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TITLE: Angel Lights
AUTHOR: Karolyn Gray
TYPE: Scene Filler
RATING: G
DISCLAIMERS: All characters and situations in Earth: Final Conflict are the property of Tribune
Entertainment, Kirshner-Roddenberry, Atlantis and related companies. No copyright infringement is intended.
SPOILERS: "Miracles"
DEDICATION/COMMENTS: Just a nice little scene filler I thought would have been kind of neat to have seen in the
episode Miracle.
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Angel Lights
by Karolyn Gray <kmgray3@aol.com>

   William Boone quietly walked into the semi darkened room as the nurse
leaving gave him a stern look that conveyed more understanding in that single
gesture than any amount of words she could have spoken. Wil simply nodded in
silent acknowledgment of the warning and continued into the room.

   He couldn't help but smile at the sight the unfolded before him. Julie sat
staring at her hands, awe and amazement still obvious on her face despite it
having been nearly eight hours since the procedure. He could tell she had been
crying, but unlike the early moments of their new found friendship, these were
tears of joy and thankfulness. Gone was the bitterly sad, world weary young
woman he had saved from self abnegation, replaced by a newly reinspired and
spirited soul.

  Wil couldn't blame her for not being in such a state. He still found himself
in wonder at what he had witnessed. Yes, he knew in the late nineties humans
had started the first real development of skin and nerves, but this? The
growth of limbs? That would never have been achieved in Julie's lifetime
without the Taelon's help. Despite their hidden agenda he searched for, Wil
couldn't help but feel grateful at what they had accomplished to help
humanity.

   "Wil!" Julie called out with a happy giggle as she stretched her hands
towards him. The rooms dim lighting seemed to dance in her eyes. Eyes filled
with pure joy.

   Wil grinned and accepted her invitation. He carefully clasped her hands and
sat down on the edge of her bed. "How are you feeling?"

   "I...I can't describe it, Wil. This is so great! Amazing!" Julie looked at
her hands, tears forming in her eyes again. "I've wished for this so much and
now it's happened."

   "May I?" Wil asked, indicating her hands.

   Julie laughed. "Please."

   Wil gently ran a finger over the skin of her hand, causing Julie to giggle
lightly in pure joy at the sensation. "It's amazing." He murmured.

   "And I have you to thank for it." Julie enthused, surprising Wil as she
hugged him tightly. "Thank you." She whispered, as Wil slowly returned her
hug.

   "I didn't do anything." Wil said as she leaned back, unable to help but
smile in the presence of such happiness.

   "Agent Sandoval said you were the one who came up with the idea of me being
part of the limb regeneration program." Julie said.

   "All I did was ask Da'an if there was anyway the Companions could help you.
I didn't think they would....well....do this." Wil finished with a light laugh
as he gently squeezed her hands.

    "Then you are the one I should thank." Julie said with a smile. "You saved
my life and led me to gaining my hands. But most of all you gave me my hope
back. Not many would have even cared if I had jumped from that building, but
you did. Even fewer would have helped this...."she raised her hands in front
of them   "...miracle happen."

   "So does this mean I am even more responsible for your life now?" Wil teased.

   "You betcha!" Julie retorted causing Wil to laugh aloud.

   "Oh, boy. Guess I'm in real trouble now." Wil grinned and Julie burst into
laughter. He caught a nurse walking past the open door cast him a dark look
that he chose to ignore. However, the clock on the wall he could not ignore.
It was almost the end of visiting hours at the hospital.

   "Hey, I better get going and let you get some rest for tomorrow." Wil said.

   Julie looked at him with disappointment on her face. "Do you have to go,
Wil?" She asked.

   "I'm afraid so." He nodded.

    "But your Head of Companion Security." She protested, obviously wanting
him to stay a little while longer.

    "It wouldn't matter if I was the Second Coming, the nurses would still
toss me out." He joked. Seeing her disappointed smile, he patted her hand.
"I'll see you tomorrow anyway after the press conference."

   "Could you come before?" She asked, hopefully.

   "I can't promise anything, but I'll try." He said, earning a smile from her
again.

   "Great!" Julie quickly hugged him again. "You're such a good friend. See
you tomorrow, Wil."

   "Goodnight, Julie." Wil replied as he stood. "You get some sleep, OK?
You've got a busy day tomorrow."

   Julie laughed and mock saluted him. "Yes, sir."

   Laughing Wil left the room and wandered to the floor's elevators, feeling
in a better mood than he had in quite some time. He was startled out of his
reverie by the sudden appearance of Da'an and Ronald Sandoval at his side as
he pushed the elevator button.

   "Da'an." Wil said in way of a greeting to cover his surprise.

   "Commander Boone." Da'an said simply, a slight smile on the Companion's pale
features. "Did you enjoy your time with Julie Payton?"

   "Uh..yes, Da'an, I did." Wil replied. 'Hurry up.' He silently wished to the
elevators, hoping Da'an did not desire another of their lengthy discourses
over humanity.

   "It pleases me to know that she has recovered so much of what she has lost
in her life." Da'an said. "It pleases me even more to know that it was one of
our representatives who brought her to our attention."

   "I didn't do anything special, Da'an." Wil noted, starting to become
somewhat embarrassed by the attention of the Companion.

   Da'an seemed to pick up on his discomfort and gestured with his hand
slightly, as the elevator finally reached their floor. "Please, go and rest.
Tomorrow shall start early for all of us."

   "Thank you, Da'an." Wil said and quickly entered the elevator, relieved to
be away from the Companion. He liked Da'an, but right now he wanted to savor
the good feelings Julie had engendered in him, knowing  they would not last
forever.

   As the doors of the elevator closed Da'an closed his eyes slowly and
remained still for several moments, earning a worried look from Ronald
Sandoval.

   "Is there something wrong, Da'an?" He asked, carefully.

   Da'an opened his eyes again. "I am well, Agent Sandoval." Da'an gestured to
the elevator and the hall that led to Julie Payton's room. "I simply find it
most rewarding to see such serenity and happiness in two very different people
again. Commander Boone is a most remarkable man."

   Ron raised an eyebrow at this, but said nothing. "Did you wish to speak
with Ms. Payton again?" He asked.

   "No. Though I was not able to impart my words to her, I believe Commander
Boone's actions were far more eloquent than anything I could possibly tell Ms.
Payton." Da'an said.

   "You did not speak to her?" Ron asked in surprise. After all, Da'an had
insisted on coming here for just that purpose.

   "I did not wish to disturb the Commander and his friend. But I saw enough
to answer any questions that I had for either of them." Da'an answered.

   "Are we returning to the Embassy?" Ron asked.

   "Yes, I must report to Synod. I am sure they will be quite pleased with
what I have to impart to them."

   Ron nodded and gestured to an arriving elevator. "This way, Da'an."

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Copyright 1998 Karolyn Gray and Skrillwerks Story Archive