"Erin, what can I do for you?" Liam asked 45 seconds later, approaching the tall, purple gates cordoning off the opening in the wall surrounded the Embassy and its Gardens.
"I didn't mean to cause such a commotion, but could I talk to you?" Erin apologized. "You're the only person I know that can tell me what I need."
"Er, I was about to head out to lunch in a few minutes. Would you care to join me?" Liam offered, sensing that the woman was here to talk about his father and was reluctant to do so in front of the Embassy staff.
Erin gave him a grateful smile, nodding. "I'd like that. Thank you."
***
"So, what's on your mind?" Liam asked the clearly-anxious young woman sitting opposite him.
Erin was twisting her napkin and biting the inside of her lip, her pretty face a shade too pale as she looked down at the salad on her plate with an expression of mild nausea. "I was wondering how Ron - Agent Sandoval - was doing," she almost whispered. "I heard what happened on the news."
"He was in pretty bad shape but he'll be fine," Liam answered honestly.
There was no mistaking Erin's sigh of relief as her tense features relaxed into a smile. "I'm glad to hear that. He's a good Agent."
Liam watched as she took a long sip of her sparkling water, then decided to take a chance and just ask the question that had been on his mind since that night at the mansion. "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is your relationship to him?"
Erin hesitated a moment, staring into the depths of her drink, watching the clear bubbles fizz against the glass and each other. "Until yesterday, I was an employee of the Kobe Club," she confessed with a sigh.
"Oh," was all Liam could trust himself to say. It wasn't really that shocking that his father was sleeping with one of the woman that tended to him at that place, he just hadn't imagined Erin to be that woman. She looked so sweet, so innocent, virginal even.
I guess it's true what they say, it's always the person you least expect.
"I know, I don't exactly fit the profile of someone who would work in a place like that, and before you jump to conclusions, Ron is the only client I've ever slept with," Erin insisted. "I care about him and he's nice to me, nicer than most men are these days. Excluding you, of course."
Liam smiled modestly, glancing down briefly to his own lunch. "Thanks. So, er, does he love you?"
Erin sighed and averted her gaze again. "I don't know. He lies to so many others, why not lie to me to get what he wants? Lately, I can't help but wonder where this is all going. I mean, I know he cares about me, I make him happy, but unless this war ends soon I don't see much of a future for us.
"We can't exactly get married. He's an Implant, he's not supposed to be able to fall in love anymore... And to tell you the truth, I'm afraid of what he might do to me if I ever try to leave."
"You think he would harm you?" Liam asked, incredulous. His father had done many things, but physically harming the woman he loved was not something Liam had thought him capable of.
"Yes... I know too much," Erin whispered, her voice hoarse with sudden unshed tears.
All was silent for a long moment, as Liam observed the young woman. She looked as though she was about to either cry of throw up. He hated seeing her like that, clearly torn between her feelings for Sandoval and what she knew she had to do. "If you'll allow it, I'd like to help," he told her softly.
"How?"
"I know someone who can make to you disappear, give you a completely new identity."
"You mean just pack up and leave?"
"Yes."
Erin let out another sigh and leaned back in her chair, wrapping her jacket tighter around her, as if she were trying to cover something. "I don't know. Even if he doesn't love me, it would cause him pain if I just left like that. And besides, I have family and friends here, I can't abandon them in exchange for a life of loneliness."
"It will be harder on both of you if you stay. No one should be in a relationship in which they don't feel safe. You shouldn't be afraid of the person you love, Erin."
"You think I should go," Erin noted, sitting up again.
"Yes, I do... Look, Ron and I have never been friends, but I don't despise him quite to the extent that people think I do. I want to see him happy, as I'm sure you do. But I also want you to be happy. And safe. It'll hurt you both deeply but in time you'll learn to put your thoughts and memories of each other aside and get on with your lives," Liam assured her softly, gently placing his hand on top of hers.
