A New Beginning

Swings in Roundabouts



            "The new batch of anti-venoms are ready." Rayne said walking into the medical lab putting down a box full of vile’s. "If you guys want to start going over them and rechecking everything before putting them into the archives." Elizabeth walked over and scanned her ID badge before taking the box.



            "I wasn't expecting more already this week. Seems like you've been burning the candle at both ends lately." Elizabeth said. "You should be taking things easy, I've told you that several times."



            "I was sort of down and out for the past few months. Things got way behind and I have tons to make up for." Rayne explained. "I can work, nothings bothering me, and I am taking care of myself."



            "Well you do seem to be doing much better these days. Finally a real smile makes an apprentice now and again." Dr. Shannon said.



            "I smile," Rayne said in her defense.



            "Sometimes, but I mean like the way you smile when you look at Commander Taylor. That's a smile that's been missing for a while. It's good to see that it's back." Elizabeth said.



            Rayne arched a brow looking at her, "Don't know how I feel about being watched so much people can read the different degrees of my smiles."



            "Your friends are close enough to know your moods. I know you don't always believe it but you do have some real friends." Rayne sighed and gave a nod.



            "Things have been better between me and Nathaniel. It was my fault they didn't get better sooner, and it was unfair to him." She admitted. "None of what happened was his fault. I didn't blame him, but I couldn't separate it from him." She didn't want to expand further and bring up her capture again. She wanted to forget it like it never was Al those involved understood and didn't press her about it. "Willow's got a check-up in the morning."



            "We'll be expecting you, bright and early." Elizabeth confirmed with a smile.

 

Adjusting



            "You're sure?" Rayne asked.



            "As clear as the sonogram is, I'd say there's no room for error." Dr. Shannon said.



            Rayne gave a nod. "He said he would be here."



            "You know how busy he is, they might have called him away for some sort of problem. Don't worry, Rayne he's probably just running late." Just then the Commander came into the exam room. Elizabeth smiled at Rayne and whispered, "Told you."



            "Sorry, we're having some problems with the power grid in the new construction." Walking over he kissed Rayne's cheek. "Hey honey." He said with a smile, "So? What's the word?" He asked.



            "According to the tests and scans all signs point to a healthy baby boy." Shannon announced.



            Rayne's eyes went wide, for some reason she'd assumed it would be another little girl. Taylor grinned and looked at Rayne kissing her cheek. Taylor had resolved himself to focus on one fact. This was Rayne's baby, she was his mother and Taylor accepted the role as father to the child. It was their baby. No one else’s.



            "How have you been feeling Rayne? Any nausea, dizzy spells, lightheaded, trouble sleeping?" Rayne shook her head no. "Other than that, everything looks great." She said with a smile, turning off the bio-bed. "If you have any trouble makes sure you left me know right away, don't wait or try to hide it."



            "Thanks doc." Taylor said as Shannon turned and left the room giving them some privacy. The Commander returned his attention to his young wife and sat down next to her, "A song sweetheart, we're going to have a son." He said as it seemed she was stuck in shock.



            Rayne's eyes slid over to him as it seemed she was nervous about the news, as though she was afraid to be happy. Taylor took her hand already knowing what was on her mind. "What if he finds out, Nathaniel? He was wild eyed about Willow. How's he going to react to a son?"



            "Hey. Honey. Rayne." He began trying to calm her down as much as possible. "Words going to get back that we're having another baby, a boy. As much as I would like to, I can't stop that from happening. But that's all he's going to know. He can feel any way he wants about it, but that isn't going to get in the way of our being happy. Once the baby is born, all this other stuff isn't going to matter anymore. You won't think about it because he is your baby, our baby." Reaching up he stroked her hair gently.



            Rayne smiled and nodded and the commander smiled and kissed her head wrapping his arms around her holding her tight against him.

 

Birthdays



            "She didn't even let me pass the door this time." Taylor said standing with Shannon.



            "Well, you sort of gained a reputation when Willow was born. I guess they decided to forego those awkward moments." Shannon said. "She’s in good hands. The best. You know that."



            "Yeah, well it's damned frustrating. At least if I was in there, I could see what the hell was going on." Taylor said.



            I’m not sure that would be comforting to be in there. Usually I recall there being a lot of shouting, screaming, crying." Jim said.



            "That wouldn't bother me, just the sounds of new life coming into this world." Taylor said.



            "Maybe, but Rayne doesn't make a sound. She doesn't even seem to be worried or panicked." Jim said having found it odd when he'd been in there.



            Taylor half laughed, "Sounds like my woman alright. Strong, stubborn as can be, she doesn't yet that often or panic too easily. Comes from all those years of working with animals." He smiled and sighed a little, "There just isn't much that woman fears, even inside her own body."

Name Game



            Why do we never seem to be able to sort this out before hand?" Taylor questioned sitting down next to Rayne as she rocked her newborn to sleep.



