A New Beginning

Captives



            "You know you look good. A lot of women tend to just let themselves go after they start having kids. Wasn't sure what I was expecting to see but it looks like all that baby weight just disappeared." Lucas said motioning to her body.



            Rayne was tired from all the taunting and threats, and just exhausted from being manhandled when the other Sixer's arrived back at the tree house. "Why didn't you just kill me?" Rayne asked.



            "Turns out you aren't as easy to kill as one would hope." Lucas said with a small smile.



            "You sent a zoologist a box of spiders. What did you think that was going to do? Was little more than a gag gift." Rayne still didn't understand why he thought that would be a threat. "Making me swallow my own wedding ring and flinging me off a cliff had more merit." She said starring at him.



            "Feeling that now aren't you, mom." He said reaching over and pressing her side where he'd shot her. Rayne's eyes fluttered back and she almost passed out at the pain it caused. "Full power sonic blast at close range, I’ll bet you have a few broken ribs. Must be excruciating."



            "Lucas, what is this?" She said in frustration, "IF you are going to kill me, then kill me. It's what you want isn't it?" Rayne said.



            "No." Lucas seemed surprised that that was what she thought. He walked over and knelt down beside her leaning in close to her face, "No, you see, I want to understand. I want to know what it is about you that eases my father’s guilt so much, that he can just forget about what he's done. How he let my mother die, why he imagines that taking a wife 3 years younger than his son absolves him of everything." Lucas said through his teeth grabbing her hair and jerking her closer.



            "You can't believe any of that Lucas. You are smarter than that. You can't think that Taylor thinks any of that either . . . " Lucas jerked her head not liking to be patronized by her of all people. Rayne closed her eyes and took a breath, her neck aching from how he twisted it back. "Despite everything, he still loves you." She said quickly.



            "No." He said in a low voice, "If he loved me, mom, I doubt I would be out here living like an animal, and he'd forget the heinous crimes he committed against me and my mother." Lucas was deadly serious and released her hair but caught her face with both hands in a vice like grip so she couldn't look away from him. "At first glance the assumption is that an ego maniac like my father saw a hot young piece of ass, and being the great commander Taylor was entitled to it. Twice your age, what else could you want but the power of being his wife, so close to his ear."



            Rayne felt sick to her stomach not knowing what she was supposed to do. When she looked at him, Lucas's eyes were his father’s eyes.



            "But there has to be something more than that. Something that made you both think you were allowed to have a child." Lucas looked at her, "I'm going to rip you apart piece by piece if that's what it takes to find out." Releasing her he walked back to the small fire.



            Rayne closed her eyes having a hard time breathing knowing how bad of a situation she was in, and being so full of fear her body trembled even though she tried to hide it.

 

Touches Like This



            Rayne kept as attentive as she could even though it was difficult when Lucas was around to focus on anything else. Every time he said, "Mom" it was in this most malicious tone possible. If there was even the slightest hope of escape she would take it.



            Jason was retrieved by the Sixer's getting the treatment he needed from the beginning now that he had survived his purpose as bait. Lucas came into the small hut where Rayne was being held and went over sitt9ing down next to her. She sat up and leaned against the wall her hands still tied behind her back.



            "You know, I remember how people would call you Snow White. Didn't matter what it was, you could always calm these creatures down, and even touch them." Lucas said, "It seems to be a power you have on men as well. After all it took for him to get here, all the way until he was banished, Jason is still head over heels in love with you. My father turns into some sort of school boy whenever he's around you." He studied her for a moment, "I wonder if it's simpler then that. I've assumed you had muttled their heads for them to fall for you so hard." His eyes wondered over her body. "Maybe it wasn't the heads they have on their shoulders you were mystifying."



            Rayne felt a very real danger in the approaching situation. The way he had been looking at her since he got there let her know that he thought of her as less than human. Lucas moved to sit next to her on the pallet. Reaching up he placed his hand on her thigh squeezing firmly before he moved close to her face. Her eyes went wide and she tried to pull away, but he grabbed her by the throat and jerked her closer devouring her lips mercilessly. She cried out but he swallowed her screams.



            Somehow, she managed to separate her lips from his gasping for air trying to breath, "No, STOP! Lucas, leave me be!" She cried.



            It was like he didn't even acknowledge her words, and just continued to touch her and kiss her however he wanted. When he began to pull her to lay down beneath him, she brought her leg up between his hitting her knee hard against his thigh stunning him for a moment. Bringing her leg up she kicked him hard throwing him off of her as she quickly rolled over and got herself up on her feet. Lucas was starting to come out of his momentary daze, and instantly Rayne through herself at him, and stepped on his chest forcing him back to the floor, before going down on one knee, leaning on it hard into his throat pinning him there.



            Unfortunately, Lucas was strong then she was, and even though she leaned most of her weight against his corroded artery trying to make him pass out, her hands were still tied behind her back and she didn't have much of an advantage. Reaching up he hit her in her stomach hitting her right where she'd taken the Sonic Blast knocking her wind from her chest and she couldn't catch her breath.



