A New Beginning

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Colony Events and Celebrations

            “Commander Taylor has his own holiday?” Jason said a bit shocked at the audacity of it.

            “No, Jason.” Rayne said walking with him through the market place as it was lunch time and they were getting something to eat. “It’s a celebration of the day the first man came through the portal, and that just happened to be Commander Taylor.” She explained, “He’s our leader and survived 118 days here on his own. The only human in all of Terra Nova, a place that no one knew anything about and he survived it alone.”

            “Sounds like hero worship if you ask me.” Jason mumbled. Rayne gave him a look before coming to a stop and ordering their lunch. Once they had gotten their food they found a place to sit down and eat.

            “Commander Taylor isn’t the only one that the day celebrates you know. There’s Lt. Washington, and Hope plaza, and the first engineers that came here to start building.” Rayne said.

            “But Taylor is still the first thing on everyone’s lips.” Jason said. It was true and Rayne wasn’t going to argue it so she took a bite of her kabob. “Doesn’t it bother you sometimes?” He asked. “Being married to someone that everyone idolizes?”

            “Once we got past the wedding not so much. The fact that he is the leader and founder of the colony meant everyone in Terra Nova was automatically invited to attend and pitch in.” She said.

            “Oh, and I know how much you just love being surrounded by crowds.” He said sarcastically. “Did you try and kill anyone?” He asked.

            Rayne remembered that day rather vividly. Some of it was good, but it was also the night she was abducted from Terra Nova and tortured. They didn’t talk about that, no one did because it was still shocking and bothered Rayne. “No, it was a wonderful ceremony and everyone had fun.”

            Jason sighed a little and put down his food turning towards her, “Rayne this isn’t you.” He said seriously having had this on his mind since his and Taylor’s confrontation. “You always loved working in the field, and since I’ve been here you’ve worked out of a lab. What happened to going out and getting your hands dirty, to being up close and personal with the wild life? I was told you used to go on your own expeditions for months at a time, but you haven’t so much as left the colony without an armed escort in over a year.”

            “Things change, Jason.” Rayne said really not wanting to talk about this anymore, but there was a lot that had happened that he didn’t know about and that she and Taylor did their best to try and forget. “There are more than just animals in Terra Nova. More dangerous and far more deadly.” Her tone was serious and she could remember her recovery in the hospital after the fall she’d taken that ended the life of her unborn child. “Nathaniel and I want a family and we can’t exactly start one if I’m never here.”

            He sighed picking up his plate again, it was like talking to a stone wall. She wouldn’t budge an inch. “Okay so what is this festival all about? What do we do tonight?”

            “Well, there’s a dance of course. The children are doing a play. There’s some other things going on. It’s a pretty full program.” She said.

            “Rayne.” They looked up to see one of the soldiers, “The Commander wants to see you.”

            “Oh. Alright.” She said thinking this odd but stood handing Jason her plate and hurrying off with the soldier. Jason sighed and took another bite of his food.

 

Sexual Escapades

            A few more hard deep thrusts, and Taylor and Rayne’s bodies shuttered against each other in pure pleasure. They clung to each other another moment before Taylor rolled off to the side of her reaching down and pulling the covers up over them. Their minds seemed to be on something that was bothering them both tonight if their activities were any indication. It was a lot less personal and loving than usual.

            Rayne turned over and leaned up on her elbow looking at Taylor, “We can’t go on like this, Nathaniel.” She said seriously.

            “Yeah.” He said looking at the ceiling.

            “He behaved at the festival, didn’t he? He joined in with everyone and even had some fun.” Rayne offered.

            “I don’t think he’s ever going to stop trying to get with you.” Taylor said, “Tried talking to him, tried beating it into him, I don’t know what’s left.”

            A quiet moment passed before Rayne rested her hand on his chest. There was something that had been on her mind and it was legitimate. “I do.” She said softly. Taylor looked at her wanting to hear what she had to say. “The expedition leaves in two days, and they need a zoologist. You’ve already said that I can’t go.” Strangely this hadn’t even crossed Taylor’s mind and he wasn’t certain why.  “They’ll be gone for 7 or 8 months. It would be a good learning experience for Jason.”

            “Are you sure about this?” Taylor asked.

            Rayne paused before she gave a nod. “There is still a lot about this world and time that he doesn’t understand. This will give him better insight . . . and time to decide that his behavior hasn’t been acceptable and he has got to respect our wedding vows.”

            Taylor hadn’t been expecting this to come from her and he turned sitting up a bit reaching over and cupping her face stroking her face with his thumb. “I’m sorry honey.” He said honestly.

            “No more than I am.” She admitted knowing that all this had gone on far too long.

            He leaned closer and kissed her softly before kissing her again. “Wanna try this again?” He asked. It wasn’t as though they hadn’t both reached orgasm before but it wasn’t making love so much as carnal instinct. She smiled and kissed him back and they continued before the kisses became more passionate. It wasn’t long before they were wrapped in each other’s tight and loving embrace.

 

Crash Courses

            “Remember, stay with the soldiers and don’t wonder away from the camp by yourself.” Rayne said walking with Jason to the rovers that were packed and ready to go at the gate. “Record everything, pictures and data.”

            “Rayne,” Jason said stopping her, “I know, we’ve gone over everything 10 times since you told me I was going out.” He said with a chuckle, “I’ll get your data for you.”

