A Phoenix By Any Other Name (5/8)
Title: A Phoenix By Any Other Name
Character/Pairing: Wash/Taylor
Word Count: Total for all chapters ~21000; this chapter ~3700
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Language, Mild Violence
Spoiler Alert: All Season 1 episodes
Summary: Waking up is, in itself, a surprise, but Wash is even more surprised by the help she gets with her efforts to get home.
Author’s Note: Another long one, but it sort of wrote itself. : ) Baby Girl decided to cooperate with Mommy’s muse, so here's another chapter! Almost done, but my football addiction will likely prevent posting tomorrow (Super Bowl Sunday!). I’m also trying to respond to comments, but same issue with baby not always cooperating! So, if you’ve commented and I haven’t replied, a huge mea culpa - I sincerely appreciate all the support and feedback. Disclaimer wise, I just wrote this because I enjoy writing, no copyright infringement intended, and I certainly do not own Terra Nova.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Shooting through the trees as quickly as she can, Alicia decides she’s probably only a few clicks from the outpost by now. Giving her watch a quick check, she sees that it’s just past nine in the morning. She figures that the alarm for her “escape” from Mira was probably sounded two or three hours ago. Hopefully, her head start will be enough to save her from any pursuers the Phoenix Group might send.
Just in case, she’s been on guard for a while, knowing there might be Phoenix Group recon teams out here that Mira and Carter didn’t know about. The going has been somewhat slow, just because of the unfamiliar terrain, and for quite a bit of her trip because of the darkness. Her bike has a small, dim headlight, but it had been nearly useless out in the desert area in particular. That had been a very tense few miles, praying that she wouldn’t hit a rock or creature that she couldn’t see.
Luckily, she hasn’t seen many predators, dinosaur or otherwise. She’d been more concerned about that before the sun came up, but honestly, while many of the dinos are considered nocturnal, she’s not counting on that. The comforting weight of the guns at her shoulder and on her thigh do reassure her, though, that she can defend herself if the need arises.
She has only stopped once, on a small rise just after sunrise, just to take a quick pit stop, check the bike over, drink some water and eat a little and get her bearings. She’s also transferred the extra ammo clips for her gun from the saddlebag into the pocket of her jacket. Otherwise, she has been moving since she drove away from Carter over seven hours ago.
The one part of the plan that was and still is nebulous at best is what to do when she gets to the outpost. She’s banking on the communications equipment still being there and still being operational. If it’s not, she’s going to have to make a run for the colony, especially if it looks like the communications equipment was intentionally damaged. If that’s the case, she has to assume it will be the same at the other outposts, so the colony will be her safest bet. Safe, of course, being an entirely relative term, since that path potentially includes predators like carnos.
If the communications equipment is still working, she’s going to contact the colony, but hell if she knows exactly what to say. She just hopes that they believe it’s her. Given that she has to assume that the Phoenix Group is likely chasing her, she doesn’t plan to stay long at the outpost anyway. She’ll likely move on towards the colony no matter what, as she’s not willing to be a sitting duck.
Getting to a lengthy open space in the woods, Alicia suddenly realizes that’s she’s finally in familiar territory. She helped scout this area when they picked the site for the outpost. Relaxing a little, she slows slightly, looking up and catching a glimpse of the outpost through the trees, less than a quarter mile away. She sighs in relief, but then movement to her right catches her eye.
“Shit.” She only has a moment to gun the engine and swerve to the left before a slasher bursts through the underbrush. The damned thing is heading straight for her, and even as she avoids it and its deadly tail, she thinks that they always travel in, at a minimum, pairs.
She knows it will take the first one some time to rebuild momentum to chase her, but she also knows she isn’t in the clear until she’s inside the outpost, now less than an eighth of a mile away. Keeping one hand on the handlebars of the bike, she drops her right hand to the holstered gun on her thigh.
Seemingly out of nowhere, the expected second slasher appears, and she’s not fast enough this time. She feels its tail slice through her left calf, hitting the bike as well. The engine dies immediately, and she knows it hit the fuel cells. Ignoring the screaming pain in her leg, she lays the bike down on its left side, pulling out the gun and unloading the clip into the slasher as it charges.
At the outpost, Reynolds looks up at the sound of an engine followed by the sound of something crashing through the trees and gunfire. “Reilly!” he yells, grabbing a rifle from the back of the rover and heading towards the sounds, thinking that it’s probably their recon team. He can hear Reilly not far behind him as he runs.
The slasher lets out a screech as it’s riddled with bullets from Alicia’s gun. It pauses, and that gives her a chance to drop the spent clip and slam in a second one. As the slasher starts towards her again, she has a clean shot this time. In quick succession, she fires three times into the creature’s skull, and it drops lifeless to the ground.
