Preview: The battle lines are redrawn as several individuals on both sides of the conflict attempt to begin life anew...

Rating: This story is rated PG - 13 for mature themes.

Authors notes: This story may refer to events occurring in the actual series, however, it is in fact what could be dubbed "An Alternate EFC Universe Story". My definition of "Companion" is such that it refers to a Taelon who has been assigned a protectorate upon Earth. <"Speech appearing like this denotes mental communication."> Speech apearing like this denotes the Taelon language, Eunoia, being used.  Reference is made to events which occurred in the first season episode, "Old Flame", written by Paul Gertz. He is to be credited with all dialogue taken from it. As always, I am in no way receiving 'privileged information'. Any advice, criticism and kudos are always welcomed. Please contact me at the above e-mail address.

        Da'an stirred and opened his eyes only moments after Boone's departure. Reaching out, he felt the mattress beside himself and found it was still warm, which meant that the human had only just arisen.
        Feeling for his friend mentally, he found that Boone had shut his thoughts away and was unwilling to allow him more than an acknowledgment of his whereabouts.
        He was taking a shower.
        Frustrated by the sudden exclusion and suspecting the cause of it, the ex-Companion sat up and rising himself, left the room, heading down the corridor in Boone's direction.
 

        It was nearly zero seven hundred hours, and she had a half hour before she needed to be at the embassy. Checking in with the sentry as she entered headquarters, Lili headed off to check in with Boone and grinned. Not only was he back, but he was the de facto Liberation leader, something which pleased her no end. There had been a time when she would have cringed at the thought, but all those months she had spent as his control had taught her much about the dangers of seeing things merely as either black or white...
        Walking toward the newer, rear section of the complex, she turned down the newest habitation corridor and stopped in her tracks as she noticed Da'an standing at the end of the hall, before the door to the shower room.
        "Good morning," she greeted him, as she approached.
        "Greetings, Captain."
        "I hope you had an uneventful night." Lili tried to keep a smirk off her face.
        "All was peaceful, however, I fear that this morning finds Boone strangely withdrawn."
        Lili noted the Taelon's rapidly fluttering fingers and realized that he was very anxious about something himself. "What are you doing out here anyway?" she asked.
        "Guarding the door while Boone showers."
        Lili's eyebrow shot way up. "Bet he's taking a cold one, too," she muttered to herself.
        "What has the temperature of a shower to do with anything?"
        She cringed. Da'an had not been meant to hear that! "Never mind. Look... I need to ask him a question. Any idea how long he'll be?"
        Da'an didn't hesitate for a second. "Boone wishes you to give him three minutes."
        Lili's amazement was clearly visible on her face and she shuffled her feet nervously as her curiosity got the best of her. "You and Boone can share information that quickly? How does that work?"
        "Later there will be time for explanations," he answered her. "William wishes to know what happened when you talked with Dr. Belman last night."
        "Let's just say that Jonathan Doors is sleeping peacefully in the infirmary following reimplantation with a new CVI and more importantly - an altered motivational imperative."
        "And Beckette? Liam?" Da'an asked.
        "Beckette's returned to her Companion," Lili related. Then she frowned. "I'm not sure where Liam's gone to..."
        The door to the shower room opened and Boone stepped out in a cloud of steam. "On your way out, ask around and see if anyone knows where our infant's got to." William frowned at her then. "By the way... I'll have you know that I don't take cold showers - I hate them..." he said, fixing her with an annoyed look. "Now what is it you need to ask me?"
        "Can we set the meeting for four thirty? I'm pretty sure that I can be available then..."
        Boone ran a hand through his damp hair and started off down the corridor. "I don't feel right holding the debriefing while Jonathan is out for the count. I think we owe it to him to wait until he's able to attend..."
        "Boone! Are you crazy?" Lili grabbed his arm, stopping his foreword momentum. "Now's your chance to take complete control of the organization! It's what everyone's hoping you'll do."
        The tall ex-policeman looked at Da'an before turning back to Lili. "It's not right. Jonathan has organized this movement. He's put everything into it and he lives a fugitive's life because of it. I have no doubt that when he awakens he'll be his OLD self. We owe it to him to wait and give him a chance."
        Lili rolled her eyes. "You really are a Boy Scout, you know that?"
        "So I've heard," he sighed, as he began walking again. "I'm going to check in with Belman and then we'll decide where to go from there. Let me know what Zo'or thinks of Nivian's hostage status as soon as you're able."
        "OK. I'm gone." Lili checked her global for messages and then patted Da'an on the shoulder before heading out.
         As soon as she had gone, Boone stopped. He and Da'an had drawn even with the doors to their new room. Without a word he gestured toward the doors and they both entered.
        "Why do you now exclude me from the majority of your thoughts?" The ex-companion asked immediately after the doors closed behind them. "How is it that such a small change in my form could create so large a change in our relationship?"
        Boone frowned. "Nothing's changed between us."
        Da'an's mouth tightened into a thin line, a sure sign of her disapproval. "You rarely succeeded in lying to me... before. Now such a feat is impossible... unless it is your own self you attempt to delude?"
        Moving forward, Boone reached out and gently gathered the Taelon to him. "We are NOT going to do this," he whispered, as he held her close. "No more verbal sparring. We know how we feel about each other. I DO love you, but... our relationship is now heading in a completely different direction, one which must be almost inconceivable to you. I'm not sure that either of us is ready for that... or that we should ever even go in that direction..."
        Da'an nodded as she clung tightly, relishing the contact. "Such a relationship with you is conceivable to me and desirable. It would fulfill your needs, serving to make our association less complicated and, in the human tradition, bind us more closely together."
        Alarms instantly went off in Boone's head. Was a physical relationship nothing more that a means to ensure his loyalty? Was that what was being said here? He must have mentally communicated some of his sudden displeasure to his friend, for she suddenly looked worriedly up at him.
        He carefully withdrew his arms and stepped back. "If this is so," he managed to ask in a normal tone of voice. "...then why were you so embarrassed by your new form yesterday?"
        Da'an confusion was evident as her fingers began moving rapidly. She looked at Boone strangely, but did not answer.
        "Come on. We need to see Belman," Boone said, ending the conversation. Turning, he made to leave the room, but Da'an held him back.
        "I fear that I have somehow missed something crucial in our conversation... or that you have misinterpreted what I have said." She moved to stand close by his right shoulder as she continued to hold onto his arm. "Open your thoughts to me. Let us share... that this may be quickly and painlessly resolved."
        He swallowed. "I'm afraid of what I may discover," he admitted.
        "And what might that be?"
        He sighed and held out his hand, palm outward to her. "I suppose that I have to face this sooner or later... "
        Giving him yet another puzzled look, the ex-Companion brought her palm up to meet his own and allowed him free access to her thoughts and memories.
        <"I sense your need to know... my feelings,"> Da'an's thoughts echoed in his mind. <"Come to me. Search them out...">
        Encouraged, Boone moved straight for a particular event of the proceeding day - the moment that they had kissed. Quickly he moved into his friend's memory and lived the experience - shared it - from her point of view.
        With a groan, Boone broke contact with Da'an and fled, leaving the flustered and disturbed renegade alone in the room.
        As he had feared... the moment had been a pleasant one for the Taelon - there was little doubt that she had enjoyed it, but there had been nothing else.
        No longing for anything more...
        No need...
        In other words - no desire.
        With a heavy heart, he set off in the direction of the infirmary.
 