            “Okay.” She said seeming she was a little anxious and nervous about the convoy leaving without her. “Just make certain that you keep charged power cells in your Plex. There’s nothing worse than finding a new species and not being able to capture its image and readings.” Jason just grinned and rolled his eyes continuing on his way as she followed after.

            Jason paused at the door of the rover and turned looking at Rayne. “Miss me?” He asked in a light tone.

            Rayne just gave him a smile before reaching out and hugging him a moment, “Go on.” She said hitting his shoulder. He gave a nod and turned climbing in just as the last call for them to leave came. The rovers moved out and left the gates as everyone watched them disappear down the road. Slowly the gates came down closing off Terra Nova from the outside world. A shiver went down Rayne’s spine and she wrapped her arms around herself. Taylor turned having been giving instructions to his military personnel seeing Rayne standing there still looking towards the gates. He walked up behind her and put his hand on her waist.

            “Alright?” He asked.

            “Did I just send him to his death.” She said softly.

            “As long as he follows the rules, the soldiers will do their job and keep everyone safe.” Taylor reassured her. “It’ll be good for him. You learned in the field.”

            She sighed a little, “I didn’t feel like I had something to prove. I just came here to see the animals.” His arm around her he rubbed her arm and shoulder a little.

            “Well fortunately the one he has to prove something to is you. So I imagine that he’s going to gather all the information he can, probably even keep everything in triplicate.” Taylor said. Rayne smiled feeling like she shouldn’t laugh at what he’d just said but it was funny. The Commander grinned. “Come on, I’m told your newest babies have arrived.” Rayne gave a nod knowing that the team had went out and collected some animals that she wanted to study up close and she needed to check them in.

 

More Trouble

            “Rayne, you cannot keep that animal in the compound, someone is going to get hurt.” Malcolm said seriously.

            “She’s not going to reach maturity for months, there’s no danger of her getting out of her cage or attacking anyone.” Rayne insisted.

            “It spits venom.” He said raising his voice slightly, “It doesn’t have to get out of its cage, you yourself have stated that it can expel up to 15 feet.”

            “But she can’t do that until she reaches Maturity.” Rayne repeated from before. “You’re acting like I’m an intern or like I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m the one who gave you all this information, remember?”

            “You are part of my department, and I am telling you that animal needs to go today.” Malcolm said. “It should never have been brought into the colony in the first place.”

            “Malcolm, it’s still a baby. We don’t know much about them because they are, babies. We were lucky to come across this one, it’s mother must have been eaten or killed by another creature and that’s the only reason we got a hold of this one. I’ll have her out of the colony before she reaches an age where she can spit venom. You put her out there by herself right now and she’s next on the menu.” Rayne argued.

            “WHY,” A voice said as both looked to see Taylor enter, “is it that every other day I have to come in here and break you two up like some domestic couple that’s gone terribly wrong?” He questioned. “I’ve got reports and complaints coming in that you two are shouting at each other at the top of your lungs.” Both Malcolm and Rayne started talking at once and Taylor couldn’t understand either of them. “ENOUGH!” he said looking between them. “My God, you’re both supposed to be educated mature adults.” He looked at Malcolm, “What is the problem this time?”

            Malcolm was nearly at his wits end but took a breath, “My chief zoologist signed off on an animal being brought into the colony that is highly dangerous and cannot be domesticated without checking with me first. I believe because she knew I wouldn’t sign off on it being brought into Terra Nova.” He said stating his case. “That animal shoots acid that burns the human body beyond repair usually resulting in instantaneous death.”

            Taylor turned to Rayne to hear her side, “That isn’t true, the detail came across her when they were out collecting the other animals on my list. It was an opportunity and we took advantage of it. She’s in a secure and safe holding pen, and she does become ‘dangerous’ for at least 6 to 7 months. She doesn’t have the ability or the venom to do that yet.”

            Taylor sighed knowing already what had to be done. “As much as I hate to say it, Malcolm’s right.” Rayne looked away feeling frustrated. “Protocol prohibits any animals that could be potently dangerous or hazardous to the colonists being brought in through that gate.”

            Rayne was out voted. She couldn’t keep the animal in the colony. Then she had another idea, “What about outpost 6?” Rayne asked seriously. “It’s a secure outpost and they have the equipment to study her in a secure environment. Doctor Finn would be willing to keep her and research her. I can go out and check on things each week.” She looked between the two men. Taylor looked at Malcolm who still seemed uncertain about it. “Please. This is a rare opportunity for us. The parents of this species are vicious and never let anything near their young.”

            Taylor waited to hear what Malcolm wanted to do as it was his department. He couldn’t think of a good reason to tell her no this time, it seemed like a reasonable enough concession to the problem. “What if you’re wrong about the rate of maturity?” Malcolm asked.

            “We’ll take readings every day. As soon as her glands fully develop, we’ll release her back into the wild.” Rayne said crossing her heart like a girl scout. Malcolm sighed. They did need the data.

            “Alright, but only because Dr. Finn has zoology training, and if he agrees to take on the job.” He said giving her a condition to this plan. Rayne nodded in agreement and it seemed they had finally come to an understanding. “I’ll make transport preparations.” He said before turning and leaving the lab.

            Taylor looked at Rayne, “Now why couldn’t you just come to that on your own? I’m getting real tired of having to play referee between the two of you.” The commander said seriously.

            “He doesn’t understand, Nathaniel.” She said frustrated, “He’s perfectly happy taking things apart and performing fact finding autopsies. But to really understand these creatures we have to get up close and personal with them.”