Knowing the first one is likely still nearby, she extricates herself from her wrecked bike. She stands up quickly, gun drawn, weight mostly on her right leg. She looks up as she hears someone running through the trees, heading for her. She expects to see the slasher burst forth from the treeline, but she’s stunned when Reynolds emerges instead, followed closely by Reilly.
Alicia watches as Mark quickly surveys the area, “Too quickly,” she thinks, and he freezes as his eyes land on her. He stops moving and Reilly almost runs into him. Hearing movement in the brush again, Alicia realizes with dread that the first slasher is coming up behind Reynolds and Reilly.
She doesn’t stop to think, just runs straight at the two of them gun drawn. To her dismay, it becomes clear that Reynolds and Reilly are completely unaware of the danger. Their focus is on her. The slasher charges, and Alicia yells, “Reynolds, Reilly, down! Now!”
They both blink and then drop, figuring out that the slasher is on them. Its tail whips out at them, missing them both by inches as they go down to the ground, and Alicia slides to a stop and once again empties her gun. She’s farther away from this one, so the bullets do less to slow it down. She’s reloading as it charges, and she knows it’s probably too late.
Two rifle blasts sound from behind the slasher, and it drops in front of her, dead. Alicia breathes a sigh of relief, and she can feel the adrenaline rush subside. The pain takes over, making her sag to the ground, her left leg giving out completely.
A moment later, she sees Mark run up to her, skidding to a stop and dropping to his knees. He reaches out as if to touch her, but he hesitates. “Wash, are you real?”
She huffs out a laugh and leans into him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. “Yeah, kid, I’m real, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to see you in my life.” With that, he hugs her to him so tight that it’s hard to breathe, but she doesn’t mind.
“How?” Reilly’s voice gets both of their attention, and they pull apart.
Both Reynolds and Reilly look at her questioningly, but Alicia shakes her head and says, “It’s a long story, one we really don’t have time for. We need to get out of here. Now. Help me up.”
That seems to shake both of them out of their shock. Reilly bends to look at Alicia’s leg. “How bad did it get you, Lieutenant?”
“Not too bad, but you can look it over in the rover. You do have a rover, right?”
Reynolds nods, getting to his feet and then helping Alicia up. He gets on her left side to support her so they can move without putting her left foot down.
“Not that you being here didn’t just make my day, but why are you two here?” Alicia’s voice is strained, her leg killing her.
Reynolds keeps moving as he replies, “We’re checking out all of the outposts, but we’re here today to meet the recon team for resupply.”
“The team you had on the Phoenix Group camp in the Badlands?” Mark grunts an affirmative. “Pretty sure they won’t be showing up today.”
This makes both Reilly and Reynolds stop and give her another questioning look. “The Phoenix guys made the recon team yesterday. They’re moving the camp today because of it, so I’m assuming the team will try to follow the convoy. And we need to keep moving.”
They get to the outpost a moment later, and Reynolds helps Alicia lean against the hood of the rover so he and Reilly can stow their rifles in the rover. “Just drop the supplies inside the outpost. We can’t stay here.” Alicia can’t help but slip back into her command role.
“What’s going on, Wash?” Reynolds asks, coming to stand in front of her as Reilly goes to lock up the outpost.
Reilly returns a moment later, so Alicia explains, “I probably got a head start of four or five hours, but the Phoenix Group may be chasing. Since this outpost would be my obvious destination, I’d prefer not to be here if they do show up. I also don’t know if they have any recon teams of their own out and about.”
“OK, Lieutenant,” Reilly agrees, “Then I need you in the back so I can look at your leg.”
Alicia starts to argue, but the looks she gets from both Reynolds and Reilly make her stop. She just nods and lets Mark help her into the back. Mark leans down to see in the back seat. “What about your bike?”
She shakes her head. “Slasher got the fuel cells. It’s a loss, at least for now. Leave it, and we’ll get it when a team comes back here, if it looks salvageable.”
With a quick nod, Mark moves away to let Reilly jump in the back with Alicia. He hops in the front and a moment later, they are speeding towards the colony. Alicia cringes as Reilly rolls up her pant leg to take a look at the wound. “How bad?” She grits out the words.
Reilly looks up at her. “I’ve seen a lot worse. Maybe fifteen, twenty stitches. I’m just going to wrap it tight now, though. Unless the bleeding worsens, it can wait until we get home.”
Mark’s voice comes from the front, yelling so they can hear him. “We need to radio ahead, Wash. What do you want me to tell them?”