            "A boy is a harder decision. You have any idea how many babies are named after Nathaniel Taylor in Terra Nova? Feel like we've gotten a little cheated there." Rayne admitted.



            "We don't have to name him after me." Taylor suggested. Rayne gave him a look knowing full well it's what he had been hoping for from the moment they knew it was a boy.



            "How about, William Nathaniel Taylor." She suggested. "And we can call him Nathan for short."



            "What's the William for?" He asked.

 

            "I haven't heard another William in Terra Nova yet, would make him the first." She said with a mischievous smile.



            Taylor chuckled knowing she'd put more thought into this then she was letting on. "William's a good strong name." He looked at their son. "William Nathaniel Taylor." He grinned. "I like it."

 

Unexpected Requests



            Taylor Malcolm and Shannon all stood starring at Rayne in dumbstruck silence. Shannon was the first, "What parent in this entire colony would agree to let their child go?" He sad starring at her.



            "Quite a few actually." She took out her card and punched up a few numbers, "I already have 11 signed up ready to go."



            "This is insanity." Malcolm said, "A field trip, OTG to look for animals . . . even though there are numerous dangerous and hungry predators out there who would love a good snack?" He said in amazement.



            Taylor sat quietly just looking at them not having weighed in on it yet. Rayne shook her head, "no they're older students that have worked with me for months and are properly trained. The youngest one on this list is 15." She explained.



            "Rayne, we have to be practical about this." Shannon said, "For this to even work you'd need two units of heavily armed military personnel."



            "But don't you see what an incredible opportunity for them this would be? They've only gotten to see most of these animals in a cage or through a glass window. How amazing would it be for them to see in their natural habitat." She said really trying to sell it. "Of course we'd establish a perimeter ad make sure it was a secure area before the children even came out of the rovers." Everyone fell silent and their attention turned towards Taylor.



            "That is a lot of colony resources you're asking for, Rayne. Not to mention I’m sure that the spy will be happily skipping all the way to the Sixer camp to tell them where and w we would be." Taylor pointed out.



            "So let me clear out the area before the soldiers and the children arrive. You know I can do it,  you saw me do it before." Rayne said.



            "That's fine for animals, but I don't see how that's going to keep you hidden from the Sixers who seem to have some sort of bounty on your head." Taylor pointed out.



            Rayne gave a nod, "I wasn't suggesting we go today or tomorrow. Obviously there is some planning and prep work to be done. But you have to trust that I can make a safe and secure plan that will offer these kids something wonderful they're remember for the rest of their lives. We can't keep them cooped up behind the gates forever."



            Taylor sighed and stood from his desk pacing a little bit. This was their home and those children were going to have to be exposed to more then what was contained behind the log fence. "I'll have to think about it, Rayne." He said honestly. Malcolm's jaw dropped to the floor having been expecting the insane request to be shot down instantly.



            "Sir . . ." He began to say.



            "But I want your plan for this, down to the last detail. Then we'll go over it and I'll make whatever changes I see fit." Rayne smiled her eyes lighting up. "I said I'd think about it." He reminded her.



            "That's all I'm asking, thank you sir!" She said bouncing over and kissing his cheek before almost skipping out of his office. Malcolm turned towards Taylor still completely stunned. He was at a loss for words even though he had volumes of them to say.



            "Your dismissed." He said looking at Malcolm.



            "But, Sir you can't just let . . . ." Malcolm began to protest finally finding his voice.



"I said I'd think about it. Now your dismissed." he said not wanting further ion on it. The CSO clinched his jaw before turning and leaving the office. Taylor sighed a little and moved to sit down at his desk. Shannon hadn't said very much but this did seem a really strange request coming from Rayne after everything.



            "You have to think about it?" Shannon said walking over sitting down in the chair opposite him.



            "It's taken her a while to be back into the sings around here Shannon. She's bounced back better than I could have imagined. She's interested in teaching again, she's been following all the rules. She's smart, and I know how much she adores those kids. She'd die before she let anything happen to a single hair on their heads." Taylor explained.



            "So why chances it? They can see the same animals in here in a more controlled environment." Shannon suggested.



            "I want to see what kind of plan s first, then the we'll start thinking about how it might be possible. Like she said, it's not like she's going out first thing." Taylor repeated hat she'd said.



            "But sir, if she goes out there, and Lucas somehow manages to get a hold of her again. Word might have gotten back to him about Rayne's . . . condition when she got back to the colony. How's he going to react to that?" Shannon asked.



            "Badly, just as he's reacted to everything badly since the first day he came through the " He sighed a little and then looked at Shannon, "How do you know about Rayne's condition when she returned to the colony."



            "Oh. . . oh I um . . ." Jim felt very sheepish that he'd just let him know that he and Elizabeth had spoken of it.



            Taylor sighed, "married to the Colony Doctor, secrets do abound sometimes don't they. Although I might need to have a talk with dr. Shannon about patient privacy."