            “Look, Snow White,” He began, “You are familiar with protocol, you’ve been here to long not to be. You can’t just ignore them when you feel like it, and I can’t show you any favoritism, as much as I would like too.” Taylor said in a stern tone. “He’s your superior and you have to respect that. I know he’s a pain in the ass but it’s just something we all have to deal with.”

            Rayne sighed realizing that perhaps this time she was the one out of line. But she’d gotten so excited when they brought in the baby raptor, she couldn’t let Malcolm just turn her loose into the wild on her own. “Okay.” She said softly.

            Taylor saw the look of defeat cross her face and walked over kissing her cheek. “I’m sorry honey.”

            “No, you’re right. I was ignoring protocol.” She surrendered. “I just thought we’d gotten lucky with the raptor.”

            “Well, you gotta work on it honey. I don’t want to have to throw you in the brig. Which is where this is heading if you and Malcolm can’t learn to get along.” Taylor explained.

            A moment passed before a small mischievous smile crossed her lips. “IF you arrested me, I guess you’d have to put me in handcuffs.” A small twinkle in her eyes.

            Taylor half smiled, “Can put you in cuffs without taking a trip to the brig.” He rested his forehead against hers, his hands on her waist. They were both grinning at the naughty thoughts running through their minds.

            “Then it could be your turn to wear them a while.” She said looking into his eyes.

            The Commander chuckled, “When’s your lunch break?”

            “Now.” She said anxiously.

            Grinning they kissed deeply before he took her hand and they ran off together.

 

Medical

            Rayne sat on the bio-bed quietly not moving and lost in thought. Elizabeth waited for some kind of response or reaction but Rayne remained silent. “Are you alright, Rayne?” She asked.

            “Are you certain?” Rayne asked.

            “Yes.” The doctor replied, “You’re at 5 weeks now. If you’d come in for your scheduled appointments than I could have told you sooner.” Rayne sighed and looked down. It wasn’t as though she didn’t know how it had happened. She and Taylor had been like rabbits the last few months since they were married. They always had fallen victim to the deep lust for each other since the very first time.

            “So what happens now?” Rayne asked.

            “Well, you had the right idea before. Prenatal vitamins, increasing a healthy diet, seeing me and making every single appointment no skipping. You’re healthy, young, and strong. I don’t foresee you having any difficulties. Everything is normal and looks good.” The doctor reassured her. Rayne just gave a nod still very quiet. Dr. Shannon knew she had to tell her, “Rayne,” She began, “I’ve sent for Commander Taylor.” This caught her attention. “I Haven’t told him anything, but after what happened before he gave a standing order that he be notified if there were any major changes in your health.”

            She sighed, “Doctor patient confidentiality is a thing of the distant future I guess.” She was obviously annoyed by the news.

            “I’m sorry Rayne, I honestly had no choice.” The doctor said apologetically. “No matter how wrong we thing some of the things he does is, he is the law in Terra Nova.”

            “As my husband, he’s the law in our house too.” Rayne admitted.

            “You wanted to see me Doc?” Taylor said coming into the exam room. He saw Rayne sitting on the bio-bed and knew something was up.

            “I’ll give you two some privacy.” Dr. Shannon said before turning and leaving them alone.

            When she left he turned towards Rayne, “What’s up?”

            She was silent a moment, “IT isn’t fair you know.” The commander looked at her not understanding. “I should have been allowed to make you a nice dinner and dress up a little or something.”

            Taylor still didn’t understand what it was she was talking about. Rayne wasn’t ready to tell him yet but there was no choice now.

            “It seems we may need to expand our quarters again.” She didn’t quite know how to say it and that’s what came out.

            It still took him a moment before he realized what she was saying. His eyes went wide as a smile crossed his face, “Really?” He said walking over to her.

            Rayne paused a moment before giving a nod. There was a light in his eyes. It was hard not to catch his growing and infectious excitement. They were going to have a baby. They wrapped their arms around each other and hugged tight. It was wonderful news, and even though she was hesitant at first, Rayne was quickly coming around feeling happy and excited too. They kissed once and then twice before hugging again both smiling in pure joy.

 

Pets

            "Taylor." Malcolm said nearly bursting through the doors of the commanders office. "She's done it again."

             He ran his hand over his face, "Oh for the love of . . . what is it now Malcolm?" Before he could answer Taylor added, "It better be a real one this time or I'm taking your rover for a month." he said seriously.

             "She's keeping a live animal loose in the lab." It was almost a direct quote from the 'do not' section of the rules book. 

            Taylor sighed and just starred at the head researcher for several moments. "I'm going to ask you something Malcolm and I want you to consider your answer carefully." He began. "Is the animal, in it's current state, in any way deadly, poisonous, dangerous or a threat to anyone? Or are your just nit picking your lead zoologist to death because you have a personal problem with her?"

            He was right. Malcolm was now considering his answer very carefully. He sighed and crossed his arms, "She doesn't follow the rules." He said simply.

            "You don't follow all the rules all the time, Why don't you have someone in here pecking off my ear about it every single day?" He questioned. "Would it kill you to cut her some slack? Jesus, i'm starting to think she stayed out in the field all that time since she came here because of you." He stood from his desk and walked closer to Malcolm. "Is it poisonous?" 

            "No." Malcolm replied.

             "Does it bite or even have sharp fangs?" He asked .

              "No . . ." Malcolm was starting to feel like this was an interrogation.