Alicia hesitates momentarily before yelling back, “Tell them you’re coming in with an injury to a member of the recon team. Don’t tell them about me. If the Phoenix Group is listening, I don’t want them to know I’m with you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She hears him radio the message, unable to make out the words over the roar of the rover’s engine and the noise generated by them moving so fast. As Reilly wraps her leg in a tight bandage, the vibration of the ride combined with the realization that she is actually headed home makes all of the tension ebb out of her. Though she tries hard to stay awake, it’s a losing battle, and within moments, she slips into a fitful sleep.
“Terra Nova, this is Reynolds. ETA two minutes. Please open the gate when we’re in sight and clear a path to the infirmary for our wounded. Mr. Shannon, please meet us there.”
Alicia jumps at Reynolds’ yelled message to the colony. She looks up to see her injured leg cradled in Reilly’s lap. Reilly smirks. “Welcome home, ma’am. And yes, you slept the whole way.”
Still a little groggy, Alicia focuses on something Reynolds said. “Mark asked for Shannon to meet us at the infirmary. Where’s Nathaniel?”
“The commander and Dunham are OTG checking other outposts, ma’am. Reynolds and I decided it would be better to call him once we’re inside the gate.” As she speaks, Reilly is placing the first aid gear back in the supply bag that’s kept stored in the rover.
Alicia looks out of the rover to see them pass through the gate into the colony, heading for the infirmary. They skid to a stop in front of the building, and Alicia sees Shannon jog up as Elisabeth emerges. Mark jumps out of the rover, followed by Reilly.
When Reilly is out of the way, Mark leans down to scoop up Alicia and pull her out of the back seat, giving her a look that tells her not to fight him on carrying her. She doesn’t argue, but only because her leg is literally throbbing. As Mark straightens up with her in his arms, Alicia hears Reilly say, “Mr. Shannon, Doc, this is going to be a surprise, and Mr. Shannon, we need the commander back here ASAP.”
Despite Reilly’s warning, when Jim and Elisabeth see her, they both turn pale in shock. Alicia gives them a wry smile. “Hey guys. Long time, no see.” She can see them both struggling for words, and Alicia wants to cut off as many questions as possible. “Like I told Reynolds and Reilly here, it’s a long story. I’m sure everyone is curious, but I need to talk to Nathaniel first. Please.”
Jim looks unhappy at that, but Elisabeth just nods briskly and says, “Mark, please take the Lieutenant to the private exam room at the back of the infirmary. I’ll be there in a moment.” As Mark follows Elisabeth’s instructions, carrying her inside, Alicia hears Elisabeth say, “Jim, get Taylor back here now!”
“Already on my way to communications, Liz. I’ll be back soon.”
The next half hour is something of a blur to Alicia. While she doesn’t tell Elisabeth many details, she does share enough to help with Elisabeth’s examination. As Elisabeth runs a scan on her, Alicia quietly asks, “I can see that you and Shannon are OK, but Elisabeth, are the kids OK too?”
Elisabeth drops her head briefly. When she looks back up at Alicia, she has tears in her eyes. Her voice is quiet when she speaks. “They’re all fine, Alicia. Thanks to you. I don’t know how we can ever repay…”
The scan is done, so Alicia reaches out and grips Elisabeth’s hand, making Elisabeth stop speaking. “There’s no need. It was the right thing to do, and I’d do it again.” With a watery smile and a nod, Elisabeth reaches out and hugs Alicia. “I’m going to have to deal with a lot of hugging for the next few days, aren’t I?”
Elisabeth laughs and releases her. “Yes, Alicia. I fear you’re not going to get away with stoic and reserved, at least not for a while. We may actually end up having to use a crow bar to pry Zoe off of you.”
Alicia laughs softly at that, and then they both fall silent. “Is Jim getting Nathaniel?”
“He is, but Taylor’s probably an hour or so out. I don’t think Jim will say it’s you - he knows Taylor might try to get back here so fast that he’d accidentally kill himself and take Dunham with him.” Elisabeth gives Alicia’s shoulder a squeeze.
Nodding, Alicia sinks back into the pillow behind her. Elisabeth says, “Rest, Alicia. I’ll get your leg cleaned up. Other than your split lip and a few scrapes, you seem to be OK. I can see that you had a concussion, but it looks like you’re fine now. Any headaches or memory loss? And do you know how long you were out?”
“Yes on the headaches, but it’s been a couple of days. No memory loss, and I was out for two days.”
Elisabeth hums at that, but she doesn’t say anything. As Elisabeth works on her leg, Alicia feels herself dropping off again. Elisabeth looks up at her. “I gave you something for the pain. You needed it, so don’t complain. Go to sleep. It wasn’t too strong - you won’t have any trouble waking up when he gets here.”
