================================================================================
TITLE: Darkness and Light
AUTHOR: Mithril (perretta@entelchile.net)
TYPE: Story
RATING: PG-13
SUMMARY: How would Da'an react to the loss of whom he loves most? Would he surrender to his own darkness?
DISCLAIMERS: Earth: Final Conflict characters and Universe are from Gene Roddenberry.
No copyright infringement is intended. De'lan, Va'rel, Susan, Elizabeth Crane and General
Lucien Philips are my creation. The idea is mine.
SPOILERS: Some spoilers for "Defector"..
AUTHOR'S NOTES: A big thanks to Sand for editing my story. To understand this story, you must read "Zo'or's
Adventure: Strange  Companions", "Zo'or's Adventure: The Gathering" and "Changes" first.
================================================================================

Darkness and Light
by Mithril

Part one: Darkness


	In the middle of the night, a sparkling Taelon watched, lovingly, the
red-haired woman who peacefully slept between his arms... his chosen one. 
Da'an tilted his head and softly stroked her forehead.  It had been three
months since their first night together and, even though Susan was not able
to join with him that way in her present state, he had become to treasure
this kind of sharing, when her mind rested completely within him.  And he
knew how much Susan needed the rest.  She never complained, but he realized
the pregnancy was proving to be a difficult and somehow scary enterprise
for her... and tomorrow it would be harder, as she would meet the Synod. 
He had been avoiding such an encounter since the beginning of the
pregnancy, but it had been Susan herself who suggested him to accept.
"I do not want you to have troubles because of me," she had told him,
"besides, it is better to let them meet Nikki before the birth.  I am sure
they will instantly feel drawn to her," she had finished with a sweet grin.
 Having found her words wise, he had agreed.


Amused, Da'an noticed he had not seen his fellow Taelons so interested in
someone or something for a long time.  In fact, so high was their interest
to meet Susan and the child, they had agreed to leave the Mothership and go
to the Embassy in order to do so...
However, now that he saw his beloved sleeping so tiredly, Da'an started to
regret his decision.


Moving his hand away from her forehead, Da'an gently placed it on her now
round stomach.  Although Susan had carried Nikki for four months, she
appeared to be in her eight month.  He mentally smiled; their daughter was
sleeping too.


Unexpectedly, Susan moved in her sleep and put her hand over his own, a
serene smile on her face.  Feeling her deep love and joy, the alien
sparkled brighter in delight, but quickly forced himself to calm down, he
did not want her to wake her up.  


Soon his gaze was drawn to her naked hand.  He had noticed she wore her
ring no longer...  since Tel'kar's attack.  When he had asked her the
reason, she had said she lost it and she had changed the subject.
As a Taelon, Da'an did not have any special interest in material things,
but he knew Susan regretted the lost of the jewel... as it would be her
gift for Nikki.  His eyes glowed tenderly.  Did she not know that Nikki
needed no proof of her love?
Through their bond, he could feel her joy.  In spite of everything that had
happened to her, Da'an knew Susan had never been so happy in her whole
life... and neither had been he.  When he had left his home world, millions
of years ago, it never occurred to him that he would find such a precious
being...  But he had been a different Taelon then...  Yes, so different. 
He shook his head and turned serious.  He did not deserve such happiness. 
Carefully, he withdrew his hand and sighing, he leaned back on the bed. 
Through their link, Da'an knew Susan believed he was the most wonderful and
gentle being in the whole Universe...  How wrong she was!
Every time they had joined their minds, despite her human nature, Susan had
unselfishly shared herself completely, but he had always kept a small part
of him out of her reach.  He feared that if she ever saw that side of him,
she would run away... terrified by all the atrocities he had done.  How
could he ever tell her that he was the architect of the cruel Taelon
expansion across the Universe?  How could he ever share with her that dark
portion of his soul, when everything he had cared of had been the Taelon
survival... no matter the dreadful prize?
Those acts now filled him with shame and disgrace.  How repented he was!
He looked at mother-to-be.  (Will you run away from me?)  He whispered in
her mind.
As if answering his unspoken question, Susan moved again, turning towards
him, resting her head on his chest and a hand on his shoulder.
Kindly, Da'an removed a strand of hair from her face and glowed brighter
with determination.  No!  He would not let his past actions to separate
them.  He had changed.  He was no more the blind, ruthless Taelon who had
spread the terror through the galaxies. 
He was different... but he could still feel the pain and despair of all the
innocent lives he had taken, if not by his own hands, but by his actions
and decisions within the Synod.
The North American Companion mentally sighed.  He knew forgiveness was
impossible to obtain, but he would face those voices...  He would face his
own darkness.
Fortunately, there was an ancient rite, Ka'arpaaj, which would allow him to
search in his soul -as Susan would call his essence- to renew himself.  He
would prepare himself for Nikki's arrival.
There was something that worried him, though.  In order to observe the
Ka'arpaaj, he would have to separate from Susan for three human days, as
the rite must be done alone.  Not that he feared something could happen to
her, after all, the Embassy was a safe place.  It was just that he needed
and yearned for her presence.
Having made his decision, Da'an relaxed and joined with his chosen one,
tenderly cradling her serene mind within his own.  (Hold me in your dreams,
beloved)...


******


	The next morning, when Susan woke up, Da'an was nowhere to be seen.  After
blinking and stretching her arms, the redhead sat and eyed the clock that
was over the night table.  She slightly stiffened; it was past midday.  She
smiled and placed a hand on her stomach.  "I have told your father not to
let me sleep that much.  I feel like I was hibernating!"  Shaking her head,
she rose from the bed and walked towards the window.  It was raining
heavily.  Susan rubbed her belly and sighed.  (Well, Nikki, it seems that
the roses will have to wait for our visit), she thought to her daughter. 


"The roses will still be there after the rain," a soft voice said behind
her.


With a grin, she turned.  "Good morning, Da'an," she greeted the Taelon who
stood in the doorway.


He approached her and tilted his head.  "I believe the proper term is good
afternoon," he corrected her, a hint of mischief in his tone.


She slightly blushed and bit her lip.  "Yes I know, but it was your fault. 
Why didn't you wake me up?" she replied.


The alien smiled and held her shoulders.  "You need to rest the required
number of hours.  I know how tired you have been lately."  He paused for a
moment and then continued.  "In fact, I am beginning to think having the
meeting today is a bad idea," he finished seriously.


Susan shook her head.  "No, I am okay.  The reunion with the Synod will
pass and tomorrow we could go outside and walk through the garden," she
said reassuringly.  To her surprise, Da'an blushed blue and lowered his
gaze.  "What is it?" she asked, concerned.


"Nothing," he quickly soothed her, not wanting to tell her about his
imminent departure.  He had decided to inform her after the meeting.


"Da'an?" she insisted, interrupting his thoughts and looking directly into
his blue eyes.


Gently, he pulled her closer in a tender embrace.  "I wish I could spare
you today's event," he whispered in her ear and then released her.


"Hey," she said softly, "don't worry.  I will not allow them to intimidate
me.  I promise."


The Companion could not suppress a smile.  "Somehow I know that you will
succeed," he noted amusedly.


"What do you mean?" she asked, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.


His grin widened.  "Well, you were not exactly intimidated by me when we
first met.  In fact, I believe you told Mr. Doors that I was... cute."


She opened her eyes wide and blushed in a deep red.  "I didn't know... you
had heard me," she said, embarrassed, but without taking her eyes away from
his.  "I hope it had not bothered you," she added rather shyly.


"Of course not.  I was surprised and..." he suddenly stopped, as if
searching for the right words.


"And..." she prompted, curious.


"And completely fascinated by the red-haired woman who had dared to call
the North American Companion... cute," Da'an continued, while running his
hand through her hair.


Susan flushed even more -if that was possible.  Unable to say a word, she
kissed him and leaned her head on his chest.  Overwhelmed by the feelings,
the Taelon lost his façade.
They were interrupted by a soft kick in her belly.  Carefully Da'an touched
her stomach and, regaining his human appearance, he smiled.  Susan grinned
too.  "Nikki is asking for lunch," she stated.


Da'an withdrew his hand.  "I will leave you now, so you can get ready," he
said.  After a last kiss he walked to the door.  Before opening it, he
turned.  "Would you want me to join you for... lunch?" he asked, knowing
that Susan did not like to be alone under the energy stream.


"I would love it," she answered in a low voice.  "Thank you."


Blushing blue, Da'an nodded and left the chamber.


******


	In the Resistance Head Quarters -inside Doors' office- the discussion held
between doctor Melissa Park and Jonathan Doors could be easily heard all
along the facility, because they were talking in such loud voices.


"This is unfair, Jonathan," she yelled.  "That project was mine!  I will
not lose the hybrid.  I want to recover it."


The billionaire looked seriously at her.  She was really angry, almost
desperate.  He raised a hand in a peaceful manner.  "Calm down, Melissa. 
You know that it is impossible," he said from behind his desk.  "I will not
risk innocent lives."


"Don't you mean, perhaps, Susan's life?  Maybe you are too involved,
Jonathan--" 


"Of course I am!" he rudely interrupted the scientist.   "Susan is Joshua's
best friend and very dear to me.  I will not let you harm her," he added in
a deadly warning tone.


"Will you sacrifice this opportunity for just one person?" she asked, not
being a bit intimidated by his tone.  "Besides, who assures you that Susan
has not been implanted with some kind of CVI to ensure her cooperation?  If
that were the case, we would be doing her a favor."


"That is ridiculous!" a voice filled with annoyance exclaimed from the
doorway.  "Da'an would never do that to Susan."


Jonathan and Doctor Park turned.


"Why are you so sure, Liam?" Melissa Park asked dryly, without greeting the
Major.


Liam glared at her.  He had heard their whole conversation and did not like
Park's attitude towards Nikki and Susan.  "Because Da'an loves her," Liam
answered seriously.


At his words, Melissa blinked in disbelief and Doors' jaw fell open.


"That is the most stupid thing I have ever heard!" she exclaimed angrily
and then turned her gaze to the billionaire.  "What will you do, Jonathan? 
Will you recover my hybrid or not?" she asked.


Forcing himself to recover, Doors shook his head.  "Sorry, Melissa, but the
answer is no," he replied.  "Stay away from her!" he ordered.


Flushing in anger and frustration, she hit the desk with her hand.  "This
is not over.  If you don't want to help me, I will find someone who does!"
the blond scientist barked and without waiting for a reply, she turned and
walked to the door, pushing Liam in the process.  She opened it and was
about to go out, when the Major suddenly grabbed her arm.  


"The baby is not your hybrid.  Nikki is Susan's and Da'an's child," he
said, deadly serious, his eyes showing an inhuman golden glow.


Visibly intimidated, Doctor Park managed to remove Liam's hand and left the
office, slamming the door behind her.


"Tell me, Liam," Jonathan said seconds later.  "Is it true what you said a
moment ago?"


The young hybrid gave him a puzzled look.


Jonathan cleared his throat and sighed.  "Is it true... that the Taelon...
Da'an... loves Susan?" he asked, clearly shocked by the idea.


Liam smiled, morbidly amused by Doors' reaction.  "Of course... and Susan
loves him too, may I add."


To his surprise, Jonathan's gaze softened and a true smile appeared on the
old man's face.


"So... Is she happy living at the Embassy... with Da'an?"  The billionaire
asked, as if trying to be sure of what he had just learned.


The Major nodded.


"I am glad to hear that," Jonathan said sincerely.


"Glad!" Liam exclaimed in disbelief.


Doors turned serious.  "Do not misunderstand me, Major.  I still do not
trust the Taelons nor like them, but for now, I think the best place for
Susan is the Embassy.  Juliana told me that Da'an has been extremely kind
with Susan.  I did not want to believe her, but as you are telling me the
same thing, I suppose it must be true."


Liam smiled.  "Yes it is.  If only you could see her eyes when they are
together.  I--"


"Enough!" Jonathan interrupted him, annoyed.  "Do not push me, Liam."


The Major chuckled.  "I didn't know you care so much about her," he noted.


Doors smiled, his eyes took a far away look.  "She is like a daughter to
me.  When she was a little girl, her parents traveled a lot, so she almost
lived in my house.  She always was there for Joshua... when I...
disappointed him..."  He abruptly stopped and raised a hand to his now
misty eyes.  He shook his head.  "Don't you have work to do, Liam?"


Liam grinned.  "Sure.  I must return to the Embassy," he answered and
turned to leave.


"Liam," the billionaire suddenly called him.  "Take care of Susan for me."


"Of course I will," the young hybrid answered sincerely and, with a last
nod, he left the office, glad to know that Jonathan Doors had a human side
after all.


Doors followed him with his gaze and, once alone, he opened one of the
desk's drawers and pulled out an old picture of himself and two kids,
Joshua and Susan.  The three of them were happy, smiling... completely
unaware of the Taelon's existence.  Unbidden, a tender expression lit up
his always-serious face.


******


	Doctor Melissa Park paced nervously and deeply annoyed inside her lab. 
*How can Jonathan do this to me?  She thought.  It was him who gave me the
hybrid in the first place... and now, he dares to tell me to forget about
it and my project.  I will not allow this!  There must be someone who--*
She abruptly stopped, an idea had occurred to her.  "Yes!" she exclaimed
aloud.  "I believe I know who can help me!"
She mentally blessed her past decision of keeping in touch with him.  With
an evil grin, she grabbed her purse and coat and walked to the elevator.


******


	In the Washington Embassy, inside the audience chamber, Da'an was seated
on his throne-like chair, staring at the data stream, when Susan entered. 
With a wave of a hand, he closed the stream.


"Sorry," she apologized.  "I didn't want to interrupt you."


The North American Companion shook his head.  "I was just reviewing old
files," he said.


She approached and stood by his side, an expression of curiosity on her
face.  "What were those characters dancing in the stream?" she asked.


With a smile, Da'an activated the device again.  "They are in Eunoia, my
native language," he explained.


She nodded and looked at the floating characters with fascinated eyes...
completely unaware that Da'an looked at her equally fascinated.


"How interesting," she said after a while.


"What is that arises your curiosity?" he asked, tilting his head.


"At first sight, the symbols appear to be erratic and meaningless, but If I
look intently at them, they convey thoughts and ideas, they... they..."  
She stopped, feeling suddenly very dizzy.
Immediately, Da'an rose from his chair and helped her to sit.  He activated
the energy stream.  "I believe is time for lunch," he noted.


"Thank you," she whispered, leaning back on the chair... to rise at the
next second.  "Da'an, I... would you... I mean... uh, forget it," she
finished with a sigh.