              "What about tiger claws? Bigger then a cats?" Taylor asked .

               "She clipped them but that's not . . ." He tried to say. 

                "Is it bigger then a bread box?" Taylor continued.

                "No,it's relatively small but . . . ."

                "Then for god sake, Malcolm. Do something you haven't done for a while and let it go." Taylor said seriously. The scientist quieted knowing that maybe he was being a bit unreasonable. "She's been making an honest effort to get along with you lately, how are you missing the bus?"

                "Of course she's brilliant, there is no arguing that, but she always wants everything her own way." Malcolm pointed out.

                "Something you two have in common" Taylor said, "Which was going on way before she and I got involved."

                Malcolm was caught off guard when the commander said that not having realized his slip of the tongue had gotten back to Taylor. "I didn't  . . . I didn't mean . ." He stuttered.

            "Look Malcolm, Rayne and I like to keep our work and personal life separate, but regardless of that people are gonna talk and make all sorts of assumptions. Its just the way it is for people in our positions in a small community. But I would hate to think that you of all people would fall victim to small town gossip and take it out on your subordinate. Especially since you are completely aware that I show her no special favoritism. In fact, because of this little feud going on between you and her I have been twice as hard on her as I would be on anyone else." Taylor sated. "Now, i will talk to her and find out whats going on with this thing, but you need to think if this is the sort of boss, the sort of person you want to be."

            With that, Taylor turned and left his office leaving Malcolm behind to consider everything that had just been said.

            When he arrived at the lab, he heard Rayne's music playing, and as reported, there was a loose animal curled over her shoulder half asleep while she worked. "Oh, Rayne." He said having been hoping it wasn't true and had been Malcolm's rampant imagination.

            She sighed and looked at Taylor, "Ran right to your office, tongue wagging all the way didn't he."

            "Baby, this one is spelled out in bold letters in the protocols No indigenous animals allowed  non-contained in Terra Nova." Taylor quoted. 

            "He's contained." Rayne said, "We're in my lab, there's doors and windows all around." She pointed around them. Taylor just gave her a look letting her know that was pretty weak. "He's harmless."

            Taylor walked around and reached up carefully picking up the creature as Rayne passed it to him. "This guy doesn't seem like he's got a mean bone in his body." The creature began to trill happily like a cat purring only much louder when the commander rubbed his neck Rayne smiled, "What is it?" He asked rather enjoying the little guy.

            "I haven't decided yet." She said honestly. "He isn't a reptile, which might make Malcolm's head explode with his latest theories." She said a small smile on her lips at the thought. Taylor gave her a look and she sighed wiping it off her face. "He's a tree dweller, way high up in the canopy. Like a prehistoric ancestor of a squirrel or raccoons." She reached up petting him a bit, "I call him Reggie."



            Taylor grinned when he heard the name, "really?"



            Rayne nodded, "He's a vegetarian. Hence the reason for the climbing and clinking, he's actually pretty friendly." Rayne explained.



            "He's sort of out of place in such a hostile surrounding isn't he?" Taylor asked.



            "Nah, there are other creatures like him around. It's just that the hunters and predators keep your attention while the ones like him keep hidden to survive." She answered, "They don't really come out because everything eats them."



            "Unpleasant thought." Taylor rubbed it's neck a bit more looking between it and Rayne and finally sighed, "Alright, but only if he stays in the lab. I don't want other people thinking they can have pets."



            Rayne grinned and hopped up hugging him and kissing his cheek. "Thank you." She said hugging him again. The small creature crawled over his arm and down Rayne's lab coat to her desk and curled up in a ball. They both laughed at the small creature who had independently decided it was time for a nap.



            "How are you doing, honey?" Taylor asked rubbing her shoulders a bit before moving to rest his hand over her abdomen. "What did Dr. Shannon have to say this morning?"



            She smiled a little and put her hand over his, "The doctor says everything is fine. We're both very healthy. The baby is strong." She laughed a little, "I'm not even showing yet, I'm not sure what you're looking for."



            The commander knew it was a little silly, but he couldn't help it. "I know, I'm just . . ." He paused wrapping his arms around her pulling her against him. "Guess i'm just a little anxious is all."



            "I know the feeling." She admitted and they both grinned and kissed deeply.

 

Unlikely Allies



            "It's ironic," Lucas said looking at Jason who sat on a nearby log next to the fire. "Rayne Taylor's assistant getting separated from a science expedition."



            "It's even more bizarre that you found me in this insane place before something else did." Jason admitted, "God, I’ll never live this down. Rayne knows this place like the back of her hand. My first trip from the colony and I get lost." He grumbled a bit, "Commander Taylor will never let me live this down."



            "I take it you don't like him much." Lucas said passing him the canteen.



            "He's a bastard." He said taking a drink, "It's bad enough to have spent all that time trying to get back here to find Rayne's married, but to him? That Macho act gets real old." Jason was becoming more annoyed by the second. "He's supposed to be in charge of the colony security, instead he's more a fascist dictator." Lucas smirked having the exact same view of his father. "Rayne has lost her mind. When she left 2149 she hated people like him, and she married one?"



            "Well, my father does have a tendency to charm people into falling for his garbage on a regular basis." Lucas said. Jason fell silent in surprise.



            "Commander Taylor is your father?" He said realizing that he probably overstepped boundaries countless times in his ranting. "I'm sorry . . . I didn't realize. . . ."