Despite her irritation with Elisabeth for dosing her without asking, she has to admit that the pain in her leg dying back is pretty damned nice. Once again, as someone works on her leg, she loses the battle to stay awake.
An hour later, Jim and Elisabeth are in Elisabeth’s office in the infirmary, waiting for Taylor. They gave Reynolds, Reilly and all the infirmary staff strict orders to not mention the identity of their patient to anyone. They look up, their eyes meeting as they hear Taylor’s voice. “What is so important that I needed to come back in, you two? This will set me back a day.”
“It’ll set you back more than one,” Jim mutters, earning him a kick from Elisabeth.
She stands up and takes Taylor’s arm, leading him towards the back of the infirmary with Jim trailing behind them. When they get to Alicia’s room, Elisabeth turns and faces Taylor. “Before we go in here,” she motions to the door of the exam room with her head, “I want to make two things clear: one, other than a new gash from a slasher and a pretty serious case of exhaustion, she’s completely fine; and two, she should stay here tonight, but if you two insist on leaving, I’ll require a guarantee from you both that she will take it easy.”
Taylor looks puzzled, but he nods. “OK, Doc, but what the hell is going on?”
“Just go in there, Taylor. You’ll understand.” Elisabeth turns and heads back to her office, pushing Jim in front of her.
Shaking his head, Taylor knocks lightly on the door in front of him. Getting no response, he carefully pushes the door open. He sees a figure on the bed, bandaged left leg propped up on a pillow. Her back is to him, so he enters the room, pulling the door behind him. As he approaches the bed, the person shifts, and long, black hair fans out on the pillow, making him freeze.
He takes a deep breath, telling himself that his mind is playing tricks on him. He steps around the bed so he can see her face, and he can literally feel time stop. His eyes widen, and he continues towards her. Sinking down onto the stool next to the bed, he stares at her face, knowing it isn’t possible.
Almost on autopilot, he reaches out and sweeps a lock of hair out of her eyes. The light touch makes her jump, and her eyes blink open as he withdraws his hand. After a moment, her gaze lands on his face, and tears immediately spring to her eyes. Her own hand shoots out and catches his as he withdraws, and she breathes out his name. “Nathaniel.”
He blinks, staring down at her as if he’s seen a ghost, which he basically has. He squeezes her hand in his and reaches out with his other hand, burying it in her hair. “Alicia?” His voice is barely above a whisper.
She can’t hold back the tears. A few roll down her cheeks as she reaches up with her own free hand and cups his cheek. She nods mutely, suddenly feeling unable to trust her own voice.
Her nod is clearly good enough for him, and he shifts up to sit on the bed, dragging her to him in a hug even tighter than the hug she got from Reynolds at the outpost. She feels him actually start to shake in her arms, and guilt washes over her. “Nathaniel, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I couldn’t contact you, sorry to put you through this. I’ve been going crazy wanting to get back here, and I would’ve been here sooner if I could have…”
Instead of interrupting or replying, he just crushes his lips to hers in the fiercest kiss she’s ever experienced. She finds herself clinging to him, and he clings to her in return. After a minute or so, he pulls just far enough away to press his forehead to hers. She still hangs onto him, and she feels him move.
Opening her eyes, she sees him reach into his pocket and pull out what looks like a set of dog tags. It only takes her a moment to realize that they’re hers and to notice the two small objects attached to them.
He removes the two objects and pulls away just enough to slip the chain with her tags over her head. She looks down at the objects in his hand, and then she smiles up at him through her tears. She takes the larger of the two objects, and he gives her his left hand. Growing serious, she slides the wedding ring onto his ring finger, and then he, in turn, puts her ring on her.
Being careful of her leg, he shifts further onto the bed, leaning back against the headboard and pulling her into his lap. He presses another brief, intense kiss to her mouth, and then he wraps his arms around her waist and buries his face in her neck. She wraps one arm around him, and the other moves up so that she can run her hand through his hair.
A moment later, she feels him lift his head, and she hears his gravelly voice. “You know I may never let you out of my sight again, right?”
She smiles and tightens her hand in his hair. “No arguments from me, Nathaniel,” she pauses, “Don’t you want to know what happened?”
“Yes, but it can wait.”
She nods and carefully pulls her legs up, snuggling even closer into his chest and resting her head on his shoulder. An hour later, Elisabeth goes to check on them, and she finds them that way, both of them sound asleep. She leaves them alone, walking back to her office, muttering quietly under her breath. “Guess I get to keep her overnight after all.”