He held her by the shoulders and gently pulled her back.  "It will be a
pleasure to teach you my language, but I warn you it will be a difficult
task."


A smile lit up her face.  "I will do my best," she said, sleepy.


"I know you will," the alien replied kindly.  "Now, close your eyes and
relax."


She looked at him through her eyelashes.  "I don't understand why I sleep
so much... I feel like a bear.  I would not be surprised if you get tired
of me..."


Her Companion tenderly stroked her forehead.  "You know that such a thing
will never happen."


Susan smiled mischievously and stifled a yawn.  "Yes... but I am still a
bear..."


Da'an tilted his head, puzzled, but then he understood what she had meant. 
He grinned.  "You are not hibernating.  As the birth is close, Nikki needs
more energy.  The only way your body can achieve that, is by saving energy
during sleep," he explained in a soft, hypnotizing voice.


Susan blinked and closed her eyes.  "I just cannot wait to see her... I am
so... tired," she whispered, falling asleep under the energy stream... and
under Da'an's loving gaze.


******


	After an hour of driving, Doctor Melissa Park arrived to her destination,
an abandoned warehouse.  She parked her vehicle, looked out through the
window and descended.  She walked towards the building and hesitatingly
opened the old door.  Taking a deep breath, she entered.  The place was
dark and cold.  Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around her chest.  She
looked around and cleared her throat.  "Hello... is anybody here?" she
asked in a loud voice.  Only the echo answered her.  The doctor shook her
head in disappointment and decided to try again.  "I am Doctor Melissa Park
and I came alone, as you requested."
Twenty minutes later, she lost her patience and was about to leave, when
she heard steps behind her.  She turned.  A man stood there.  In spite of
the dim light, she recognized him without trouble.  


"General Philips," Melissa addressed him, a cold charming smile on her face.


Immediately, a slender, blond woman -presumably Elizabeth Crane, Philips'
assistant- and several armed men, seemed to appear out of nowhere.  The
woman whispered something in Philips' ear and he nodded.  He approached the
Doctor.


"Doctor Park.  Sorry to make you wait, but I have to be sure this was not
one of Doors' old tricks," he explained.  "He and I... well, you know what
happened," he added in an ironic tone.


"Yeah," Melissa said, annoyed.  "You almost destroyed us!"


Philips shrugged.  "I can assure you it was worth it.  I only regret that
Zo'or escaped."  The former General sighed and shook his head.  "Well, I
suppose you did not come to me to discuss Zo'or's kidnapping.  May I assume
that you are here without Door's knowledge?" he asked, staring at her with
a raised eyebrow.


Park nodded.  "I need your help to recover something very important to me,
scientifically speaking," she said.


He tilted his head and gave her a superior look.  "Oh, my dear Doctor, did
you lose the hybrid I gave the Resistance?" he asked with a smirk.


The blond scientist blushed and opened her eyes wide.  "How did you know
that?" she almost barked, alarmed.


Philips chuckled.  "Take it easy, Doctor.  I just like to be informed, that
is all," he explained and then turned serious.  "I am afraid I cannot help
you.  I will not risk my people in such a dangerous operation.  I am sorry.
 I admit it would be interesting to study the hybrid, but it is impossible.
 The human host must be under a strong custody behind the Embassy's walls."


"Yes," Melissa agreed.  "However, you should know Susan -the host- is not a
prisoner there.  She can leave the Embassy whenever she wants to.  I can...
convince her to go out, but I need a safe place to hide her from Da'an, at
least, until I make the procedure.  I have run several computerized
simulations and the fetus' development is almost complete.  With the proper
equipment, I can induce the birth and--"


"Wait," Philips interrupted her, raising a hand.  "If all is so easy as you
describes it, why did Doors refuse to recover the hybrid?" he asked,
interested in spite of himself.


Melissa Park shook her head, disgusted.  "Jonathan is too involved to think
clearly," she explained and took her hands to her waist.  "Well, what do
you answer?" she asked, Philips' interest not lost to her.


He met her eyes.  "I am a soldier, Melissa, not a monster.  I really do not
enjoy harming a pregnant woman...  However, I believe this opportunity
cannot be lost.  Information is essential to win this not professed war
with the Taelons.  I will help you, but I must have full access to your
research."


Doctor Park smiled.  "Of course, and do not worry, the host will live to
have more children."


Philips nodded and turned to his assistant.  "Miss Crane, prepare the lab."


"Yes, sir." Elizabeth said, leaving with the guards.


Then, the former General faced Park again.  "Follow me, Doctor.  We have to
check the final details," he invited her.  "A fully equipped lab is waiting
for you.  Since we lost our head scientist, it had been a little abandoned,
so to say," he finished, walking to a door.  With glowing eyes, she
followed him.


******


	A couple of hours later, in his audience chamber, Da'an stood near the
virtual glass window, but he was not gazing outside.  Instead, his eyes
were focused on Susan, who -lying on his throne-like chair- relaxed under
the energy stream.  He tilted his head and slightly smiled at the sight. 
He would like to let her sleep, but he could not, as the Synod would soon
arrive.  With a sigh, he approached her and gently shook her arm.  "Susan,
it is time," he said softly.


Still sleeping, she removed his hand away with her own.  "Please, mom...
just five more minutes..." she whispered.


Amused, Da'an withdrew his hand and grinned.  An idea occurred to him.  He
leaned closer to her ear.  "Come on, 'Carrot head', time to wake up!"


It worked.  Immediately, Susan raised her head and sat.  "Joshua, don't--"
she began to say, annoyed, but abruptly stopped.  She blinked in surprise
and looked around... to see Da'an staring innocently at her.  "What was
that?" she asked with a bemused, raised eyebrow.


"Just an efficient way to wake you up," the Taelon answered, a twinkle of
mischief in his blue eyes.  Then, with a wave of a hand, he deactivated the
stream.  "It is time," he informed her.


"I know," Susan said nervously, rising from the chair with his help. 
"Thank you."  With a sigh, she turned and slowly walked to the window.  "Is
still raining," she said distractedly.


Worried by her sudden melancholy, Da'an followed her.  "Susan?" he said,
placing a hand on her shoulder.  She looked at him.  Feeling her distress,
the North American Companion held her now cold hands.  "Do not be afraid of
the Taelon Synod," he soothed her.  "Do not forget I am a Synod member too.
 I will not allow them to be rude to you or Nikki."


She shook her head.  "Oh, no.  I am not afraid of your Synod.  I will not
let them intimidate me, remember?" she said and then lowered her gaze.  "It
is just that... I do not want to... let you down," the redhead finished in
a whisper.


Da'an blushed blue and held her chin, gently forcing her to look at him. 
"No, Susan, you will never disappoint me," he said sincerely.


She met his eyes with her worried ones.  "You are so kind, but what if--"  
Susan could not continue as Da'an leaned forward and kissed her.  "Wow. 
You... do know... how to state... your point," she managed to say after
they parted.


"Of course," he said with tender, glowing eyes.  "I am the North American
Companion," he finished mischievously."


The mother-to-be smiled and Da'an smiled back, pleased to see her
melancholy had vanished.  Suddenly, he stiffened and turned to the
entrance.  "They are here."
Taking a deep breath, Susan nodded.
A second later, led by Zo'or, the Synod members entered the audience
chamber and -to Da'an's surprise- they all wore a human façade.  Slowly,
they approached and saluted the North American Companion and the pregnant
woman.  Da'an returned the salute and Susan slightly bowed her head.


The Synod Leader raised a hand.  Even though she had met Susan before and
almost knew everything about Da'an's chosen one through her link with
Joshua, Zo'or -and the other Taelons- could barely control her curiosity...
and awe at the new life the woman carried within.
"As it was agreed, the Synod is here today to commune with the unborn
child," Zo'or stated solemnly.


Da'an nodded and looked at each one of his fellow Taelons in the eye.  "Of
course you are welcome," he said seriously, his warning glance not lost to
Zo'or... nor to the others.


The Synod Leader mentally smiled at Da'an's protective attitude towards the
mother and the child... but she could not blame him... as she would have
done the same thing for Joshua.


"Please, before such a communion takes place, ask all your doubts," the
North American Companion invited them gently.  


They nodded.  "How much of Da'an is within the hybrid?" Va'rel asked first,
his gaze fixed upon Susan.


At Da'an's slight nod, Susan answered.  "Our daughter has characteristics
from both of us, but they cannot be measured.  She is much more than the
simple combination of Taelon and Human genetic material.  She is a new,
precious being," the red-haired woman explained, unconsciously taking her
hands to her round stomach, a tender expression in her amber eyes.


"I see," Va'rel said, apparently satisfied with the explanation.


"Why is that we can feel Da'an's presence within the mother, but we cannot
feel the infant's presence within the Commonality?" De'lan asked then,
blushing blue.


Da'an smiled at his friend.  "It seems that, as a part of her human
inheritance, our child does not need the Commonality to sustain herself,"
he answered.  "However, she shares a strong bond with her mother."


"She talks to me in my dreams," Susan added.


At her words, the Taelons blinked in surprise.  "That is impossible!" one
of the members exclaimed.


"Indeed.  In this immature state, even a pure Taelon child cannot
communicate coherent thoughts, only ideas," Zo'or said.


Da'an blushed blue, unable to hide his pride.  "You speak the truth.  Our
daughter can communicate in that way only with her mother and, in some
special occasions, with me."


"I understand," Zo'or replied.


The reunion continued for an hour, with Susan and Da'an patiently answering
all of the questions.  Finally, Zo'or gestured with a hand and approached
the pregnant woman.


"It is time for the communion," the Synod Leader said anxiously.


Da'an gave a reassuring look at Susan and nodded.  "Proceed."


Susan smiled and Zo'or -unnoticed to the others- smiled back.  The female
Taelon was about to touch Susan's stomach, when one of the members, Lo'rel,
interrupted her.


"Stop," Lo'rel said, turning to look at Da'an.  "Some Taelons think the
hybrid is an aberration and that the experiment has gone too far."


Feeling Susan's sudden pain, the North American Companion stiffened and
blushed in a deep blue.  He was about to give a strong reply, but -to his
surprise- Susan spoke first.  She met Lo'rel's cold eyes with her defiant
ones.  "I understand a hybrid child may be a threat to some of you, but I
also know that, as a Synod member, you are one of the wisest of your kind. 
May I assume you will not allow prejudice to influence you?" she
respectfully asked.


Lo'rel stared at her, losing his human appearance for a second.  "Of
course," he said after a moment and looked at Zo'or.  "I apologize for the
interruption, please continue."


Zo'or looked dangerously at Lo'rel and at the other members, clearly
stating that another interruption would not be tolerated.  "I will commune
with the infant now," she said in a deadly serious tone.  Then, facing
Susan again, Zo'or carefully placed a hand on the woman's belly.  To her
surprise, the Synod Leader felt a soft kick.


"She likes you," the mother explained with a grin.


Amazed, Zo'or just nodded and began the communion with the child. 
Immediately, she lost her disguise and so did the other Taelons.  The
infant was so... alive, filled of curiosity and hope... she was... their
future.
Five minutes later, the Taelon Leader withdrew her hand and regained her
façade.  She turned to Da'an, an expression of wonder in her pale face. 
"The Synod shall leave now, we have many things to ponder," the female
Taelon said and, after the salute was made, the sparkling aliens left the
audience chamber.


Susan followed their sudden departure with a curious gaze.  "What
happened?" she asked.


Da'an smiled sadly.  "They are confused.  They do not understand how the
combination of our species could have created such a wonderful being as
Nikki..."  
He stopped and gave her an apologetic look.  "They do not understand it,
because they see humanity as an inferior race," he finished.


Susan met his eyes and smiled reassuringly.  "Don't worry.  In spite of
what they believe, I am not and do not feel inferior.  Besides, I only care
of what you think," she said in a low voice.


Da'an blushed blue.  "You know what I feel," he said softly.  She nodded
and the North American Companion continued.  "Unfortunately, there are
Synod members, such as Lo'rel, that do not share my opinions."


"Why did you say they were confused?" the redhead asked.


"You confuse them," he answered.


"Me?" Susan asked in disbelief.


The Companion grinned at her surprise.  "Yes.  You -a human- treated them
as an equal and they are not used to that.  Indeed, they have many things
to ponder."


Susan was about to say something, but instead, she took her hands to her
waist and sighed.  Immediately, Da'an stood behind her and placed his
glowing hands on her back.


"Thank you," she whispered, relieved, leaning on him.


"You are tired and tense by the reunion.  You should rest," he suggested
gently.


"Maybe it is a good idea," she said in a low voice, closing her eyes.


"Yes, you need to sleep.  I will escort you to your room," he insisted
softly, wrapping his arms around her.


"No... not again.  I do... not want to sleep," she weakly refused, without
opening her eyes.  "I want... to go to the garden... roses..."


"It is raining," he whispered in her ear, taking his hands to her neck and
shoulders.  "Please, do as I say."


"I--"


They where abruptly interrupted by someone who cleared his throat behind
them.  Susan opened her eyes and blinked.  Reluctantly, Da'an let her go. 
They turned.  A visibly embarrassed Major Liam Kincaid stood in the middle
of the chamber, starring at his feet.


"Yes, Liam," The North American Companion prompted, slightly annoyed.


The young hybrid raised his gaze and cleared his throat again.  "Sorry,
Da'an, but actually, I was looking for Susan."


The Taelon blinked in surprise.


"What do you need?" the pregnant woman asked curiously, walking a step
forward.


Liam smiled.  "Your package has arrived," he informed her.


Her eyes lit up, fully awake by now.  "Finally!" she exclaimed happily. 
"Where is it?"


"In your room," the Major told her.


"A package?" Da'an asked, puzzled, tilting his head.


"Yes.  Come with me and you will understand," she said mischievously,
grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the audience chamber.


Chuckling, Liam followed them.


******


Minutes later, when they entered her room, Da'an saw what the package was:
a delicate, light-blue cradle.  With shinning eyes, Susan walked to it and
gently ran her fingers over the soft covers.  Da'an blushed in a deep blue
and joined his chosen one.  Liam just stood in the doorway, smiling.


"What do you think?" she asked after a while.  "This is not the model I had
chosen first, though.  I wanted a light-green one, with little, cute polar
bear drawings -and you know how much I like polar bears," she said,
flushing, "but there were not available cradles until two more weeks... and
I don't think our Nikki will wait that long," she finished, rubbing her
belly.


Da'an smiled fondly.  "If the cradle pleases you, I agree with your choice.
 However, you should understand the cradle will fulfill its purpose for a
short period of time, as Nikki will grow faster than a human infant," he
said kindly.