Proposals



            "Rayne, woman, you only need one plan." Taylor said as she was now on her forth one. "Maybe a second as a backup."



            Rayne paused for a moment, "But I have six more."



            Taylor and Shannon's eyes went wide when she said they had asked for details and as usual, Rayne didn't skimp.



            "Alright, alright. I have a counter " Taylor said standing from his chair as it felt like they had already been here for an eternity. "Research outpost 12. It deals primarily with animals, and minimum controlled environment for the creatures but well defended." He face fell a little as that hadn't been exactly what she had been hoping for. She'd worked at outpost 12 the first few months she was in Terra Nova acquainted with it. "That's my compromise."



            "Okay." She said softly knowing once he had decided on a compromise there was no getting around it. "As long as I get to stick to my lesson plans."



            "I don't see why not. Of course your still going to need a full escort. I won't have you leaving the colony without proper protection." The Commander said.



            "Outpost 12, that's almost 8 hours out. Does that make this an overnight trip?" Shannon asked.



            "I's day so. Since traveling OTG at night isn't preferable at any time much less with children in tow. Outpost 12 has sufficient facilities to bed down up to 60 in the below ground bunker." Taylor said having been doing research of his own. "Well take our own supplies so as to not c their stories."



            Rayne looked at Taylor a moment, "We?" She asked



            Taylor looked at her, "Yeah, you didn't think you were going out there without me, did you?"

Field Trip

            "Maddy," Elizabeth said, "I know you signed up for it weeks ago, but I'm just not comfortable with you going."

            "Then why didn't you say anything weeks ago?" Maddy asked.

            "I didn't think that it was actually going to happen. I mean as dangerous and hostile an environment as this is, I never thought Taylor, Malcolm, and Wash would sign off on it." She admitted.

            "But they have, mom. Everything is perfectly safe. They've gone over all the safety, survival training, and even stuff that is specific to this trip. Mrs. Taylor knows how to keep animals from attacking our convoy, and we'll be back Sunday afternoon." She explained.

            Elizabeth felt like she was talking to a wall. "You've seen the sorts of creatures out there, Maddy." She protested, "Do you have any idea how many times things have gone wrong even with the best laid plans?"

            Just then Jim came in hearing the arguing going on in Maddy's room where she was packing. "Hey guys, what's going on?" He asked.

            "I can't talk any sense into your daughter whatsoever. She's still a minor; we can stop her from going." The doctor said.

            Maddy's eyes went wide as she through her jacket down in her duffel bag and looked at her mother wide eyed. "You can't do that, you said I could go."

            "Woh, okay ladies let’s just take a moment and breathe." Jim said seeing that this was turning into an explosive situation that wasn't going to go away. "I thought we'd settled this already, Elizabeth we said she could go."

            "The reality of it actually happening didn't set in until now. How is anyone going to get to her, to the rest of them if they are that far out? What if they need help?" Elizabeth said voicing her concerns.

            Shannon sighed having a ocean of reservations himself but they had said she could go if things panned out. "They'll be fine, honey. Taylor is leading the trip himself, they are taking four units with them, the convoy has been outfitted with certain things that will keep animals from attacking them, you know this you helped prepare a lot of them, everything is going to be fine."

            "Just how many kids are going on this trip?" She asked.

            "All told? 14 and they're all 15 and older." Shannon said.

            "You found 14 parents to be okay with this? Has everyone lost their minds?" The doctor said.

            "Mom, you are freaking out over nothing. Commander Taylor isn't going to let anything happen to us, it would be sort of a kick in the teeth to the Colony if we lost that many teenagers." Maddy said.

            "Teenagers can be foolish. They can get really foolish ideas into their heads and then suddenly they forget all the rules." Elizabeth insisted.

            "Rayne isn't going to let anything happen to them." Shannon said.

            "And Commander Taylor has made certain that we've all be training with the soldiers that will be escorting us, Lt. Washington has been drilling us every day." Maddy said.

            Elizabeth looked at them both as it seemed she had little choice in the matter, she was outnumbered and the decision was long since made. Maddy would hate her for saying she couldn't go, even though she wasn't going to get any sleep while her little girl was gone, she had to let her.

 

Bedding Down

            Once they had arrived and everyone was in the bunker, Commander Taylor decided it was a good time for a refresher course in the rules. The kids all gathered in the common area as it was just before dinner time.

            "Alright everyone, settle down. I know you're all excited but there are some things that need to be gone over. Now this is Outpost 12. It's designed as an animal research facility to study the creatures we share this world within their own environment. It may seem to you that it is the same situation as the colony, but it is not. The majority of this outpost is open ground, and the perimeter does not have a fence or gate, but it does have sensors and cameras all around to keep us apprised of everything going on. Breakfast is at 7am, lunch at noon, and dinner is at 6pm right here in the common area. All the girls, soldiers and students both will be in dorm 1, while the boys, soldiers and students will be in dorm 3. No one is permitted outside their dorms after curfew which will be 10:30pm, 11pm lights are out and you are all in your own beds asleep. No one is permitted outside of the facility before dawn, or after dusk. If it is dark outside, you are all inside. No exceptions. There will be units roaming the perimeter at all times, students are never to be without a military escort outside or where any animals are present." He explained.

