Bethesda Naval Hospital
Sitting in the darkness of his lover's room, watching over her peaceful sleep, Ronald Sandoval allowed himself to relax and bask in the feelings of serenity that Erin always seemed to bring him, even when the young woman wasn't awake to see the affect she had on him.
From experience, Ron knew that she rarely awoke during the night, even with the occasional movements from the baby, but he wanted to be by her side every moment he possibly could. He couldn't risk someone harming her or their baby, not again. The Taelons had been made aware of the situation at the day-care center, but Zo'or had deemed it unworthy of Companion Security's attentions, instead assigning the case to the Volunteer Investigations Unit.
In less than 24 hours, Detective Sam Nepps had once again proven his worth as a highly-praised VIU agent, locating the woman responsible for the shooting. Unfortunately, she had committed suicide shortly after the incident, leaving behind a note of apology and an explanation as to why she did it. Case closed. But nonetheless, Ronald didn't want to take any chances with Erin's safety. And so he had persuaded Nepps, a former colleague from their days together at the Bureau, to assign plain-clothed VIU agents as guards at the hospital until Erin's release.
After almost four hours sitting in a padded yet terribly uncomfortable armchair, doing nothing but stare at Erin or the light rain drops hitting the window outside, boredom soon began to set in. Replaying memories and "reading" books in his mind thanks to his CVI usually helped, and now, with Erin in his life, he had an abundance of joyous events to remember.
With a smile, he allowed the implant to take him back to earlier that evening, just after he'd returned with Erin's requested snack...
"Aren't you supposed to eat the dessert last?" Ron reminded the young woman rapidly going through a slice of cheesecake.
"Tell that to your son. He's the one making me crave all this junk food," Erin answered defensively. "I didn't even LIKE cheesecake before. I just hope I can get my figure back after this is all over... You'd still love me if I were fat, though, right?"
"Of course I would," Sandoval assured without a moment's hesitation, leaning forward to kiss away the insecurity from his young love's expression. Sitting back after a moment, he watched as a pleased smile brightened Erin's still-pale features.
"Want a bite?" Erin asked, extending a sample of the white, chocolate-streaked dessert out toward him on the plastic fork.
Ron shook his head slightly. "No, thank you," he declined. "Too sweet."
"Well then how about something else? There's plenty here for the four of us."
"Four?"
"You, me, Junior and Raven," Erin elaborated. "Knowing you, you haven't eaten since lunch, and from the way Raven keeps pulsing, I'd say he's hungry."
"Well maybe he just likes you," Ron quipped with a smile.
"Maybe, but I bet he's still hungry. Now shut up and eat something, or I get to chose the baby's name, regardless of who it reminds you of."
"I see day-care work has had a positive effect on you," Ron observed wryly, reaching over for one of the chicken salad sandwiches. Removing the protective wrapping, he obediently bit into the soft bread and began to chew.
"Good boy," Erin encouraged...
The memory intrusion ended there, leaving Sandoval with a fond smile on his lips and the faint scent of chocolate in the air.
"What're you smiling at?" Erin murmured.
Ronald looked up to see the young woman peering at him through half-open eyelids. "Nothing. I was just thinking," he answered quietly. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"
Smiling faintly, Erin rubbed a hand over her stomach and shifted her position slightly, wincing at a brief twinge of pain it brought to her lower back. "The baby's kicking too hard. My back aches. My boobs even ache," she complained.
Ronald couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey, it's not funny. You wouldn't be so amused if YOU were the one carrying another person inside of you, with oversized breasts that leak!"
Ron stifled his grin and took Erin's hand tenderly in his. "Sorry," he apologized genuinely, raising the smaller hand to his mouth for a gentle, brief kiss. "How about a nice, relaxing massage?"
"Um, that would be nice, but I don't think your kind of massages are appropriate for a hospital. Even if we are alone."
"Well, I'm sure I could make it less..." he trailed off, searching for the right word.
"Tantric?" Erin ventured, gracing him with her ever-enticing, mischievous smile.
"Yes," Ron confirmed, planting another kiss on Erin's soft-skinned, almost delicate, hand.
"I never should have taught you how to do that, you know."
"I don't recall you ever complaining about it before."