         Boone entered the infirmary to find Jonathan Doors strapped to a gurney in the center of the room. He was completely and profoundly unconscious. Dr. Julianne Belman roused herself from a state of near sleep and arose from her seat before the large computer screen to greet him.
        "Have you been up all night, Doc?" he asked, sympathetically.
        She stretched gingerly, as though her body had frozen in the most awkward of positions. "I really had no choice, after all, my relief is now a patient herself. Once Wanda's had her few hours rest, I'll take a nap."
        "What have you found out?"
        As she beckoned him to follow her to the gurney, Da'an entered the room. Giving him a quick, wounded look, she moved to join them next to Doors.
        Belman switched on the scanner and pointed to the full color display of Doors' head. "Want to guess what this is?" she asked as she pointed to an extra CVI component which shouldn't be there.
        Boone blew his breath out. "Yeah - Trouble."
        The doctor lifted an eyebrow at him. "Good guess. Want to guess how it got there?"
        "Park somehow managed to alter Doors' CVI. The question is; why did it take so long before we noticed? It wasn't until he was hit in the head that a personality change was noted."
        Belman nodded. "Now look at Park's scan." She changed the display, revealing that Park also had an extra CVI element.
        "Wait a minute..." Boone breathed. "You just reimplanted her..."
        "That I did."
        "I assume that you saw no sign of this them?"
        "That's right. This device - whatever it is - was not present at that time, sooo... will someone please tell me where it came from?"
        Boone's eyes were immediately drawn to Da'an, as he instinctively knew that the Taelon knew something. He realized with a start, as Da'an met his gaze, that he could pick up little from his friend. It was amazing how closed to each other their thoughts had suddenly become, but... perhaps that was for the best...
        "It would appear to be a third generation CVI," the pale alien said sadly.
        Belman frowned. "And what does that mean?"
        "Many of our Synod members worried that humans would quickly find a way to circumvent the motivational imperatives inherent in the CVI's," she explained. "Work was begun - in secret and aboard the home ship only - in which a newer, more efficient CVI was developed. It would appear that Park was one of the first test subjects. She in turn must have re-engineered Doors' own CVI with the upgrade program."
        Boone shook his head. "Upgrade program?"
        "A means by which those already possessing CVI's could be be upgraded to the new configuration through means of a simple injection..." He moved to stand beside the monitor and pointed to the unknown CVI component. "An entirely new cybervirus is incorporated within the host. It is originally undetectable and lies dormant until an anti-CVI virus is introduced. Then it is activated. All settings... all programing from the original CVI, including the motivational imperative, are saved. Once the host's replacement CVI is firmly generated, the old programing is restored, overriding any new directives. Lastly, this device is generated..."
        "What is it?" Boone asked, as his stomach began churning.
        "A fail safe," Da'an answered with a pained expression. "Should the CVI be tampered with in any way once it has appeared... the host will be killed, his mind utterly destroyed."
        "But, I had already altered Jonathan's MI when I reimplanted him following his faked death. The series three CVI should have restored him back to that programming!"
        "Ahh, but Zo'or is aware of Doors 'altered state'. I am certain that Park infected him with a very specific third generation CVI - one with an MI which is set with parameters specified by Zo'or himself..."
        Belman went pale. "My God! That means that Jonathan..." Quickly she covered her eyes with a hand and turned away.
        Boone pulled her against his side, offering her shelter as she struggled to regain her composure. "So Dr. Park was initially willing to deactivate the device she had hidden within Rayna, but then her third generation CVI restored her imperative, which is why she's now so uncooperative..."
        Da'an nodded. "I did not realize that the project had progressed this far..."
        "This dooms all implants to a life span of just two CVI's. Once the original breaks down and is replaced, this kicks in and a new replacement is impossible..." Belman moaned.
        "Is there any way at all to restore Doors or Park?" Boone asked his friend.
        The Taelon's expressive eyes gave the answer.
        "What about Zo'or?" Boone persisted. "Is there any chance that he had a counter virus developed?"
        "There is always that possibility, however... why would he wish to undo that which he has worked so hard to accomplish?"
        "What if we give him an incentive to develop a way to reverse this... offer him a trade? Say - Doors' and Park's restoration for Nivian's release?"
        Belman looked up then as both she and Da'an stared at him.
 

        Lili groaned and struggled to sit up only to have someone gently push her back down onto the... cot? Opening her eyes quickly, she found herself in one of the spare embassy guest rooms with both Zo'or and Liam hovering over her. At the sight of Liam, she let out an automatic gasp and began to scramble back away from the two.
        "Where am I? What happened?" she asked in honest confusion. As an afterthought she addressed Zo'or. "Are you all right?"
        The Synod leader actually smiled. "It is I who should be asking you that question, Captain. Please allow me to clarify what has occurred. Liam Kincaid was intent upon killing you for your threats against his parent, however, we have come to a mutually beneficial arrangement which allows for your continued existence..."
        "In other words, he offered me a job as his protector, which means that you owe him your life," Liam deadpanned.
        Lili's mouth dropped open as she turned to look first at Zo'or and then at Liam.
        "You need not thank me," the acting North American Companion added smugly. "You have so far proven yourself a worthy ally. I would not have you removed from my service so soon...
        Suddenly, the Taelon staggered and would have collapsed, had Liam not grasped him by the shoulders and steadied him.
        Lili sat up. "Zo'or! What's wrong?"
        "Da'an..." he breathed. "Da'an is with Nivian..." Pushing Liam away, he turned narrowed, icy eyes upon her. "He is now a part of the Liberation!"
        "What?! Are you certain?" Lili's head was really reeling now.
        "Of course!" he snapped at her.
        As the Marine struggled to rise to her feet, it was Liam who offered her a hand up. "Where are you going?" he asked. "You shouldn't be up and about yet."
        "I need to ready Zo'or's shuttle. He'll be wanted back aboard the home ship..."
        "Wait." Zo'or moved slowly toward the small window in the room and stared out over the city for a few moments before again turning to face his attaché. "We shall not share this information with the rest of the Synod. Is this understood?"
        Lili was beyond confused. "Yes," she answered automatically.
        At her confused and uncertain expression, Zo'or moved to stand close to her. "Da'an's viewpoints about the humans have continued to stir debate within the Taelon ruling party. His withdrawal from us served to sway another Synod member to his side. I cannot afford to have this information swaying any more of them..."
        "So what you're saying is that Da'an's complete and utter conviction that he is on the right path is causing even his opponents to doubt they're own stance," Liam said.
        "Yes. How much worse it would be if they learned that he had actually joined the Liberation..." Zo'or moved towards the door and exited the room as Liam winked at Lili and followed close behind.
        Lili rubbed her aching head and sighed. "It's gonna be a long day..."
 