            Reaching up, Lucas knocked her off him before quickly snatching her arms and pinning her to the floor beneath him straddling her thighs. He started to laugh in an amused yet annoyed tone at the moves she'd just tried on him. "Father certainly has taught you a thing or two hasn't he mom." He said catching his own breath. Rayne winced as he was leaning right on the bruising on her side and couldn't care less.



            "I was coming to a new colony that maybe had a shortage of women, do you think I came through the portal unprepared for such attacks?" She said through her teeth trying to keep from screaming at the pain she was feeling.



            "So basically for your cooperation all I have to do is douse in you pheromones is that it?" He said having known what Jason had tried when he got caught and kicked out of the colony.



            "The only shot you ever had with me was when I was unconscious." She hissed at him angry that the pain he was causing just touching her tender body was constant and never stopped.



            "Oh mom." Lucas said with a grin. "If you really insist." Then he suddenly punched her across the face and she blacked out completely. He stood up leaving her lying there not moving rubbing his neck where she'd twisted her knee against it.

 

Troubled



            Jim stood with Washington as the colony military force was all feeling the pressure coming from the top. They'd been doing drills, extra patrols, and their fearless leader had become much more strict then he had ever been. He was on edge, and everything was rolling down hill.



            "I know she wouldn't do this." Washington said looking at Shannon, "Rayne would know how much this is upsetting him, and she wouldn't just leave him and Willow without a word to anyone."



            "Except it's been almost 2 weeks and we haven't found any evidence that she did otherwise, Wash. Maybe things just got to much for her being back here in the Colony too long. It seemed like her duties as zoologist got more and more limited every other week. She went from being out in the field for months on end, to not even being to work in her own lab." Jim suggested.



            Wash shook her head, "No. I'm telling you Shannon she wouldn't just up and leave without discussing it with Taylor. Or at least telling him what she was going to do. Besides that, I honestly don't think she intended to be gone for more then a day or two. You've seen how she is with Willow since she's been born she doesn't want to spend that much time away from her little girl."



            "Lt. Washington?" A solider hurried up to them, "We're picking up a transmission, it's very weak and the voice is faint but they said something about Mrs. Taylor." He reported. Both Wash and Shannon hurried to the transmission unit to find out what was going on.



            When they arrived Taylor was already at the scene trying to help filter out the message and get a clear signal. "Taylor, come in. Terra Nova are you reading me?"



            "That's Jason." Shannon said in surprise looking at Taylor.



            "He's still alive?" Washington said just as shocked.



            "The only way that's possible is that he has to be running with the Sixers. He wouldn't be able to make it out there on his own." Taylor said. He reached over pushing a button, "This is Terra Nova receiving your transmission." He said simply.



            "Terra Nova, I know where Rayne is, I know where they are keeping her. Do you read me?" He said as it seemed he was having a hard time hearing them, but he'd definitely caught everyone’s attention.



            "This is Commander Taylor Jason, repeat what you said. Where who is keeping her?" He asked.



            "I don't have much time, they'll be able to trace this frequency. She's being kept 5 clicks south of the eastern falls. In a hut in the canopy. She's still alive, but Lucas has . . . . . she's keeping . . . . no . . . . harm . . . ." The transmission was breaking up fast.



            "He has to be moving, he's almost out of range." Washington said looking at Taylor.



            "You have to hurry, she needs . . . . . . to . . . safely." Then the line when dead and was just static.



            "Jason, Jason come back. Did not read your last transmission, please repeat. Over." No answer came and it seemed they had completely lost contact with their first real lead on where Rayne had gone.



            "That asks a lot more questions than it answers." Shannon said.



            "That may be the case but now we have a place to start looking." Taylor said, "Get a unit ready, I want us out there fast."

Rescue Missions



            Much to their surprise, just four clicks out from where they were told she was being kept, they found her. She'd been making her way back through the jungle towards Terra Nova, and saw their convoy approaching. Taylor bailed out while the rover was still moving and ran up to her wrapping his arms around her holding her tight. Closing her eyes she rested his head to his chest just clinging to him for all she was worth having thought she was never going to see him again.



            Pulling back he kissed her deeply before holding her against him again. The other soldiers spread out making a perimeter around the rovers for now. The medic hurried over ready to start examining Rayne. She had a bloody bandage around one of her arms, and her bruises were numerous. Sitting her down on a nearby rock, the medic went to work assessing her injuries. "What did they do to you?" Taylor asked seeing her arm.



            "They didn't do that, I did." She admitted. "I slipped when I was cutting the restraint on a broken piece of metal."



            "You escaped?" Taylor asked.



            "It took a lot longer than I would have liked, but yeah." She said wincing a little bit when the medic put a bandage on the wound.



            "Come on, let’s get out of here." Taylor said helping her back to her feet, "Everyone mount up!" He roared deciding it was time to high tail it back to camp, especially if they were out looking for her.



            Taylor sat with Rayne in the Rover looking at her as the medic finished up with the field patching she could do before moving to the back of the rover. Taylor just starred at the young woman as she pulled her hair back off her face twisting it up in a tie.



