one of the rickety wooden chairs.
She watched as Steel's shoulders slumped.
*I’m sorry*
His mental tone was full of shame and pain and as he turned to face her, his eyes were cast down "There is more, but for now I'm sorry."

Sapphire felt anger stir, who was he to apologise for something they had done together. Then as quickly as the anger rose it was gone and she smiled, *I’m sorry too*
Steel lifted his face and allowed a wry grin to make a brief appearance "But this doesn’t help does it?"

"No" Playing with a spoon she looked into its shiny surface, "Steel, do you think that Silver betrayed us?"
Moving to take the chair opposite, Steel heard the longing in her voice and placed a comforting hand over hers, "No… maybe." then in a harder tone, "Well he's not here is he?"
She looked up into his clear grey eyes, "No, no he's not" and let her eyes fall.
Letting go of her hand he shifted on the chair wishing that he knew what to say.
Still looking at her he spoke softly, "I'm sorry I can't exonerate him from this," clearing his throat and trying to keep an even tone, "You feel deeply for him, don't you?"
Placing the spoon down on the table with exaggerated care she all but whispered, "Yes." raising her head to meet his eyes her tone lightened, "But people always assume too much, he was...nice, funny and as you yourself have said, useful." she trailed off and looked towards the window again.
Steel struggled to keep a stoic exterior, so the rumors were exaggerated, well, well.
Regarding her in a curious manner he saw she didn’t appear upset, just preoccupied.
*Sapphire?*
She looked up sharply, "Sorry, got a bit lost feeling sorry for myself actually."
He smiled again, one of his rare true smiles, "Well under the circumstances..."
She grinned and then sighed, he allowed silence to fall over the Cafe and then broke it, "Well what about you, do you think Silver is a traitor? Has he sided with the Transuranics or, or is he dead?"
There was silence again then a sigh "I don’t know Steel, but I don't think he meant to betray us, and as soon as we get out of here we'll find out. Speaking of which, do you know how we will get out?"

Shaking his head he admitted, "No, not yet, but it is possible," his tone gained strength, "If they could do it then there is a way."
Sapphire looked up at him and hearing the determination in his voice her eyes widened and she reached out to touch his mind not to say anything but to convey her trust and support. In return she felt him caress the thought with reassurance and a firm conviction that /together/ they would find a way out of this trap.
Unconsciously she went deeper soothed by his confidence and encouraged by his openness. He had only rarely allowed her to have these moments with him. Silver was an open book to her and never held her out, though she was skilled enough to slip in without his knowledge. But Steel had only indulged her when she had been frightened or trapped and then she had been too preoccupied to do anything, but now...
His shields, normally thick and impassable had become flimsy, translucent to her and behind them something glowed.
Too soon the moment passed and once again the shields thickened and became solid as she was closed gently out of his mind. The last thing she sensed was a fleeting fear, but shook her head, silly to think so, Steel would never fear her.

"Well we had better see if we can find out where and when we are, Sapphire can you tell me?"
In response to her partners oft heard request she concentrated, eyes glowing with power and effort.
*Sapphire?*
In her trance like state a flat voice replied
*We are nowhere, a pocket between 1948 and 1981, but displaced in time and space, literally nowhere*
"Can you contact anyone? Lead? Diamond?"
*Not Silver?*
"No" his tone was set.
Sapphire suppressed a shiver as she came out of the trance, if Silver had anything to do with this.
"Alright I will try for Lead." She closed her eyes and placed her hands together. Centering herself she began to concentrate in earnest and when she opened her eyes they again glowed blue.
*Lead*
*Lead it’s me Sapphire*
*Lead*
*It’s no good Steel*
*Try harder*
*If I go further, deeper I may be lost.*
*I will be your anchor, do it Sapphire GO!*

The last few words cracked through her mind, and as she flung herself deeper into the nothing she felt Steel's strong hands on her shoulders reminding her of where they were.
*Lead can you hear me?*
*Lead*
His hands tightened and she redoubled her efforts, spinning further into the void, then further.
*LEAD*
She felt stretched, pulled in all directions.
*LEAD!*
*Further Sapphire*
She cried out in fear and desperation, her mind seemed to be slipping away and there was no end to the void.
*LEAD!!!…anyone*
*Further!*
She heard his voice as from miles away and even though she was far away and frightened she obeyed pushing herself outward again.
*LEAD*
She felt molecule thin now as at last her strength started to fade.
*Lead…* then,
*sapphire?*
and it was gone, in place of the tenuous question and feeling of triumph a malevolence reached out making her recoil in alarm, she was too weak to fight anything here.
*Steel!*
*sapphire!*
she felt panicked now, so far flung.
*Help me Steel!*
*Sapphire I’m here, come back*
Turning from the barrier she tried to return to flee, but every direction seemed the same as the thing uncoiled around her. She was lost! Out in the nothing and IT was coming for her!
*STEEL!*
He tightened his grip on her shoulders and her body flinched.
*I’m here Sapphire, just turn to me. Calm down you know the way, come back*
Calming at his unhurried words she reached out and fled down the memory of his hands on her shoulders, grip tight enough to bruise. So relieved to have found the way she almost missed,
*come back, come back to me*