 

        With his stomach rumbling dangerously, Boone marched down the main corridor as quickly as his long legs could take him. He was half way to the kitchen when he picked up Da'an's mental request that he slow so that she could catch up.
        He stopped and she caught up with four steps.
        "Sorry. I'm not used to being... accompanied anymore..." He made to move off again, but Da'an slid her hand in his and stopped him.  He looked back at her curiously and found her searching his face.
        "What did you see when we shared?" she asked.
        He hesitated, but she locked eyes with him and spoke into his mind. <"Tell me. Please,">
        He leaned close to her and placed his free hand on her cheek to help soften the blow. "It's what I didn't see..." he sighed.
        She blinked in confusion and distress. <"If I am lacking in some significant way... then you must tell me what it is...">
        He sighed, suddenly every bit as distressed as she. "Why?" he asked softly. "Can you change your own basic nature? For that's the only way in which you could remedy this." Again he brought his hand up and slid the backs of his fingers along her cheek. "I wouldn't have you do that for all the world..."
        Turning, he continued his trek toward the kitchen, gently leading his friend by the hand.
        Five minutes later, he was self-consciously scrambling himself some eggs and frying up some bacon as Da'an sat at one of the small kitchen tables. He could practically hear her mind frantically attempting to unravel the puzzle he had lain before her. Now and then he would feel those intense, blue eyes turn in his direction, as she studied him, looking for further explanation.
        Finally done cooking, he collected his dishes and moved to sit next to her, praying that she wouldn't ask him again...
        Just then Norm and Sarah entered the room. The Billingsley's had married only a few weeks past, or so they had told him at the meeting last night. Their presence in the kitchen instantly let him off the hook - for now anyway.
        "What'll it be today, Luv?" Norman asked, as Sarah took a seat at another table.
        "I think I fancy some bangers today - and eggs," she answered.
        Boone could almost feel the attraction between the pair and smiled indulgently at the way they were eating each other up with their eyes. He and Katie had been like that and the thrill had never worn off...
        With a sigh, he shook himself out of his melancholy mood and focused on his plate instead. Looking down at his own bacon and eggs, his mouth began watering in anticipation. It had been so long... and his last meal had been a few cold sandwiches. Before that, he had been chowing down on formula...."  He shuttered at the memory. Picking up his fork, he took a deep sniff, savoring the smell of the bacon, and then scooped up some eggs...
 
 

        Da'an watched as Boone savored the sight and smell of his food. Without hesitation, he placed his hand upon his friend's arm and concentrated as the fork disappeared into Boone's mouth.
        He felt the indescribable sensation of texture and taste as Boone slowly chewed, relishing the flavor.
        The experience of eating was surely an interesting and enjoyable one, but of more interest was Boone's emotional state. He was so thoroughly caught up in the sensation of eating his breakfast, that he didn't even seem to notice when Da'an delved deeper into his mind.
        Boone was more than enjoying his food...
        He seemed to also be... yearning for it? How could that be, when he was already eating it?
        "Here ya go, Luv. A cheese and mushroom omelet with bangers on the side." Norm placed the dish before Sarah.
        Da'an's attention was drawn to the couple as Sarah grasped Norm's shirt and hauled him closer.
        "Come here honey,' she said, right before their lips met in what turned into a spectacularly passionate display.
        The Taelon stared at them intently before realizing that he himself was being watched. Turning, he saw Boone's green eyes observing him, their pupils strangely dilated... and at the same time, he sensed the envy which consumed the human.
        In a flash of sudden insight, he knew what it was that Boone found lacking in him.
        Desire.
        He knew the word. He had read enough human literature to understand the concept. He had even had a fleeting feeling of the emotion the night that Zo'or and Nivian had...
        Lowering his eyes in pained comprehension, he stared at his knees.
        <"I understand..."> he thought to his friend.
        Boone reached across and gently squeezed his hand before turning to finish his meal.

 
        Sandoval left his room in the Dublin embassy and slowly made his way to the audience chamber. It was still very early - at least two hours before dawn, but sleep had once again eluded him. So long as he remained here, within Kha'rha's domain, it was easy to remain free of his motivational imperative. Kha'rha made no demands of him save that he aid Beckette in her daily duties.
        For the first time in many years he felt like a human being. He had done quite a bit of soul-searching and had found that he had too many regrets to allow him a peaceful night's sleep. Compounding matters was the fact that he still found Siobhan both attractive and desirable, but had serious reservations about becoming involved with her. Everyone he had ever cared for had suffered because of their link with him... Besides, Siobhan and Kha'rha... were something of an item and although each had led him to believe that he would be welcome in the relationship, he really didn't care for the idea of a menage-a-trois with this particular Companion and his protector...
        Taking a slow turn around the interior of the audience room, he came to a stop before the huge virtual glass windows and stared out at the beauty which was Dublin at night.
        What was he to do? Staying here was proving to be more painful than he could bear. Yes, he was away from Zo'or, but... Siobhan....
        Sighing in frustration, he decided to awaken her. If they could just talk about it...
        Quickly, he backtracked to the ramp which led to the Companion's living quarters and ascended it to the level of the first room - the one belonging to the Companion's attaché. After a pause in which he steeled his courage, he rapped quietly upon the portal and called her name...
 
 

        Kha'rha lifted his head from the pillow on his meditation mat and gently nudged Beckette. Overjoyed by her return to him, he had invited her to his chamber each night since and simply held her while she slept. He had quickly discovered that he craved these quiet, passive times with her, both for the honest conversation and the feel of having her so near.
        Never truly sleeping himself, he had immediately overheard Sandoval's soft call.
        "Siobhan..." he whispered near her ear.
        "Wha...?" she asked sleepily, as she rolled over to face him and cracked an eye open.
        "Listen."
        This time Beckette clearly heard Sandoval call out to her.
        "Oh Lord! If he finds out I'm here with you he'll fly away back to Zo'or!" she panicked, as she rose to her feet.
        Kha'rha rose as well, but before either could move, they clearly heard the misplaced attaché's footsteps retreating back down the ramp.  "What has your sleeping here with me to do with him returning to Zo'or?" he asked curiously.
        Siobhan stared at him aghast. "Chalk it up to the fragile male ego," she snorted as she gathered together her shoes. Before heading for the door, she smiled at him. "Oh... and Love... You really do have so very much more to learn about human relationships," she chastised.
        He pulled her close and kissed her gently. "At least I am studious about Human-Taelon relationships," he countered, to her delight.
 
 

        "Has anyone heard back from Lili or Liam yet?" Boone bellowed across the main command center. Da'an stood silently near the wall and observed the proceedings, still not entirely sure of his welcome in this place.
        "No sir," one of the technicians answered. "We've....Wait a minute! Incoming call from Captain Marquette!"
        "Put it on the main screen." As Lili's bruised face appeared, Boone spoke quickly. "What's happened?"
        "I can't really talk now, but I've found Liam... or rather, he's found me. He's Zo'or's new protector!"
        There was a brief uproar in the control room as people began conferring in amazement.
        "Zo'or knows that Da'an is with the Liberation as well," Lili continued. "...but he refuses to pass the information on to the Synod!"
        "Lili. Meeting at sixteen hundred hours. Be there if you can," Boone rapped out. "And try to pass the word to wonder boy..."
        With a nod, she cut the transmission.
        Boone turned back to those assembled in the room.
        "I'm afraid that I have some bad news about Jonathan," he announced. "It seems that Dr. Park, under the influence of a CVI, managed to infect him with an upgraded version of his original - including the original MI."
        There was consternation all around and Boone was quickly drowned out by the sound of so many operatives asking questions all at once.
        "People! PEOPLE!" he bellowed out again, finally drawing their attention. He waited for the room to grow silent. "OK, look - We're going to do everything we can to get Jonathan back on his feet, but until that time, I will be running the show. By now you've all heard how it is that I'm still alive and amongst you. If anyone has reservations about my leading this movement, I'd like to hear them."
        There was silence in the room.
        "Do you mean to tell me that not one of you objects to me taking command?" he asked.
        The silence continued.
        "Very well. On to topic number two. As you all know, we've gained a new member, someone with a great deal to offer to this movement." He gestured to Da'an, who slowly move to join him. "Da'an will be passing her information on to us at today's meeting and I hope that by then not one of you will doubt her sincerity." He placed a hand on the Taelon's shoulder.
        "I am grateful for this opportunity to know you better," Da'an addressed them. "Long have I looked upon your race with respect and admiration, but I am in the minority amongst my own people. You must understand that we are not your enemy. Many amongst us feel as I do - that only through cooperative effort may both our races survive and flourish..." Da'an placed both hands over the place in her chest where a human's heart would be - were she human. "I humbly thank you for offering me shelter amongst you."
        "What about loyalty?" came one voice in the crowd.
        Boone immediately recognized Steven Yates and sighed. The man just loved to stir the pot...
        "If you were that willing to betray your own people, why should we trust you?" Steven continued as several others shook their heads in agreement.
        "My loyalty belongs not to the Taelons or the Humans," the ex-Companion spoke. "but to BOTH. Casualties on both sides are to be avoided. Acceptance must be won through understanding. The fate of all depends upon it..."
        There was silence in the room as one by one people began to nod and whisper their agreement. Boone stepped in quickly to wrap things up. "There is much more you all need to know - to hear. Then Da'an's words will resonate even more clearly, I promise you." Even as he spoke he could see that there were still those in the room who doubted the wisdom of allowing Da'an to remain.
        "OK. Impromptu meeting is over. I want to see all the team leaders at the meeting later on. No excuses!" he ordered.
        Slowly the crowd thinned out as those going off shift left and the others moved off to their individual areas or assignments. Boone turned toward Da'an and spoke mentally. <"That went about as well as could be expected."> he observed.
        <"Yes, however, I sensed several in the crowd who object to our association. They fear that I may influence you too strongly as you lead the movement...">
        Boone shrugged. <"Then we'll just have to show them that they're wrong..."> He picked up a flurry of doubt from his friend and changed the subject. "There are some things I need to do. Would you mind checking up on Dr. Park? See if you can reach her in any way?"
        "I do not know if I will be able to glean much from her... but I shall try..." With that, she turned and started back towards the infirmary.
 