She nodded.  "I know that, but Nikki will need a cradle to sleep, at least
for a couple of weeks.  How fast can a hybrid grow?" she asked.


"Believe me, very fast," Liam answered from the doorway.


Susan looked at him and then returned her gaze to the Companion.  "Da'an?"
she insisted.


The Taelon gave a quick glance at his protector before answering.  "Liam is
right, but, being Nikki the first hybrid to successfully complete the
pregnancy state, there is not enough information to answer your question,"
he said and turned to Liam again.  "That would be all, Liam."


The protector nodded and left the chamber.


Once alone, Da'an interrupted Susan's inspection of the new cradle and,
holding her by the shoulders, he guided her to one of the armchairs.


"What is it?" she asked at Da'an's strange gaze.


He held her hands, feeling guilty for leaving her alone with the birth so
close, but he had already made up his mind, besides, now more than ever, he
needed to make the Ka'arpaaj.
The Taelon met his chosen one's eyes.  "There is an important matter that I
need to attend in the Moonbase.  I will leave for three of your days," he
explained.
He felt her body stiffen. 


"When?" she asked in a low voice.


"Tomorrow."


She bowed her head and sighed.


"Will you be all right?" he asked, worried.


Susan nodded and smiled sadly.  "Yes.  It is just that I... we will miss
you."


Da'an blushed blue and knelt before her, taking a hand to her round
stomach.  "There is something else.  I will have to close our link."


At his words, she gasped and opened her eyes wide.  Unbidden, all the
memories of three months ago -when Da'an had severed their bond- came to
her.  Susan could not stop the tears.


(I will not sever our link) the Taelon quickly thought to her, feeling her
growing pain and panic.  (I will always be with you) he added sweetly.


The red-haired woman flushed and bit her lip.  "Sorry, I am such a fool--"


"No, you are wonderful," he gently interrupted her.


"But--"


"Please, stop," the North American Companion said softly, leaning forward
and kissing her.  (We can talk later).


(Good... idea) she whispered in his mind, throwing her arms around his
sparkling neck...


******


	The next day, Susan and Liam accompanied Da'an to the portal room.
"This separation is for a short time, but it saddened me," the alien said
to his beloved.


Susan nodded.  "Promise me we will walk between the roses when you return,"
she replied.


"Of course," the North American Companion answered and then turned to his
protector.  "Please, Liam, take care of Susan and Nikki."


"Yes, Da'an," the Major agreed, realizing that Doors had asked him the same
thing.


"Hey!  I am not a child!" Susan exclaimed, slightly annoyed and with her
hands on her waist.  "I do not need a nanny!"


Da'an looked at her through the corner of the eye.  "I do know you are not
a child," he said, blushing blue.


Susan smiled and reddened, lowering her gaze.  Liam just chuckled.
Amused, the Companion grinned and after a last tender look at Susan, he
stepped inside the interdimensional portal and disappeared.


"Bye..." she whispered and sighed.


"Are you okay, Susan?" Liam asked kindly.


She turned to him and nodded.  "Yes.  It is just that I feel so strange. 
Da'an closed our link this morning and, despite that I can feel his
presence in my mind, I cannot reach him.  It is like... If I were not able
to reach a part of me," she explained.


Liam smiled in a reassuring way and patted her on the arm.  I understand
you too well," he said and at the puzzled look she gave him, the young
hybrid only shrugged.  "Come on, as your official nanny, my first duty of
the day is to take you to Doctor Belman's lab," he said mischievously.


"Okay," she agreed with a grin, walking towards the exit.


"After that, maybe you should rest," he added.


Susan stopped and looked at him with a raised eyebrow.  "Beware, you are
pushing to far, Major.  I do not respond well to orders," she said in a
warning tone, half-joking half-serious.


"Okay, Okay," he replied, raising his hands in a peaceful manner.  Then, he
smiled at her.  "You know, Susan... you would be a good General," he teased
her.


"Of course," she said with a wink and continued walking.


With a mischievous grin, Liam followed her.


******


	Da'an appeared in a recreation of his home world, a beautiful and serene
landscape surrounding him.  Everything was perfect for the rite... except
that his beloved was not there.  He shook his head and smiled.  Maybe he
could show her his world some day, but right now, he needed to be alone for
the Ka'arpaaj.  The North American Companion stayed where he was, as if
taking strength and peace from the place.  A moment later, he raised his
eyes to the sky and his gaze was drawn to the three aligned moons.  He
blushed blue.  The moons had projected a beam of light over a mountain. 
That was the signal he had been waiting for.  With a determined spirit, he
began to walk towards the illuminated mountain...


******


	In the Resistance Head Quarters -inside Doors' office- Jonathan and Lili
awaited for Augur and Liam to begin one of their periodic meetings.


"Is there anything new onboard the Mothership, Captain?" the billionaire
asked seriously.


Lili shook her head.  No.  I have not discovered any of the Taelon's or
Zo'or's machination, if that is what you mean, however..."


"What?" he prompted.


She shrugged.  "I don't know how to say this, but Zo'or is acting
different... he is less... cruel," she informed.  "Do you think this has
anything to do with the hybrid child?"


Jonathan looked worriedly at her.  "I don't know, maybe he is planning
something else.  Taelons are not to be trusted," he stated.


"You are right," she agreed.


In that very moment, Augur entered alone and distractedly left the door
half opened.


"Where is Liam?" Doors asked, annoyed, without greeting the genius.


Augur smiled.  "The boy just called to inform that, as Da'an left the
Embassy, he would have to remain there with Susan."


Doors calm down.  "Did you know about the Taelon's departure?" he asked
Lili.


"No.  It surprises me that Da'an leaves Susan alone in this precise moment,
when the birth is so close," she answered.


"Well, she is not exactly alone.  I bet Liam will not let her go out of his
sight," Augur noted and then looked mischievously at Doors.  "You know,
Jonathan, I have been thinking and being Susan your son's best friend,
almost a sister... and being she pregnant with Da'an's child...  Hey!  You
will become almost Da'an's father in law and grand parent of his daughter!"
the genius finished with an innocent expression on his face.  *Well, not to
mention that he actually is Zo'or's father in law,* Augur added -morbidly
amused- in his mind.


Unable to stop her self, Lili burst with laughter, so hard, that tears
appeared in her eyes.
Jonathan, frozen and speechless, just stared at the genius with wide,
opened eyes.  Slowly his pale face began to turn into a deep red, in anger
and annoyance.  "Get out of here!" he barked.


"Okay, okay," Lili soothed him, fighting -unsuccessfully- to stop her
laughter.


"Take it easy, man," Augur added, a little bit intimidated by his boss'
angered expression.


"You have three seconds to leave my office in one piece," Doors stated in a
deadly serious tone.


Realizing that it was a wise decision to follow his orders, Lili grabbed
Augur's arm and dragged him out of there.
When they got out of the office, none of them saw the slender figure that
quickly hid within the shadows.


******


	Once the risk of being caught vanished, Melissa Park stepped out of the
shadows and hurried to her lab.  She secured the door and after controlling
her excitement, she contacted Philips.  His image appeared in the screen of
her communicational monitor.  "General," she greeted him.  "An unexpected
opportunity has presented itself.  I will explain you later.  Do you have
everything ready?"


He nodded.  "Of course.  When do you want to proceed?"


She smiled coldly.  "Today."


"Today is fine," he agreed.  "Come here immediately."


"Thank you.  I am on my way," she said with shinning eyes and closed the
communication.  Then, gathering all the medical equipment she would need
-and that was easy to hide in her purse- and putting on her coat, Doctor
Park left the facility.


******


	Later, in the afternoon, Susan was in her chamber, reading a book, when
her communicational monitor called.  (We will continue in a second, Nikki
just let me answer) the redhead explained to her daughter, feeling Nikki's
complain.  Leaving the book on a side, she tiredly rose from the armchair
and turned on the device.  She smiled.  "Joshua, hi.  What can I do for
you?"


"Hi, Susan.  Do I need a reason to call my friend?"


"Of course not," she said sweetly.


"I know...  But you were right," he replied, turning serious.


Her smile faded.  "What is it, Josh?" she asked, worried.


"I need to talk to you."


"Sure, come here, I--"


"No, Susan," he interrupted her.  "I would prefer to see you in another
place.  Please," he added.


After a moment of hesitation, she smiled again."  "Okay, Josh.  Where do I
meet you?"


His eyes glowed strangely.  "Thank you.  Here is the address." 
Immediately, a map replaced his image.  Susan made a copy in a disk.  Once
finished, his face reappeared.  "Do you know where this is?" he asked.


"Yes.  I will be there in approximately thirty minutes."


""I will be waiting for you," he said with a rather cold smile.  "Good bye,
Susan."


"Bye, Josh," she said, turning of the device.  Only then she realized
Joshua had not asked for Nikki and that his gaze had been unusually cold. 
Shaking her head and shrugging, she went to the closet to get a coat.  She
grabbed it, but never put it on, as her stomach suddenly roared.  Susan
grinned and patted her belly.  "Okay, okay.  I got the message, little one.
 We will go to the energy stream before leaving.  Just let me contact
Joshua again and tell him I will be late."  The red-haired woman did so and
was surprised to find out that her friend was not in his office.  She left
the message with his new secretary and then went to sit under the energy
stream.


******


	Congratulations, Doctor Park," Philips said.  "The program worked
perfectly.  She believed that actually I was Joshua Doors."


Melissa nodded.  "Yes, but is this a secure transmission?" she asked,
worried.


"Of course.  However, I do not think the call has been traced, after all,
Joshua is her best friend."


Doctor Park smiled.  "Good.  By the end of the day, the hybrid will be
mine... ours, I mean."


"Indeed," Philips agreed.


******


	Da'an now stood on the top of the mountain.  It had taken him a great
effort to climb it, but it had been worth it.  The sight of his home world
filled him with joy.  An Incredible peace reached to him.  He sat on a rock
and began to meditate... the moment of facing the voices of all the beings
he had selfishly destroyed, had arrived...


******


	An hour later, Susan was ready.  Worried by Joshua's call, she
distractedly left her room... and bumped into Liam.


Seeing her with a coat on, he blinked in surprise.  "Where are you going?"
he asked.


She sighed.  "Joshua called me an hour ago and asked me to meet him," she
quickly answered.


"Are you kidding?  Da'an will kill me if I let you go out alone...  Forget
Da'an.  I will be worried," the Major exclaimed.


She lowered her gaze.  "But Joshua..."


"I will go with you."


Susan raised her eyes and smiled.  "Thank you, Liam.  Here is the address,"
she said, giving him a global.


He took it.  "I know where it is.  We will have to go in a car, though," he
said with a hint of mischief.


Susan rolled her eyes.  "I know, I know.  Taelon shuttles were not designed
for pregnant women."


"Yep," Liam agreed, chuckling.


She looked at the protector with a raised eyebrow and grabbed his hand. 
"Come on, Major."


******


	After a boring meeting with President Thompson, Joshua Doors arrived to
his office.  He was in a good mood, though, as he would see Zo'or in a
couple of hours.


"Mr. Doors," his secretary suddenly entered his private office,
interrupting his thoughts.


"Yes, Mary?" he prompted.


"Susan called to say she would be late for the meeting."


He stiffened.  "What meeting?" he asked, concern raising within him.


"The meeting you requested.  Susan told me you called her."


"WHAT?!" he yelled.


Mary went a step back.  "Mr. Doors, I..."


"Sorry, Marry," he apologized.  "Please, do you remember anything else? 
Did she mention the location?"


"No, she just told me about the delay."


"Thank you, that is all," he said nervously.


Quickly, the woman left him alone.  Forcing himself to calm down, he tried
to contact his dearest friend in the Embassy, but nobody answered. 
Angered, he slammed his desk with a hand.  "He would not dare!" he
exclaimed, standing up and leaving his office in a hurry.


******


	Onboard the Mothership, Zo'or blushed blue, feeling Joshua's sudden anger.


"Zo'or, is it something wrong?" Agent Sandoval asked, curious.


She shook her head and waved a delicate hand.  "Proceed with your report,
Agent Sandoval," she said distractedly.


With a puzzled sigh, the implant continued...


******


	Thirty minutes later, Susan and Liam arrived to their destination... that
turned out to be an empty parking lot.


"Strange place for a meeting," Liam noted, slightly worried.


"Indeed.  Let's go outside."


They left the vehicle.  "Joshua?"  The redhead called her friend.


Liam walked towards her and held her arm.  "I don't like this.  Get inside
the car."


"But--"


"Please, trust me.  I don't think Joshua is here."


After awhile, she nodded.  They returned to the car, but never entered. 
Out of nowhere, four cars appeared and surrounded them.  The doors opened
and heavily armed men descended, led by a tall man with black-silver hair. 
Liam opened his eyes wide.  "Philips!" the protector exclaimed.


"Major Kincaid," the former General greeted him coldly and without a
warning, Philips took a gun out of his pocket and fired.  Silently, Liam
fell to the ground.


"Liam!" Susan shouted and, panicking, knelt next to him.


"Do not worry, he is just sedated," Philips explained.


She glared at her captor with misty eyes.  "Where is Joshua?" she asked
angrily.


Philips met her gaze.  "Do I need a reason to talk to my friend?" he said
as an answer.


Susan felt like a fool, all had been a trap!  "Why?"  She asked.


"Isn't that obvious?" Philips answered in a dark tone.


She stiffened and lowered her gaze, unconsciously taking her hands to her
stomach. (Da'an) she whispered desperately in her mind, knowing that he
would not hear her call.


"Take them to my car," the captor ordered his men.


Two guards approached her.  "Do not touch me!" Susan said angrily.  She
rose with difficulty 
-yet alone- and went with them.  Then, four men grabbed an unconscious
Major Kincaid and took him to the vehicle.


******


	Da'an suddenly lost his concentration.  Something had interrupted his
meditative state... a soft whisper in his mind...  He tried to listen to it
again, but it was gone.  Shaking his head, he reassumed his contemplation,
but he could not vanish out an unsettling feeling in his mind.


******


	Furiously, Joshua stormed into the Resistance Head Quarters and without a
word to the astonished members, he entered his father's office.  "Where is
she?" the young lawyer barked.  Taken off guard, Jonathan Doors just looked
at him with a puzzled expression on his face.  "Where is she?" Joshua
repeated.  "Where is Susan?  How could you do that to her?"


Jonathan blinked in surprise.  "Susan?" he asked, suddenly very worried. 
"What happened to her?"


Joshua looked intently at him and saw the true concern in his father's
eyes.  He calmed down a bit.  "Someone called her, impersonating me.  I
tried to contact her, but I did not find her in the Embassy."