            "Oh no, don't apologize. I hate him at least 20 times more then you do." Lucas had a slightly wild look in his eyes when he said that. "So tell me, if she wasn't married to 'the great commander Taylor', you think you'd still have a shot with her?"



            "He's the only thing standing between us. If he wasn't here, I know we'd be together." Jason said with absolute certainty.



            Lucas smiled having found an alley in a prime position next to Rayne. Not to mention he was motivated. What better way to lure her out of the colony then with a trusted friend who seemed to think the sun rose and set with her.



Bugs



            Rayne was having a class for the colony young ones in her lab today. Working with the various animals she had to study. Reggie was a particular favorite that captivated all of them but the other thing that caught their attention was the wide array of bugs. Bugs of every kind, color, shape and all of them 50 times as big as they were in 2149.



            It seemed Rayne's class was a favorite with all the school children and even quite a few adults. Near the end of her class, Taylor came in and waited patiently. It could only mean he had news and she quickly helped make sure all the animals were securely back in their cages. Then dismissed everyone who hurried along to their next classes. When they were alone, she walked over to him. "Have you heard anything?" She was anxious as they had received word yesterday about Jason's disappearance.



            Taylor shook his head, "No but they're expanding their search pattern. I've sent out more soldiers to expand the perimeter and help look for him." Rayne closed her eyes and then looked away. "Hey." Taylor said taking her hand, "This isn't your fault. Something will turn up."



            "Yeah, but in how many pieces?" She said. "He knew not to leave the camp without an escort, I said it a million times before he left." She said feeling frustrated and powerless. Rayne shook her head, "He wasn't ready. I shouldn't have sent him."



            "Don't start second guessing yourself, it doesn't help anyone. Now we're going to keep looking and we won't stop until we know what happened to him." Taylor reassured her. Rayne gave a nod still racked with guilt. "Come on." He said pulling her into his arms holding her tight. "It'll be alright."

 

Good Vibrations



            Rayne had been feeling much better, relieved when they received word that Jason was found and the expedition was on the way home. The past few nights little sleep was had in the Taylor home. Rayne was in a passionate fever that Taylor found himself barely able to keep up with. To the point where he was exhausted in the morning, she seemed to have more energy than ever.



            "Everything alright commander?" The doctor asked when he came through the door looking like something the cat had dragged in.



            "Coffee doesn't seem to be enough right now, and I was wondering if you had something to help me through the day today?" He asked.



            "I can give you a stimulant for today, but you can't make a habit out of it." Taylor gave a nod and the doctor retrieved it out of a drawer. "You haven't been sleeping well?" She asked.



            Taylor sighed a bit and gave her his arm, "I'm married to a hot-blooded woman doc." He admitted. "A lot more so then usual this week, and that's really saying something."



            Elizabeth smiled and gave him the injection, "It's a myth that a woman's sexual drive decreases when she's pregnant. In some women it because stronger than ever." She explained. Taylor was already feeling much better. "It isn't a bad thing, but sleep is very important for her and the baby. You should probably limit yourselves at the very least to every other day."



            "I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, doc. I'm really not." Taylor insisted. "It does take two after all, and I haven't exactly said no or tried to slow her down."



            "Still." Elizabeth insisted, "Every other night for now is best." Taylor gave a nod in agreement before he turned and left the office. Elizabeth chuckled to herself finding it a little bit funny.

 

Doctors Orders



            "Honey," Taylor said his eyes closed laying on his back when he felt soft touches and kisses on his body under the covers. "You're supposed to be sleeping." He reminded her.



            "I woke up." She said living her head and kissing his cheek.



            "Dr. Shannon said every other night and this isn't one of those nights." He wrapped his arm around her before opening his eyes and kissing her head.



            "I know, but . . ." She started to say but he rested her head on his chest rubbing her shoulder a bit. It got quiet a moment and Taylor assumed they were both making an honest attempt to go back to sleep. However when he started to drift off, Rayne's voice broke the silence, "Just a quick one?" She asked in a soft voice. Taylor couldn't help but chuckled a bit.



            "Girl, you are going to be the death of me yet." He said opening his eyes and wrapping both arms tight around her. She grinned and found his lips as they began to kiss hungrily. He started to roll them onto her back but instead she wrapped her thigh around his waist and flipped them onto his back straddling his hips as she sought out his lips and devoured them again.



            Both of them were 'hot-blooded' as the commander had put it, but these past few days, Rayne had become downright aggressive and not in the good way. Tonight may have been the worst so far. After a few moments Taylor caught her wrists, "Hey." He said pulling back from her kisses wanting to slow her down a little, but her body continued to move against his. "Rayne, . . .Rayne!" He said flipping them onto her back so he could get a better hold of her. She seemed to calm down slightly even though her body kept writhing beneath him, and he could feel a warmth to her skin. "Easy." He said looking into her eyes. There was definitely something off here. It was like she couldn't control herself.

 

Appointments



            "Thanks for keeping this private doc." Taylor said as he and Rayne stood in the exam room. Rayne felt like she was going to die of embarrassment at all this. "Did you find anything?"



            Elizabeth gave a nod, "Pheromones." She stated simply. "Rayne's research turned up a pheromone identical to ours in the newest batch of specimens brought in from the field by the science teams. Malcolm took a look and found that the Terentell has been emitting them constantly since it arrived." She explained.



            Taylor looked at Rayne, "And knowing you like I do, you've had your hands on it or been letting it crawl all over you while you worked with it." The young zoologist closed her eyes and dropped her head slightly. It was so obvious now and usually she didn't miss a trick. It was the whole reason she'd been recruited in the first place.