 

        Da'an had gotten half way down the corridor which led to his goal when the human who had questioned his loyalty caught up with him. Swiveling around suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and confronted his pursuer.
        "Speak then of what troubles you," he invited.
        The man, Steven, reacted with surprise, which he quickly masked. "You. But you already know that," he responded. "I don't like the idea of you influencing the Commander. I don't like the idea of you replacing Katie in his affections AND I most definitely don't like to even think of the two of you being lovers..."
        "We are not..."
        "Save it!" he interrupted. "You shared a single room. That's more than enough to damn you. You're not human. Hell, you're not even female! Such a relationship is utterly sick and will ultimately cost Will his command." He leaned closer. "Believe me, people are already talking," he whispered.
        Da'an met Steven's gaze with an even one of his own. He had his pride and he would not allow the misguided human to intimidate him.
        Seeing that the alien wasn't about to respond, the resistance fighter continued. "I have no doubt that your presence will do this organization some good," he admitted, in a low tone. "I believe that you'll help us, if for no other reason than to keep your precious ex-implant safe. All I'm saying, is that I trust Will. I want him to remain in command... for all our sakes, but that isn't going to happen if he remains your little pet..."
        That said, Steven whipped around and disappeared back down the corridor.
        A deep blush covering his form, Da'an stood and watched him go with a troubled look upon his face.
 

        "I have business aboard the home ship," Zo'or announced after cutting his transmission. "Marquette, cancel the rest of the day's audiences. You may both do as you will until the morrow. I shall summon you when I have returned."
        Lili bowed her head from her position outside of datastream range as Liam did the same. Respectfully, they remained where they were until Zo'or had exited the room, then Lili signaled Liam to follow her as she made her way to the windows.
        Together they waited until they saw Zo'or's shuttle zip out of the shuttle bay and into transdimension.
        "Let's go," Lili said. "We have a lot to share with the others!"
 

 
        Making his way to the infirmary, Boone entered to find Joshua standing beside the cot on which his father lay. He approached slowly and placed a hand on the younger Doors' shoulder.
        "I'm so sorry," he said. "You know that we'll do everything we can for him."
        "I know you will. I just can't help feeling that this might be the end of the line, though." Joshua shook his head. "He abandoned us - me and mom, long ago, but I've never stopped hoping that we might one day reconcile. Then I lost him to the Companions, death and the Liberation - in that order. Finally, when my own life is a ruin, I find myself thrown together with him down here." Joshua sighed. "I should have known that he'd find some way to elude me again..."
        Boone bit his lower lip. "Don't give up on him yet," he finally offered. "You know he's too mean to go down without a good fight."
        Joshua actually cracked a small smile then. "You're probably right," he admitted.
        The tall, acting Liberation Commander looked around then. "Have you seen Da'an?" he asked. He had been tied up with so many niggling little things which had to be resolved, that he hadn't noticed the time passing. It had been hours since he had last seen his friend and he couldn't help but feel a sudden concern for his well being.
        "He hasn't been here for a while," Joshua replied. "He had been trying to reason with Park, but she threw just about every insult she could at him and he eventually gave up."
        Boone nodded. "Thanks anyway."  Slowly, he backtracked down the corridor, then came to a stop and shook his head, cursing his own stupidity. He was linked with his friend. All he had to do was open his mind to her...
        He was shocked by the intensity of Da'an's feeling of relief when their minds touched again.
        <"What are you up to?"> he thought.
        <"I have been in my quarters meditating,"> came the reply.
        <"Your quarters?">
        <"Right next to your own.">
        He was already in motion, turning down a side corridor and backtracking down the new habitation area. Entering the room on the far side of his own, he found Da'an seated upon an old futon on the floor. The room had no other furnitings but that of an old, beat up table lamp which was placed on the floor near the futon.
        "Why?" Boone breathed, as he indicated the room with a sweep of his arm.
        "The others do not approve of our... living arrangements," Da'an answered, meeting his eyes unwaveringly with her own. "It is best that we not endanger your current position by reminding them of our close ties. They fear that I may be influencing you too much as it is."
        He joined his friend on the futon and frowned at how lumpy and uncomfortable it was. "You can't live like this," he began, only to be interrupted.
        "I assure you that I can. This is all I require."
        "What about sustenance? You need energy and we have not even begun to set up an energy stream for you," he pointed out, worried for his friend's health.
        "I shall survive without it, even as Ma'el did," she countered.
        Boone was not completely convinced, but decided to let the subject drop. "OK, but tomorrow we're going to go out and buy you a few essentials," he insisted.
        "I look forward to such an excursion."
        "Are you all right? Really?"
        "I shall be, so long as you do not completely close your mind to me," she replied, her eyes holding his own.
        Boone reached out and drew her close. They remained like that for some time, fortifying each other for the debriefing which approached.
        "Sir?" Came the voice of their security chief over Boone's headset.
        "What is it, Vince?"
        "Captain Marquette and Liam have entered the church."
        "Thanks. I'll be right there," Boone answered, as his eyes met Da'an's. "Looks like it's time to go back to work."
        I shall accompany you..."
 

        A short while later, they met Lili and Liam in the control room, where, aware of all the eyes watching them, Boone suggested that they move to Doors' office. Once there, Lili quickly filled them in on the events which had occurred at the embassy.
        "I fear for Eh'har's life," Da'an said softly, as Lili wrapped up her account. "For Zo'or to turn upon his sibling... even I did not not foresee him capable of this..."
        Boone, who was seated behind Doors' desk, rubbed his face and leaned back. "I don't believe that there's anything we can do for Eh'har at this point," he admitted. "Unless you have a suggestion?" he asked the renegade.
        "There is nothing we may do," Da'an responded. "I feel certain that Eh'har will join the void before the Synod can question him. It is in his nature to protect those he cares for. I ask only that he be remembered for his sacrifice."
        For a time they all sat in silence, but then Boone checked his watch.
        "We need to go out. It's about time for the meeting," he announced, rising and shepherding everyone for the door..
        Lili caught him as he was about to pass her.
        "Will..."
        Sensing that she was having trouble telling him something, he moved closer. "Go on..." he urged her.
        She took a deep breath. "I ran into Elyse Chapell this afternoon..."
        Boone looked as though he had been slapped.
        "Somehow she knows you're still alive," she continued. "She wanted to meet with me later today. Do you think I should..."
        "You'd better find out what she knows," he answered, having apparently recovered from the shock.
        As he moved off toward the conference table, Lili saw Da'an standing off to the side watching her.
        It was apparent that the Taelon had heard their exchange.