On to Part Six
Character/Pairing: Wash/Taylor
Word Count: Total for all chapters ~21000; this chapter ~3700
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Language, Mild Violence
Spoiler Alert: All Season 1 episodes
Summary: Waking up is, in itself, a surprise, but Wash is even more surprised by the help she gets with her efforts to get home.
Author’s Note: Another long one, but it sort of wrote itself. : ) Baby Girl decided to cooperate with Mommy’s muse, so here's another chapter! Almost done, but my football addiction will likely prevent posting tomorrow (Super Bowl Sunday!). I’m also trying to respond to comments, but same issue with baby not always cooperating! So, if you’ve commented and I haven’t replied, a huge mea culpa - I sincerely appreciate all the support and feedback. Disclaimer wise, I just wrote this because I enjoy writing, no copyright infringement intended, and I certainly do not own Terra Nova.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Shooting through the trees as quickly as she can, Alicia decides she’s probably only a few clicks from the outpost by now. Giving her watch a quick check, she sees that it’s just past nine in the morning. She figures that the alarm for her “escape” from Mira was probably sounded two or three hours ago. Hopefully, her head start will be enough to save her from any pursuers the Phoenix Group might send.
Just in case, she’s been on guard for a while, knowing there might be Phoenix Group recon teams out here that Mira and Carter didn’t know about. The going has been somewhat slow, just because of the unfamiliar terrain, and for quite a bit of her trip because of the darkness. Her bike has a small, dim headlight, but it had been nearly useless out in the desert area in particular. That had been a very tense few miles, praying that she wouldn’t hit a rock or creature that she couldn’t see.
Luckily, she hasn’t seen many predators, dinosaur or otherwise. She’d been more concerned about that before the sun came up, but honestly, while many of the dinos are considered nocturnal, she’s not counting on that. The comforting weight of the guns at her shoulder and on her thigh do reassure her, though, that she can defend herself if the need arises.
She has only stopped once, on a small rise just after sunrise, just to take a quick pit stop, check the bike over, drink some water and eat a little and get her bearings. She’s also transferred the extra ammo clips for her gun from the saddlebag into the pocket of her jacket. Otherwise, she has been moving since she drove away from Carter over seven hours ago.
The one part of the plan that was and still is nebulous at best is what to do when she gets to the outpost. She’s banking on the communications equipment still being there and still being operational. If it’s not, she’s going to have to make a run for the colony, especially if it looks like the communications equipment was intentionally damaged. If that’s the case, she has to assume it will be the same at the other outposts, so the colony will be her safest bet. Safe, of course, being an entirely relative term, since that path potentially includes predators like carnos.
If the communications equipment is still working, she’s going to contact the colony, but hell if she knows exactly what to say. She just hopes that they believe it’s her. Given that she has to assume that the Phoenix Group is likely chasing her, she doesn’t plan to stay long at the outpost anyway. She’ll likely move on towards the colony no matter what, as she’s not willing to be a sitting duck.
Getting to a lengthy open space in the woods, Alicia suddenly realizes that’s she’s finally in familiar territory. She helped scout this area when they picked the site for the outpost. Relaxing a little, she slows slightly, looking up and catching a glimpse of the outpost through the trees, less than a quarter mile away. She sighs in relief, but then movement to her right catches her eye.
“Shit.” She only has a moment to gun the engine and swerve to the left before a slasher bursts through the underbrush. The damned thing is heading straight for her, and even as she avoids it and its deadly tail, she thinks that they always travel in, at a minimum, pairs.
She knows it will take the first one some time to rebuild momentum to chase her, but she also knows she isn’t in the clear until she’s inside the outpost, now less than an eighth of a mile away. Keeping one hand on the handlebars of the bike, she drops her right hand to the holstered gun on her thigh.
Seemingly out of nowhere, the expected second slasher appears, and she’s not fast enough this time. She feels its tail slice through her left calf, hitting the bike as well. The engine dies immediately, and she knows it hit the fuel cells. Ignoring the screaming pain in her leg, she lays the bike down on its left side, pulling out the gun and unloading the clip into the slasher as it charges.
At the outpost, Reynolds looks up at the sound of an engine followed by the sound of something crashing through the trees and gunfire. “Reilly!” he yells, grabbing a rifle from the back of the rover and heading towards the sounds, thinking that it’s probably their recon team. He can hear Reilly not far behind him as he runs.
The slasher lets out a screech as it’s riddled with bullets from Alicia’s gun. It pauses, and that gives her a chance to drop the spent clip and slam in a second one. As the slasher starts towards her again, she has a clean shot this time. In quick succession, she fires three times into the creature’s skull, and it drops lifeless to the ground.