As Erin slowly looked down at her lap, Liam could see the beginnings of tears shimmering in her deep-blue eyes, one hand absently drifting to her abdomen. She didn't seem to notice Liam's gaze flicker downwards, his brow burrowing with tiny wrinkles of curiosity.
"Not hungry?" Liam asked casually, withdrawing his hand to get started on his own salad.
"A little. It's just that whenever I go to eat something lately I fell like throwing up," Erin explained, realizing too late what Liam would probably make of that.
"Are you sick?"
"Nope, just a little pregnant."
Liam had to fight to keep himself from choking on the mouthful of Coke he'd just swallowed. "Er, that's great. Congratulations," he managed in-between coughs.
"Thanks."
"You don't seem too pleased," Liam noted softly.
"I'm not sure how I feel. I mean, I've never really thought about having a baby before. And I'm dreading telling Ron."
"He doesn't know?"
"No. I was planning on telling him at dinner last night, but he never showed up. And now, I'm not so sure that I should tell him. It would only make it harder to leave and if I stay, we'd only be a hindrance to him."
"Look, you don't have to make your decision right away. Take the rest of the day to think it over, sleep on it and call me in the morning. Okay?"
"Sure. Tomorrow..."
***
Flat Planet Caf�
Relaxing on the sofa, sipping a thick chocolate milkshake, Liam was grateful for the soundproof wall insulation that encased his apartment. The throbbing, booming music that the club tended to play was often too much to bear, especially when he just wanted to curl up with a good book and immerse himself in a fantasy world as far away from this one as he could get.
A reference to a new-born baby in one passage of the novel had instantly reminded him of the fact that in a little over eight months he would no longer be the only descendant of one Ronald P. Sandoval.
A smile curved Liam's lips at that thought. He rather liked the idea of being a big brother, even if he never got to see the child. But that thought in turn led to the guilt he was sure to feel for being the one to help take his father's child away from the man. Sandoval didn't deserve to be separated from yet another son, or daughter.
Sorry, Dad, but maybe the kid'll be better off not knowing you. No child should ever have to truly hate or fear their father. Believe me, I know how it feels.
The loud bleeping of his Global startled Liam from his thoughts. Reaching for the com-device, he set the book down and slid the Global open one-handed. He was surprised to see Erin's fatigued image appear on the small screen. "Erin. I didn't expect you to call until tomorrow."
"I know, and I'm sorry if I woke you but I've made my decision..."
***
The next morning the spring chill and overcast skies of the past few days were nowhere in sight, making way for a beautiful blue sky dotted with multiple clouds of various shapes and sizes and a golden warmth that shone through open windows and gently swaying tree branches.
Standing before the waiting room window, Erin stared down at a group of laughing, carefree children playing in the small park across the street.
"Ready?" Came a voice from behind.
She turned to see Liam standing in the doorway, a friendly smile on his face. "I suppose so," Erin replied uncertainly, following the Major out.
"You're doing the right thing, you know?"
"I know. I just wish I didn't feel so bad about it... Liam?"
"Yes?"
"I know it's taking a chance, but would it be all right if you and I kept in touch? You're the only person I can talk to know," Erin whispered, looking up at him.
Liam gave her another comforting smile, understanding crossing his features as he detected the watering of Erin's eyes. "Sure we can," he promised sincerely.
Erin smiled gratefully and slipped her arm into his. "Then let's get this over with before I burst into tears again."
Less than two minutes later, they reached their destination. Room 113.
"I'll wait out here."
Erin nodded mutely and quietly entered the darkened room.
***
Ron shifted painfully in the darkness, turning over onto his back as the door clicked open and someone stepped in, their features shrouded in darkness.
"I don't need another sponge bath at the moment, thank you," he sighed, slightly exasperated with the constant interruptions. If he didn't know the nurses hated him, he could swear that they were enjoying 'taking care' of him. Or maybe it's just because it's humiliating to be looked after, washed and escorted to the bathroom like a baby.
"Oh, but I bet you'd enjoy it," a pleasantly familiar voice retorted.
"Erin?" Even with his CVI-enhanced vision it was hard to make out the figure's face.