"What are--" Jonathan began to say, but then abruptly stopped.  His face
went white.  "I cannot believe she did it!" the billionaire exclaimed
angrily.  Without an explanation, he hurried out of his office.  Puzzled,
Joshua followed him.


"Augur," senior Doors yelled.  "Locate Doctor Park now!"


"Immediately," the genius said.  "How strange," he added a minute later. 
"She is not here, nor in her work place."


"Damn it!" Jonathan exclaimed.


"What is it?" Augur asked, eyeing at both Doors.


"Susan is missing," a serious Joshua answered.


"I am sure Melissa has something to do with this," the billionaire added.


"I will contact Liam," Augur said.  Seconds later, he shook his head.  "I
cannot locate him either," he explained, worried.


"Augur," Jonathan said then, "search in Park's terminal."


"Good idea.  Wait a minute."  The genius quickly stroked some keys.  "Here
it is," he said after a while.  "She made a secure transmission this
morning, I cannot trace it."


"That must be!  Can you recover the image of the person she talked with?"
old Doors asked.


Augur's eyes glowed.  "That would have been my next movement."


"Do it!" Joshua urged him.


A little bit exasperated by both Doors giving him orders, Augur shot them
an annoyed look and turned to his computer.  One minute later, the image of
a man with short black-silver hair and green, keen eyes appeared in the
screen.


"Philips!" Jonathan and Augur exclaimed in disbelief.


Joshua turned white.  He knew Philips had been partially responsible of
Zo'or's kidnapping and near dead.  Philips would not hesitate to kill Susan
in order to obtain the hybrid baby and Doctor Park was with him...  "We
must save Susan!"


"Of course," the billionaire agreed seriously.  "Augur..."


"I am thinking... wait!  I got it!"  The genius rose from his seat and went
to another terminal.  "I will trace Liam's brain waves.  If he is on Earth,
I will find him," he explained, stroking the keyboard.


"I only hope Susan is with him," Joshua whispered.


""Here it is!" Augur exclaimed.  "Now all I have to do is enlace the signal
with the satellite and...  voilà."
Immediately, the exact location appeared in the monitor.


"Can you give us a closer view?" Jonathan asked.


Augur nodded and did so.  "A warehouse.  Great place to hide," the genius
noted.


"Philips and Park will pay for this!" the billionaire exclaimed.


"What are you going to do?" Joshua asked anxiously.


"I will visit an old friend," his father answered darkly.


"Good.  I will go with you.  If he touches her I will kill him!" Joshua
said in the same threatening tone.


*Like father, like son,* Augur thought and raised a hand.  "Surely you will
need someone to handle the security.  I am available."


Both Doors nodded and smiled dangerously.


******


	Slowly, Major Liam Kincaid opened his eyes.  He was laid on a cold floor,
under a dim light.  *What happened,* he thought.  *I... we--  Susan!*  He
remembered.  Panicked, he tried to raise his head, but an incredible
headache stopped him.  


Someone softly stroked his forehead.  "Take it easy, Liam," a sweet voice
said.


He blinked and saw Susan knelt by his side.  "Susan... thank God..."


"How do you feel?" she asked worriedly.


He managed a smile.  "I will survive," he answered shivering.


She took off her coat and covered him.  He refused.  "You are cold," she
insisted.  "They sedated you, but you will be fine in a couple of hours,"
she explained., covering him with the coat again.


"Thank you... and please, forgive me."


She shook her head.  "No...  All was my fault.  I should have known Joshua
would never asked me to leave the Embassy," she whispered, tears in her
eyes.


"Don't talk like that," he said, trying to sooth her.  "Can you contact
Da'an?"


Her desperate look answered his question.  "I am so sorry..."  Her voice
broke.


"Hey... it is okay," he said softly, holding her hand.


Suddenly, they heard footsteps.  Immediately Susan dried her eyes and rose,
a determined expression on her face.  Painfully and with her help, Liam
rose too.  Seconds later, the intensity of the light grew.  Someone opened
the door.  Philips and other people entered and Liam's eyes opened wide to
see Melissa Park among them.  "Doctor Park!" the young hybrid exclaimed.


"Don't be so surprised, Liam.  I warned Doors, but he didn't listen," the
blond scientist said coldly.


"So you choose to associate with Philips," the Major stated angrily.


"The good doctor came to me seeking help and I could not deny her," the
former General said ironically and at a slight nod of his head, two armed
guards dragged Liam out of the cell.  Then Philips looked at Susan with a
surprisingly soft gaze.  "Don't worry about the Major, he will be
comfortably... sleeping."  He paused for a moment and then continued. 
"Perhaps you do not understand our actions, but I can assure you they are
in behalf of humanity.  The hybrid--"


"You are right!" Susan rudely interrupted him, placing her now shaking
hands on her stomach in a protective way.  She could feel Nikki's fear.  "I
do not understand.  All I see is that you are going to steal my daughter,"
she added. 


"Wake up, girl!" doctor Park exclaimed annoyed.  "What do you think the
Taelons will do to you?"


"They know Nikki is the future," Susan replied, glaring at her.


"Maybe their future, not ours," Doctor Park stated and continued.  "But I
doubt it though.  Don't you see that you and the child are nothing but an
experiment to the aliens?  The hybrid you carry is an aberration to them...
to Da'an!"


"You are wrong," Susan said.  However, a cold feeling started to rise
within her.  She shook her head to vanish it.  "I know Da'an," the
red-haired woman added in a stronger voice.


Doctor Park shrugged.  "Well, let us suppose for a moment that Da'an has a
special interest in you... besides of the hybrid of course.  Do you believe
he will ever admit his-- how can I say it?--  Ah, yes.  His true feelings
before the Taelon Synod?" Park asked, almost enjoying the troubled and hurt
expression that had appeared on the prisoner's face.  "Could it be that he
is ashamed of what he feels for you... ashamed of you?"


"I trust him," Susan replied, meeting Park's eyes with her defying ones...
but she could not stop the cold feeling going deeper.  No matter how much
she tried to deny it, Park's words had hurt her deeply.  Could it be that
the scientist was right?  *NO!*


"Enough!" Philips said annoyed, ending the discussion.  "Doctor Park,
proceed, we do not have time to lose."


The blond scientist nodded and getting a needle looking device out of her
pocket, she approached Susan.  "I suggest you to cooperate," Park told her.
 "I was just trying to open your eyes.  Da'an does not and will never love
you.  How could he, he is a Taelon."


Susan just glared at her and raised one of her sleeves.  "What are you
going to do?" she asked, hoping that the fear she felt was not seen by her
captors.


"I will inject you to induce the birth," the doctor explained dryly, taking
the needle to Susan's arm.  Once finished, Melissa turned to Philips.  "In
twenty minutes, she will be ready."


Philips nodded, clearly satisfied.  "Good.  We will return in twenty
minutes, then," he said and left the room with Park in tow.


Once alone, dizzy and sick by the drug and overwhelmed by the imminent loss
of her dear Nikki and by Park's poisonous words, Susan wrapped her
trembling arms around her stomach and, falling to her knees, she burst into
tears.  (DA'AN!)  She mentally screamed.


******


	Da'an shook his head in frustration, regaining a peaceful meditative state
of mind was proving to be an impossible task.  Far away from disappearing,
the unsettling feeling had gotten stronger.  
Suddenly, he stiffened and opened his eyes wide.  Someone was calling
him... Susan!  How had she been able to reach him?  Surprised and worried,
he opened their link... and lost his façade at the uncontrollable flood of
emotions that reached to him.  Fear, sadness, pain, anger, loss... and most
of all, and unbearable despair.  Panicked, he tried to convey his soothing
thoughts to his chosen one, but her mind was too confused and distressed. 
She simply could not hear his voice...  She desperately needed him.  The
nervous Taelon forced himself to clam down and he regained his human
appearance.  Then, with a wave of a hand, an interdimensional portal
appeared before him.  Trembling, he stepped inside and disappeared.


Da'an materialized in the Embassy.  Alarmed, he realized Susan was not
within the building.  He did not waste time in contact Liam, as he presumed
his protector would be with Susan.  He could not communicate with her, but
the Companion could feel where she was.  Immediately, the alien hurried to
the shuttle bay.  There, he found Captain Marquette -who had just returned
from the Mothership.


"Come with me, Captain," he ordered, moving his hands fast.


She nodded and followed him to a craft.  To her astonishment, Da'an took
the pilot seat. 


"I will fly the ship," the Taelon informed her.


"What happened?" Lili asked worriedly.


He blushed in a deep blue and turned.  "Susan needs me," Da'an said deadly
serious.


"I will contact Liam!" Lili exclaimed, grabbing her global.  Frustrated,
she put it down.  "I cannot communicate with him.


Without a word, Da'an turned again and after waving his hands over the
controls, the shuttle departed.  (I am going to you, beloved)  He franticly
thought to Susan, hoping against hope that she could hear him. 


******


	"Turn to the right," Augur said to the driver.  "There it is, the signal
source."


"All right," Jonathan said.  "Park the car over there, behind those trees,"
he ordered the resistance driver and then turned to his son.  "Relax
Joshua, we will save her."


Two minutes later, the resistance vehicles parked in a hidden place, near
the warehouse.  Silently and carefully, father and son, Augur and the rest
of the team -six heavily armed men- approached the entrance.  They stopped
before some kind of control panel.  "Your turn, Augur," Jonathan said.


"My pleasure," the genius said, placing a small keyboard over the panel. 
After a few seconds, a green light appeared.  "It is done," Augur informed.
 "The main energy system will go off for ten minutes, leaving emergency
lights only.  We will have to move quickly."


After Jonathan's nod, they entered the warehouse.


******


	Doctor Park was checking the last details in the lab, under Philips’
approving gaze, when the lights went out.  Two seconds later, the dim
emergency lights went on.  Immediately, Philips contacted his assistant,
Elizabeth Crane, and ordered her to check the facility and to get Susan.


"What happened?" Melissa asked, concerned.


"Probably is just an energy failure, but I have already taken the necessary
measures," he explained.  "I asked Miss Crane to bring... our guest here."


Park relaxed and nodded.  "Good.  There are only ten minutes left."


******


	Inside the cell, Susan raised her head when the room suddenly went dark. 
She dried her eyes and painfully rose from the floor.  Perhaps there was a
little hope after all.  Shaking by the effects of Park's injection and by
the overwhelming panic, she walked to the door.  She tried to open it and
to her surprise and relief, it did.  Quietly, she left the room, only one
thought in her tired and confused mind... save her child.
She walked like an automaton through the dimly illuminated corridor,
stopping every now and then to lean on the wall and to take a hand to her
now aching stomach.  Five minutes later, she got to a big, empty room and
stopped for good, she could walk no longer... she was in labor.  "Please,
hold on, Nikki," she whispered, scared, "I--" she did not finish as a cry
of pain escaped from her mouth...  Dizzy and exhausted, she slowly sat on
the floor, tears falling from her feverish eyes...  She was so cold...
surrounded by a growing darkness.


******


	Onboard the shuttle, Da'an abruptly screamed and bent over the controls,
losing his façade, causing the craft to lurch out of control.  Without
wasting time, Lili leaned forward and stabilized the vehicle.  Then, she
turned to the still shaking Taelon.  "Are you all right?" she asked,
concerned.


He recovered his disguise and gave her a desperate look.  "Yes, but I fear
I will be too late," he answered sadly, focusing his attention to the
sparkling controls again.  Seconds later, the ship left interdimensional
mode and landed near an old-looking warehouse.


Immediately, Lili noted the resistance vehicles and stiffened.


"Susan is here," Da'an stated.  "She is suffering... so much, that she
cannot feel my presence or hear my thoughts," he finished in a whisper.


Lili shuddered.  In spite of his despise for the Taelons, Doors would never
harm Susan...  The Captain shook her head.  No!  There must be a different
reason for the presence of those vehicles... and Liam was lost too...
Her thoughts were interrupted by Da'an, who had descended from the ship. 
Lili followed him.  "Wait.  It is dangerous for you to go there.  Stay in
the shuttle.  I will contact Agent Lassiter and then go to the building."


Da'an just glared at her.


She lowered her gaze, a little bit intimidated by Da'an’s unusual violence,
but recovered quickly.  She raised her eyes.  Well, at least let me enter
first," she begged.


Da'an's gaze softened.  "I apologize, Captain.  Contact Agent Lassiter
and... I will follow your steps."


Mentally sighing in relief, Lili smiled reassuringly at the distressed
alien and contacted Lassiter to give him the coordinates.  "He is coming,"
she informed the Companion.


Da'an nodded.


"Come on," she said, taking out her gun.  She only hoped it would not be
necessary.


******


"Did you hear that?" an alarmed Joshua asked his father.  "It was a scream."


"Yes.  It came from the right."


They hurried in that direction.


******


	"She has gone!" Elizabeth Crane exclaimed, annoyed at the sight of the
empty cell.  "Go and search for her, she should not be far," she ordered
her men.  "I will inform General Philips.  He will not--"
She was interrupted by a near scream.  Her eyes lit up in the dark.  "Go!"


******


	When Joshua -and the rest of the Resistance team- found Susan, his heart
shrunk to see her like that, seated on the floor, shaking, her arms wrapped
around her knees.  Immediately, he embraced his friend.  She stiffened and
tried to push him away.  "Hey, hey, calm down, ‘Carrot head’, It's me,
Joshua," he said softly.


At the annoying nickname, she blinked in surprise and looked at him. 
"Joshua?"


"Yes, Susan," he said with a smile.  Then he carefully lifted her in his
arms.


"Thank you," she whispered, holding him and leaning her head on his
shoulder.  Suddenly, she took her hand to her belly and screamed again.


"Please, Susan, just a few more minutes," he said, deeply worried.  "We
must take her to Doctor Belman," Joshua urged his father.


Jonathan nodded and turned to his men.  "Let's go."


"I think not!" a woman yelled behind them.

Startled, they turned.  Augur and Jonathan recognized her immediately.  It was Elizabeth Crane, Philips' assistant.


"Put down your weapons," she commanded.  "General Philips will be here soon."


At Doors' slight nod, his men threw their weapons to the floor.  "You don't know what you are doing.  Let her go before is too late."


"Too late for what?" Elizabeth asked with a smirk.  "This place is safe.  The Taelons will never find the hybrid."


"You are so wrong," Joshua said angrily, still holding Susan.  "Da'an will find her and if you harm Susan or their daughter, he will not let you escape."


"That is ridiculous!" a voice stated, annoyed.