Knowing the first one is likely still nearby, she extricates herself from her wrecked bike. She stands up quickly, gun drawn, weight mostly on her right leg. She looks up as she hears someone running through the trees, heading for her. She expects to see the slasher burst forth from the treeline, but she’s stunned when Reynolds emerges instead, followed closely by Reilly.
Alicia watches as Mark quickly surveys the area, “Too quickly,” she thinks, and he freezes as his eyes land on her. He stops moving and Reilly almost runs into him. Hearing movement in the brush again, Alicia realizes with dread that the first slasher is coming up behind Reynolds and Reilly.
She doesn’t stop to think, just runs straight at the two of them gun drawn. To her dismay, it becomes clear that Reynolds and Reilly are completely unaware of the danger. Their focus is on her. The slasher charges, and Alicia yells, “Reynolds, Reilly, down! Now!”
They both blink and then drop, figuring out that the slasher is on them. Its tail whips out at them, missing them both by inches as they go down to the ground, and Alicia slides to a stop and once again empties her gun. She’s farther away from this one, so the bullets do less to slow it down. She’s reloading as it charges, and she knows it’s probably too late.
Two rifle blasts sound from behind the slasher, and it drops in front of her, dead. Alicia breathes a sigh of relief, and she can feel the adrenaline rush subside. The pain takes over, making her sag to the ground, her left leg giving out completely.
A moment later, she sees Mark run up to her, skidding to a stop and dropping to his knees. He reaches out as if to touch her, but he hesitates. “Wash, are you real?”
She huffs out a laugh and leans into him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. “Yeah, kid, I’m real, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to see you in my life.” With that, he hugs her to him so tight that it’s hard to breathe, but she doesn’t mind.
“How?” Reilly’s voice gets both of their attention, and they pull apart.
Both Reynolds and Reilly look at her questioningly, but Alicia shakes her head and says, “It’s a long story, one we really don’t have time for. We need to get out of here. Now. Help me up.”
That seems to shake both of them out of their shock. Reilly bends to look at Alicia’s leg. “How bad did it get you, Lieutenant?”
“Not too bad, but you can look it over in the rover. You do have a rover, right?”
Reynolds nods, getting to his feet and then helping Alicia up. He gets on her left side to support her so they can move without putting her left foot down.
“Not that you being here didn’t just make my day, but why are you two here?” Alicia’s voice is strained, her leg killing her.
Reynolds keeps moving as he replies, “We’re checking out all of the outposts, but we’re here today to meet the recon team for resupply.”
“The team you had on the Phoenix Group camp in the Badlands?” Mark grunts an affirmative. “Pretty sure they won’t be showing up today.”
This makes both Reilly and Reynolds stop and give her another questioning look. “The Phoenix guys made the recon team yesterday. They’re moving the camp today because of it, so I’m assuming the team will try to follow the convoy. And we need to keep moving.”
They get to the outpost a moment later, and Reynolds helps Alicia lean against the hood of the rover so he and Reilly can stow their rifles in the rover. “Just drop the supplies inside the outpost. We can’t stay here.” Alicia can’t help but slip back into her command role.
“What’s going on, Wash?” Reynolds asks, coming to stand in front of her as Reilly goes to lock up the outpost.
Reilly returns a moment later, so Alicia explains, “I probably got a head start of four or five hours, but the Phoenix Group may be chasing. Since this outpost would be my obvious destination, I’d prefer not to be here if they do show up. I also don’t know if they have any recon teams of their own out and about.”
“OK, Lieutenant,” Reilly agrees, “Then I need you in the back so I can look at your leg.”
Alicia starts to argue, but the looks she gets from both Reynolds and Reilly make her stop. She just nods and lets Mark help her into the back. Mark leans down to see in the back seat. “What about your bike?”
She shakes her head. “Slasher got the fuel cells. It’s a loss, at least for now. Leave it, and we’ll get it when a team comes back here, if it looks salvageable.”
With a quick nod, Mark moves away to let Reilly jump in the back with Alicia. He hops in the front and a moment later, they are speeding towards the colony. Alicia cringes as Reilly rolls up her pant leg to take a look at the wound. “How bad?” She grits out the words.
Reilly looks up at her. “I’ve seen a lot worse. Maybe fifteen, twenty stitches. I’m just going to wrap it tight now, though. Unless the bleeding worsens, it can wait until we get home.”
Mark’s voice comes from the front, yelling so they can hear him. “We need to radio ahead, Wash. What do you want me to tell them?”