            Maddy raised her hand and Taylor pointed at her, "When do we get to see the animals?" She asked.

            "Mrs. Taylor has a schedule you will be receiving at breakfast tomorrow morning. Now you have been split into groups, and it is a rotating schedule. Mrs. Taylor feels that this way everyone will get more one on one time and be able to see more of the animals we have here at this outpost. No one is allowed to touch any animal unless it is under supervision of Mrs. Taylor or one of the other researches assigned to your teams. You must wear the proper equipment at all times, or you will not be permitted to participate. Do not wonder off by yourself, otherwise the entire facility will be locked down until we find you, and then you'll spend the rest of your time scrubbing dishes and whatever other chores we can find to occupy your time." He felt like he had gotten the most important things out of the way. "That having been said, get yourself some chow. Was a long trip today, and you're all going to have a full day tomorrow." He waved for the kids to get in the chow line and they hopped up rushing over.

            Rayne walked over and stood next to Nathaniel, "I'm proud of you." She whispered.

            "Why's that?" He asked.

            "An old school military briefing without cussing or using extreme scare tactics." Rayne said giving him a sly look. "That has to be some sort of record." 

            "Did I miss anything?" He asked.

            "Nothing that I won't go over in the morning." She stretched a little and sighed.

            "You okay?" He asked noting she looked a little nervous.

            "Yeah, just getting out here and seeing the faces on some of those parents when we left." She shivered a little, "A lot of responsibility is all. I bring one of these kids home with a scratch and they're going to crucify me."

            "Let me worry about keeping this place secure, you just worry about teaching those kids as much as you can about these animals. Would be nice if I could look forward to having some zoologists in the future that know what they're doing, and can be trusted." Rayne gave him a look when he brought up Jason. "Make sure the medics know what teams they're assigned to. I want them to be ready to step in if someone gets a bite or some other injury. Like you said, their parents are worried."

            "They're all good kids. High grades, responsible, eager to learn. I think we'll be okay." Rayne said.

             "If there are any problem children in this bunch I have a feeling we'll find out real quick." Taylor admitted.

 

Success Stories



            "This has to be some sort of record," Rayne said walking with Taylor to their home. "No one's hurt, no one hit us for supplies, no one got eaten, everyone is home again safe and sound." She said in an excited voice.



            "Well, luck had something to do with it I'd say." Taylor admitted, "Luck nothing got passed the perimeter when grid 3 went down."



            Rayne stopped and looked at him her hands on her hips, "Must you always rain on my parade?" Not really upset as she was to excited to be. She wrapped her arm around his, "Besides, we can make this an annual trip now . . ."



            "Well lets just see what kind of horror stories followed us home with the kids and then we'll think about next year." He said.



            "Everyone had a blast, none of them were ready to come back yet." Rayne pointed out.



            "Things have a way of getting out of context or proportion. We'll wait and see." Taylor said.

 

Low Tides



            Lucas sat starring into the fire, poking the logs every now and again to keep warm. Commander Taylor's 'family' was on the tongue of every Terra Novan, and it wasn't long before it was wide spread among the Sixer's as well.



            "What did they call this one?" He said never raising his eyes from the flames and burning embers.



            Mira sighed still thinking this wasn't the best use of their already pressed contacts and resources inside the Colony. "William Nathaniel Taylor." She answered directly.



            Lucas half smiled, "A boy. My father must have been overjoyed at having a son. A second chance that maybe he wouldn't screw up with this one, make such incredibly mistakes in judgment like he did with his first. Oh I'm certain he's thrilled to be able to start again." He flung the stick into the flames in anger as he stood kicking over a nearby log. "All the while, I'm left on the list of the missing. Forgotten by most." Lucas look darkened, "He's going to lose everything dear to him, everything he holds precious. Just as he took my life from me."



            Mira was quiet knowing it was better not to poke this beehive, he was to unpredictable and could turn on you in seconds if you provoked him. "I'll keep you informed." Then she turned and left, happy to be getting away from him.



            Lucas moved to sit back down and looked at Jason across the way. "She's given him two children now. Do you still fancy her as much as you did before. Even though she's had another man’s children?"



            Jason was quiet for a moment before speaking carefully. "I don't expect you or anyone for that matter to understand. I was banished for what I did to her, and they were right do to so. I don't know what madness came over me to try such a stupid thing. But when I was in trouble, she came through the dangers of the jungle to find me, and care for me. She saved my life." He sighed, "I just cannon bare any ill will towards her. She didn't have to come to be especially what I've done."