Old Doors' gaze hardened at the owner of the voice, Philips, and at his new 'friend', Melissa Park.


"Ah, Jonathan Doors, we meet again," Philips greeted him in a mocking tone.


"I told you I would recover my hybrid," Park said and then looked at Joshua.  "Don't glare at me boy.  I think you need a doctor right now."


The young lawyer was about to say something, but Susan spoke in her ear.  "Please, Josh... put me... down," she begged.


"Can you stand?" he quietly asked.


Susan slightly nodded.  Joshua did as he was told.  Trembling, Susan stood and met Philips eyes.  
"Don't you understand that Nikki is my daughter and that I love her?" she whispered.


For a second, Philips eyes looked troubled, but then, he smiled coldly.  "I know, but sacrifices shall 
be made.  Information, my dear, is the key to win this war," he answered, "and your child will provide us 
with vital information."


Losing all hope, Susan lowered her gaze and rubbed her belly.


"You are a monster!" Joshua yelled, disgusted.


Philips just smiled.  "Miss Crane, Doctor Park, you may proceed."


Both women approached Susan.  Doctor Park was about to grab the redhead's arm, but abruptly stopped, 
because Susan had raised her eyes and was glaring at her, a look of hatred in her amber gaze.  "You will 
not harm my baby!" Susan yelled in a deadly serious tone and, taking Melissa by surprise, Susan hit her with 
her fist, throwing the scientist to the floor.


Taking advantage of the distraction, one of Doors' men rolled to the floor and pick up his gun.  He fired.  
Philips' men fired back...  Hell began.


******


	A deadly serious Da'an and a worried Captain Marquette silently walked through the facility, when 
they heard the unmistakable sound of a shot.  Without a word -and before Lili could stop him- the North 
American Companion hurried to the noise's source.


******


	In the middle of the shooting, with terrified eyes, Joshua saw that one of the guards had pointed his 
weapon to a frozen Susan.  "SUSAN, MOVE!" he yelled, but she was in some kind of shock.  Instinctively, 
he protected her with his body.  


At the sudden embrace, Susan seemed to wake up.  She met her friend's panicked gaze.  "Josh, what--"  
She did not finish.  The guard shot several times over them.


"NIKKI...  JOSHUA!" she shouted, as Joshua slowly fell to her feet.  However, his noble sacrifice was in vain.  
The powerful shot went through him, immediately killing Nikki and leaving Susan fatally wounded.  Oblivious to 
the pain and crying by the loss of her beloved daughter and dearest friend, Susan quietly fell over him, her 
stomach and chest soaked with blood.


******


	"NO, BELOVED!" Da'an suddenly screamed wrapping his arms around himself.  He fell to his knees in his 
true Taelon form. Alarmed, Lili tried to help him, but he raised a hand.  "Do not touch me," he whispered.  Then, 
he rose from the floor and, trembling began to walk so fast that Lili almost had to run after him.


******


	Onboard the Mothership, Zo'or mentally echoed Da'an's scream and collapsed on her command chair.


"Zo'or!" Agent Sandoval exclaimed.


Still in her sparkling body, she rose from her seat and looked at him.  "Follow me to the shuttle bay.  Order a team 
of volunteers to meet us there." 
Without waiting for a reply, a shaking Synod Leader left the bridge, under the curious looks of the crewmen.


******


	(Liam!)  A soft, desperate voice yelled in his mind and then faded.
Inside the cell the guards had taken him, Liam abruptly woke up from the forced sleep the drugs had induced 
him in.  With a blast of his shaquaravah, he vaporized the door and left the room in a hurry.


******


	When Lili and Da'an arrived to their destination, the shooting was over and the place was 
deadly quiet.  In that very moment, the energy returned and the main lights went on.  They froze.
The floor was covered with fallen bodies.  


Horrified, Lili saw that Augur and Jonathan where there.  She sighed and shut her eyes.  Da'an 
took both hands to his chest and lost his façade.  They could not speak.


Suddenly, a soft weeping broke the dreadful silence.  Trembling, the Taelon approached and sparkled 
furiously at the sight of his beloved Susan crying over Joshua Door's dead body.  Silently, he knelt by 
her side and holding her, he gently made her to lean on his lap.  Shocked by the blood that covered her 
body, he glowed even brighter.  He had felt the exact moment of Nikki's passing and then he had hoped 
that Susan could survive, but now he realized his chosen one was dying.  Forcing himself to calm down, 
he softly removed strands of red hair away from her pale face and dried her eyes with a finger.  


Only then did she seem to notice his presence.  Slowly, she opened her eyes, a look of complete loss 
and guilt within them.  "Da'an..."


"I am here," he said in a soothing voice, tenderly stroking her forehead.  "Do not be scared."


"Nikki... dead... Joshua..." she whispered agitatedly, tears falling from her eyes again.


"Everything will be all right," he said, trying to calm her, even though he knew it was a lie.  Things would 
never be fine for him again.  "Please, do not speak," he begged, knowing the great pain and effort it caused her.


"My... fault... please... forgive... me," she continued, as if she had not listened.


Grief-stricken, Da'an held her cold hand and tried to initiate a sharing... the final farewell, but she withdrew 
away from him.  Consumed by grief, her mind was far beyond his reach.


"So... sorry," she added in an almost inaudible voice," I... failed... you... both."


"Please, no, you never failed me," he said and panicked, he felt her sweet presence slipping away from him.  
"No, stay with me," he begged with all his will.


She blinked and in a sudden moment of clarity, she looked at him into his deep blue eyes.  "Do ... you... 
love me?" she asked and before a shocked Da'an could answer that she was his beloved chosen one, she 
closed her eyes.  "So tired... so... cold," she whispered and then... she was gone... forever.


Da'an stared at her dead form in disbelief.  Why did everything turn against him?  What would he do now... that 
he was... incomplete?  ...And why she had asked him such a thing?  Did Susan never know how precious she 
was for him?  Feeling as he had been shot by a blast of a shaquarava, Da'an tightly held her limp body against 
him and screamed, his pain and loss fell all over the Commonality.  Minutes later, he gently released her.  
"I do love you," he whispered.  He just remained there, frozen, kneeling on the cold floor, his sparkling body 
stained with red, human blood, his head bowed, his hands on his lap.


******


	Lili's heart shrunk when she realized Joshua was dead too.  She could not move as tears began to fall from her eyes.  
She just watched as Da'an knelt next to Susan.  If she ever had had a doubt about the Taelon's feelings, now she was sure, 
Da'an was mooring his lost love.  She looked around.  What had happened?  Everyone was dead... and maybe Liam too...  
Shaking her head, Lili was about to go towards Da'an, when someone grabbed her arm.  Startled, she turned.  "Liam!" the 
Captain exclaimed relieved.


He nodded and indicated the sparkling alien.  "Leave him alone, Lili," Liam whispered and in a few words, he told her what 
he knew.  "It was my fault.  I should have never allowed Susan to leave the Embassy.  What kind of protector am I?" he said 
sadly with misty eyes.  "She called for me, but it was too late," he added in a low voice.


Deeply touched, Lili patted him on the back, "It was not your fault, Liam.  Even Da'an could not hear Susan's words clearly..."


"You do not understand," Liam interrupted her with despair, "It was Nikki who I heard."


She looked intently at him.  "Don't waste your time searching for a cause, many things will change now," she said reassuringly.


He sighed.  "I know.  All of them are dead..."  His voice broke.


Lili just hugged him.  Suddenly they saw someone moving, a slender, blond woman.  Liam's eyes glowed golden in anger.  "Park!"  
Quickly, Lili and the Major grabbed her.  The Doctor appeared to be in a state of shock, muttering something about the hybrid.  
"Look what you have done!"  Liam barked.  He was about to add something else, but stopped at the unmistakable sound of several 
shuttles leaving interdimensional mode.  Lili and Liam exchanged glances.  


"That must be Lassiter," Lili explained.


******


	A few minutes later, not Agent Lassiter, but Zo'or -in her true Taelon form- and Agent Sandoval arrived.  
Without a word the Synod leader approached Joshua.  She knelt by her chosen one's side and tenderly stroked his cheek, 
even though she knew her beloved would not feel her touch... not any more.  After a moment, Zo’or raised her head and slowly 
extended her arm, offering her hand to Da'an.  (Among all of our kind, only we know the terrible pain of being incomplete) she thought 
to him.  (Please, I need my mentor one more time). Da'an looked at her for a while and then nodded.  He pressed his palm with hers. 
 The sad sharing began.


******


	In the other side of the room, forcing himself to take his gaze away from the aliens, Sandoval approached Captain 
Marquette and Major Kincaid.  "I have volunteers searching the facility," he informed them in a low voice and then went silent, 
lost in his thoughts.  What would the Taelons do, now that they had lost the two humans they considered worthy?  Sandoval shuddered.


******


	After nodding to Sandoval, Lili turned to Liam.  "I understand Da'an's sadness, but why Zo'or--"  
She abruptly stopped at the apologetic look her friend gave her.  


"Da'an is not alone in his pain, Lili," the young hybrid said.


"Sophie?!" Lili asked in disbelief.


Liam nodded.  Lili just lowered her gaze.


******


	A few minutes later, the sharing was over.  The Taelons lowered their hands, but Zo'or kept staring at her 
former mentor.  She had felt something different in Da'an... something scary.  Shaking her head, she stood and 
regained her human appearance.  She looked at her attaché with deep, sad eyes.  "Have you found something?"


The Agent walked towards her a few steps.  "Just Doctor Melissa Park," he informed the Leader.


"Take her to the shuttle and--"


"Wait!" Da'an interrupted her, rising too.  Still in his true form, he approached the shocked scientist and rudely 
grabbed her hand.  Without really caring for her mental state, Da'an searched deep in her memories, until he found 
everything regarding Susan's last hours.  Sickened, he heard -and somehow was forced to say them himself- the words 
Doctor Park had told his chosen one and saw the hurt and troubled look in Susan's eyes...  He knew about Park's ambition 
to recover the hybrid, no matter the cost... Now he knew who had killed his beloved and his child...  He understood why 
Susan had asked him that last question before dying...  Now--  

*NO!*  He could see no longer.  Angered, he released the scientist and recovered his disguise.  Then, he looked at Zo'or 
with such a dark glare, that she unconsciously went a step back.  He said something in Eunoia.  Zo'or nodded and 
answered in the same language.  The North American Companion turned to Lili and Liam and noticing the sudden fear in 
their eyes, he forced himself to calm down and softened his gaze.  "I cannot remain here," he said, his hands moving fast.  
"I must return to the Mothership.  Please, make the necessary arrangements... and Liam... I do not blame you," he finished 
and quickly left the place with Zo'or following him.


Once the aliens were gone, Sandoval looked sympathetically at Lili.  "I am very sorry, Captain Marquette.  Do you want me 
to take care of the situation?" he offered.


She shook her head.  "No, thank you, Sandoval, but I can do this."


With a nod, the implant grabbed Park's arm and dragged her out of there. 


Lili waited until they were gone and turned to a pale-looking Liam.  "Did you understand what Da'an and Zo'or said?" she asked, 
worried by his troubled expression.


Liam bowed his head.  "Da'an is too hurt..." he whispered, "to angry..."


"Liam?" Lili insisted.


He blinked and met her eyes.  "Humanity is not worthy."


"What?!"


"Those were Da'an's exact words."


"And Zo'or's?"


Liam sighed.  "Now I am sure."


"What are we going to do?" Lili asked, a cold feeling running through her body.


"I... do not... know."


******


	Later that day, onboard the Mothership, the Synod met in the Main Observatory to listen Da'an's and Zo'or's explanations.  
The members had heard their cries and assumed the reason of their pain was the lost of the hybrid.  The meeting was short, but 
important decisions were made.  The whole Synod agreed to fulfill Da'an's unexpected suggestion towards humanity... complete 
domination.


After the reunion, Zo'or and Da'an stayed alone in the Meeting Chamber.  "Are you sure about your chosen path?" she asked seriously.


The North American Companion looked at her through the corner of the eye.  "I do not believe in humanity any longer.  All that matters 
now is our survival," he answered and tilted his head.  "This is what you always wanted.  Why do you hesitate?"


Zo'or blushed blue and met his sad, blue eyes with her own.  "I once was human, remember?" she said and, making the salute, she left the room.


Da'an followed her with his gaze and then turned to the virtual glass wall, but the spectacular sight brought him no comfort.  He sighed 
and bowed his head.  Zo'or's question was valid.  Was he prepared to embrace the path he had chosen? He raised his eyes and looked 
outside again.  Immediately, he remembered the first time he saw the Universe... through Susan's eyes.  He smiled sadly at the beautiful 
memory.  She never knew, but she had given him a precious gift that day... she had given him the stars.  She--  
Abruptly all the pain and suffering Susan experienced at the moment of her death -at the hands of her own kind- came to his mind.  
With uncontainable anger, he turned his hands into fists and darkened his gaze.  Yes, he was sure.  Humanity was not worthy!


******


	Unable to reassume her seat in the bridge, Zo'or withdrew to her private chamber.  Once there, she approached a wall and opened 
a secret compartment.  Carefully, she took out a picture of her beloved Joshua and looked intently at it.  She dropped her façade.  She 
knew if she were human -Sophie- she would be crying... but Taelons could not cry.  Grief-stricken, she fell to her knees with the picture 
held between her hands and her chest.  "I did not know love could hurt so much," she whispered.  "Why did you leave me, Joshua?  
Once you told me you would never leave me alone... and now... I am lost."  Shaking, Zo'or rose and sat on her throne-like chair.  Still 
holding the picture, she leaned back.  (Wait for me, beloved).  Slowly, her bright body turned into a sparkling mist...


	Minutes later, when Agent Sandoval entered the Synod Leader's room -following Da'an's orders- Zo'or was nowhere to be seen.  
Worried, he looked around and noticed a piece of paper on the chair.  Curious, he picked it up and with surprise, he saw it was a 
picture of Joshua Doors.  Immediately, he knew why Da'an had sent him... and what Zo'or had done...  She had willed herself to die.  
Shaking his head, Sandoval put the picture inside his pocket and in spite of his CVI, tears fell from his eyes.


******


	Two days after the funerals, Da'an returned to his Embassy and contacted Major Liam Kincaid.


During his way to the audience chamber, the Major could not suppress an unsettling feeling in his heart.  He had not seen the Companion 
since Susan's death, not even at the cemetery... although someone had sent beautiful, white roses.  He sighed.  On the other hand, 
with Zo'or's passing, Liam did not know what would happen.  He could still remember Da'an's chilled words.