"Well, that's because you're so good at it. But I still don't think it's okay in here. I mean, someone might walk in and they'd ban you from visiting or something. I already get strange looks from some of the staff here as it is, being a Companion Protector's mistress and all."
Ron gave her another smile. "So, to massage or not to massage, that is the question," he pondered, with a slight suggestive waggle of his dark eyebrows.
Erin pressed a hand to her stomach as her laughter sent another pain through her side. "Stop making me laugh! It hurts!" she giggled.
"Well, I could kiss it better for you. But we ARE in a hospital."
That comment earned him another giggle as Erin allowed him to gently tickle her rounded abdomen with his fingertips.
"Okay, okay, that's enough! I'm tired, I really should get some more sleep while your son lets me have some peace," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes with the heel of her free hand.
"So no sensual massage tonight?" Ron asked, slightly disappointed.
"Maybe later. Sleep now," Erin murmured, her heavy eyelids drifting shut over her deep blue gaze.
Smiling softly, Ronald Sandoval leaned forward and placed one last, loving, goodnight kiss on his favorite lips. "Sleep well, my angel..."
***
Flat Planet Caf�, the next morning
Yawning, Liam Kincaid stepped out of the shower cubical and into the steam-saturated bathroom, running his long fingers through his dripping wet, wavy blond-tipped hair, and reached for the soft, blue cotton towel resting on the laundry basket. Grabbing a hold of the fabric, he wrapped the towel around his waist.
"Good morning, Major."
Startled by the unexpected, amused voice, Liam's body jerked, his fingers losing their grip on the edge of the towel, which slipped off of his narrow hips and fell to the floor.
"Well, isn't this a surprise," the young woman standing before him smirked, her bright green eyes admiring the view of Liam's naked form, before it was quickly covered once again by the towel.
"Who the hell are you? How'd you get in here?" Liam demanded to know of the strange woman standing in his doorway, as he hastily refastened the towel around his lower body.
"Mr. Urick sent me," the hologram explained. "He has some concerns that he believes you can help him with. If you're willing, of course. Which he believes you are."
"Concerns?" Liam asked warily. I am really starting to hate holograms.
"Yes, for his daughter, Erin, and her unborn child. The recent attempt on their lives has given Mr. Urick reason to believe that his daughter will be in further danger for as long as she is involved with Agent Sandoval."
Who isn't? "So, er, what does he want me to do about it?"
"Protect her," the holographic messenger answered simply.
"From whom? Or is Hubble just being paranoid? Politicians tend to be that way at times, and he's no exception."
"That may be so, but this time, his fears are not without merit. Sources say that Justin Kalen is out for vengeance against Agent Sandoval. "
"Kalen? The Director of Pan-Global Security? Wasn't he killed a few months ago?"
"So we were led to believe. But apparently, he had a portable ID Portal hidden in his vehicle and was able to use it to escape to safety before Agent Sandoval's bomb detonated."
Liam frowned thoughtfully, not the slightest bit surprised to discover that his father had been the one responsible for Kalen's alleged "death". "Why would a supporter, a member, of the ANA try to harm Hubble's daughter?" he asked.
"Simple. Mr. Kalen has a grudge against Agent Sandoval. He was forced to go underground because of the Agent. Very few members of the Alliance knew that he was still alive. And what better revenge than threatening the life of those your nemesis cares for? Not very original, I know, but somewhat effective, nonetheless."
"Well, as much as I'd like to help, I DO have an official job that I can't get out of unless I'm dying, dead or pregnant. And besides, Sandoval has got a team of undercover Volunteers and VIU agents on the hospital staff to watch over things."
"Mr. Urick is well aware of your 'official' responsibilities, as well as the presence of Sandoval's men, but he would still prefer that you looked in on Erin whenever you can. His concern for his only child is most certainly, and clearly, genuine, Major," the hologram stated.
"I know. He may not be the best father, but I can tell he's worried. Okay, tell him I'll do what I can, whenever I can," Liam agreed. "I care about Erin too and I don't want to see her get hurt."
The hologram gave him a smile, apparently pleased with his decision. "Good choice, Major. I'm sure Mr. Urick will be very grateful for your assistance in this matter. I think he likes you," she informed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"You're a pre-programed hologram, you don't think," Liam pointed out, ignoring the tiny beads of now-cool water that were dripping off his hair and sliding down his neck to land on his bare, well-toned chest.