The commander saw her reaction and wrapped his arm around her rubbing her shoulder, "I am so sorry." Rayne apologized sincerely.



            "Hey, it's alright." He half laughed, "No harm done, honey." He reassured her.



            "Yeah, and now we know what’s causing it we can take precautions to contain the problem." Elizabeth said.



            "You're sure it didn't hurt the baby?" Rayne asked.



            "No, everything’s just fine." The doctor said with a smile. "At least now you both can get some sleep."

 

School Kids



            It wasn't long before there were kids hanging out in Rayne's lab outside of school hours and she didn't mind it a bit. They loved being so close to the animals and Rayne loved being the one to introduce them to the children.



            Malcolm was understandably nervous about the lab being turned into an all day petting zoo when it was meant to be a research facility.



            "They aren't hurting anything and the dangerous once are kept locked away." Rayne said when Malcolm came to her and voiced his concerns.



            "That's what you thought with the Terentell, and you remember how that turned out." Malcolm said reminding her of the Pheromone incident. Rayne gave him a look as there were only 4 people in the colony who knew about that and unfortunately, he was one. "I just would rather not any children get hurt."



            "They won't, Malcolm. Don't you think I'm being careful?" Rayne asked.



            Malcolm just looked at her a moment and sighed giving a nod. "But I do think you need to set solid times when they can come in. This all hours of the day nonsense isn't working." Rayne knew he was probably right and gave a nod, "Thank you." Malcolm turned walking out passing Taylor as he came in.



            The commander was impressed, he hadn't hurt any shouting, and everyone’s eyes and limbs seemed to be attached. The two had been working things out between them and he hadn't heard a complaint in weeks. It was encouraging.



            Rayne looked up seeing Taylor and smiled as he walked over to her, "Hey you." He said as he kissed her, "Miss your lunch break?"



            "No. No I was just about to take it. Are we having lunch together today?" She asked.



            "Yeah. Was missing you all morning. Thought we could spend a little time together, talk over some things." Taylor suggested.



            Rayne smiled and turned off her monitor before grabbing her coat and slipping it on going with him as they headed for the market place.



            A little while later they sat together eating their lunch when the commander started the conversation. "You know, it's probably about time we started thinking of some names. Make a few plans."



            "I figured we were going to wait on that and see if we were having a boy or a girl." Rayne said taking a bite of food.



            "Well yeah, but it doesn't mean we couldn't come up with a few." Rayne smiled picking up her water taking a drink.



            "Did you have some in mind?" She asked knowing he must of if he had brought it up.



            "One or two maybe, and we should probably start work on the nursery too." Taylor said. Rayne couldn't help but chuckled a little noting how excited he was. "I was also thinking . . . maybe it was time we told some folks our good news?"



            Rayne's smile faded when he said that. They'd been keeping quiet about it and amazingly it hadn't gotten out to the colony yet. Taylor saw the change in her expression and it was clear the thought of telling people they were expecting made her extremely nervous. "I thought we agreed it was best to keep it for ourselves." Rayne said softly looking at her plate.



            "I know. I know we said that but honey, it isn't like we can keep it a secret. Someone’s going to notice when you start getting bigger." He said, "I'd sort of like to announce it myself before it turns into speculation and rumor."



            Rayne remained silent for another moment. "What about Lucas?" It was a serious fear she had. "If we tell people, it's going to get back to the Sixers, and to him."



            "We aren't going to hide in the shadows and stop living our lives because of him. That's what he wants is to make us miserable and stomp out whatever happiness we find." Taylor said. "And you are safe here, with me. He's not going to take you away from me ever again."

 

Returns



            Jason stood in the lab with Rayne walking her through the data he had collected and brought back. "I've never been as good a sketch artist as you, but I took plenty of captures for each one." He explained.



            "No, this is great. You did a really good job your first time out." Rayne said.



            "Except for getting lost in the middle of nowhere. I'd say that counts for a couple strikes against me." He said sheepishly.



            "The important thing is you found your way back before something else found you and something happened. I was so worried when they radioed you were missing." Rayne admitted.



            "Yeah well . . . luck was on my side." Jason said with a smile not revealing how it was he had managed to survive. "So? Any excitement around here I missed?" He asked.



            Rayne thought a moment, "No, not really." She turned and walked over filing the card away before moving to the next one. "Well, we do have children coming in and out of the lab between 9am and 5pm other than that everything is pretty much the same."



            Jason was looking at the large bouquet of flowers sitting in a vase next to Rayne's station. "What's this?" He asked.



            "Oh, a gift from Nathaniel." Rayne said walking back over to the terminal. "He's been sending me fresh flowers almost every other day. He's been so incredibly . . . sweet." It wasn't a term one would usually use or think of in relation to Taylor, Rayne was probably the only one who held that opinion of him in any way.



            Jason wrinkled his nose a bit when she wasn't looking, irritated by the mere mention of the commanders affections he lavished on Rayne. He saw them as a trick, 'charming' tactics like Lucas had said. "How thoughtful." He remarked since he'd been the one to call attention to the flowers in the first place.



            "He's excited is all. I think he's even more anxious then I am." She said turning back to the terminal.



            "Excited?" Jason asked.