        "We are already cognizant of the severity of the incident which has cost Eh'har his chair," Gho'an said, cutting off Zo'or's explanation. "Protocol was breached when you relieved him of his position before first consulting with us."
        "In truth, many of us have been concerned by this incident," another Synod member added. "You would do well to remember that we may elect a new Synod leader should our present one prove ineffective. Gho'an himself is a likely candidate now that Da'an has fled us."
        Zo'or worked hard to retain his composure as Gho'an turned a predatory look upon him. He could feel the Synod member's ambition. He quickly swallowed his pride. "I am humbled by this correction," he said with his head bowed. "I shall take care not to overstep my authority in the future."
        "That is most wise," Kha'rha responded. After a brief pause, he changed the subject. "We have looked into your thoughts and we agree that Eh'har is most certainly responsible for the failure of your latest efforts to destroy Jonathan Doors' organized Liberation movement. He shall remain in our care that we may question him fully. The Synod as a WHOLE shall then decide his fate..."
        "Let us now commune that we might choose a suitable replacement as our Pacific Companion," Gho'an said.
        A heated mental debate quickly ensued, with two clearly defined factions emerging to argue for their own particular candidate. For long moments, neither made headway, but then Kha'rha suggested a third party - a particular Taelon who was new to their group and, as yet, unclaimed by either faction..."
        "Very well," Zo'or spoke. "We are now in agreement. "Dro'vha shall be our new Pacific Companion, effective immediately. I shall return to the main chamber and make the formal announcement..."
        The business at hand concluded, he left the room.
 

        Not ten minutes later, two human implants sent to escort Eh'har from his chamber to the Synod meeting room, watched in startled disbelief as Eh'har's essence escaped to the void mere seconds after they entered his presence.
 

        Siobhan eventually found Sandoval in his chamber, packing his things. She watched from the open doorway for a moment before slowly entering. "Ye'll be going then?"
        He zipped up a garment bag that looked about to burst with the number of suits it contained and then straightened up and met her eyes. "I think we both know that I should, especially in light of the knowledge that I once again have complete control of myself. So long as I'm there, Zo'or is going to give me his dirty work, which gives us a chance to minimize the damage..."
        "Will you hook up with your old comrades?"
        "Who? The FBI?" He waved that idea away with a hand. " Are you kidding? The Taelons OWN them!" Turning, he moved back to the bed and began shoving the rest of his things in a suitcase.
        "Sandoval... Ronald... I want you to know right now that I have no overwhelming desire to destroy the Liberation. When I told you that I suspected Lili marquette, it was because I had been given a specific job to do for Zo'or..."
        Sandoval looked confused. "I've wondered about that. You tell me that you've had free will almost from the beginning. Why would you have gone to such trouble to expose the LIberation?"
        "At the time, I thought that Kha'rha was a typical Taelon - that he agreed with his people's policies, even if he did care for me." She lowered her eyes, apparently ashamed of herself. "I would have done anything to advance his standing with the Synod and make him proud of me..."
        "Even if it meant destroying the Liberation..." Sandoval continued folding and packing his things, his back still to her as he tried to remain nonjudgmental. "I'm the last person in all the world to judge you," he whispered. "Anyway, I know how it is to care for a Companion... how desperately you wish to please them..."
        She silently moved forward to stand directly behind him and embracing him, leaned her head against his shoulder blade. "Will you be OK?" she whispered.
        He covered her hands, where they met at his waist, with his own. "Aren't I always?" he asked sadly.
        She turned him to face her and moved her arms up to encircle his neck. "If you need to talk to someone who understands..."
        "I promise that you'll be that someone..." Leaning forward, he kissed her tenderly. "I promise that I'll look out for Liam, too," he whispered, as the kiss ended. "I look forward to getting to know him..."
        "Then... you know?"
        "Yes. Zo'or told me his suspicions about Hag'el and you. Somehow I knew he was right - that Hag'el wore my form when he seduced you..."
        It was almost too much for her. Tears began to slip from her eyes as she struggled for composure.
        "Hey... Hey...." Sandoval chided softly. "It's all right. I understand how difficult it must have been for you."
        "No, that's not it..." she sniffed. "I just wish that you and I... but..."
        "I understand about that, too," he replied. "I know how you feel about your Companion. I once cared deeply for mine as well..." He swallowed hard and shook his head. "I just can't force you to choose and I can't become a part of what you both already have. I hope you understand..."
        She nodded, sniffed again and slowly moved away from him. "Come on then, I'll help you carry your things to the shuttle. We wouldn't want all these suits throwing your back out..."
        With a small smile, he snorted and reached for the rest of his things.

        Lili knocked loudly on the door to Elyse Chapel's apartment before stepping back a pace and listening carefully. When she didn't hear any approaching footsteps on the other side, she turned and made as if to walk away...
        ... And heard the lock being released.
        She suppressed a smirk. She had known that the spy had snuck to the peephole and was observing her... Turning, she faced the woman as the door swung open.
        "Captain," Elyse greeted her. "Please come in."
        Lili moved past her and waited two beats after the door was locked. "Ok, What is it that you needed to say, because you know, my time isn't exactly my own..."
        Elyse gave her a measuring look. "It must be difficult juggling both the Companions and the Liberation. I am still amazed that William was able to do so for so long - and so well..."
        "You've obviously been smoking some seriously strange stuff..." Lili said, indignantly. Inside she was one huge knot. How had Elyse learned the truth and could she get out of this without killing her? Or... was she now being tested?"
        "Relax, Captain. I no longer work for the Companions. I meant it when I told William that he was my third assignment and my last..."
        "Surely, you don't expect me to trust anything you might say! What is it that you want?"
        Elyse walked to the window and gazed out at the darkening sky. Already, Washington was lighting up as the street lights began to glow and the cars switched on their headlights. "After I left Washington, I managed to hook up with a Liberation wing in New York. It took a while, but I finally convinced them that I had a lot to offer them in the way of information. My anger at what I had been... cajoled into doing helped them to trust me." She turned around to face Lili again. "I was stunned to discover that you and William were two of the organization's top operatives. You have no idea how badly I wanted to contact him - to tell him that I had made good on my promise... but, I knew it would take time before my loyalties were no longer doubted..."
        "Then I heard that he had been killed..."
        "And now that the word went out that he's still alive, you come crawling out of the woodwork in the hopes of seeing him again," Lili spat.
        "All I want, is for you to look up my records with the NYC wing. Show him. Tell him that if he tells me to never contact him again, that I won't, but he HAS to tell me in person... I think that I at least deserve a chance to try to put things right between us..."
        "Elyse... He already has a love..." Lili broke the news in the hopes of discouraging her.
        The woman looked flustered for all of three seconds. "I don't care! He and I still have not resolved our relationship!"
        "What relationship?" Lili sneered at her. "You used him, he figured out what was going on and walked away. End of story!"
        "That is not your decision to make," Elyse snapped. "You know that you're obligated to carry my message to him." She walked to the door and opening it, indicated that Lili should leave. "Tell him that I'll be waiting..."
        Angry at the woman's stubborn refusal to bow out semi-gracefully, Lili marched out and was nearly hit in the rear by the door when Elyse slammed it.
 