            "What the hell were you doing out here in the first place, Rayne?" He asked as it had been the one burning question on his mind since she'd left the colony. She was quiet knowing he wasn't going to like the answer. When she said nothing Taylor sighed, "We'll get you home, get you cleaned up, then we'll have the debriefing." He said.

 

Explanations



            Taylor, Shannon, and Malcolm in his office with Rayne. Taylor would have liked to do this one on one but they were following colony protocols in having the other senior security officers present. She explained why she had gone out there in the first place, what she had found, and then what led to her capture by the Sixer's having used Jason as bait.

 

            Taylor sat at his desk and wasn't happy to say the least and just starred her with a very displeased look as an uncomfortable silence filled the space.



            Shannon cleared his throat a little, "Rayne, why would you go out there alone? I mean, why would you even answer his call and not anyone about it? He was banished in the first place for attacking you." He asked.



            "I know," She said looking down a moment, "I know that banished, and what he was banished for, everyone would feel that way." She paused again her voice a little shaky, "HE was so scared, absolutely terrified and helpless. In his message, he was in tears. I'd never heard a sound as awful as that." She sighed softly, "So i made certain that Willow was looked after and cared for, and took a medical emergency pack from the infirmary. I didn't think I would be gone more than a day. Two at the most. looked at Taylor, "What else could I do?



            "IGNORED it!" He roared. "you just up and left Terra Nova without telling a soul. You didn't even take or rover or your identity chip making it impossible for us to track you in case of danger."



            "If you could track me then so could the Sixers." She said honestly, "I didn't know he'd joined up with them until I got to him. He was and he was dying, slowly and painfully."



            "Rayne you could have told me." Malcolm spoke up, "IT was a humanitarian mission, you didn't have to hide it when those are permitted."



            "Only if they're sanctioned by me!" Taylor roared.



            "And you wouldn't have sanctioned it because of who it was that needed help." Rayne answered and Taylor scoffed in disgust. "He wasn't lying about being injured and needing help.



            "Except he was being used as bait to lure you outside of the colony, you said so yourself." Shannon reminded her.



            Rayne looked away still humiliated she'd been tricked so easily. "HE was the only one there, I didn't see any signs of anyone else being in the area." She knew she'd let her guard down and that's why Lucas managed to sneak up on her like he did.



            "So you got yourself caught, alone in the jungle, absolutely no one in Terra Nova having any idea what happened to you or why." Taylor said, "You haven't been back a day and your already breaking rules and ignoring protocols AGAIN." He scolded. "You refused to cooperate with Dr. Shannon when we came in the gate, and you refuse to visit the infirmary which is a must for everyone who has spent any time in the field."

 

            There was a moment of silence, and Taylor saw how she clinched her jaw and began to stare straight forward. The clear way she had become tight lipped made Taylor realize that there was something she attention called to by going to the medical staff in the first place. "Would you excuse us please gentleman." Taylor said dismissing Shannon and Malcolm. They looked at each other then turned and left closing the doors of the office.



            Taylor walked around his desk and leaned against it, crossing his arms not saying a word for what seemed like an eternity. "I have a beautiful daughter that's only 5 months old. She has my eyes and her mother’s ears and " He clinched his jaw trying not to lose his temper. "She almost lost the chance to know her mother because you can't seem to follow any kinds of rules Terra Nova has."



            "Nathaniel, I wasn't it . . ." She started to say but it was clear he wasn't ready to hear her yet.



            "I'M TALKING." He said sternly. Rayne closed her mouth as her head dropped a little. "I blame myself here, because I have left you do this. I've let you run wild for years which has resulted in letting you think you can do anything you want and get away with it. And because left the safety of the colony, on your own, and got yourself captured by Sixers!" He yelled.



            "Lucas." She said correcting him. Taylor fell silent starring at her when she said that. Rayne turned and looked at him, "It was Lucas's trap. He was the one who caught me, and held me for the past 8 days."



            Taylor looked at her horrified by the revelation. It was what he had feared but he didn't know it had actually happened. Taylor was still angry that she had done what she had, but now he felt a wave of fear wash over him. Lucas had her for 8 days before she could escape him. He closed his eyes a moment, a million things running through his head before he managed to get the words out, "What did he do to you?" He asked.



            Rayne didn't say anything and looked down again, choosing her words. "I'm not going to tell you." She said in a definite and stern tone. Taylor looked at her in a shocked and confused tone. "I am never going to tell you. Because I love you." She said sincerely.



            "Rayne," Taylor began not certain what he was feeling right now, he was numb. "If he hurt you . . ."



            "Of course he hurt me." She said wishing that it had never been brought up. "The first thing he did was shoot me with a sonic at point blank range." She lifted her shirt showing the still prominent mark on her side. It might have healed more if Lucas didn't hit it again every chance he got to keep her in line." Taylor moved closer horrified at the mark. "But it will heal. All of it will heal." She promised.



            Her eyes remained down as Taylor's anger was boiling, less at her now, and more at the wayward son who would do such a thing. "I'm your husband, Rayne. I have a right to know."



            She smiled a little looking at him having decided before she escaped that these were secrets she was going to carry to her grave and not burden him with knowing. "I was treated well enough, and I believed he decided not to kill me this time." She said giving him all the information she was going to give him.