Shaking his head and taking a deep breath, Liam entered Da'an's audience chamber... and froze at the sight of the Taelon.  He was 
seated on his chair, his back straight, his fingers slightly moving, but what had caused Liam's heart to shrink was Da'an's cold, 
expressionless face.  Gone were the alien's gentle eyes and serene smile... he seemed to be surrounded by darkness.


"Major Kincaid," Da'an formally addressed him.


Liam made the salute and approached.  "I am glad to see you again," he said sincerely in the same tone, although he could not help sounding worried.


Da'an looked at him through the corner of the eye,  "I have been elected as the new Synod Leader," he informed.


"Congratulations," Liam said and was about to add something else, but the North American Companion raised a hand, indicating him to stop.


"In order to fulfill my duties, I will move to the Mothership.  I want you to get Captain Marquette and doctor Belman and leave the Embassy.  
Your services shall not be required any more."


"What?  Why?" Liam asked in disbelief.


Da'an met his protector's eyes.  "You already know the answer to your own question, Major.  I do not want Resistance members to interfere with 
my plans.  We are now in different sides, Liam, but do not worry.  I will not betray your secret nor harm your friends.  That is a promise."


Liam's face went white.  "You cannot do that!  I know that you are suffering and that you are angry, but turning your wrath upon humanity will 
not easy your pain.  Please remember that Susan was human too."


At her name, Da'an blushed in a deep blue.  "Yes she was," the Taelon said, unable to hide the sorrow of his voice and emphasizing the 
last word, "and her own kind took her away from me!"


The protector's heart shrunk.  "But Da'an, if--"


"You have three days, Major," the new Synod Leader abruptly interrupted him.  "You are dismissed," he finished in a deadly serious tone.


Liam sadly bowed his head.  "I will miss you," he whispered.  After making the salute for a last time, Major Liam Kincaid left the chamber.


*I will miss you too, my friend,* Da'an thought.  Then, with a wave of a hand, he contacted Agent Lassiter.


"Yes, Da'an?" the Agent respectfully asked.


"Is everything ready for my departure?"


Lassiter nodded.  "Of course.  Do you wish something else?"


Da'an closed his eyes and lost his façade for a second.  He nodded.  "Yes.  I want all the roses to be removed from the garden," the Taelon 
ordered seriously.


The Agent's eyes opened wide at the strange request, but quickly controlled himself.  "Yes, Da'an."


Da'an closed the stream.  He rose from his chair and walked towards the exit.  There was something else he needed to do before leaving the Embassy.


******


	Da'an stopped before the closed door and after a moment of hesitation, he entered... into Susan's room.  Immediately, 
all the precious moments shared with her came to him.  He could see her standing by the virtual glass window or sleeping on the bed.  
He lost his human appearance at the intense emotions those memories caused him.  He remained on his spot for a while, looking at everything 
intently.  Soon, his gaze was drawn to the cradle.  He approached and just as Susan had done -only four days ago- he carefully ran his fingers 
over the soft covers... knowing that it would never be used. He sparkled brighter and trembling, he sat on one of the armchairs, his head between 
his hands.  His chosen one had gone... and a part of him had gone with her.  True, he had always known she would die first, as human life was 
so short, but never occurred to him that his beloved would die in such a horrible way...  Witnessing the death of her unborn daughter and best friend... 
with Doctor Park's words in her mind... doubting of his love...Neither did he imagine the black void she would leave behind.  During his whole, long life, 
he had experienced important loss, including his world... and he had felt pain then.  He too had suffered by the loss of his friend and protector, 
William Boone.  But what he was feeling now was... an unbearable torture.  "I wish I had never known you!" he yelled angrily, but immediately 
regretted it.  (Please, forgive me Susan.  That is not true.  Knowing and loving you were the best things that could ever happen to me) he whispered 
in his mind.  He wished he could follow Zo'or's example and joined his chosen one... but he simply could not do it.  He was too tied to this plane of 
existence, anger and hatred being his chains.  Liam was right.  He was too angry... and he would turn his wrath upon humanity... the same humanity 
who had taken away from him the two beings he loved most.  "Now I am Synod Leader!  He exclaimed seriously.  He regained his human appearance 
and rose from the armchair, a dark look in his eyes.  He walked to the exit and opened the door.  He turned and gave a last glance to the room.  
"Farewell, my beloved," he whispered and left the chamber.  Da'an closed the door and placed a glowing hand on it.  After a moment of 
concentration, the door vanished, leaving a smooth wall instead, as if the chamber had never existed.  Satisfied, he withdrew his hand and 
went his way to the portal room... and to the Mothership...


***************************************************************************


Part two: Light


	The years passed quickly and Da'an's plan was fulfilled completely.  Earth was now under the Taelon domination.  
Her inhabitants were mere automatons, ready to please and obey their master's wishes and orders.  Indeed Da'an had turned 
his wrath upon mankind.  The once gentle alien was now the ruthless Synod Leader, who spent his time onboard the Mothership, 
planning and thinking how to expand the already powerful Taelon Empire.  His mind always concentrated in new schemes and 
strategies for conquest.  Yes, his mind always busy... for not to remember... until now... twenty years later...


	In the Mothership's bridge, Da'an -the Synod Leader- was seated on his command chair, his cold gaze focused on the 
data stream.  A slight smile appeared on his face at the information displayed before him.  The last war ship to the Jaridian 
space had departed.  Soon the long war would come to an end and their ancient enemy's home world would become the 
latest addition to the Taelon Empire... just as Earth had done...


His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by one of the crewman.  "Da'an, Captain Connors informs they will be reaching 
Jaridian space in thirty-six hours," he said.


Da'an looked at the clearly intimidated young man and for a second, he regretted the fearful look in his eyes... just for a 
second...  The Synod Leader's grin widened in a sinister way.  "Good.  Keep me informed."


The man nodded.


Pleased by the report, Da'an reassumed his thoughts.  Yes, Earth was under his control and in spite of their frail bodies, 
humans turned out to be capable warriors against the Jaridians...  He blushed blue and the smile disappeared from his face.  
Oh yes, he knew how frail and how short human life span was... specially the one of a certain woman...  *NO!*  He yelled in 
his mind to vanish the painful, raising memory.  *I have things to attend to.*  Quickly he returned his attention to the data stream, 
but instead of Eunoia characters, a pair of sad, amber eyes met his gaze.  He almost fell from his seat and looked again... but 
they were gone.  *This cannot be!* he desperately tried to convince himself.


So absorbed in his thoughts Da'an was, that he did not notice a volunteer had approached him.  "Da'an--"


"What!" the startled Taelon barked.


The man went a step back and cleared his throat.  "Your presence is needed in the new Jupiter's base.  Lo'rel has some troubles 
with the energy shields and wants your opinion," the volunteer respectfully informed the alien.


Forcing himself to calm down, the Synod Leader nodded.  After all, he seemed to need some distraction right now.  Da'an 
closed the stream and rose from the command chair.  Without a word, he left the bridge to go to the portal room.  Once there, 
he programmed the coordinates in the interdimesional portal and stepped inside...


A second later he materialized in his destination... and froze.  He was not in Jupiter, but on Earth... in the former Washington 
Embassy.  Since the planet was theirs, the Taelons did not need the Embassies anymore, so Da'an had decided to turn the 
buildings into Command and Control centers.


Quickly, Da'an programmed the right coordinates again, but the portal did not work.  He tried another portal, but nothing happened.  
Soon he realized he was stuck in there.  He shivered and wrapped his arms around his chest.  He had avoided the Embassy for 
the last twenty years and now he had unexplainably materialized in it.  He sighed.  Even though that amount of time meant 
nothing for his kind, for him it had been an eternity... an eternity of darkness and loneliness.  True, he had led the Taelons through
a path of triumph... but at what prize?  He was feared among Taelons and humans.  He could fool the others, pretending to be a 
cruel, heartless being, but he could not fool himself.  For the last twenty years he had tried to vanish her memory from his mind, 
as it caused him so much pain, but all his attempts had been in vain...  He had missed his chosen one every second of each day.  
Da'an bowed his head and smiled sadly.  Now he knew Major Kincaid, Liam, had been so right... becoming a ruthless Synod 
leader and subduing humanity had not done anything to erase the pain buried deep inside of him.  In fact, he could destroy the 
whole planet, but that would never bring her back, nor fill his inner void.  Shaking his head to stop the painful thoughts, Da'an 
paced up and down the room, until he decided the only efficient way to leave the Embassy was in a craft.  Having made up 
his mind, he left the chamber and went to one of the elevators.  He stepped inside and pressed the button that would take him 
to the roof and the shuttle bay.  The elevator began to move... down.  Astonished, Da'an pressed the button several times, but it 
was useless.  The elevator descended until it reached the main lobby.  The doors slid open and the Taelon stepped out.  The Synod 
Leader blinked in surprise, the main entrance was opened and the place seemed to be deserted.  What was happening?  Annoyed 
and determined to know what was going on, Da'an strode towards the exit and abruptly stopped in the doorway, blushing blue at the 
sight of his once beloved garden.  Unable to ignore its beauty, he went to it.  Maybe he could find the peace he so desperately needed, 
between the flowered bushed and evergreen trees.  He had walked for a while, when he stopped dead in his tracks.  In front of him there 
was a beautiful, white rosebush.  How could that be, if he had ordered the roses to be removed from all the Embassy's gardens?  
*It does not matter,* he thought and for the first time in twenty years, his gaze softened.  He smiled tenderly, remembering how much... 
she had loved roses...

He approached and carefully cut one flower.  He kissed softly a delicate petal and took the rose to his chest.  *So alone,* he whispered 
in his mind.  Suddenly feeling as if someone were watching him, he stiffened and turned.  He raised his head... to see a figure staring at him... 
from Susan's room.  He narrowed his eyes and his face turned deadly serious.  Who had dared to profane his beloved's chamber?  
Angered, he entered the building and hurried to an elevator and to Susan's room, the rose still tightly held in his hand.  A minute later, 
Da'an found himself walking through the corridor that led to his chosen one's chamber.  When he arrived to his destination, he froze at the 
sight of the smooth wall, there was no door.  Everything was just the same as he had left it so many years ago.  *Maybe it was a 
hallucination... a ghost from the past,* he reasoned, shaking his head.  He turned to leave, but startled, he heard a child's laughter... 
that came from the other side of the wall.  Da'an blushed blue and was about to place a hand over the wall, when he heard footsteps behind.


"Wait," a familiar, male voice said to stop him.  "Are you ready to meet what it is inside, my friend?"


Slowly, Da'an turned, and even though he knew who the owner of the voice was, he lost his façade in surprise.  "William Boone!" the 
Taelon exclaimed in awe, dropping the rose.


The redheaded implant smiled kindly.


"You... joined the void..." the alien whispered in disbelief.


Boone nodded.  "I am here just to remind you that you have never been alone, my friend."


Da'an regained his façade and bowed his head.  "I am different now...  I am worst that Zo'or ever was.  William Boone, after all I 
have done to your world...  Do you still call me friend?" he asked.


"Yes," Boone said simply.  He picked up the rose and offered it to his former Companion.


The Synod Leader tilted his head and extended his right hand to receive the delicate flower.  Boone placed the rose on the alien's 
hand and, to the Taelon's annoyance, the late attaché made him fold his pale, shaking fingers, pressing the flower.  "Stop!  You will 
destroy it," Da'an protested.


Boone just met his eyes.  "You have never been alone because she has always been watching after you.  Return to her," he said 
enigmatically, releasing the Taelon.


At Boone's words, Da'an lost his disguise for a second.  If that were true, then Susan knew the monster he had become...  He 
lowered his gaze and opened his now free hand.  He blinked in disbelief...  The rose had disappeared and a gold ring with a blue stone 
had taken its place.  Startled, he raised his eyes... to find out that Boone too had vanished.  He heard the child's laughter again, although 
this time, Da'an was sure that it was calling him.  Anxiously, he turned and placed a glowing hand over the wall.  After a moment of 
concentration, a door appeared.  Forcing himself to calm down, he entered the long-avoided room...


He lost his human façade and forgot everything about Boone... the ring fell from his now trembling hands.  It was impossible, but his 
beloved Susan was there!  Her now slender and unchanged figure stood by the virtual glass window, gazing outside.  He only remained 
where he was, unable to move or speak, just staring at her.  How long did he stay like that?  He did not know nor care.  He only wished the 
moment to last forever.  Suddenly, a little girl stepped from behind Susan, wrapping her shorts arms around his chosen one's legs.  
Amazed, Da'an noticed the girl had Susan's red hair... and his own blue eyes!  He sparkled brighter.  The child was his unborn daughter, Nikki.  
Then, Susan slowly turned and met his eyes with her loving gaze.  "Why did it take you so long?" she asked in her sweet voice... the same 
voice he had desperately yearned to hear again.


Da'an tried to answer, but he had no voice.  He tried to tell her how much he had missed her, but he could not produce a sound nor mentally 
convey his thoughts to her.  Abruptly, all the atrocities he had committed came to his mind.  What could he ever tell her now?  How could she 
ever forgive him for the destruction of her world?  "I...  I--"  

Overwhelmed by the intense emotions, Da'an fell to his knees, trembling.  "I... failed you," he whispered at last.


To his surprise, two pair of arms held him.  He raised his eyes.  Susan and Nikki were knelt next to him, smiling.  (Welcome back father)  
Nikki softly thought to him.


"I forgive you, Da'an," Susan said with misty eyes, her tender voice being the last thing he heard before passing out....  "Da'an..."


******


	"...Da'an...  Da'an..."


Slowly, Da'an regained consciousness.  For a second, he thought he was in the Mothership's bridge, seated on his command chair...  
until a drop of water fell over his face.  Water?!  Startled, he opened his eyes... to see his beloved, pregnant -pregnant!- Susan knelt next to him.


"Thank God!" she exclaimed, crying, not noticing Da'an's complete astonishment.  "I have been trying to wake you up for the last twenty minutes."


Wonderfully surprised and not allowing the almost uncontrollable hope to dominate his mind, he glanced around and lost his façade in disbelief... 
and in a deep happiness.  He was in Susan's room, laying on the bed... and she really was by his side, still carrying Nikki within her, looking 
worriedly at him with tears in her eyes.  He knelt, just as she was.


"I have never seen the North American Companion at a loss of words.  Please, say something," Susan begged.


Da'an sparkled furiously at the title she gave him and only then he let his mind believe that those dreadful twenty years never existed and that 
all had been nothing but a horrible nightmare...  Maybe he had unconsciously reached a state of Sahm'hod...  He shook his head.  It did not matter. 
 All that mattered now was that his beloved and his child had returned to him... or maybe he had returned to them... and that he would never leave 
them alone.  He regained his disguise and smiled at her.