Alicia hesitates momentarily before yelling back, “Tell them you’re coming in with an injury to a member of the recon team. Don’t tell them about me. If the Phoenix Group is listening, I don’t want them to know I’m with you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She hears him radio the message, unable to make out the words over the roar of the rover’s engine and the noise generated by them moving so fast. As Reilly wraps her leg in a tight bandage, the vibration of the ride combined with the realization that she is actually headed home makes all of the tension ebb out of her. Though she tries hard to stay awake, it’s a losing battle, and within moments, she slips into a fitful sleep.
“Terra Nova, this is Reynolds. ETA two minutes. Please open the gate when we’re in sight and clear a path to the infirmary for our wounded. Mr. Shannon, please meet us there.”
Alicia jumps at Reynolds’ yelled message to the colony. She looks up to see her injured leg cradled in Reilly’s lap. Reilly smirks. “Welcome home, ma’am. And yes, you slept the whole way.”
Still a little groggy, Alicia focuses on something Reynolds said. “Mark asked for Shannon to meet us at the infirmary. Where’s Nathaniel?”
“The commander and Dunham are OTG checking other outposts, ma’am. Reynolds and I decided it would be better to call him once we’re inside the gate.” As she speaks, Reilly is placing the first aid gear back in the supply bag that’s kept stored in the rover.
Alicia looks out of the rover to see them pass through the gate into the colony, heading for the infirmary. They skid to a stop in front of the building, and Alicia sees Shannon jog up as Elisabeth emerges. Mark jumps out of the rover, followed by Reilly.
When Reilly is out of the way, Mark leans down to scoop up Alicia and pull her out of the back seat, giving her a look that tells her not to fight him on carrying her. She doesn’t argue, but only because her leg is literally throbbing. As Mark straightens up with her in his arms, Alicia hears Reilly say, “Mr. Shannon, Doc, this is going to be a surprise, and Mr. Shannon, we need the commander back here ASAP.”
Despite Reilly’s warning, when Jim and Elisabeth see her, they both turn pale in shock. Alicia gives them a wry smile. “Hey guys. Long time, no see.” She can see them both struggling for words, and Alicia wants to cut off as many questions as possible. “Like I told Reynolds and Reilly here, it’s a long story. I’m sure everyone is curious, but I need to talk to Nathaniel first. Please.”
Jim looks unhappy at that, but Elisabeth just nods briskly and says, “Mark, please take the Lieutenant to the private exam room at the back of the infirmary. I’ll be there in a moment.” As Mark follows Elisabeth’s instructions, carrying her inside, Alicia hears Elisabeth say, “Jim, get Taylor back here now!”
“Already on my way to communications, Liz. I’ll be back soon.”
The next half hour is something of a blur to Alicia. While she doesn’t tell Elisabeth many details, she does share enough to help with Elisabeth’s examination. As Elisabeth runs a scan on her, Alicia quietly asks, “I can see that you and Shannon are OK, but Elisabeth, are the kids OK too?”
Elisabeth drops her head briefly. When she looks back up at Alicia, she has tears in her eyes. Her voice is quiet when she speaks. “They’re all fine, Alicia. Thanks to you. I don’t know how we can ever repay…”
The scan is done, so Alicia reaches out and grips Elisabeth’s hand, making Elisabeth stop speaking. “There’s no need. It was the right thing to do, and I’d do it again.” With a watery smile and a nod, Elisabeth reaches out and hugs Alicia. “I’m going to have to deal with a lot of hugging for the next few days, aren’t I?”
Elisabeth laughs and releases her. “Yes, Alicia. I fear you’re not going to get away with stoic and reserved, at least not for a while. We may actually end up having to use a crow bar to pry Zoe off of you.”
Alicia laughs softly at that, and then they both fall silent. “Is Jim getting Nathaniel?”
“He is, but Taylor’s probably an hour or so out. I don’t think Jim will say it’s you - he knows Taylor might try to get back here so fast that he’d accidentally kill himself and take Dunham with him.” Elisabeth gives Alicia’s shoulder a squeeze.
Nodding, Alicia sinks back into the pillow behind her. Elisabeth says, “Rest, Alicia. I’ll get your leg cleaned up. Other than your split lip and a few scrapes, you seem to be OK. I can see that you had a concussion, but it looks like you’re fine now. Any headaches or memory loss? And do you know how long you were out?”
“Yes on the headaches, but it’s been a couple of days. No memory loss, and I was out for two days.”
Elisabeth hums at that, but she doesn’t say anything. As Elisabeth works on her leg, Alicia feels herself dropping off again. Elisabeth looks up at her. “I gave you something for the pain. You needed it, so don’t complain. Go to sleep. It wasn’t too strong - you won’t have any trouble waking up when he gets here.”