            "The marks on your body that I can see, say otherwise." He said when she said she'd been treated well. "You were tortured, Rayne. I know you were." Rayne didn't say anything and just smiled softly at him. Taylor had a helpless feeling inside him now that he didn't like, and it only made him angry. "I'm having you taken to the infirmary right now, and having Dr. Shannon do a full work up. You're to cooperate with her fully, Rayne, that's an order." He said in a forceful and stern tone.



            Rayne realized that she couldn't go against his wishes and if he was ordering her now, he meant it. It seemed it was unavoidable and she just gave a simple nod. Taylor called on the radio for Wash who quickly came into his office. "Take Mrs. Taylor to the infirmary, have the Doc check her out from head to toe."



            "Yes sir." The Lt. said. Rayne looked at him a moment longer before she turned and went with Wash leaving the commanders office.

Hypocritical Oath



            "I'm sorry commander." The doctor said walking over to her computer terminal and inputting some data. "I can't discuss her medical results from the tests with you. It's covered under patient doctor privilege." She explained.



            "Doc, she was kept in captivity and tortured for 8 days, I think I need to know what the hell happened to her while they had her." Taylor protested.



            "I can't, Taylor. Not just because of my oath but because she specifically asked me not to tell anyone about whatever findings there were."



            Taylor sighed in frustration, "Look Doctor, it's important that I know what’s happened to her. I'm beyond thankful we didn't find her in the same condition we did last time, but she was also with him longer this go around."



            Dr. Shannon paused a moment, "With him?" She said "With Lucas? you mean?"



            "Yeah. She didn't tell you?" He said finding that a little strange.



            "No, she didn't." The doctor walked back to a terminal and started punching up her records, "I imagine now that she had plenty of reasons to omit that bit of information." She paused a moment before opening Rayne's medical files. "Her injuries weren't as extensive as last time, but she was still in bad shape even though she seems to hide it pretty well." The doctor paused another moment and turned facing the commander.



            "What?"



            "Commander, she felt very strongly about keeping this quietly and to herself. She didn't even tell me the part about Lucas being the one to have her. To just go and invade her privacy like this . . . it's wrong. She won't trust any of us ever again." Elizabeth warned. Taylor sighed not being able to argue or push any harder on finding out what the doctor had found. "She's got to choose to tell you herself, Taylor. Otherwise, what was the point of marrying in the first place?"



            IT was frustrating and to be honest, it wasn't something he didn't already know. "Yeah, Doc." He said with a sigh before turning and leaving the medical center.

Private Moments



            Rayne sat with Willow in her lap playing with some toys. The little one matching some shapes and colors. Willow really was exceptional and developing quickly. After a while she became tired and was ready for a nap. Rayne her to sleep before tucking her into her crib. She ran her hand over the already thick before lowering the light over the crib.



            Rayne turned and picked up the toys putting them away in their proper places. Taylor had been watching them for a while, seeing it was how natural the role of motherhood was for Rayne. Gone for two weeks in a hell hole of a jungle, and it was like she'd never been gone. en she finished cleaning up, Rayne moved to the kitchen to start fixing dinner. Having had time k about it and if Rayne really didn't what had happened, he wouldn't press her about it. 



            Standing from his seat he walked behind her and wrapped his arms around her resting his chin on her shoulder. Things had been a little tense between them since she returned, but the fact was he still loved her immensely and had been missing her.



            Rayne smiled a little loving the feeling of his s about her. It always felt so good and made her feel safe. Taylor kissed her neck and shoulder before squeezing her t against him again. It had almost been 3 week she'd returned, and they hadn't been intimate at all. Mostly because they were angry with each other but that didn't off anymore. They couldn't stay mad at each other for to long.



            After a moment she put the knife she was using to cut down and turned finding his lips and kissing  her arms around his neck. Taylor hugged her tighter lifting her from the floor, before setting her back to her feet. The commander reached behind her turning the stove off, and without a word he swept her up into his arms carrying her into their room.



            The kissing and anxious touches continued and things were becoming more passionate by the moment until for a split second, Rayne and Taylor's eyes locked gaze. It seemed instantly her entire body went completely cold and all her affections were withdrawn. It was like being doused with a bucket of ice water.



            "What's wrong sweetheart?" He whispered as this wasn't like her at all. He ran his fingers through her hair cradling her head gently in his hand.



            Rayne didn't answer right away, and instead retreated totally. "I really need to get dinner started." Understandably, Taylor wasn't anxious to let her go but she slipped from his grasp and out of the bed retreating to the kitchen.



            Taylor was at a loss for words not knowing or understanding what happened. It had never happened between them before, and it was hard to believe it had just happened now.

 

Eaten Away



            "Is it just me," Malcolm began, "Or do Rayne and Commander Taylor seem sort of . . . . flat somehow?"



            "You mean the depression that has hit them both like a ton of bricks?" Elizabeth said. "You aren't the only one and you'd have to be blind not to notice. But they've both been working and doing their jobs, it's not affecting the colony.