"Please, say something," she insisted, interrupting his thoughts.  "You are scaring me."


Da'an met her eyes and so intense was his stare that Susan shyly lowered her gaze.  Feeling her sudden embarrassment, he blushed blue.  
Trembling, he raised a hand and tenderly swept her tears away.  Then, taking his hand behind her head, he gently pulled her closer.  "I do 
love you," he whispered and before she could say a word, he kissed her... for the first time in twenty years.


"Just the words... I wanted to hear," she managed to say after they parted, several minutes later.


"I know," he said simply, stroking her cheek.


She gave him a puzzled look and then a concerned one.  "Why did it take you so long?" she asked, clearly worried.


At her question, the Taelon stiffened.  "What do you mean?


She smiled.  "I was deeply scared.  Why did it take you so long to wake up?  In fact, I didn't know that Taelons could sleep.  Are you okay?  
For a terrible moment I thought that..."  She shuddered at the idea and was not able to finish the sentence.


"Everything is all right," he soothed her and rubbed her round stomach.  Feeling Nikki's giggles, he blushed blue.  "Yes.  I have never been better,"
 he answered and leaning forward, he kissed her again.  (Never better) he repeated in her mind.


After a moment, Susan held his shoulders and gently pulled him back.  "Please, if you don't stop, I will not be able to stand before 
your all mighty Synod," she teased.


Da'an tilted his head and removed a strand of red hair away from her face.  He grinned.  "I will cancel today's meeting.  I have an 
important thing to attend at the Moonbase."


"You will leave the Embassy," she stated, lowering her gaze.


The Companion placed a hand beneath her chin and softly forced her to look at him.  "Yes.  There is a rite called Ka'arpaaj that I 
need to perform.  However, it must be done alone," he vaguely explained.


She smiled sadly.  "I understand."


"I want you to accompany me," Da'an said after a while.


Susan blinked in surprise.  "But you said you must be alone."


"Yes, but you are a part of me... my light," he said in a soft, tender voice.


She flushed in a deep red.  "I... I... I am just a human," she managed to say.


"Then, a part of me is human," Da'an stated.


Unable to say a word, the redhead shyly lowered her eyes again and took both hands to her belly.  Da'an laid his hands over hers and 
they both smiled at Nikki's kick.  "Nikki wants her breakfast," she teased.


"Indeed."


Susan rose from the bed.  "I will not take too long," she said with a grin, grabbing her clothes and going to the bathroom.


The North American Companion followed her with a loving gaze and rose too.  He had important things to do before leaving the Embassy... 
with Susan.  Even though all had been a dreadful dream, it had been so frighteningly real that he felt he had recovered his beloved and their 
daughter from the cold void.  This time he would protect them.  With a smile, he went to the door and accidentally stepped into something.  
Curious, he moved his foot and when he saw the thing he had stepped on, he lost his human appearance.  Shaking, he knelt and picked up a 
gold ring with a blue stone.  (Return it to her owner) someone kindly whispered in his mind.  *A dream?*  Da'an thought, feeling strangely dizzy.  
He nodded.  *Soon, my friend.*  He put the ring away in a pocket, rose from the floor and left the room.


******


	Once comfortably seated on his old throne-like chair, Da'an activated the data stream and contacted Major Liam Kincaid.


"Good morning, Da'an," the young hybrid greeted him.


Da'an smiled widely at his protector.  "Please, Liam, come to my audience chamber." 


"Immediately, Da'an."


The Taelon nodded and after waving a hand, Liam's image was replaced by Lili's face.  "Good morning, Captain Marquette," the alien greeted 
her.  "I need you to get something for me," he said and in a few words he explained her what he wanted.


Lili opened her eyes wide in amazement.  "Polar bears?" she asked and smiled.  "I am on my way.  If they have the item you described, I will 
bring it to you."


"Thank you, Captain," Da'an said, closing the communication.  Then, the Taelon smiled mischievously and contacted Joshua Doors.  They 
talked for a while and when they finished, the young lawyer wore a wide grin on his face.  With a wave of his hand, the North American 
Companion made a last call.  Zo'or's image appeared in the stream.  


What is it that you want?" the Synod Leader asked with a smirk.


Remembering Zo'or's fate in his horrible nightmare, Da'an could not help but blush blue and smile at the sight of the always annoyed Taelon Leader.


"Well?" Zo'or prompted, looking at him with a suspicious gaze.


Da'an met her eyes.  "I want to postpone the reunion with the Synod for tomorrow."


Zo'or opened her eyes wide.  "You cannot do that!  The Synod...  I have been extremely patient with you.  Another delay will not be tolerated," 
she said and suddenly blinked.  "Is there anything wrong with the mother or the child?" she asked concerned.


Da'an raised a hand in a calming manner.  "No, Susan and our daughter and in perfect good health," he explained.  "The reason of my 
request is that I will make the Ka'arpaaj."


Zo'or stiffened and lost her façade for a second.  "You will require three human days!" she exclaimed.


Da'an shook his head.  "No, I will only need one day, today," he informed her and then looked at her through the corner of the eye.  "Besides, 
you too will be busy the rest of this day," he added.


Clearly puzzled, she tilted her head.  "What are you talking about?"  Zo'or asked, suspicious.


Amused by her reaction, the North American Companion just looked innocently at her.  "You will soon see," he answered enigmatically.  
Without waiting for a reply, he made the salute and closed the stream.  Pleased, Da'an leaned back on his chair, a satisfied smirk on his face.  
Now there was only one thing to do... and Liam would help him with that. A few minutes later, Major Kincaid arrived.  "Liam," The Taelon greeted 
his protector and friend.


The young hybrid nodded.  "What can I do for you, Da'an?" Liam asked.


Da'an's hands began to move." I have downloaded important information in your global.  I want you to go to that address with a team of volunteers 
and arrest everyone you find in there.  I should warn you that you will find a heavily armed resistance, be careful."


"Arrest who?" Liam asked, puzzled.


Da'an blushed blue.  "As I said, you must arrest everyone," he ordered seriously.  "No person shall escape."


In spite of the strangeness of the request, Liam nodded.  "Consider it done."


Da'an visibly relaxed.  "Thank you, Liam," he said relieved and then spoke again.  "I will be leaving the Embassy for today."


"What about Susan?" the young hybrid asked with a worried voice.


The alien smiled.  "She will come with me."


"I am glad to hear that," Liam said, giving the Companion a knowing look.


Da'an looked at him through the corner of the eye.  "That would be all, Major," he said.


Chuckling, Liam made the salute and left the chamber.


Once alone, Da'an rose from the seat and went to the window, his gaze fixed upon the garden.  He smiled tenderly as the roses were in bloom.  
*Soon we will walk between the roses, beloved.* In a thoughtful mood, he took the ring out of his pocket and eyed intently the blue-transparent 
jewel.  Minutes later, feeling through their link that Susan was ready, Da'an returned the ring to his pocket and went to join his chosen one.


******


	Onboard the Mothership, seated on her command chair, Zo'or wondered why Da'an had acted so strange and what he had meant, 
when suddenly she stiffened and blushed blue.  Almost immediately, Agent Sandoval entered the bridge... followed by Joshua.  "Mr. Doors," 
she greeted him, trying to control her excitement.


"Da'an told me that you wanted to see me," the young lawyer respectfully said, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.  


Zo'or looked at him through the corner of her eye and rose from her seat.  Indeed she would be busy the rest of the day.  "Of course," she said 
softly.  "I want to discuss your demands.  Follow me," she added, walking towards the exit.


Agent Sandoval watched them leave and felt unexplainably... happy.  Shaking his head, he sat on Zo'or's command chair.


******


	In the Resistance Head Quarters, an unusually smiling Jonathan Doors left his office and approached Augur's terminal.  "Come on, son, 
leave that thing and accompany me to have lunch.  I was thinking of Greek food," Doors invited him.


Augur just looked at him with an open mouth.  "Son?  Lunch?  Are you not feeling well, Jonathan?" he asked after a while.


Doors shook his head.  "On the contrary.  I don't know why, but I am feeling really good today.  Will you have lunch with me or I should invite 
somebody else, boy?"


Once recovered, Augur rose and shrugged.  "Well, I like Greek food," he said and then smiled mischievously.  "Now that you are in such a 
good mood, Jonathan maybe I could convince you to buy me those Klimt's paintings..."


Jonathan looked at him with a raised eyebrow.  "Don't push me, Augur," he said in a warning tone and walked to the elevator.


"You cannot blame me for trying," Augur said, following him.


******


	One hour later, Da'an and Susan entered the portal room.  "By using an interdimensional portal, we will arrive in a few seconds," he 
explained.  "This is a safe way to..."  He stopped because Susan was staring at the portal with wide terrified eyes.  (Do not fear) he softly 
thought to her.  (This portal will not harm you, not Nikki).


She nodded and slightly smiled.  "I am sorry, it's just that I..."


"I know," he gently interrupted her.  "Come with me," he said, offering his hand.  She took it and both of them stepped inside the portal...


They appeared on the top of the same mountain Da'an had climbed in his dream.  Susan looked around, fascinated.  "It is beautiful," she whispered in awe.


Da'an nodded.  Indeed.  This is a recreation of how my world was before the Jaridian attack, the place where we used to observe the Ka'arpaaj."


She turned to him.  "Tell me more about the Ka'arpaaj.  What does the word mean?" she asked, interested.


Da'an grinned.  "There is not a human word for it.  Ka'arpaaj is an ancient Taelon rite.  It is performed once a year and its purpose is to look inside our 
essence, the soul, as you would call it.  It is a time for introspection and renewal," he explained.


"I understand.  We too have similar rites," she said thoughtfully.  "I suppose we all need to search inside of us.  Thank you for sharing this with me, but..."  
She did not finish the sentence.


"But..." Da'an prompted, tilting his head.


"I believe you should be alone for the Ka'arpaaj.  My presence will interfere with your meditation," she said seriously.


The Taelon blushed blue and shook his head.  Carefully, he touched her belly.  "You are wrong.  I need you here with me."  He stopped to meet her eyes 
and continued.  "You are the main reason why I am here."


She blinked in surprise and was about to ask something, but the Taelon placed a finger over her lips.  "Please," he whispered.  "There is a part of me that 
I have shielded from you.  I just was trying to protect you from... my own darkness," he said, lowering his gaze.  "However, I have understood that you 
deserve to know who I am."


"I know who you are," she said kindly.  "I have seen your gentle soul."


Da'an sighed.  "You have only seen what I have allowed you to.  I have done things that filled me with shame and disgrace.  I was young and arrogant, I..."


"Show me," she encouraged him, offering her palm.


The Companion looked at her, resigned.  "Please, do not be afraid," he begged.  "I promise you I have changed."  With an unsettling feeling running 
through his body, Da'an joined his palms with hers, opening himself completely for the first time...


At the beginning, Susan felt the tender sensation that always surrounded her when they shared.  (Look deeper) he thought to her.  She did so.  Slowly 
a cold darkness began to rise.  She shivered and tried to withdraw, but Da'an urged her to continue.  She agreed.  As the darkness grew stronger, 
she started to hear pitiful cries and voices filled with pain and sorrow.  (What are those voices?)  She asked, afraid of the answer.  (Da'an?)  She 
insisted at his silence.


(My victims) he whispered at last.  (For thousands years I have carried their desperation within me).


Susan could not say a word and, feeling very cold, she continued.  Shocked, she witnessed through Da'an's eyes the destruction of hundreds of worlds 
at the Taelon's hands... his hands.  (So many lives) she noted sadly.  (Please, stop) she begged, crying, not wanting to see any more.


(I am so sorry) Da'an said in her mind and she knew that he was sincere.  Now he was different...  However, she feared him.  When the sharing was 
over, Susan quickly withdrew her hand as if she had been burnt.  Shaking and pale, she walked several steps away from the Taelon, terror in her misty eyes.


Even though he had expected a similar reaction, Da'an lost his façade, deeply hurt by the terrified look she gave him.  Slowly, he walked towards her.  
Wrapping her arms around herself, she went backwards, keeping the distance.  The alien froze and sparkled brighter, her fear reaching to him through 
their bond.  Was this his punishment for all the dreadful actions he had committed in a long gone past?  Would his beloved run away from him?  
Would he lose her again?  *NO!*  The Companion thought desperately.  He regained his disguise and met her eyes.  "Please, do not fear me," he 
said softly, walking a step closer.  She did not move, but the terror did not disappear from her ayes.  (You know that I would never harm you) he thought 
to her, slowly shortening the distance between them.  She did not move and her gaze seemed to soften.  Encouraged by her silent acceptance, Da'an 
reached to her.  (You know that I love you) he added, embracing her.  She stiffened and then began to tremble again, but finally she returned the embrace.


"I love you too," she whispered.  "It is just that I never imagined that you..."


"I know," he said in a soothing and relieved tone.  He gently pulled her back to meet her amber gaze.  "There is not justification for what I did and I 
cannot undo my actions.  I just can beg for forgiveness.  Will you ever forgive me, Susan?" he asked, looking intently at her.


She smiled tenderly and took a hand to his chest.  "Of course I forgive you, but that will not ease your pain nor your guilt.  You need to forgive 
yourself," she answered.


Da'an nodded.  "You speak with the truth.  However, I am afraid..."


"Do not be," she said sweetly.  "Nikki and I will help you."


The Taelon blushed blue and pulling her closer, he kissed her.  (Thank you.)  He whispered in her mind.


(Wait.)  Susan thought to him.  (What about your Ka'arpaaj?)


Da'an mentally smiled.  (Your presence interferes with my meditation.)  He teased.


(Well, I believe even the North American Companion needs a little bit of distraction.)  She said in the same tone.


(Indeed)


******


	By the end of the day, The Companion and his chosen one returned to the Embassy.  They had just stepped outside the portal, when 
Susan suddenly swayed.  Immediately, Da'an held her.  "I will escort you to your room," he sad in his solemn North American Companion's tone.


Feeling better, she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.  "You don't need to use that formal tone with me," she teased.  "I will obey you... this time."


He looked at her through the corner of the eye.  "That is a wise decision," he said seriously, guiding her out of the portal room.  Susan just rolled her eyes.


During their way to the chamber, they found Captain Marquette.  "Da'an, Susan," she greeted them.


"Captain Marquette," Da'an said gesturing with his free hand.  "Did you fulfill my request?"


Lili smiled.  "Yes.  Everything is ready."


Da'an nodded.  "Thank you, Captain."