Despite her irritation with Elisabeth for dosing her without asking, she has to admit that the pain in her leg dying back is pretty damned nice. Once again, as someone works on her leg, she loses the battle to stay awake.
An hour later, Jim and Elisabeth are in Elisabeth’s office in the infirmary, waiting for Taylor. They gave Reynolds, Reilly and all the infirmary staff strict orders to not mention the identity of their patient to anyone. They look up, their eyes meeting as they hear Taylor’s voice. “What is so important that I needed to come back in, you two? This will set me back a day.”
“It’ll set you back more than one,” Jim mutters, earning him a kick from Elisabeth.
She stands up and takes Taylor’s arm, leading him towards the back of the infirmary with Jim trailing behind them. When they get to Alicia’s room, Elisabeth turns and faces Taylor. “Before we go in here,” she motions to the door of the exam room with her head, “I want to make two things clear: one, other than a new gash from a slasher and a pretty serious case of exhaustion, she’s completely fine; and two, she should stay here tonight, but if you two insist on leaving, I’ll require a guarantee from you both that she will take it easy.”
Taylor looks puzzled, but he nods. “OK, Doc, but what the hell is going on?”
“Just go in there, Taylor. You’ll understand.” Elisabeth turns and heads back to her office, pushing Jim in front of her.
Shaking his head, Taylor knocks lightly on the door in front of him. Getting no response, he carefully pushes the door open. He sees a figure on the bed, bandaged left leg propped up on a pillow. Her back is to him, so he enters the room, pulling the door behind him. As he approaches the bed, the person shifts, and long, black hair fans out on the pillow, making him freeze.
He takes a deep breath, telling himself that his mind is playing tricks on him. He steps around the bed so he can see her face, and he can literally feel time stop. His eyes widen, and he continues towards her. Sinking down onto the stool next to the bed, he stares at her face, knowing it isn’t possible.
Almost on autopilot, he reaches out and sweeps a lock of hair out of her eyes. The light touch makes her jump, and her eyes blink open as he withdraws his hand. After a moment, her gaze lands on his face, and tears immediately spring to her eyes. Her own hand shoots out and catches his as he withdraws, and she breathes out his name. “Nathaniel.”
He blinks, staring down at her as if he’s seen a ghost, which he basically has. He squeezes her hand in his and reaches out with his other hand, burying it in her hair. “Alicia?” His voice is barely above a whisper.
She can’t hold back the tears. A few roll down her cheeks as she reaches up with her own free hand and cups his cheek. She nods mutely, suddenly feeling unable to trust her own voice.
Her nod is clearly good enough for him, and he shifts up to sit on the bed, dragging her to him in a hug even tighter than the hug she got from Reynolds at the outpost. She feels him actually start to shake in her arms, and guilt washes over her. “Nathaniel, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I couldn’t contact you, sorry to put you through this. I’ve been going crazy wanting to get back here, and I would’ve been here sooner if I could have…”
Instead of interrupting or replying, he just crushes his lips to hers in the fiercest kiss she’s ever experienced. She finds herself clinging to him, and he clings to her in return. After a minute or so, he pulls just far enough away to press his forehead to hers. She still hangs onto him, and she feels him move.
Opening her eyes, she sees him reach into his pocket and pull out what looks like a set of dog tags. It only takes her a moment to realize that they’re hers and to notice the two small objects attached to them.
He removes the two objects and pulls away just enough to slip the chain with her tags over her head. She looks down at the objects in his hand, and then she smiles up at him through her tears. She takes the larger of the two objects, and he gives her his left hand. Growing serious, she slides the wedding ring onto his ring finger, and then he, in turn, puts her ring on her.
Being careful of her leg, he shifts further onto the bed, leaning back against the headboard and pulling her into his lap. He presses another brief, intense kiss to her mouth, and then he wraps his arms around her waist and buries his face in her neck. She wraps one arm around him, and the other moves up so that she can run her hand through his hair.
A moment later, she feels him lift his head, and she hears his gravelly voice. “You know I may never let you out of my sight again, right?”
She smiles and tightens her hand in his hair. “No arguments from me, Nathaniel,” she pauses, “Don’t you want to know what happened?”
“Yes, but it can wait.”
She nods and carefully pulls her legs up, snuggling even closer into his chest and resting her head on his shoulder. An hour later, Elisabeth goes to check on them, and she finds them that way, both of them sound asleep. She leaves them alone, walking back to her office, muttering quietly under her breath. “Guess I get to keep her overnight after all.”
On to Part Six