            "That's a matter of opinion." Malcolm said, "Having to deal with either one of them about anything is like poking a hungry Carno with a stick."



            "Well a lot has happened that they have to work through together. They're just hitting a rough patch that's all." Elizabeth sighed, "Unfortunately this afternoon, I'm afraid I'm going to have to put fuel to that fire. Rayne's missed her last two check-ups again, and it's breaking protocols, so now it's going to have to involve the commander no matter what."



            "She's been following everything to the letter since they brought her back. Why would she do this now of all times?" The CSO asked.



            "It worries me. Whenever she gets so blatant about missing and avoiding the medical center is because she's hiding something or avoiding facing something she doesn't want anyone to know about." The doctor explained.



            "She's been in from the field for almost two months. There shouldn't be anything to hide." Malcolm said.



            "I guess I'll find out soon enough what's going on." Dr. Shannon said with a sigh.

 

Physical Disasters



            Dr. Shannon stood in the next room with the commander giving him a report of her findings. Rayne sat on the biobed in the next room alone, still as a statue, and deadly silent. She could hear Taylor raise his voice and pace in the doctor’s office and she couldn’t stand it anymore. Rayne Hopped off the bio-bed and quickly left the building.



            "You have to be wrong, the machines, the computers have to be wrong. Check all of it, run everything over again." He demanded.



            "I did, Taylor. Every single thing I could filter the results through I did, numerous times, but everything came back the same. Even the DNA filter I ran the test three times, there is no mistake." The doctor said. "I'm sorry." She apologized hating to have to be the one to deliver such devastating news.



            "And what did it Tell you?" Taylor pressed on, "That it's mind right? Obviously its mine, I'm her husband. Of course it's mine, it was my DNA, right?" He said not wanting to even imagine it could be anything else.



            Shannon hesitated a moment, "It was a variation of yours, Taylor." She said nervously, "The markers . . .were different . . . . as father to son." With a sigh there was no need to sugar coat it anymore, it was the plain cold fact. "It's Lucas's."



            Taylor closed his eyes turning away from her clinching his fists so tight his arms were shaking. Then suddenly he turned and smashed everything in his path with a roar that made the walls shake. Grabbing a table he threw it to the side. The doctor stood back out of his way shaking from head to toe at the well of rage and fury coming from the almost Mad Commander. Then he turned and stormed out like a whirl wind and no one wanted to get in his way.

 

Hard Choice



            Rayne lay next to Willow on their bed watching her sleep so peacefully. Their little one was so happy, and felt so safe with her mother and father watching over her. So completely loved, so innocent, and always a bundle of smiles.



            Taylor hadn't been home since yesterday. He left OTG yesterday and hadn't returned yet. They hadn't spoken since they were given the news, it was something you couldn't get your head wrapped around. It seemed easier somehow when she was the only one who knew about it. But now, the pure humiliation of it made her feel like she was dying inside.



            Finally she stood from the bed and carefully moved Willow to her crib. She kissed her cheek before walking back over to the couch and sitting down. She'd been brave so far but she couldn't do this anymore. Tears formed in her eyes and she covered her face with her hands and started to cry unable to hold it all in any longer. It was to much to have to face, and deal with all at once.



            Eventually, she'd cried herself to sleep everything that had happened finally overtaking her and she was unable to fight to keep the strong face on anymore.



            It must have been close to 2 or 3 in the morning when the Commander returned to the colony. He knew he couldn't run away from this anymore then Rayne could. Even though he had tried to deny it for so long and through so much, he was having to accept just how far Lucas was beyond saving. He was 32 now. A full grown man who was perfectly capable of making his own choices. And he knew full well the deference between right and wrong. What made it even more unfathomable was that Lucas watched his mother die, the things they did to her, how long it took them. Now he was guilty of some of the same atrocities. Some that were even worse.



            Taylor came into the room quietly finding an exhausted and cried out Rayne on the couch. He sighed knowing his taking off like he did wasn't the right way to go. She needed him and he exploded and then abandoned her. He was ashamed of himself for having done so. Rayne had already been through hell and had been suffering it alone.



            He looked around the house, seeing a place that two people had made into a home. A life for each other, for their little girl. Two people in love who wanted to spend the rest of their life together. This wasn't a place he'd ever thought he would find himself again after Ayani died. He never thought he'd have room in his heart for someone else, not like this. Now he had a family again, a second chance. Exactly what Terra Nova was meant to be about. So far, things have been exceedingly rough for them. Beyond rough. But they had gotten through it, and she was still here. Miraculously, she hadn't given up yet.



            Taylor walked back into the mall living room and sat down behind her on the couch. Reaching up he smoothed her hair back out of her face carefully. After a moment her tired eyes opened a little, Taylor smiled "Hey baby."



            Instantly she sat up wrapping her arms around him, "Nathaniel." She breathed in relief. "I was so afraid you weren't coming back."



            "I’d never leave you, Rayne. Not ever." He reassured her holding her close.

 

Reconciliation



            Taylor and Rayne sat at the table together drinking an 85 million version of red wine, as it went without saying that they both severely needed a drink.