            Rayne realized that Jason had just gotten back and most likely hadn't heard yet. "I'm almost 4 1/2 months." She said, "The baby is due in the fall." It was like a cold bucket of ice water being poured over Jason when he heard her say it. He'd hardly expected this and was almost in shock at the news. "We've already started working on the nursery."

 

            Jason was still dumbstruck, "You're having a baby? His baby?" He said at a loss for words.



            Rayne sighed a little, "Just because you've just gotten back I’m not going to let that upset me." She stated. It was rude and a foolish question that many probably thoughtlessly blurted out when they heard such news before thinking it through. Rayne was a faithful and devoted married woman to one man alone. It was perhaps the worst thing anyone could say to a pregnant woman.



            "I'm sorry, Rayne. I didn't mean anything by it. You just surprised me is all. I wasn't expecting . . .we'll I've only been away for a few months and you're already pregnant?" He said in absolute disbelief.



            "Contrary to popular beliefs, husbands and wives aren't bunk mates. A lot goes on when the lights go out." Rayne said punching in a few commands into her computer to download more data.



            Jason hesitated before walking closer to her, "Rayne?" He asked to get her attention. "Is this really something you want right now? I mean at this time in your life? In this place?"



            Rayne stopped what she was doing and looked at him, "Nathaniel and I love each other. We weren't really expecting this to happen now, but it did and we're incredibly happy about it." She said sincerely. Even with her clear declaration of how she felt, it didn't change his feelings or thoughts truly believing that she was being manipulated into this. "Jason, as my friend . . . can't you find some way to be happy for me? I have a man who lives me, a child of my own on the way, and my life couldn't be better." She said with a hopeful smile.



            It was the exact opposite of what was in his mind, but he smiled for her anyway. "Of course I'm happy for you." He said wrapping his arms around her and giving her a hug, "Congratulations."

 

Categorizing



            Jason was feeding the outside animals taking the daily readings when he felt a familiar feeling. He wasn't alone anymore, and he turned and walked to the next cage considering ignoring it but knowing he couldn't. "And what can I do for you today Commander Taylor." He had a feeling he was in for another testosterone infused show of manhood.



            "I was going over the reports of when you went missing from the expedition. It seems like you disappeared off the radar for three days. Impressive how you managed to survive with hardly a scratch on you. A lab researcher his first time out in the jungle like that. Either you are the luckiest man alive having avoided predators 3 nights in a row, or someone was helping you find your way back to safety." Taylor said seriously.



            "I'd bet money on luck commander. You're not the only one amazed I’m still living and breathing. But I remember what Lt. Washington and Rayne told me about survival out there, and here I am. Alive to tell the tale." There was a sound of amazement in his voice, but Taylor still couldn't trust pure chances like that. The odds were against him in every category.



            "Well, we're glad you made it back in one piece, Jason. I suggest you get familiar with the lab again. In a few weeks you'll be running it on your own for a while, and Rayne tends to like everything just so." Taylor cautioned.



            "Sir?" Jason asked.



            "Even a talented young zoologist like Rayne is entitled to a maternity leave." The commander stated.



            "Oh. But she's not doing that for a while still, is she?" Jason asked, hating the thought of being away from her like that.



            "There is some discussion about that. We'll let you know." Some discussion was putting it lightly, as Taylor was ready for her to take her leave now, and Rayne didn't want to take it at all. With that, Taylor turned and left to go back about his own duties.



            Jason had a dark expression on his face. A baby complicated matters entirely. There had to be some way to pull them apart just enough for her to see that she was wrong about Taylor and he was the one she was supposed to be with that really cared about her.

Biological Attacks



            Rayne was full of energy and felt good today. Every since she came into the lab this morning. She had a spring in her step and was incredibly happy.



            "Don't fall." Jason said seeing her getting something off the tall shelf. She grinned and climbed down kissing his cheek on the way by as she went back to her work. Noting her change in mood and body language, he smiled to himself and moved back towards his station. Watching Rayne, he reached under the table and opened the gasket on the canister even more. He'd read the files on the incident from before and hacked into Rayne's medical files reading the result. Armed with such knowledge he syntheses a much higher x20 concentrated pheromone mixture then what she'd been exposed to with the animal that had started everything. Right now, he was flooding the lab with it.



            After a while it seemed like Rayne was suffering various hot flashes. Her lab coat had come off, her over shirt had followed so now she was just wearing her tank top. She'd even pulled her hair up in clips off her neck and shoulders. There was a slight sheen of seat on her skin as she worked still feeling quite warm.



            Jason decided that perhaps it was time to make his move before she decided she needed to open the windows or get some air. He slipped in behind her looking over her shoulder, "How does it look?" He asked next to her ear.



            Rayne jumped a little not having expected him to be so close, and not usually so easy snuck up on. "Uh . . good. It all looks . . . it looks good." She said taking a nervous step away when she smelled his cologne. "You know what? I have to go." She said reaching for her blouse. "There's . . . some stuff in the market place I want, to . . . I want to pick up for dinner tonight."



            Rayne started to turn to leave but Jason smoothly stepped in front of her cutting off her route of retreat. "Do you remember that night we spent together, when we heard we got the Galatspey Research Grant?" He said backing her against the wall where she had no way to get passed him. He spoke in a low voice, almost a husky whisper next to her ear. "Do you remember how happy we were? Just to be together?"



            Rayne closed her eyes, her entire body feeling like it was burning up from the inside out, and trembling from all these over whelming desires that she didn't understand where they were coming from. "That was a long time ago Jason." He reached up caressing her cheek with his fingertips, and she shivered at the feel of his touch, but she quickly reached up swatting his hands away.