         Boone exited Da'an's room to find Lili waiting out in the corridor for him.
        "How is she?" the Marine asked.
        "She'll be all right... in time," he sighed. "You know, Eh'har was Da'an's last close childhood friend. Following right on the heels of Quo'on's death, this has just been very hard for her to accept."
        Lili sighed. "She must truly feel isolated now..."
        Boone steered her in the direction of the control room. "What happened with Elyse?"
        "She said to tell you that she kept her word. She broke it off with the Companions and moved to New York City, where she joined the local Liberation branch. I've already checked up on it - she's telling the truth. As soon as she got our announcement that you were still alive, she started looking for me."
        "And she just happened to run into you in a Chinese restaurant?"
        Lili shrugged. "I hate to say this, but stranger things have happened..."
        Boone snorted. "What else?"
        "She says that you owe her the chance to resolve what happened between the two of you. If you don't want her to ever contact you again, show up at her apartment and tell her so to her face."
        Grabbing his headset of a nearby console, Boone put it on. Elyse was right - he did owe her some sort of closure... Still, he found the idea of seeing her again terrifying. He still retained all of the altered memories of their fictional life together and he'd just as soon let them fade away...
        "I'll have to think about it," he told Lili. "Thanks for going. I owe you."
        "Don't you always?" she smirked at him, just before turning to walk away. "I'm going home. See you tomorrow."
        Boone watched her go and then headed in Augur's direction.
 

         Liam reluctantly left Da'an's room a few minutes later to find that Boone was returning up the corridor in his direction. They both froze in place for a moment and stared at each other. Then Liam slowly moved forward to greet Boone.
        "I was just checking up on her," he explained. "You know that I can't help but worry..."
        Boone nodded. "That's understandable. Look... I never got the chance to tell you, but thanks for watching out for her while I was... indisposed."
        With a nod, Liam smiled and moved back towards the control room, relieved that things were apparently going to remain amicable between him and the ex police chief.
        He would be crashing at Augur's place tonight, but tomorrow Lili had promised to help him find an apartment. Now that he was a Companion protector, the Taelons were paying for his upkeep.
        He found it amusing that they were paying him to work for the Liberation and decided that he and Boone would probably have a great deal in common before this was all over.
        He promised himself to chat with him about it sometime soon.

        The following morning was crisp and overcast. The majority of the trees were now devoid of their leaves and a fine frost coated both the grass and the window panes. As nine thirty approached, the sun's rays finally began to bring some warmth to the earth, banishing the frost, but a cold breeze kicked up and shoed no sign of stopping anytime soon.
        Winter had definitely arrived in Washington.
        "What'll you have?" the waitress asked the good looking couple at table four, completely oblivious to the illusion which cloaked them.
        "I'll have two eggs, over easy, a side of bacon and the hash browns," Boone replied. "...And coffee. Lots of coffee."
        "And what will you have today?" the waitress asked the woman next to him.
        "A poached egg and some water please."
        Boone stared at her in amazement.
        "Do you want the egg on toast or on a muffin?" Their waitress asked.
        Da'an merely stared at Boone, who replied for her. "She'll have that on toast."
        "OK. I'll be right back with the coffee."
        Boone waited until she was gone before addressing his friend. "You handled that very well," he drawled.
        Da'an shrugged. She once again had taken on the appearance she had once used to break him out of a Taelon trap. With her pale skin, long, dark brown hair and green eyes, she made a very attractive woman and Boone found it more and more difficult to believe that it was nothing more than an illusion, despite the fact that his own reflection in the restaurant window was false. He stared at himself for a moment, still surprised every time he saw his new image. He was his usual height, but his features were less rugged, a bit more subtle and his hair was a nondescript medium brown. Strangely, his eyes looked very blue against a darker complexion than his own natural one.
        A moment later, the waitress returned with a carafe of coffee and a glass of water. Boone was in the middle of adding sugar to his cup, when he saw Da'an slowly lift her glass and sip from it.
        He froze in shock.
        "Can you do that?!" he asked, after she had set the glass back down.
        "It would appear so." Da'an stared at him. "I have recently been feeling strangely and had begun to wonder if perhaps I was thirsty..." She leaned closer and lower her voice even more. "Since my regression, I have been experiencing many strange sensations, but it was not until this morning, when I was unable to simply phase into my suit, that I realized what was occurring... I believe that I am comprised of far more matter than I previously was..."
        "Are you going to be all right?" he asked, instantly alarmed.
        She nodded. "I do not believe that I will undergo any further change. I feel that my form somehow stabilized itself this morning."
        "...But now that this has happened, you need to meet some basic matter-based requirements..."
        "Yes. I think so."
        "You're going to try to eat that egg, aren't you?"
        "I believe so."
        Boone added milk to his coffee and downed the first cup quickly as he tried to come to terms with this new development.
 
 

 
        "What are you doing here?' Zo'or asked as he exited his shuttle in the shuttle bay.
        Sandoval bowed and greeted him with the proper hand gesture before speaking. "I was sent back to you by Kha'rha," he replied. "I fear that he found my presence too distracting to his relationship with Beckette."
        Zo'or frowned slightly as he headed toward his audience chamber with Sandoval falling into step behind him.
        "I'll have you know that I have a new protector..."
        "May I ask who?"
        Zo'or stopped and spun to face him. Sandoval could tell that he was attempting to hide his amusement.
        "None other that Liam Kincaid himself," Zo'or replied with a small smile.
        Sandoval did his best to appear upset. "What do you plan to do with me then?" he asked.
        "You are still my Attaché. Captain Marquette will therefore resume her role as your assistant. Is this acceptable to you?"
        He bowed again. "Of course."
        With a regal nod, Zo'or continued toward the audience chamber, where he quickly assumed his chair and contacted both Liam and Lili. Once they had been ordered to return to their duties, he turned his attention back to his acting attaché.
        "What were you able to learn from Beckette?" he asked.
        "Very little, but I suspect that you are correct in your assumption that Hag'el wore my form when he approached her. She would have shot anyone else to have done so."
        Zo'or nodded. "It pleases me to have both you and your offspring as my protectors. I expect you to guide him in the learning of his responsibilities."
        "Of course."
        "Now, before the others return, I have a new assignment for you." Zo'or leaned forward. "I want you to keep a close watch on Captain Marquette."
        "Captain Marquette?"
        "Yes. She has the habit of disappearing at odd hours. I wish to know what it is that she is doing. Is she, for example, hiding Joshua Doors?"
        "I doubt that the Captain would jeopardize her position by doing something so foolish."
        "Yet, she and he were dating..."
        "But it was nothing serious. I trust her completely and I feel certain that this will prove to be nothing."
        Zo'or's eyes narrowed. "My hope is that you are proved correct. Now that my own brother has betrayed us, I fear that suspicion must now be the order of the day..."
 