There was a soft clicking of heeled shoes tapping against the floor, then something warm, soft and invitingly moist brushed against his dry lips. The fragrance invading his nostrils and the feel of those lips left little doubt that it was indeed his young lover.
"Mmm," he murmured dreamily, as Erin pulled away from the kiss and sat down in front of him. "I thought I was dreaming."
"Nope, I'm really here," Erin confirmed. "I snuck in. But don't ask how and I won't tell."
"Deal. Although I suspect it has something to do with your feminine wiles and that outfit you're wearing," Ron commented, noting how beautiful she looked in red and black.
"Well, I thought I'd give you a little something to look at other than these gray, depressing walls."
Grinning, Ron raised Erin's hand to his mouth and softly kissed her palm. After 48 hours of being apart, he was beginning to get rather antsy about seeing her again. "I've missed you," he whispered.
"I've missed you too. How are you felling? The news said that you were stabbed in the chest." Using her free hand, she gently placed it over the purple patch on Ronald's pajama-covered chest and tenderly began to caress it with her long fingers, producing a slight tickling sensation on his sore skin.
"A little sore but it's nothing a few days of TLC won't cure," Ron quipped, his dark eyes twinkling mischievously. Extending his tongue, Sandoval slowly, sensuously began to circle the palm of Erin's hand with the tip.
Giggling, Erin tried to pull her hand away but Ron refused to have mercy on her and cease his teasing. The sensation was almost enough to make her forget why she was there. Almost. "As much as I'm... enjoying this, I really don't have much time... I'm supposed to meet my father for lunch in ten minutes," she explained regretfully, trying to get a grip on the feelings Ron's touch was bringing forth.
"Ten minutes is quite a long time," Ron mumbled suggestively, drawing one of Erin's fingers into his warm mouth.
"Not for you it isn't. Now please let go or I'll scream," she teased.
Ron reluctantly released the finger and set his lips into a pout, which earned a laugh from his love. It was a short-lived reaction, however. The young woman's expression turned serious, averting her gaze to the blanket covering his legs. "Is something wrong?" Ron questioned softly. He could see the glistening of tears in Erin's downcast eyes. "Oh, hey, it's all right. I'm fine now, there's nothing to worry about."
He slowly raised his hand to her chin and gently forced her to look him in the eye.
"I was worried, I didn't know what had happened to you," Erin explained in a hoarse whisper. "The closest I've ever come to feeling that way was when my dog run away when I was ten and I felt so helpless."
Ron graced her with a small smile and caressed her jaw with his thumb. "I wish I could tell you that that was the last time you'd feel that way, but chances are it won't be," he informed honestly. "My life will always be on the line for as long as this war rages on. And even when the last body has fallen, the Taelon sphere of influence over us finally shattered, I'll never be without enemies. "I'm not exactly Humanity's greatest hero or a beloved friend of the Resistance. I'm feared more than I'm loved and that'll never change... But at least I'll have you."
Erin forced herself to smile in affirmation, all the while fighting the flood of tears that she could feel forming in her stinging eyes. I wish that were true. But your words have only served to remind me of the emotional and physical danger that your child and I face if we stay.
They sat in silence for a good portion of the next ten minutes, Sandoval drinking in the exquisite beauty before him, tenderly running the tips of his dark fingers over the fair skin of Erin's hand and face.
"I should go," Erin announced finally, getting to her feet. She leaned down and pressed her lips to his for one last, long, perfect kiss. "I love you," she whispered, resting her forehead against his.
"And I love you," Ronald whispered back.
Straightening to her fall height, Erin allowed herself one last look at the man she loved, before turning quickly away and leaving the room as silently as she had entered.
Ron stared after her for a long moment, an all-too-familiar ache burning inside his chest. But he could tell that it had nothing to do with the throbbing wound in his chest this time. As Erin had looked down upon him with barely restrained tears, a terrible feeling had washed over his entire being.
There was so much sadness in her eyes, a lingering behind that kiss. It was as if she knew that it would be their last...
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