            "What do you want to do about this?" Taylor asked quietly.



            "There's only one thing we can do." She said softly. Taylor gave a nod letting her decide, not wanting to put pressure on her about it when he knew how strongly she felt about the matter of pregnancy termination. "Dr. Shannon said it wouldn't take that long. I'd been in and out in an hour."



            "Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Rayne looked into her glass a moment. "You don't have to decide right now, you've got some time."



            Rayne shook her head, "My biggest fear coming home, was that this had happened. Maybe inside new, I don't know." She sighed a little. "I don't believe in it . . . but there is no choice." Taylor started to say something, "And there's nothing to discuss about it." Taylor fell silent and gave a nod.



            They sat in silence drinking their drinks before the next question came. "How?" Was all he could say and already the discomfort in the room became more intense. It had to be asked. Rayne's original intention had never been to tell a soul what happened, certainly not Nathaniel. But not it was out in the open and there was no hiding it.



            She took a drink and looked into her glass, "Our age difference is the first thing most everyone notices about us. It's easy for me to forget sometimes that you're 69 and I'm pushing 30." Rayne stated. "I think people get pass that after a while and let it go, but Lucas never has." She looked at him, "I’m 3 years younger than he is. You know?" It really never had occurred to her before he pointed it out.



            "Well," Taylor began, "It might be some peoples idea of caring for someone has to do solely with their age, but sometimes it just doesn't matter.  it's someone you want to spend the rest with."



            Rayne half smiled, "I knew you were to old me, but after a point, it just didn't matter anymore." Taylor smiled and placed his hand over hers. She turned her hand over and laced her fingers with his. Rayne's eyes seemed to glaze over and her smile faded. "Every time he called me 'mom' it was like being flogged with a whip." Taylor waited letting her speak and take the time she needed. "he's been living out there on his own since he was banished, after the second pilgrimage. it wasn't until the sixth pilgrimage he had allies. As much as his mind has  been concentrated on hurting you, he's still just a man." She'd been mulling this over in her mind constantly since the moment it had first happened and almost sounded like she was trying to explain and rationalize such barbaric behavior using her zoologist training. "I imagine female. . . companionship was  . . .rare given the...."



            "No." Taylor said firmly stopping her right there, "No, don't do that." Taylor said stopping her. "Don't rationalize what he did like that. Contrary to all signs and his behavior he's not an animal he's a human, a genius level human which is why he was recruited in the first place. He knew what he was doing."



            Rayne knew that he was right but she'd been trying to reconcile everything, without going mad herself the only way she knew how. "Then why didn't he just kill me when he captured me?" She asked, "He said he wanted to understand what you and Jason saw in me." She said her eyes starting to tear. He started to reach for her but she took her glass in both hands and immediately drained it. "I fought him, Nathaniel. As much as I could, I fought, but he was so strong." Taylor got up and walked to her wrapping his arms around her holding her tight. Rayne closed her eyes leaning her head against him. He kissed her head wanting to do what he could for her. "He has your eyes, Nathaniel" She said in a ghostly whisper. "I closed my eyes, tried not to look at him, tried not to think about it . . . . but they were still your eyes."



            "I know baby." He said as it had been the one trait and Lucas shared that everyone noticed right off. They were incredibly identical. "I'm sorry." Was all he could say.



            Taylor gave a nod and kissed her head hugging her again, but Rayne slowly and carefully pulled herself from him and kissed his cheek before leaving.

 

 

Alternatives



            Taylor watched out the window in the garden where Rayne was sitting among the flowers. She'd been sitting there for a long time just feeling the breeze and breathing in the fresh air. Now that things were all out in  pretend it wasn't real anymore. She had to face it. Had to  Had to face what had happened and had to face what was going on now.



            Now that the Commander knew what happened, Taylor had to face the reality of the situation as well. His young wife was forcibly impregnated by his psychotic son for reasons beyond understanding.



            They had both been in their own worlds for the past few days, strangers to each other. Taylor was aware that Rayne was drowning in guilt. A great deal of which he'd put on her for going out of the colony in the first place, before he knew the whole story.



            Taylor took a breath knowing no matter what, this was going to be difficult, then walked out into the garden and sat down next to her on the bench. Her eyes were closed and the breeze rustled through her hair a little bit. She was pale and there were dark circles around her eyes as she'd not been sleeping.



            "You have to start sleeping, Honey." He said softly. She didn't answer but her eyes slowly opened starring towards the ground.



            "I can't. I keep thinking that if I go to sleep, I'll wake up somewhere worse than when I dosed off.." Her words were soft and the sound of exhaustion was plain. "That there is something worse happening and I might wake up to it."



            Another silent moment passed and Taylor could feel how upset and depressed she was, but had become numb from crying so hard and so long.



            "I'm not entirely sure where we should go from here, Rayne." He began, "I usually pride myself on being the man with a plan, being able to figure out the next step to win a fight, beat the other guy in a battle, . . . .but this time . . ." He was at a loss for words to even finish that sentence. He sighed, "No one knows about this except us, and Dr. Shannon. She deleted all the records of the tests taken. Because of that there are options open to us." He said softly.