            "Ugh, does the pity party ever end with you?" He asked. "She played you, just as she plays everyone else, just as she plays my father. She came looking for information on the Sixers and figured if she nursed you back to health, you'd tell her what you know about them, where they are, where I am." Lucas said, "There's a good chance my father sent her out here as a recon mission."



            "Taylor wouldn't send her out here for me, he'd have happily let me die. She told no one and came alone." Jason said.



            Lucas half smiled, "You can be so sentimental, Jason. I forget sometimes you're still new to this place. To this game. You're still innocent to all of it."



            "Not as innocent as I'd like to be." He said in a low voice.



            Lucas looked at him, "What does that mean?"



            Jason hesitated knowing how Volatile his companion could be, but it had bothered him greatly when it was happening, and it hadn't stopped bothering him sense. "The things . . . you did to Rayne when she was here. It wasn't necessary." He said seriously, "You didn't have to hurt her like that."



            "What the matter Jason? Angry because I succeed where you failed?" Lucas mocked.



            "I was different, I never wanted to hurt her. I just wanted her to want me like she used to, like I know she still does somewhere down deep inside, and she did. If we hadn't be interrupted it would have worked, she would have remembered." Jason said, "I wasn't trying to hurt her."



            Lucas looked at him, "I was." He said bluntly. No remorse, no regret, pure satisfaction knowing he caused her physical, emotional, and mental anguish. "The one trait me and my father share are our eyes. Every since I was born, my eyes were the exact eyes of my fathers. Everyone said so." He said a smile on his face and a dark look in his eyes. "Each time I took her, I made her stare into mine as I made sure to lock my gaze on hers." He half laughed as he considered it his triumph. "She stopped fighting me so hard after a while. I didn't have to hit her as much or hold her down as hard. Still she had much to pay for. Punishing her this way punishes them both. He'll know I had her. That I was inside of her, and they'll both be haunted by that thought every time the lights go out, every time they touch, or lie together. She'll see my eyes, and he'll know I had her, over and over until she couldn't take the intensity and then further then even that until she couldn't breathe."



            Jason was properly horrified, he never wanted any of this to happen to Rayne, but Lucas as brilliant as he was, didn't view her as human. She was a subhuman at best, and he treated her as a thing, a possession. nothing more. Had he been able to, Jason would have done something to stop it, something to help her, but he had been so injured and was to weak to even move from bed.



            "What now?" Jason asked feeling a chill go down his spine afraid of the answer.



            "She's to much of a free spirit to stay inside the walls of Terra Nova. The moment she does come out those gates, she'll be brought to me and I'll finish what I started."



            Jason felt ill to his stomach that Rayne had even more deviance planned for her. This was a nightmare.





Night shifts



            Malcolm came into the lab seeing a light was on and it was well after hours. Walking in seeing Rayne working on some calculations that seemed to be frustrating her.



            "It's nearly two in the morning, what are you still doing here? Don't you have babies at home that need looking after?" He questioned.



            "Live in nurse. Both Nathaniel and I have very demanding jobs and it was a practical thing to do." She answered never looking up from her writing.



            He couldn't really argue with that and leaned on the counter beside her, "So what has you pulling your hair out?" He asked.



            Rayne looked at him a moment and decided she could use him as a sounding board. "Look, there are 1,084. So it stands to reason that out of 1,084 citizens, that means that about half of them would be 542. Roughly that means half to be female and half to be female, right?"



            "Right." Malcolm said following her so far but not sure as to why.



            "So why is it that 3 men out of those 542 have decided to set their sights on me? There are plenty of beautiful single settlers in Terra Nova, who are not me. I'm married and long off the market. Doesn't that mean anything to anyone in this god forsaken place?" She demanded tossing down her pen.



            Malcolm could see that this was all quiet upsetting for her, "I suppose there are some that hold out the vain hope things might change." Malcolm could relate having a similar situation between himself and Jim Shannon over Elizabeth. "Wait a minute, I get Taylor, and I get Jason . . . whose the 3 would be suitor."



            Rayne fell silent and shook her head crumbling up her paper and through it in the trash to be recycled. "It doesn't matter. All of this is a moot point, I'm married to Nathaniel and we have two children. Now I wish everyone would just back off and respect that."



            "Well you don't have to feel too singled out, you know." Malcolm said. "As much of a bastard as he can be, Taylor has turned himself a head or two over the years."



            Rayne gave him a sly look, "I know Malcolm. What woman's head wouldn't be turned by a charismatic, silver-foxed, macho old guy with arms like his?" She said fully aware of how handsome and attractive the man she married was.



            "If I recall, yours wasn't. Not right away any way. You set a record for time in the brig the first 3 months you were in Terra Nova."



            "Yeah, and you used to think it was funny when I was getting in trouble with the establishment. Now you gripe about it constantly." She pointed out.



            "Well it was funny when you were butting heads with Taylor, I'm not to fond of the practice when it's me your going up against." He said seriously. "I do have a job to do, and so do you."



