Terra Nova fic: Thick as Thieves chapter 4
Title: Thick as Thieves (4/?)
Rating: T just in case for later
Warnings: None for this chapter
Characters: Lucas Taylor, Michael Taylor (OC), Nathaniel Taylor, Skye Tate, Alicia Washington, possibly the Shannon family
Summary: This is an AU story about Lucas having a twin brother. Instead of rebelling like Lucas, Michael - his brother - remains loyal to their father. This fic explores their relationship and what would have happened in the series had Michael existed. There will be some Lucas/Skye in future chapters…
or read at ff.net
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7812172/4/Thick_as_Thieves
Keeping secrets for Lucas had never been an issue before. Michael remembered a time when they used to tell each other everything. He and Lucas, sharing secrets, trusting each other. It was like second nature, and the bond only brought them closer as brothers. But this secret - this burden - was taking its toll on Michael and causing an even bigger rift between them.
Seeing either of his two remaining family members hadn't been easy for him. He felt torn. Lucas hadn't said anything about it since that day, but his cold gazes reminded Michael how he couldn't afford to betray him. The sight of his father only made him feel guilty, as if he were conspiring against him in some way. He had even tried to convince Lucas to tell Commander Taylor himself, to which Lucas always refused or made some comment that made Michael all the more uncomfortable.
"Don't you ever think about it?" he asked once, after Michael had confronted him again.
"Think about what?"
"Home."
"Lucas," Michael had replied, forcing a confused sort of smile. "This is our home."
For an entire week he held his tongue, debating what to do, and then Taylor invited him for a ride OTG in the rover.
"I can't get over how beautiful it is here," Michael confessed as he leant out of the vehicle's window and turned his face towards the pleasant warmth of the sun. "I had almost forgotten what clouds looked like."
Taylor smiled at him from the driver's seat. "Feels like a dream, doesn't it? I'm glad you got the chance to see all of this. To be a part of it." Michael turned his head towards him, smiling cheerfully. "There's so much more to life here than there was back there," Taylor continued in a more contemplative manner. "That was no place to raise two young boys. I only wish we had discovered this place sooner."
"Hey, you did what you could, dad," Michael insisted. "And we turned out okay."
"I know, son," he smiled at him again before turning his attention back ahead of him, driving past the endless trees and bushes. "I'm just worried about your brother. Has he said anything to you?"
Michael felt his chest tighten. He cleared his throat. "No. Uh, why? You think he needs to talk to somebody?"
Taylor shook his head. "I'm sure he's fine. I'm just concerned; think he needs a break from his work."
Michael paused and looked out at the blue sky again, replaying the conversation between him and Lucas in his head over and over again:
I meant what I said, brother. If you value our relationship at all, you won't tell our father about this.
He closed his eyes and tried to shut Lucas' voice out.
"Do you remember when you and Lucas were younger, and your mother and I took you out to the countryside?"
Michael's eyes snapped open again and he turned back towards his father, resting his arm on the door of the rover. "Oh yeah. I think so. The air was much clearer there, wasn't it? And we both wanted to climb that big tree and you wouldn't let us."
Taylor sighed. "But Lucas climbed it anyway. And of course, he fell and almost broke his neck."
"And mom had to cradle him like a baby until he stopped crying."
"You wouldn't stop laughing."
Michael sniggered at the memory, at the image of Lucas weeping so hysterically over his own foolish actions. "So much has changed," he added, smile gradually disappearing.
"You grew up," his father responded.
"Yeah."
He wanted to hold on to the memory for as long as possible, but it was already starting to blur in front of him. Lucas climbing up that withered old tree, holding his hand out for Michael to join him. Their father's angry voice in the background, telling them to get down, and their mother's blurred figure watching them, smiling.
"Dad…what if somebody wanted to make the portal that got us here go the other way? So hypothetically we could get back to the future?"
The rover lost speed. Taylor's eyebrows furrowed with confusion. "Why are you asking?"
Michael swallowed and shook his head. "Uh, just wondering."
"Well, it depends," his father answered, his tone suddenly very serious. "It depends on why anyone would want to go back there, if they're here."
Michael breathed a sigh, thinking about Lucas again. Up high in that tree. Climbing higher despite his father's angry cries. And then his screams as he fell tumbling to the ground.
He had to tell him.
"Dad, there's something you should know…"
And then: chaos.
He was furious as he burst through the lab doors, shouting Lucas' name. Michael followed his father anxiously, his heart racing. Lucas wasn't there. He watched as Taylor examined the papers on the desk, picking them up in disbelief.
"You were right. He really is trying to make the portal go both ways."
Michael swallowed, unsure of what else to say, and then he heard Lucas come through the doors. He turned to face him, saw his brother's look of surprise when he noticed him standing there.