            "We live in a colony of 1,000 people, any options that are left are extremely limited." She said having been considering them.



            Another silent moment passed, "What do you think we should do?" He asked quietly.



            Rayne shook her head slowly not knowing the answer. Taylor sighed having known he was going to have to push this conversation forward however unpleasant it was. "I know how you feel about it, the whole termination topic, and it was one of the reasons you were so happy to come here. So relieved because the population laws didn't apply here. But . . . if I sanction it, then Dr. Shannon can perform the procedure." He never wanted to come straight out and say abortion, it was such a vile and harsh term of ending a life before it even began. Rayne didn't respond and Taylor couldn't take the silence anymore and instead just continued talking. "You were with the Sixers a week before we got you back. If we decided . . . to go through with things as they are . . . then there's no one to know that it isn't mine. Willow would have a brother or sister and no one would have any reason to think differently." Taylor said.



            "We would know." Rayne said, "We would know Nathaniel." She said looking up at him, "And it would be impossible to forget that it would be your grandchild, and you would always know that."



            "Rayne, the baby isn't Lucas." He said seriously. "Regardless of how he came to be, he's still going to need a loving home and parents to raise him. It wouldn't be much different then if we'd adopted a child." It was plain that Taylor had been thinking hard on this as well, knowing how strongly she was against abortion, which would have been the immediate knee jerk reaction to this sort of situation.



            There were tears in Rayne's eyes and she covered her face with her hands. She was so confused and scared. Taylor wrapped his arm around her holding her against him. It was clear he was going to have to make this choice for them.

 

Falsifying Records



            "I have to say this is completely unethical, Commander." Elizabeth protested.



            "Elizabeth," Taylor said sincerely, "I wouldn't ask you to do this if it wasn't absolutely critical."



            "I know," She said with a sigh, "And I can understand the reasons behind it, but there are other alternatives to this."



            "Not at this point, no. Rayne and I are upset with the facts of it but she was never a supporter or believer in the methods used for population control and how it was enforced on unwilling citizens. I think she's been through enough without forcing her to compromise anymore of her beliefs." He explained.



            "What about you?" Dr. Shannon asked, "You would be raising your grandchild as your own son or daughter. How is that going to affect you?"



            "As of right now, there are only 3 people in existence that know the truth. After tonight, this won't be spoken of again. Not even to your husband." He said sternly. "Rayne and I are expecting our second child, we are very happy at the news, and even in private the baby is ours. Hers and mine. Sometimes I wonder if these walls have ears."



            "What if Lucas finds out?" She asked.



            "There is no reason on this earth why he should." Taylor replied, "Just adjust those dates to before she was abducted, so there is no question that it's mine."



            "Yes sir." Dr. Shannon said going back to working on the medical files.

 

New Beginnings



            "Congratulations Commander Taylor!" One of the vendors called out as Wash and Taylor walked through the market place. Taylor smiled and gave a wave.



            "I didn't even make an announcement about it and we've been getting congratulated left and right this morning." Taylor said.



            "You've said it yourself sir, it's a small town profile. A small bit of good news goes a long way fast." Wash answered. "How’s Rayne taking it?" She asked.



            "Well, it was sort of an unexpected surprise for us both, but you know how great she is with kids, just expanding the family a little more." He said with a small smile.



            Washington looked at him a moment almost feeling like there was something amiss. "What about you?" She asked, "Being a father again so soon?"



            Taylor was quiet a moment before he smiled, "Suits me just fine." He said, "I've always wanted a large family and it seems to be that Rayne's apt to give me on. I couldn't be happier. I'm sure you've notice that I am getting on in years, so ya know. Don't want to wait to long." He said.



            The Lt. looked at him another moment. She'd known him for a long time and could tell when something was a little off. "Looks like we'll be expanding your quarters again before too long." She said changing the subject.



            "I was thinking of maybe just building a new one altogether, closer to the tower, in between my office and her lab." He admitted.



            "Really? I thought you and Rayne would have opted for something further away from work for both of you. Give you some peace and quiet from everything when you go home at night." Washington suggested.



            "Well, we haven't quite decided yet. There's still time." Taylor said. "You finish putting that convoy together yet?"



            "Yes sir, we'll be ready to roll at 09:00." She reported.



            "See to it, Wash."

 

Hard work



            "Malcolm, if you keep doing that he's going to rip your arm off at the shoulder when you open that cage." Rayne warned.



            "He's getting to big for this area he needs to be moved with the others." Malcolm answered.



            "I'm not arguing that. I'm just telling you that you're making him mad." Rayne told one of the lab assistance where the animal she was working with needed to go then walked over to Malcolm taking the cage from him and setting it down on the ground.



            She opened the cage and reached inside gentle picking up the creature and taking it out holding, him on her shoulder petting him. "Now move the cage where you want it"



            Malcolm half laughed, "Snow white strikes again." He said closing the cage and carrying it away.



            Rayne smiled a little and clicked to the animal that started to purr contentedly. "I'm still hoping they'll learn eventually." She told it as another lab assistant came over looking for a signature.