"Well, I am interactive. Within certain limits, of course. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to be getting back. I have some filing to do."
"Don't let me keep you then. I don't usually like to get dressed in front of an audience, even the holographic kind."
"Shame. I'm sure a LOT of women, and possibly some males, would pay a great deal of money to watch that particular show," the hologram remarked with a lascivious smirk, her eyes trailing down Liam's half-naked form.
Liam rolled his eyes. "Did Hubble program you to be this irritating?"
"Actually, yes. It was Ms. Palmer's idea. She expressed your dislike of Mr. Urick's means of communicating with you."
Lowering his gaze to the floor, Liam sighed, "I guess I should've known she'd do something like that." When he raised his gaze back to the doorway, the hologram was gone.
***
Bethesda Naval Hospital, one week later
Ron Sandoval could almost feel his heart breaking at the multitude of emotions he saw written on his lover's youthful face. Disgust. Shock. Anger. Disbelief. Betrayal.
Erin hadn't said a word upon hearing what he'd done, but the cold, silently fuming stare that she was presently giving him said it all. His manipulation of the New Life babies was one revelation Erin just couldn't accept as easily as all the others.
After a long, agonizing moment, Erin finally lowered her gaze from his, instead choosing to focus on the swell of her stomach. "Why would you do something like that?" she asked, barely above a whisper. "Why not use someone else's DNA? Why yours? Did you volunteer? Or did you just do it behind Zo'or's back, like everything else?!"
"It was Zo'or's decision," Ron explained. "But I did see an opportunity."
"For what? To create more little Ronnie Sandovals to carry on your "unique" personality when you're dead and buried? Is that it? Is that why you knocked ME up?! Huh? Is it?!"
"Erin, you know that isn't true. I-"
"No, I don't know! There has to be some reason you wanted me to get pregnant! And I know it sure as hell isn't because you loved me. It's not like you were planning on settling down with me and a couple of kids when we first met. I wasn't anything more than a wh*re to you then, and I'm not so sure if I've become anything more since then."
Ronald reached out to touch the young woman's hand, but she instantly pulled it away from his grasp. "Erin, you were never a... wh*re. I cared about you very much, even more so now," he vowed earnestly. "You may not believe me, but I do love you. And it's not because of the way you look, or because of your age, it's because there are so many wonderful things about you that I adore.
"The New Life project started months before you and I ever met... And, yes, even though I knew it was probably a mistake, I did let you get pregnant. I'm not sure why. You're right, I wasn't planning on anything long-term between us. But I don't regret it happening. I'm glad I found you again and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. And if you want to leave, if you don't want me in your life or our son's, then I'll understand. I won't try to take him away from you or force you to stay with me."
Erin was silent again, this time her eyes filled with unshed tears, no hate or anger. Only love. "For a bad guy, you sure do know how to move me with the right kind of words, right when I need them," she murmured, smiling faintly.
Ronald returned the smile, relieved that she at least wasn't angry with him any more. "So, am I forgiven?" he ventured hopefully.
"No," Erin answered without hesitation. "Not yet anyway. I just need to think. You've been pretty busy these past few months since I was gone, and I need time to absorb everything."
"Okay. That's understandable."
"You did tell me everything, right? 'Cos I don't think I could handle anymore shocks right now. I might go into 'false labor' again, or whatever it is they call it these days. And if I do, they won't let you in anymore. Which could be a good thing, I guess," she added with a warmer smile.
"I get the hint. You're sick of me," Ron surmised, feigning a pout.
Erin laughed and raised her hand to his recently-shaven face. "Maybe just a little. But I'd miss you if you stayed away all the time," she told him softly, absently brushing her fingers across his cheek. "Besides, it's Liam's turn to watch me today. You've got Zo'or's tantrums awaiting you. "
Ron smiled back, lowering Erin's caressing hand in his lips. "I suppose I should be getting up to the Mothership," he agreed. "But I'll be back tonight after work."
"No you won't be. You've been sleeping in that chair, sneaking home every morning to get changed, for a week. I told you before, you don't need to watch over me or keep me company every minute of your spare time. You need a proper night's sleep, in a BED. Call me tonight, and come see me again for breakfast tomorrow. Got it?"