            "And I've been doing it. To the letter. Just like everyone wants me to." She said with a sigh, "So why aren't things getting better? Why is everything just as weird and awkward and dangerous as ever?" She asked.



            "Because you're married to the Commander. And even if you divorced him now, you're still tied to him for life. You can't exactly leave or disappear or avoid him in a colony this small." Malcolm said.



            "I don't want to divorce him. Not ever. I just want us to have a little bit of peace and quiet without wondering where and when the next attack on our family is going to come from." She said sincerely.



            "Then don't." Malcolm said. Rayne cocked her head when he said that not quite understanding. "Don't worry about it. It's probably going to happen sooner or later, but if you spend all of your time worrying about it, you aren't going to be able to enjoy the time you have now."



            Rayne half smiled, "Wow, Malcolm. That was incredibly insightful."



            "I can be from time to time. If people would stop selling me short." He said giving her a wink before turning and heading out. "Enough work for today. Go home to your family." Malcolm said leaving the lab.

 

The First Thing You Know



            "How's she taking it?" Washington asked walking with Malcolm as they went over final preparations for the science expedition that would be leaving soon.



            "She's taking it, that's about all we can ask for. She hasn't said anything one way or the other but it's apparent that she is quiet disappointed." He admitted.



            "Well, we'll try to bring back as much as we can for her, that way she doesn't feel like she's missed anything. This way she'll have some time with Willow, William and Taylor. I get the feeling that they need some time together." Elizabeth said being the one chosen to go on the expedition.



            "The hard part is going to be getting them to take the time off. They're both workaholics and neither one of them is going to shirk the chance to get back into the action." Washington said. "They'll work it out, one way or another. I think they're still getting used to the idea of having a family."



            "You be careful out there Elizabeth. Not much is known about this region which is the main reason this expedition is headed out that way." Malcolm reminded her.



            "Please Malcolm, I do know what I'm doing. Try not to worry so much. Keep an eye on Jim and the Kids for me will you?" She asked. Malcolm hesitated a moment as relations between him and Jim consisted of malicious sarcasm and sticking it to the other whenever possible. He gave a nod and half smiled. "Thank you."

 

Picnics



            Rayne sat in the middle of the apple orchard where they could see over the fields that only recently had been planted and were fresh green as spring was setting in. She played with Nathan and Willow who were both very happy children and loved to be outdoors.



            Taylor walked up knowing he hadn't been here when he said he'd be, but Rayne was usually pretty understanding of the situation. "Did I miss the food?" He asked sitting down next to Rayne with a smile as he picked up his little girl putting her on his lap.



            "Nope, we were waiting for Daddy before we started eating." She said reaching for the picnic basket and taking out some plates and some food she had prepared for them. A bottle for Nathan and Willow was on solid foods and walking around now. Taylor grinned hearing himself called daddy. It had been a long time since he had been called that and he liked the feeling it gave him.



            "We received transmissions from the expeditions. Everything’s going good, everyone’s safe, and they're finding all kinds of things that they are bringing back for you to study and catalog." Rayne's smile faded a bit as she was trying to keep a good attitude about not getting to go but it was difficult at times.



            "The teachers at school wanted to know if we would be interested in putting Willow in their early start program." Rayne said changing the subject. "They think it would be good to prepare her for preschool and kindergarten."



            Taylor arched a brow, "She's just started walking. Not to mention still in diapers, and they want to put her in school already?" He said in amazement.



            "Well they did some testing and they said she came out with flying colors. She can match shapes, knows her colors, and can perform tasks in order. They say that not many toddlers have such high functioning cognitive abilities." Rayne said. The Commander just stared at her a minute.



            "She's not a dog, Rayne." He said.



            She looked at him thinking that was an odd thing to say, "I know she isn't."



            "Then why would we want them to start training her like one?" He questioned.



            Rayne scoffed slightly a little annoyed that he would imagine that she thought such a thing or would want such a thing for their child. "The first 5 years of a child’s life is the most important for their cognitive and mental development. If we start teaching her now then learning through school and the rest of her life will be much easier for her. The same with William when he's old enough to show aptitude."



            "This all sounds very experimental to me." Taylor said suspiciously. "Is this something that Malcolm is involved with?"



            "Of course he has something to do with it, but so does Elizabeth. This is an entire new world and we need to teach our children more then they taught back in 2149. They'd basically given up teaching children anything of value because they just figured that the planet was going to die anyway so why bother." Rayne explained. "They have to have a new way to teach our children, the children of this Colony so they get more benefit and knowledge from their education. Right now the classes are still small because of a limited population and they can get the one on one time they need to . . ."



            "Alright, Rayne. Rayne!" He said stopping her raising his hand. "I wanted to spend time with you and the kids this afternoon, not start a fight. If you think that this . . .early start program is what's best for Willow, then I'm behind it 100%." He said seriously. "I just don't want our kids to become someone’s lab rats."