Lili slightly bowed her head and after a wink, she left.


Susan followed the Marine with her gaze and then looked at the Taelon with curiosity.  "What was that?" she asked.


The North American Companion tilted his head innocently.  "Nothing," he answered and without releasing her, they continued walking.


Minutes later, they arrived to Susan's room.  She was about to open the door, when Da'an held her hand to stop her.  "Please, close your eyes," he said.


"Why?" she asked and seeing the strange look Da'an gave her, she smiled and did what she was told.


"Thank you."  He opened the door and led her across the chamber.  "You can look now," he invited her.


Susan opened her eyes and stared in disbelief at the delicate, light-green cradle -with cute baby polar bears drawn over it- placed before her.  
Unable to stop herself, she ran her hand through the soft covers.  "I...  How do you..." she tried to say.


"Does it please you?" her Companion asked softly.


She looked at him with misty eyes.  "It is beautiful!  This is exactly what I wanted for Nikki, but when I went to buy it, the girl said that these 
cradles were not available.  Thank you!"


Da'an blushed and kindly dried her eyes.  "I am glad the cradle pleases you, but it was never my intention to make you cry," he said tenderly.


"These are tears of happiness," she whispered.


"I know that."  Then, remembering Boone's words, he took the ring out of his pocket.  "I have an item that belongs to you," he said.


"What is it?" she asked curiously.


"Something that you lost," he answered enigmatically.


She looked at him with a puzzled expression on her face.  Gently, Da'an held her hand and placed the jewel on her finger.  
Susan blinked in surprise at the sight of her ring.  "How...  Where did you find it?" she asked, beyond amazement.  "I thought 
I have lost it forever.  I..."  Unable to continue, she just laid her head on his shoulder.  Losing his human appearance, Da'an stroked 
her hair.  Ten minutes later, Susan recovered her voice and raised her head.


Da'an regained his façade and smiled.  "Are you all right, ‘Carrot head’?" he asked seriously, but with a mischievous glow in his eyes.


Susan rolled her eyes and sighed.  "Oh no, not you.  Joshua should have never told you that."


The Taelon tilted his head.  "Eventually I would have learned your alternative name," he said, amused.


She took her hands to her waist.  "That is not my--"  
She abruptly stopped as she swayed again.


Worried, Da'an led her to the bed.  "You should rest," he urged her.  To his surprise, she nodded and did not complain.  *She must 
be really tired,* he thought.  Seconds later, she grabbed her nightgown and went to the bathroom.  Da'an followed with a concerned gaze.


(Do not worry) she thought to him in a reassuring way.  (You are right.  I am just tired).


Da'an sighed.  Yes, she was exhausted and it had been his fault.  He had abused her.  Maybe he should have never gone to the 
Moonbase with her...  He shook his head.  No.  Susan deserved to know the truth... and she had forgiven him.  A dreamy smile 
appeared on his face.  She still loved him after all the things he had done... and she had returned to him from the void...  Speaking of which...  
Da'an went to Susan's desk and contacted Major Kincaid's global via her communicational monitor.  Immediately the tired face of his protector 
appeared in the screen.


"Da'an!" he exclaimed.  "I followed your instructions and found a hidden facility... Philips' base!"


The alien grinned.  "I am pleased, Liam.  Did you arrest everyone?"


"Yes!  How did you know?" he asked, surprised.


The Taelon looked at him through the corner of the eye.  "As human say, it is a long story, Liam," the Companion answered and 
before the young hybrid could ask another thing, Da'an closed the communication and sighed in relief.  The thread over his beloved 
and his child was over.


"Is everything all right?" Susan suddenly asked, interrupting his thoughts.  


He looked intently at her.  She had emerged from the bathroom, dressed in her green nightgown, her now loose, red hair reaching to her 
waist.  He just could not take his gaze away from her.


"Da'an?" she insisted, looking at him with a tilted head.


Da'an blinked and smiled.  "Yes," he answered simply.


She smiled back and lay on the bed.  Tired as she was, she immediately fell asleep.


Quietly, Da'an approached and lay by her side, carefully placing his arm under her head.  She slightly smiled and embraced him.


"So tired, so cold," she whispered in her sleep.


At those words, Da'an lost his façade, remembering the last time she had spoken them.  He pulled up the covers and ran a delicate finger 
over her face.  (Never, beloved, you are safe with me now) he softly thought to her.  (Hold me in your dreams).  Da'an spent the whole night 
watching over her sleep...


******


	The next day, Susan woke up to find Da'an seated on one of the armchairs, his gaze fixed upon her.  She smiled.


"Good afternoon," the Taelon greeted her.


She blinked.  "Afternoon?  What time is it?" she asked, sitting on the bed, the amusement of his voice not lost to her.


The alien tilted his head.  "Exactly three o'clock."


"That late!" Susan exclaimed.  Quickly, she rose.  "Why didn't you wake me up?" she asked slightly annoyed, hurrying to the closet.  "I cannot believe--"  
She stopped, feeling a sharp pain on her stomach.  In a second, Da'an was by her side, placing a glowing hand on her belly.  "Thank you," she said, relieved.  
"I don't know what happened.  Perhaps it is Nikki."


Carefully, Da'an helped her to sit on an armchair.  "It is not time for the birth yet.  I am afraid this is a consequence of yesterday's activities and today's 
meeting.  You try to hide it from me, but I know that you are tense and nervous," he said kindly.


She blushed and bowed her head.  "I am not afraid.  It is just that I... do not..."


"You will never disappoint me, Susan," Da'an gently interrupted her.


Sighing, she met his eyes.  "I..."


He raised a hand to stop her.  "Please.  You need to relax.  We have two hours before the reunion and it is a beautiful day," he said, holding her hands.  
"Would you like to accompany me to the garden?" he asked, knowing her coming answer.


Her eyes lit up.  "Yes!" she exclaimed almost in a girlish fashion.  "I will be ready in twenty minutes," she added, rising from the seat and going to the 
bathroom... under Da'an's amused gaze.


******


	After a couple of hours, most of them spent in the garden, Da'an and Susan went to the audience chamber and waited for the Taelon Synod 
near the virtual glass window.  "They will soon arrive," Da'an informed her, a strange expression on his face.


"Is it something wrong?" she asked, seeing the look in his eyes.


Da'an smiled and softly stroked her cheek.  (Do not worry, everything will be all right, beloved) he mentally soothed her.


Susan blushed in a deep red.  (You have never called me like that...  I like it).


Da'an lost his disguise for a second.  (You are so wrong.  That is my... alternative name for you) he tenderly thought to her.


She smiled.  (Better than 'Carrot head'.)


(Indeed) Da'an replied teasingly, but suddenly he turned serious.  "They are here."


Susan stiffened.  "I am fine," she said at the worried look he gave her.


Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder.  (Trust me) he mentally encouraged her.


(Always) she answered with a wink.


Solemnly, the whole Synod entered the audience chamber.  They stood before the North American Companion and the pregnant woman, 
surrounding them.  Before than anybody could say a word, Da'an walked a step forward and met his fellow Taelon's eyes, one by one.  
He raised a hand.  "As it was agreed, you are here to commune with my unborn daughter," he said seriously.


Zo'or nodded.  "It is the Synod's wish to meet the hybrid child."


"We are curious how she will develop," Va'rel added.


Da'an nodded.  "And you will know.  However, there is something that you should understand first, Susan is my chosen one," he stated.  
In a second, he felt the disruption his words caused within the Commonality.  


(Please, do not do this!)  Susan thought to him, alarmed.  (It is not necessary.  The Synod will...)  


Da'an slightly looked at her.  (Do not worry.  I am a Synod member too and it is necessary to make them see how much you mean to me.  
They should accept that you and Nikki are not an experiment) he soothed her and then it was Zo'or herself who spoke in his mind.


(Are you insane?  They will never accept such an union with a human)


(Unless you help me) he replied, meeting her eyes.  (By the way, how is Joshua Doors?)  He asked with a hint of mischief.


Zo'or blushed blue and was ready to answer him, when another member spoke first.


"How can you join yourself with such an inferior creature?" Lo'rel asked, glaring at Susan.


Protectively, Da'an stepped before her.  "You do not know what you are saying," he stated, annoyed.  "Let me show you," he added, offering his palm.


"Are you afraid, Lo'rel?" De'lan asked at his fellow Taelon's hesitation, always ready to support Da'an.


"You should accept Da'an's offer," Zo'or almost ordered.  "I can feel your curiosity."


Lo'rel blushed blue.  "I will, but the Synod will learn with me," he said and without another word, he joined his hands with Da'an's.


Immediately, all the Synod members were surrounded by incredible emotions, long buried by the Commonality.  (This is what you feel with 
your chosen one?) Lo'rel asked, amazed.


(Every second) Da'an answered.


A couple of minutes later the sharing was over and the sparkling Taelons stared at Susan in disbelief.  How could such a primitive being make 
them feel so much?


She flushed in a deep red.


Feeling her discomfort, Da'an patted her on the back and spoke again.  "Once I asked you to give me some time to prove humanity's worth.  
Now I can tell you that you have experienced said proof."


To Da'an's dismay, Va'rel shook his head.  "We have only experienced what you feel with your chosen human.  We cannot assume this would 
be the same with each human," Va'rel said and then looked intently at the North American Companion.  "In fact, you yourself believe she is one 
of a kind."


Da'an lowered his gaze, Va'rel spoke with the truth.  He could not deny he considered Susan to be the most precious being of her kind.


"But," Zo'or added, "the Synod agrees with your decision.  We accept your chosen one," she said, giving her former mentor a knowing look.


Da'an blushed blue and nodded, his eyes glowing happily.  Not that he would have ever left Susan if the Synod had not agreed, but he was 
pleased to have their support...  Maybe this was just the beginning of a new era...


His thoughts were interrupted by Zo'or, who had stepped forward and was looking at him with anticipation.  "I wish to commune with your 
child now," she said.


Da'an nodded and looked at Susan.  He stiffened.  Susan was pale and really tense.  "Susan what-- "  
He could not finish, as his stomach ached, so much, that he had to close their link.


"It is... time," she managed to say, wrapping her arms around her belly.  "GOD!" she yelled at another contraction.


Anxious and worried, Da'an held her.  "You must stay calm," he urged her, although he could barely control his own agitation.


Susan rolled her eyes.  "I... am trying," she said with a scream.


Astonished and feeling Da'an's unsettlement, the Taelons sparkled like Christmas trees.


******


	A few minutes later, Susan was laid over an examination table, in the sickbay.  Da'an was by her side and the whole Synod looked 
at her through the crystal, in the observatory room.


"Okay, Susan," Doctor Belman said kindly, placing a small metal device on her temples.  "I want you to relax and breathe normally."


As the pain disappeared, the redhead sighed in relief.


"Doctor?" Da'an asked, concerned by the deep pain Susan had experienced a moment ago.


Juliana looked at him.  "Do not worry," she soothed him, "this will end up soon."  Then she addressed her nurses.  "Do we have the equipment ready?"


"Yes, Doctor," Patricia, one of the nurses, said.


Juliana nodded and seeing the troubled look Da'an gave her, she smiled reassuringly at the alien.  "Susan belongs to a group of women who 
cannot afford a natural birth.  I assure you it is a very simple and safe procedure."


"Doctor Belman is right," a sleepy Susan added.  "I was born that way too, narrow hips, you know..." she teased, closing her eyes and falling asleep.


Da'an finally relaxed and held her now limp hand.  Seeing him like that, Doctor Belman grinned and did not even bother herself to ask him to leave the room.


******


	Half an hour later, the silence of the infirmary was abruptly interrupted by an infant's wail.  Carefully, Juliana placed the newborn in Da'an's 
expecting arms.  "Congratulations," she said happily to the Sparkling Taelon.  "Susan will wake up soon," the doctor added, answering his unspoken 
question.


"Thank you, doctor," Da'an said, looking at Susan and then returning his gaze to his daughter.  (You are our hope, little one) he softly thought to her.


She blushed... blue.  (Father) she mentally said, between giggles.


Da'an glowed brighter at that word.  (I love you, my child).  Feeling the curiosity and awe of his fellow Taelons, the new father reluctantly left Susan's 
side and went to the observatory room.  Unable to hide his pride and joy, Da'an introduced them his daughter.  "Nikki," he said happily and solemnly.


Gently, one, by one, the Synod members touched Nikki's forehead and each time she blushed blue and giggled in their minds, surprising them.


"She is one of us," Zo'or whispered in awe, feeling that the child liked her.


"Do not forget she is part of Susan too," Da'an reminded them.


"We know that," Va'rel said kindly.  


"We are pleased, my friend," De'lan added, sparkling.


"Indeed," Zo'or agreed and raised a hand.  "We shall leave now, the child needs to rest."


Da'an nodded and watched them leave.  Then, sensing that Susan began to regain consciousness, he entered the room.  
She now was laid on a comfortable bed.  He approached a chair and sat with Nikki still in his arms.


(Mother!)  She thought to him.


Da'an grinned.  (Yes, little one, she is returning to us.)


Susan slightly moved and slowly opened her eyes.  A smile lit up her face.  "Nikki," she whispered.


Immediately Doctor Belman came to check her vital signs and helped her to sit, placing a pillow behind the redhead's back.  
"Congratulations, Susan," she said.  "Both of you are okay, but I would like you to spend the night here," Juliana added.


"Of course," Da'an agreed.


"Thank you, doctor," Susan said.


Juliana nodded and realizing the new parents wanted to be alone, she left the room.


Once the doctor had gone, Da'an gently gave Nikki to her marveled mother.  Susan softly kissed her child's forehead.  
"You are beautiful," she said sweetly.


Nikki met her mother's misty eyes and blushed in a deep blue.  Then, tired, she fell asleep.


Susan looked at Da'an, an expression of wonder on her face.  "She said she loves me."


Da'an leaned forward and tenderly dried her eyes.  "You will always have all our love."


She smiled.  "I am so happy that I am afraid this is a dream... but if I am dreaming, I do not wish to wake up... never."


"No, this is not a dream," Da'an said softly.  He rose from his seat and carefully laid by her side, gently making her to lean on him.  
"Let me show you this is real.  Join with me, beloved," he added, holding her free hand and initiating a sharing with his chosen one 
and their daughter.


******


	Unnoticed, a tall, redheaded man stood in the observatory room, watching them through the crystal, a gentle expression on 
his face.  "Do not waste your second chance, my friend," he whispered and, with a last smile, he disappeared...  Kate, his beloved wife, 
was waiting for him...


Fin

================================================================================
Copyright 1999 Mithril (perretta@entelchile.net)