 
         A short time later, Lili led the way into the audience chamber and stopped in surprise when she saw Sandoval standing next to Zo'or's chair. A quick glance to the right showed that Liam was wearing a hopeful expression.
        They didn't have time to ask questions.
        Zo'or spoke immediately. "Liam, please accompany Agent Sandoval. He will help you to settle in to your new position. Captain Marquette remain."
        After the other two had left, Zo'or stepped down from his chair and beckoned her to follow him to the window.
        "Dro'vha has requested you as his new attaché," he announced, drawing a sudden, surprised look from her. "What are your feelings on this?"
        Lili had to force her mouth to work. "Er... I'm willing to do your bidding, either way," she stuttered.
        She was surprised by the sharp look Zo'or gave her. "If you wish to remain, I will send Liam instead," he replied, truly stunning her.
        Was Zo'or really becoming that attached to her? Obviously it wasn't her imagination that the Synod Leader had been acting way too friendly with her of late. That he would actually allow a different Companion to have Liam in order to keep her...
        Just then, the Synod leader placed a hand on her shoulder, which caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end. He was watching her carefully.
        So it finally came down to this... The Liberation could only have one spy watching the Synod leader. Which of them would prove most effective? If Boone's plan to return Nivian went ahead, then it her presence would only complicate matters. The answer was clear - she would have to go. She dreaded having to leave Washington, but at least Dro'vha was friendly. Once she got away from Zo'or, hopefully her current nightmares would cease...
        "I look forward to serving our new Pacific Companion," she answered firmly.
        Zo'or stepped back as though he had been slapped and quickly withdrew his hand. "Very well," he responded, coldly. "I shall inform Dro'vha that you shall arrive tomorrow morning. You may use the time to get your things together. I'm sure that Agent Sandoval will be pleased to transfer your apartment to Liam Kincaid."
        With a quick bow, Lili left the chamber, headed back towards her office.
        She missed the regretful look which briefly crossed Zo'or's features before his usual cold expression returned.

        Boone handed the shopping bags to one of the guards. "Help Da'an carry these to her quarters," he ordered before turning and searching for Augur with his eyes. He finally spotted him sitting in Doors' office and with a quick nod at Da'an, headed for the cyber-wizard.
        "What have you got?" he asked as soon as the door closed behind him.
        "Was there ever any doubt?" Augur snorted. "Everyone was given the chance to vote and over ninety percent back up your plan."
        "Any interesting comments?"
        "Believe it or not, most people mentioned that Da'an's presence was a positive thing."
        Boone grinned. "Anything else?"
        "Yeah. Several express concern that she's influencing you too much."
        The smile instantly disappeared. "I guess I expected that. We'll just have to let time prove them wrong."
        Augur's global beeped. "Yeah... Lili..." The wizard was clearly surprised that the call was from her.
        "Where's Boone?"
        Boone took the global from Augur. "What's wrong?"
        "I've been transferred! Dro'vha requested me as his new attaché!"
        "When?"
        "I have to leave tomorrow morning. Oh! You ought to know that Sandoval's back."
        "OK. Do what you need to do to get ready and then get down here." He cut the transmission. There was little else that he could say...
        Augur looked positively stunned.
        "Sorry Augur," he said, laying a hand on the programmer's shoulder. "It's one of the hazards of the job..."
        Slamming his console shut, Augur picked it up and took off.
 

        Zo'or waited until his attaché had gone and covered his face with his hands. Boone was alive... and in control of Nivian! Worse yet, he was ordered not to barter for her return...
        There had to be a way to ensure her return...

 
        "I am still uncomfortable with the idea of you confronting Zo'or," Da'an whispered to Boone as people moved about them in the control room.
        "You did say that you didn't think the Synod would allow anything to happen to me..."
        "Yes, but I did not expect you to actually agree to meet with Zo'or. You kept this from me."
        Boone's gaze softened. "I'm sorry. It just suddenly seemed like a good way in which to keep you connected with the Synod. Forgive me?"
        Da'an's own expression softened. "Always..."
        "We'll talk more of this later," Boone promised, before heading off to see to some other situation which required his attention.
        Once he had gone, Da'an moved slowly through the gathered resistance members searching for one in particular. She found her in Doors' office with Augur.
        The electronic genius looked extremely unhappy and Da'an instantly surmised that it had to do with the Captain's impending move to Hawaii. He decided not to disturb them and was backing up when Lili spotted him.
        "Da'an! Is there something you need?"
        "Might I have a moment of your time, Captain?" she asked, after a moment's hesitation.
        Lili stood up and patted Augur on the back as she approached. "Of course..."
        Together they moved off toward on of the isolation labs and it wasn't until the door had closed behind them that Da'an spoke.
        "I am aware of your recent visit with Elyse Chapel," she admitted. "Before you leave us I was hopeful that... you might take me to her."
        "What? Does Boone know about this?" Lili stared at her, clearly both surprised and disturbed by the request.
        "He does not, however, he is already dealing with too many situations at one time. I am more than capable of dealing with Ms. Chapel so that he does not need to."
        Lili just stared at her, unsure of the wisdom of complying with such a request.
        "Lili..." Da'an tried again. "...please..."
        The pilot held up her hand, cutting off what Da'an had been about to say.
        "I'm leaving tomorrow, so it's not as if Boone could easily hang me out to dry... If you're ready, let's go!"
 
 
 

 

        With a loud gasp, Da'an shoved the woman away from him and collapsed to his knees, clutching the nearby chair as though it were an anchor.
        "What have I done?" he asked in a broken tone.
        Elyse angrily swiped at the tears which ran freely down her face. The wounds she bore as a consequence of her betrayal of William Boone had opened and were bleeding freely.
        "You used and discarded me," she sobbed. "and your use of me destroyed my life and a part of William's as well..."
        Da'an rose to his feet and looked right at her, stunning Elyse with the jealousy visible in his eyes. "And now you think to repair the damage... to ultimately pair up with him," he stated.
        She stared at him, speechless.
        "Know this; William Boone is my bonded one now," he announced. "You have no place in his life."
        Her control snapped. "You think that you can just waltz in here, steal my memories from me and then warn me off him? You're the one who brought us together! You took away his dignity, you altered his memories - the very basis of his life. It is you who have no place in his life! You don't deserve him!" she hissed angrily.
        Da'an's eyes were cold as ice. "You will leave this area," the Taelon commanded. "You shall not contact him - ever." He moved towards the door, but then stopped and looked back at her, revealing that he had already conquered his anger. In a softer, gentler tone, he spoke. "I am sorry for what you and he endured. There is no excuse but that I was ignorant of such things then.. Still... I cannot undo what has already occurred. It would be best for all of us if you heeded my request." Without another word, he left the apartment.
        Elyse stared after him in shock and then collapsed to the floor herself as the tears came heavily again.
        Would she ever finish paying penance for her service to the Companions?
 

        "He's on his way down." The sentry's voice spoke in Boone's ear.
        "Thanks Harry," he answered into the mic before removing his head set and heading for the control room.
        The doors opened only seconds after his arrival and Lili stepped out first. The look she shot him seemed to warn that something wasn't quite right. Behind her, Da'an stepped into the room.
        "Da'an. I was getting worried," he said. He was spared a quick, pained glance before she looked away again.
        "All is well," she answered, as she made her way past him and headed for her chamber.
        He fell into step behind her. "What? What is it?" he asked, unknowingly echoing the words he had spoken to another so many months ago.
        The Taelon reacted as though his words had been a physical assault, stopping in her tracks and cringing as a deep blush revealed her true form.
        "I require time in which to meditate and rest," she responded once she had regained some control. Still she refused to meet his eyes.
        He briefly thought of pursuing her, but a hand on his arm prevented him from following as she moved off down the corridor. Turning, he saw that it was Lili.
        "Leave him to himself, Will," she advised.
        "Are you going to tell me what's happened?"
        She sighed. "I promised that I wouldn't." At his sour look, she added, "If you hadn't insisted on tuning down your link with him, you'd know what happened. In fact, none of this would probably BE happening..."
        "Her," he said.
        "Pardon?"
        "HER. Da'an's a HER now. Since the regression she's had female form."
        Lili's eyes widened. "Ah... Now this is all starting to make sense..."
        "What? What's starting to make sense?" Boone felt himself beginning to lose his temper.
        She patted him on the back. "I'm almost beginning to feel sorry for you. Playing the dating game is hard enough under the best of circumstances, but when you're playing with someone who doesn't know the rules..."
        Before he could speak, she was half way down the corridor.
        Giving her retreating back a dirty look, he turned in the direction of Da'an's room and then stopped. With a sigh, he headed back towards the control room. Even Taelons were entitled to some privacy...