"Michael?" He looked passed him to see his father standing on the other side of the room, motionless, not even bothering to face him. "Dad?" And he realised what had happened. He looked at Michael, betrayal and anger in his expression. "You told him."
"I'm sorry, Lucas. I had to," Michael insisted, then the two jumped as they heard a loud bang. Their father had thrown the model portal to the floor, letting it smash on the ground. Then he went for the desk.
"Dad, no! Stop it! Stop!" Lucas yelled, leaping towards him, trying to pick up the scattered remains of his research.
But it was too late, and the brothers stood there in silence as they witnessed their father destroy over two years' worth of research. When it was over, Taylor turned around, breathing heavily, still fuming over the fact his children had been lying to him.
Michael feared what he was going to say, but Lucas beat him to it. The remains of his hard work still torn and battered on the floor, he faced them both, his lip curled, his green eyes narrowed resentfully. "I hate you. Both of you." And then he slunk off outside without caring to look back.
Michael held his head in his hands, exhaling, looking around at the mess.
"It had to be done," Taylor stated, straightening up. "He'll understand, with time."
"You've crushed him," Michael said quietly. "You know how hard he's been working on this."
"Lucas was invited to find a way for us to communicate with the future, not go back to it. We can't allow that."
Michael bit his lip, shaking his head. He feared what state Lucas would be in now.
"I'll talk to him," Taylor suggested, sighing.
"No. I don't think you should yet. Let me."
Michael found him leaning against the gates outside, shivering in the cold chill of the evening, his eyes gleaming distantly with hurt and fury. He didn't say anything when Michael leant on the barrier beside him.
"I'm sorry, Lucas. I did what I thought was best. I'm concerned about you. We both are."
"The only thing he's concerned about is his precious Terra Nova," Lucas spat, grimacing again. "I will never forgive him for this." He stood up straight, facing his twin brother, glaring at him hatefully. "And as for you - you betrayed me, brother." He swallowed. "From now on, you mean nothing to me. Nothing. Understand me? We may look alike, but the connection ends there."
Michael almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Lucas…don't…I was just trying to help…"
"Don't talk to me," Lucas snapped, biting the inside of his cheek. "And don't bother trying to help me again."
Michael stared at him despairingly, unsure of how to remedy the situation. But Lucas didn't want to hear any of it anyway.
"We're done," Lucas grumbled bitterly, his gaze piercing in to him like a knife, and then he left Michael alone in the shadows, speechless.
Seeing Lucas in that spikey old tree again, the memory fading, Michael felt his heart sink, and as his brother began to fall, he heard him screaming.
Rating: T just in case for later
Warnings: None for this chapter
Characters: Lucas Taylor, Michael Taylor (OC), Nathaniel Taylor, Skye Tate, Alicia Washington, possibly the Shannon family
Summary: This is an AU story about Lucas having a twin brother. Instead of rebelling like Lucas, Michael - his brother - remains loyal to their father. This fic explores their relationship and what would have happened in the series had Michael existed. There will be some Lucas/Skye in future chapters…
or read at ff.net
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7812172/4/Thick_as_Thieves
Keeping secrets for Lucas had never been an issue before. Michael remembered a time when they used to tell each other everything. He and Lucas, sharing secrets, trusting each other. It was like second nature, and the bond only brought them closer as brothers. But this secret - this burden - was taking its toll on Michael and causing an even bigger rift between them.
Seeing either of his two remaining family members hadn't been easy for him. He felt torn. Lucas hadn't said anything about it since that day, but his cold gazes reminded Michael how he couldn't afford to betray him. The sight of his father only made him feel guilty, as if he were conspiring against him in some way. He had even tried to convince Lucas to tell Commander Taylor himself, to which Lucas always refused or made some comment that made Michael all the more uncomfortable.
"Don't you ever think about it?" he asked once, after Michael had confronted him again.
"Think about what?"
"Home."
"Lucas," Michael had replied, forcing a confused sort of smile. "This is our home."
For an entire week he held his tongue, debating what to do, and then Taylor invited him for a ride OTG in the rover.
"I can't get over how beautiful it is here," Michael confessed as he leant out of the vehicle's window and turned his face towards the pleasant warmth of the sun. "I had almost forgotten what clouds looked like."
Taylor smiled at him from the driver's seat. "Feels like a dream, doesn't it? I'm glad you got the chance to see all of this. To be a part of it." Michael turned his head towards him, smiling cheerfully. "There's so much more to life here than there was back there," Taylor continued in a more contemplative manner. "That was no place to raise two young boys. I only wish we had discovered this place sooner."
"Hey, you did what you could, dad," Michael insisted. "And we turned out okay."
"I know, son," he smiled at him again before turning his attention back ahead of him, driving past the endless trees and bushes. "I'm just worried about your brother. Has he said anything to you?"
Michael felt his chest tighten. He cleared his throat. "No. Uh, why? You think he needs to talk to somebody?"