Ron nodded obediently, amused by the fact that Erin was probably the only person on Earth or above that could give him orders that he had no problems obeying. "Yes, ma'am."
"Good. So get going. I'm still mad at you, remember?"
Reluctantly, Sandoval rose from his position on the edge of the bed, placed a gentle kiss of farewell on Erin's sweetly smiling lips and left the room.
As he closed the door quietly and turned to move down the hall, he saw Liam stepping off the elevator near the nurses station.
The young man looked as he always did - impassive expression on his clean-shaven features, blond-tipped hair brushed back and spiked slightly, and black leather jacket over a simple red T-shirt and black slacks. And yet, every time Ron looked at the younger man of late, he couldn't help but see the two-year-old boy laying beneath that hard, adult exterior.
I'd never noticed it before, how incredibly young he looks. But then, I didn't really have a reason to search that deep before. No reason to want to get to know him.
But, that all seemed to have changed since he'd discovered the truth about the 'Major'. He was now even more a mystery to the Agent than ever before.
But, do I really want to search for the answers to who he really is? Ron wondered to himself. Certainly I want to know exactly how he could possibly be my son. But, I hate to admit it, even to myself, I'm afraid of what I might find. Afraid of eventually confronting him about it, or hearing his rejection or acceptance of me as his father.
And what of hisfeelings for me? He can't possibly care for me the way a child should love its parent. How could he? I have done so many things to hurt him and those he does care for. And I have hurt, even killed, so many innocents, strangers guilty of nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have eliminated people, not only for Zo'or and the other Taelons, but to further or to protect my own agenda.
"Hey, Sandoval," Liam greeted him, approaching the shorter man.
"Good morning, Major," Sandoval responded, more politely than his usual greetings.
"Everything okay?"
"Yes. I was just heading up to the Mothership."
"Good. Then I'll see you around then."
"Yes. I suppose you will."
With that, Ronald left the Major to enter Erin's room alone.
***
Taelon Mothership, later that day
Frank Tate, FBI Agent, right-hand man to the Synod's lapdog, stepped out of the faintly humming Portal and set off into the eerie depths of the alien vessel, absently tapping his fingers against the Global clutched in one hand.
It had taken a lot of thinking and plenty of hard work on his part to come up with the plan he was about to set in motion. And if it failed to work quite how he hoped, then he had only one other option besides the obvious.
And I'd rather NOT have to resort to the obvious one. This may be a matter of my sister's or that girl the boss is banging, but I don't think I could bring myself to kill an innocent young woman, especially not a pregnant one.
And then there was Sandoval's reaction to the revelation he had to tell. Even if the plan did work, it would still incur the Implant's wrath. And Erin wouldn't be the only one on the receiving end.
Arriving at the Protector's office, Tate tapped the lock panel on the wall beside the door, which emitted a high-pitched beeping sound to alert his presence, and waited for permission to enter. A moment later, the bio-slurry wall spit open to form a doorway and Tate stepped inside.
"What is it, Tate? I'm busy," Sandoval sighed, his dark gaze fixed on the screen in front of him.
"This won't take long, Boss. But I gotta show ya somethin' ." Flipping his Global open, Tate accessed the pertinent file.
Sandoval heaved another sigh and looked up from his computer monitor at the annoying intrusion. "What is it?"
"Just take a look for yourself." Stepping closer to the desk, Tate leaned forward and handed the Global over to the other Agent.
Looking down at the footage that was beginning to play out on the small screen, Ron let out another, louder, sigh as he realized what it was showing him. "Tate, what is this? I don't have time for this, nor am I the slightest bit interested in watching your perverted home movies of your exploits."
"Just keep watching. Take a good look at the girl's face and tell me if she seems at all familiar to you."
Sandoval sat back in his chair and reluctantly continued to watch the rather explicit footage. From the angle and setting, it appeared to have been taken from a security camera in one of the cubicles at the Kobe Club. The date stamp indicated that it was taken over six months ago.
The woman in question presently had her back to the camera, blocking his view of her face. But, after a few agonizing moments, she lifted her head back and revealed her extremely familiar features.
"Erin!"
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