            Rayne sighed a little, "Nathaniel, we're all someone’s lab rats. We became that the moment we stepped through the portal."

 

Passion



            Rayne straddled Taylors thighs as she rode him hard and deep, never slowing down, easing up, or losing pace. Taylor held fast to her hips guiding her as she moved. He sat up and sought out her lips kissing her deeply as they continued to move together in utter pleasure and bliss. After a few more moments, he wrapped his arms around her and turned them so he lay over her, Rayne's legs wrapped around him as he began to thrust deep inside of her over and over listening to her breath.



            Finally with one hard final thrust, Rayne cried out in utter bliss as her legs shook around him and her entire body trembled in absolute pleasure. Taylor released himself deep inside of her holding fast to her body before laying his head against her shoulder catching his breath. Rayne wrapped her arms around him, resting her hand on his head holding him close. Then Taylor leaned up finding her lips once more cupping her face with his hand and kissing her deeply. Rayne anxiously returned every affection, running her hands over his shoulders and down his chest.



            Her chest still heaving pressing against his with every breath he looked into her eyes, loving how her hair was down and seemed to flow over the pillow, framing her face perfectly. The glow to her skin, the slight sheen on sweat from their movements, and the brilliant sparkle in her eyes as her body writhed against him in the aftershocks of their love making. After a moment, she closed her eyes her hands still running over his body before they embraced tightly again and she wrapped her legs around his waist holding him tight with everything in her.



            She grinned and started to laugh a little and he raised his head looking down at her, "What?" He asked smiling a little bit.



            "We really should be more careful." She whispered.



            "Oh? Why's that?" He asked.



            "Well, we've already had to expand the house twice. Are we going for a third already? Because it's this sort of thing that causes it." She said playfully.



            "Wouldn't mind a bit. Plenty of space in Terra Nova." He said kissing her nose rolling off to the side of her a bit as she rolled over wrapping her arm around him resting her head to his chest as he pulled the covers up over them.



            "How many children do you want?" She asked softly as they hadn't really talked about it before.



            "A whole mess of them, maybe 7 or 8." She raised her head and reached over hitting him with a pillow. He laughed and grabbed her wrists taking away the pillow and tossing it to the side before he started to tickle her. She squealed a little before starting to tickle him back and finally he wrapped his arms around her pulling her into a deep kiss. Rayne kissed him back hungrily finding him as irresistibly attractive as the first day she'd noticed him. "Population laws don't mean a thing here. We actually encourage families." He said looking into her eyes still holding her tight.



            "Doesn't mean we have to supply the entire colony, Nathaniel." She said giving him a devious look.



            "Hmm. Maybe. Would be nice to have a good amount of Taylor's to carry on the family name." He said.



            Rayne smiled a little bit. "As if anyone is ever going to forget Commander Nathaniel Taylor. Especially every year on the harvest festival."



            "Yeah, that's nice and all. But I'd rather have a family legacy to pass down through the generations. I don't know if I'm going to be around when the grand kids start coming in, but I sure would like there to be a bunch of them." He said seriously.



            Reaching up she ran her hand through his hair a few times before resting them on his shoulders. "You thought you wouldn't have a family again, after everything with Lucas I mean."



            Taylor was quiet for a moment, "No. I really thought that was the end for me. Ayonie died, but I still had Lucas. But then he disowned me before he even came to Terra Nova. I still love him very much, but he's never going to love me back again. I don't even recognize him anymore, the things he's done, the crimes and acts he's committed. It's hard to imagine that the man he's become was my little boy just a few years ago." Rayne knew the very thought of Lucas hurt him, and the death of his first wife haunted him mercilessly. Sometimes he had to talk about it and all she could do was listen and hug him to let him know she was there. Pulling himself from the past he looked into her eyes and smiled, "And then, just when I thought there was nothing left . . . . there was you. You've given me back so much of what I've lost. I am lucky to have found you." He said kissing her again.



            Rayne smiled a little, "I never intended to Marry." She said honestly. "I just figured I'd run with the animals like Mowgli from the Jungle Book until something killed or ate me."



            "Well you were trying awful hard that's for damn sure." He said giving her a look reaching up and brushing her cheek with his fingertips. She stuck her tongue at him and he kissed her nose.



            "I've just never been able to relate to people over the age of 19 for some reason. I'm just drawn to kids more than adults. It seems like once they reach a certain age and become an adult, they turn into irritating two faced people that I wouldn't spend time with if you paid me a thousand terra's an hour." Rayne said with a sigh.



            "Working with kids and animals has always been your strong point honey. That's not a bad thing. Let me worry about the adults, you keep doing what you do. It's important for you to share your knowledge and give these kids a chance to learn what they otherwise wouldn't get to." Taylor said. Rayne smiled a little and then they kissed again, then once more, then a little deeper. Rayne wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her body laying her back down on the bed their passion growing more by the second.