Taylor shook his head. "I'm sure he's fine. I'm just concerned; think he needs a break from his work."
Michael paused and looked out at the blue sky again, replaying the conversation between him and Lucas in his head over and over again:
I meant what I said, brother. If you value our relationship at all, you won't tell our father about this.
He closed his eyes and tried to shut Lucas' voice out.
"Do you remember when you and Lucas were younger, and your mother and I took you out to the countryside?"
Michael's eyes snapped open again and he turned back towards his father, resting his arm on the door of the rover. "Oh yeah. I think so. The air was much clearer there, wasn't it? And we both wanted to climb that big tree and you wouldn't let us."
Taylor sighed. "But Lucas climbed it anyway. And of course, he fell and almost broke his neck."
"And mom had to cradle him like a baby until he stopped crying."
"You wouldn't stop laughing."
Michael sniggered at the memory, at the image of Lucas weeping so hysterically over his own foolish actions. "So much has changed," he added, smile gradually disappearing.
"You grew up," his father responded.
"Yeah."
He wanted to hold on to the memory for as long as possible, but it was already starting to blur in front of him. Lucas climbing up that withered old tree, holding his hand out for Michael to join him. Their father's angry voice in the background, telling them to get down, and their mother's blurred figure watching them, smiling.
"Dad…what if somebody wanted to make the portal that got us here go the other way? So hypothetically we could get back to the future?"
The rover lost speed. Taylor's eyebrows furrowed with confusion. "Why are you asking?"
Michael swallowed and shook his head. "Uh, just wondering."
"Well, it depends," his father answered, his tone suddenly very serious. "It depends on why anyone would want to go back there, if they're here."
Michael breathed a sigh, thinking about Lucas again. Up high in that tree. Climbing higher despite his father's angry cries. And then his screams as he fell tumbling to the ground.
He had to tell him.
"Dad, there's something you should know…"
And then: chaos.
He was furious as he burst through the lab doors, shouting Lucas' name. Michael followed his father anxiously, his heart racing. Lucas wasn't there. He watched as Taylor examined the papers on the desk, picking them up in disbelief.
"You were right. He really is trying to make the portal go both ways."
Michael swallowed, unsure of what else to say, and then he heard Lucas come through the doors. He turned to face him, saw his brother's look of surprise when he noticed him standing there.
"Michael?" He looked passed him to see his father standing on the other side of the room, motionless, not even bothering to face him. "Dad?" And he realised what had happened. He looked at Michael, betrayal and anger in his expression. "You told him."
"I'm sorry, Lucas. I had to," Michael insisted, then the two jumped as they heard a loud bang. Their father had thrown the model portal to the floor, letting it smash on the ground. Then he went for the desk.
"Dad, no! Stop it! Stop!" Lucas yelled, leaping towards him, trying to pick up the scattered remains of his research.
But it was too late, and the brothers stood there in silence as they witnessed their father destroy over two years' worth of research. When it was over, Taylor turned around, breathing heavily, still fuming over the fact his children had been lying to him.
Michael feared what he was going to say, but Lucas beat him to it. The remains of his hard work still torn and battered on the floor, he faced them both, his lip curled, his green eyes narrowed resentfully. "I hate you. Both of you." And then he slunk off outside without caring to look back.
Michael held his head in his hands, exhaling, looking around at the mess.
"It had to be done," Taylor stated, straightening up. "He'll understand, with time."
"You've crushed him," Michael said quietly. "You know how hard he's been working on this."
"Lucas was invited to find a way for us to communicate with the future, not go back to it. We can't allow that."
Michael bit his lip, shaking his head. He feared what state Lucas would be in now.
"I'll talk to him," Taylor suggested, sighing.
"No. I don't think you should yet. Let me."
Michael found him leaning against the gates outside, shivering in the cold chill of the evening, his eyes gleaming distantly with hurt and fury. He didn't say anything when Michael leant on the barrier beside him.
"I'm sorry, Lucas. I did what I thought was best. I'm concerned about you. We both are."
"The only thing he's concerned about is his precious Terra Nova," Lucas spat, grimacing again. "I will never forgive him for this." He stood up straight, facing his twin brother, glaring at him hatefully. "And as for you - you betrayed me, brother." He swallowed. "From now on, you mean nothing to me. Nothing. Understand me? We may look alike, but the connection ends there."
Michael almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Lucas…don't…I was just trying to help…"
"Don't talk to me," Lucas snapped, biting the inside of his cheek. "And don't bother trying to help me again."
Michael stared at him despairingly, unsure of how to remedy the situation. But Lucas didn't want to hear any of it anyway.
"We're done," Lucas grumbled bitterly, his gaze piercing in to him like a knife, and then he left Michael alone in the shadows, speechless.
Seeing Lucas in that spikey old tree again, the memory fading, Michael felt his heart sink, and as his brother began to fall, he heard him screaming.