            "I know you want me, Rayne." He said cupping her face pushing her back against the wall when she'd tried to shove him away. "Don't fight it. We're meant to be together you and me, we always have been. You were here in the past, alone, and were lonely that's all. I forgive you for not waiting for me." Jason said putting his hands on her waist and kissing her shoulder.



            "Jason, please stop. Please." She said trying to push him away but he just seemed to hold on tighter, and Rayne was losing control fast. "Please STOP IT!" She cried.



            Suddenly Jason found himself snatched up by his own arm twisted up around his back, "Yeah, Jason. Stop it." Lt. Washington said in his ear, before turning them around and slamming him face first down against the desk. The Lt. and Malcolm had been coming to get some information about a large heard of animals moving just North East of Terra Nova to see if they posed any sort of threat to the colony. When they entered into the lab they came onto this scene of Jason forcing Rayne against the wall and groping her against her wishes.



            Malcolm rushed over to Rayne, "Are you alright?" He asked reaching out to offer assistance but rain help up her hands trembling barely able to keep herself under control right now.



            "I don't know what's wrong with me, Malcolm." She didn't look well, and he wasn't sure why.



            "Is it just me, or does the air seem kind of thick in here?" Wash asked still holding Jason in place.



            "It does doesn't it." Malcolm said feeling it to. He walked over to the computer and ran through the activity files for the lab. He paused backing up finding something unusual and started looking around.



            "What is it?" Wash asked.



            Malcolm searched Jason's work station, and came up with the now empty canister. "You bastard." Malcolm said in disgust walking over to them, "What the hell were you trying to do to this woman?"



            "Malcolm, what is going on? What is that?" Lt. Wash asked again.



            "I'll explain later, right now we need to get you and Rayne out of here immediately, and clear this lab." The head science officer walked over to Rayne, "Come on. It's alright." He said wrapping an arm around her and taking her wrist hurrying her outside.



            Wash radioed for backup and for Shannon to get there fast, before Taylor got wind of any of this.



            A little while later, Elizabeth sat with Rayne on the ground holding a breather over her face as Malcolm stayed nearby to explain to Elizabeth what was going on and help her if needed.



            "Was there a leak or contamination in the lab?" Shannon asked not having been told why he was here yet.



            Malcolm could see that Elizabeth had everything well in hand and Rayne was being cared for. "An intentional one, I'm afraid." He said walking over to Jim and Lt. Washington.



            "Alright Malcolm, what is going on? Why did you guys call me and not Taylor? He'll want to know about this." The Cop pointed out.



            "I called you because when Taylor finds out why I have Jason in custody, we're going to be down a colonist. We caught him attacking Rayne in the lab." Wash said in a low tone not wanting to spread this around. News traveled way to fast in this small colony.



            "It's a good thing we got there when we did, as she was seconds away from attacking him right back." Malcolm sighed.



            "Umm." Shannon was confused, "How could he be forcing himself on her, when she wasn't fighting back?" He questioned.



            "Well that's the problem, you see. She was fighting back, her body wasn't." Shannon just starred at Malcolm waiting for him to make some sense. "Remember that incident a while back with the Pheromones that were affecting Rayne over time?" He held up the empty canister he'd recovered, "Boy wonder over there took that research and sensitized a much stronger more concentrated copy of the pheromone, and flooded the lab with it."



            Washington and Shannon just starred at Malcolm a moment as if not being able to understand what he had just said. "What? You mean . . . he dosed her with these chemical . . . pheromones . . . trying to get her into a sexual frenzy? Is that what your saying?" Shannon said wanting to clarify it.

 

            "Yeah, that's pretty much the jest of it." Malcolm said.



            "Well, you’re right." Shannon said looking at the Lt. "He's a dead man, and I really don't know of any way of preventing it." He looked towards Rayne, "I should ask her if she had any signs something like this would happen from him, before he went totally . . stupid." He started to walk towards her but Malcolm quickly stopped him.



            "No, no no no. That's not a good idea right now Jim. There is only one thing on her mind and she won't be able to help herself." He warned.



            Elizabeth and her assistant carefully lay Rayne back down on the stretcher as she fell asleep. The doctor motioned for the soldiers to take her back to the infirmary and keep the breather on her. "Well," She said waking over to the small group. "She's doing better. I thought it best to sedate her while we continue to flush out her system. It's definitely an original case of overdose I've never seen before." She admitted, "What's going to happen here?"



            "The bylaws are pretty clear about rape." Wash said, "But I don't think the bylaws are going to get a chance to play into this one."



            "You mean, Taylor's going to kill him?" Elizabeth said.



            "If he's lucky." Wash admitted.



            "Well, you all just seem like you're accepting it as a fact. We can't just let Taylor murder him in cold blood like that." Elizabeth said in disbelief at the apathy being shown here.



            "Elizabeth," Jim said, "The man tried to rape Taylor's pregnant wife. Even worse he tried to make her jump his bones to ease his guilt and jumble the facts." He pointed out, "How would I have reacted if it had been you?"



            She honestly couldn't argue with that. Jim would have lost his mind, "You have to do something. Taylor's our leader, how will the colony react when he takes to vigilant justice or become some sort of fascist dictator?" She said seriously. As much as they would understand Taylor's reaction, they all looked at each other, knowing Elizabeth had a point.

 

To Be Continued . . . .

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