 
        As soon as the doors closed behind her, Da'an turned and leaned her forehead against their cold, metallic surface. Her confrontation of Elyse Chapel had been necessary, however, her sharing with her had certainly turned out to have been an ill conceived act.
        Even now, all she could think about was the memory of Boone's hands upon her body...
        ...but it had not been her body... it had been Elyse's...
        Moving away from the door, she headed for the large chair and curled up in it. Her eyes closed as she was again overcome by her new memories.
        Boone's touch. The things he had done to her! The way he had expressed his love for her...
        NO! Not for her! For Elyse...
        Da'an covered her face with her hands. Humans... they lived with this distress. How? How could she look at Boone, talk to him, work with him... without wanting...
        This then was desire?
        What sweet madness it was!
 

        By nineteen hundred hours, Boone was beside himself with worry. Da'an still had not emerged from her room and it was very unlike the Taelon to remain holed up, regardless of the severity of a situation. She had done so only twice before - when she had been in a deep emotional conflict over his death and later, when she had been protecting his resurrected infant form.
        Boone paced the hallway outside her door and briefly contemplated entering, but after a few minutes he turned and entering his own room instead, beeped Lili via her global.
        He didn't waste any words. "This has gone on long enough," he rapped out as soon as she appeared on the screen. "Tell me where she went. NOW."
        "He... Sorry - She went to visit Elyse Chapell," Lili mumbled.
        "What?! Why?"
        "To warn her to stay away from you."
        "OK. So what is it that I'm missing about this situation?" he asked, still puzzled by his friend's behavior.
        "Boone... Da'an shared with Elyse."
        It took a few minutes for all the ramifications of to sink in. "How much did they share?" he finally asked fearfully, as he collapsed heavily onto the edge of his bed.
        "I think you've already figured that out," Lili replied drily. "I suspect that her perspective of you has undergone a drastic change, which is why..."
        "...she's not coming out of her room," he breathed, still dazed.
        Lili nodded. "I don't think I need to tell you that it would be best if you two had a little discussion about this... Just go easy on her, OK?" She cut the transmission.
        Boone slowly closed his global and ran a hand tiredly over his face.
        Then he rose and headed for the door.
        He opened it to find Da'an standing without, an uneasy look upon her face. "William... May I enter?"
        Without a word, he stepped aside and motioned her in. "Da'an, I know that you went to..." he began as the door closed.
        "I know that you are aware of my visit to Elyse Chapel," Da'an interrupted. "It is time that we discussed this aspect of our relationship."
        Boone moved closer. "What is it that you want to know?" he asked, as he felt his heart rate climb.
        She spread her arms to the sides. "Can you not accept me as I am?  Can we not resume our close mental connection? ...Will you continue to hold me apart from you simply because of my species?"
        "No." He moved forward and pulled her against him. "Nooo," he murmured softly. "That's never been my wish." He leaned down and gently nibbled her neck just behind and below the ear before moving to rub his cheek against hers. "You must know that's not the case..." He pulled back enough to look her in the eye. "Things are simply complicated for us. We cannot afford to rush into this..."
        She frowned. "I do not believe things to be as complicated as you make them out to be..." Reaching out, she grasped his face  and pulled him to her for a kiss.
        And what a kiss it was!
        Boone felt the familiar, yet indescribably pleasurable tingle as their lips met and immediately began to lose control. Not a day had gone by since she had moved into her own room that he hadn't thought of going to her and doing just this...
        The kiss intensified and when he was next aware of his surroundings, the two of them had somehow ended up sprawled on the bed. He was leaning over her, his lips at the base of her throat. Hardly daring to believe what he was doing, Boone pulled back and stared at her, amazed once again by the almost electrifying sensation which ran through him whenever their flesh made such contact.
        He couldn't help but smile at the way Da'an was staring back at him with a look of wonder upon her face.
        "I think that I could really get used to this..." he murmured as he brought a hand up to stroke the Taelon's head.
        <"Boone..."> Reaching up, Da'an's delicate hands gently covered the sides of his face and pulled him back down so that she could nibble on his ear!
        He closed his eyes and savored the attention she turned on him for a few moments before pinning her beneath him and reclaiming her lips. Their kissing quickly escalated, becoming demanding and more intimate. As he tentatively probed at her mouth with his tongue, he felt Da'an mentally urging him to continue!
        Pulling her closer, he continued his exploration, his hands seeking out her cooler, alien flesh as their love play made him dizzy with the pleasure he was generating in both of them.
        Da'an held him close, her arms far stronger than he ever would have thought. She seemed intent upon preventing his escape ...
        She really did want him! He could easily pick up her feelings as their bond reasserted itself with a vengeance
        As she mentally encouraged him, slipping her cool, soothing hands under his shirt, he frantically began to search for a way to remove her jumpsuit.
        Everywhere those hands touched him, a delicious sensation erupted along his nerve endings. Da'an was quickly driving him over the edge... but, as she moved to help him open her jumpsuit...
        ...he suddenly froze!
        Dimly, he realized that things had begun to go way too far. He wasn't ready for this yet - and neither was Da'an.
        The Taelon had once looked upon sex as enigmatic, finding it incomprehensible that two beings could so enjoy such strange meetings of the flesh. Now, through her recent sharing with Elyse, she had gained an much deeper understanding of the world of a two-sexed race. She knew what it was to desire someone... but, was that enough? They were fully bonded, and that bond called out to both of them, insisting that they join in every sense of the word, but... did that make this right?
        <"This then is the problem..."> Da'an thought as she felt Boone struggling to push himself away.
        With a gasp, he managed to extricate himself. Rolling onto his back, he lay there shaking with reaction and fighting to catch his breath, afraid to look at the disappointed being who shared his bed.
        Da'an rolled towards him and braced herself over him with her arms. "William."
        He had no choice then but to look at her.
        "You fear changing me in some way, however, I am already far removed from what I was when first we met." Leaning closer, she laid her head upon Boone's chest and embraced him. "It is not I, who am unready for this event, but yourself... You fear...that I will change - that you will change...and most of all, you fear what the others will think of us."
        Boone's breath seemed to catch in this throat. The truth of his friend's words made his face burn with shame.
        <"Boone."> The voice in his head was sad, confused. <"All will be well. Why can we not...">
        He quickly moved away and swiveling around, sat up on the edge of the bed. He turned to look at the Companion then, angry with himself for having brought them to this. He couldn't bear to hear the longing in Da'an's mental plea or to feel the sting of rejection she was now experiencing.
        Da'an's eyes were glowing softly, but they appeared sad.
        "You're right," he said softly, as he once again clamped down on his thoughts, cutting himself off from her. "It's me. I... I'm not sure... Not yet... I'm sorry." He fell silent as the companion closed her eyes and seemed to wilt.
        "I truly do not... understand... this," Da'an answered in a barely audible whisper, as she completely lost control of her form.
        Boone's heart lurched painfully as she rose from the bed and slowly left his room.