            "Mrs. Taylor?" She heard a voice say. She turned and smiled seeing Zoey Shannon. "can I visit the animals?" She asked.



            "I'm sorry Zoey, today's not a good day. A lot of the animals are being moved and it makes them a little cranky." She said. "But if you come back tomorrow I'll have some new ones to show you."



            Zoey looked incredibly disappointed and Rayne walked over kneeling down next to her. The little girl was instantly intrigued by the animal Rayne was holding. "What's that?" She asked curiously.



            "This is Kris." Rayne said introducing him to her, "He's got a wounded leg so he's staying with us a little while." Zoey looked at her hopefully and Rayne smiled taking her hand showing her how to pet him. A smile swept Zoey's face feeling him rumble under her fingertips.



            "This area is off limits!" Malcolm said rushing up on them. It startled the creature and he hissed. Rayne quickly covered it's head with her hand so it wouldn't lash out and bite the little one as it had 3 in cat fangs. "You'll have to go."



            Rayne smiled, "I'll see you later Zoey." She gave a nod and turned quickly leaving the area.



            "What were you thinking letting a child back here with all these animals loose? They are dangerous." Malcolm said.



            "Yet the kids somehow seem to know better than the CSO to keep calm and their voice down around the animals." Rayne said moving her hand from Kris's head revealing the deep wounds in her shoulder where she'd been bitten.



            "Oh God." He said his eyes going wide, "Is it, is it bad" He asked. Rayne stood giving him a look as she walked passed him to go put Kris away in his cage.

 

Back With The Doc



            "I'm not sure what was upsetting him more, the animal being out of his cage or Zoey. Any kids seem to make him lose his mind." Rayne said as Dr Shannon patched the bite on her shoulder.



            "He's usually very good with animals, but I agree, children tend to make him a bit nervous. They always have. The doctor agreed, "This is a pretty severe bite, I'm going to give you some antibiotics just to stay safe." Rayne gave a sigh and nodded. She was properly irritated by this and hardly think Malcolm felt back enough about it.





Late Nights



            "You're getting careless." Taylor said looking at the mark on Rayne's shoulder.



            "No, its just one of the many reason I prefer working alone outside of the lab." Rayne said with a frustrated sigh. "People can't run up on you shouting and scare a dangerous animal you're trying to study."



            "Malcolm does seem to panic at some of the strangest things." Taylor said kissing her shoulder, can you imagine how neurotic his kids are going to be?"



            "Maybe whoever the mother is can make up for it." Rayne said stretching her back a little bit. "Thanks to that little episode, Kris has to go home tomorrow. I don't think he's ready but apparently my opinion doesn't mean anything at this point."



            "It's protocol, honey. You know that." Taylor said.



            "Uh huh." She said not wanting to talk about it anymore. Walking over to the bed she sat down turning off her plex, took off her slippers and laid down facing the wall.



            Taylor crawled onto the bed behind her and rested his hand on her side kissing her shoulder then her neck. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her body to lay against his. Rayne stretched against his, loving it when he touched her "How you feeling, honey?" He asked softly in her ear, kissing her cheek and neck.



            Rayne smiled a little and rolled over on her back beneath him as he wrapped his arms around her sitting on top of her. "Well I think it's pretty obvious how you're feeling." She said. Taylor grinned and kissed her before lavishing kisses on her chin, then neck, and shoulder Rayne rubbed his back wrapping her leg around his thigh, having missed his touch so much.



            After a few moments, his affections slowed. Rayne had never been shy when they were in bed together. She had never been one to hold back what she felt about him, or the pure lust that seemed to drive her when they made love. She eagerly and anxiously let her passions flow over him. But right now there was a nervous hesitation, a pause, a timidness that had never been there for.



            Taylor rested his head against her shoulder a moment. Rayne clung to him hugging him tight. "I'm sorry, honey." He said gently as he started to roll off of her but she stopped him.



            "No, don't." She said softly holding onto him, he leaned up just enough to look into her eyes. "Don't stop. Please." She said softly.



            "Rayne," He said kissing her gently, "I don't want to rush you into anything you aren't ready for."



            Reaching up, she rested her hand against his cheek, "I love you." She whispered, "I always have. I want back everything he's taken from us." She looked into his eyes another moment, "Just please be patient with me, and . . . keep me safe in your arms?"



            Taylor looked into her eyes and moved to cradle her head in his hands. Keep her safe? It was the one thing he wanted to do from the beginning. "You're always safe with me." He said kissing her once, and then again as they started over.



            The Commander loved this woman, with all his heart, even though their relationship had been littered with tragedy after tragedy and danger. Perhaps it was a mistake to marry her, not because he didn't want her as his wife forever, but for her safety. Lucas seemed to have gone even further down the rabbit hole when he found that they had married and suddenly his hate was split between Taylor and Rayne. It wasn't what he wanted and he cursed himself for not thinking about it before hand.



            Tonight, he was going to make love to her. Easy, and slow, leave no part of her untouched, kiss every inch of her body, and hold her body tight in his strong arms. He was going to keep her safe, just as he promised.

 

To Be Continued . . . .

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