Boylin's Bargains



            "Okay." Rayne said walking around the outside of the lab where the larger animals were kept moving to each cage feeding them and making sure they had plenty of water. "Lt. Wash or Commander Taylor are the ones you need to be talking to. You can put in a request."



            "Yeah, that would be normal procedure except for a few little hiccups in the chain. The Commander don't like or trust me, and Lt. Wash's opinion of me isn't any higher." He said.



            "Have you ever thought about why that is?" She asked looking at him.



            "Just because Taylor is under the delusion that I'm a Sixer Spy, which I am not, which has been proven several times." He said.



            "No, it's because you’re a jerk." She said plainly feeding the next animal and petting it a little bit listening to it click and coo happy with the attention. "You have this way about you Boylin that puts people off. Decent people anyway, other people just figure they found a kindred spirit they can do business with."



            "I'm a man who knows how to get things. Is that a crime?" He asked.



            "Sometimes, yeah." She said not arguing with him. She put down her feed bucket and turned to him, "Look, if you do everything by the book, Commander Taylor is going to let you have your supplies you need to expand your bar. There is no reason for him not to as long as the supplies aren't needed for something else. Right now we have an over abundance of stockpiled building supplies and a labor force. I'm not going to be the bug in his ear on this. Most people respect the fact that I'm not like that, and wouldn't even ask. After five years of marriage, you've managed to be the first."



            Boylin sighed, "You used to come to my bar all the time after a hard day’s work, Rayne. Not so much since the little ones have come along, but you never seemed to have a problem with me or my place." He pointed out. "Anything you want or need I could get it for you. Technology from the future, I could get it here on the next pilgrimage, anything in the world you could think of or ask for, I can get. Something for the little ones that you don't have because you can't get it in the colony, I can make it happen." She just seemed to ignore his offer and he sighed. "Would it really hurt you to put in a good word with your old man to smooth the way a bit?" He asked sincerely.



            "Yes, because then other people will think they can do it too." She said. "You need to look somewhere else for help with this Tom, because you aren't going to find any here." She said letting that be her final word on the subject. He sighed and turned leaving her to go back to her chores.

 

Struggles



            For some reason she couldn't get Boylin out of her head after he'd come to see her at the lab. He seemed so genuinely concerned and in need of help. But she and Taylor had vowed to each other not to bring work home like that, and even though he was her CEO above Malcolm, she wouldn't use her position as his wife to try and get special considerations.



            She tossed and turned and couldn't find a comfortable spot and falling asleep seemed a hopeless desire. "Honey," Taylor said not being able to sleep with her tossing herself around so much. "I'm going to hook you up as generator to drain off some of that extra energy." He said in a tired voice. "What's on your mind?" He said rolling over and wrapping his arm around her cuddling up to her body a bit.



            "We promised I wouldn't tell you." She said referring to the deal they made when they were first married.



            "If you can't tell me, well then who can you tell?" He said his eyes closed snuggling against her shoulder a bit more loving the feel of her soft warm body in her arms.



            Rayne thought about it for a moment and realized that there really wasn't turning back now. "Has Tom Boylin put in expansion plans for the bar yet?" She asked.



            "It's sitting in a file on my desk. Haven't decided to toss it or burn it yet." He said softly.



            "Why?" She asked. "Don't we have a surplus of building materials right now?"



            Taylor's eyes opened as he sat up slightly looking at her in awe, "Of all the people in the colony you could choose to advocate for, please don't tell me it's going that slimy reptile."



            "I'm not advocating for him." She said seriously, "I just wondered if there was a practical reason for not granting his request."



            "Because we don't need a bigger bar. I realize that people need a place to blow off steam especially after work, but I'd rather not encourage it." He said.



            "But if he expands the bar it could be used for other things too. Indoor wedding receptions, other gatherings and parties, that sort of thing." She said.



            "Oh for the love of, Rayne . . . ." He said not believing this was happening.



            "Please, Nathaniel? If he's gone through all the proper channels and filled out the proper paperwork, he hasn't broken any rules or go behind your back." She said.



            "Does that mean you're a proper channel now?" He asked giving her a look.



            "No, of course I'm not . . . I just . . ." She stopped and shook her head not knowing what she was doing. "Forget it." She said turning over and pulling the cover over her. Taylor looked at her a moment seeing how frustrated she was. He really did not like Tom Boylin for too many reasons anyone could ever count.



            He lay down behind her and wrapped his arm around her, "If he has gone through all the proper steps, and the paperwork and done everything right way . . . I'll have an inventory done on the stockpile building supplies, alright?" He said.



            She suddenly felt so overcome with guilt she could hardly breathe. Rolling back she looked up at him, "Thank you." She said sincerely. Taylor kissed her cheek and settled back down to sleep himself.



            "Next time you need something that he can get his hands on, he better come through for you or I'll break his fingers." Taylor said as an afterthought. Rayne couldn't help but giggle a little when he said that. He knew what Boylin's game was and how things worked with him.

 

To Be Continued . . . .

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