| Chapter 82 "You should have seen the look on his face," Mason laughed. "I bet," Kevin smiled, "You can be pretty intimidating nowadays." Nick smiled and shook his head, taking a bite of his supper. "So what now?" Howie asked, "Will that solve the problems?" Nick and Mason glanced at one another. "Um no it won't," Nick answered. "Why not? You got the bad guy," A.J. said. Nick sighed, putting down his fork and looking at his friends, "It's not that simple." "Dealing with other cultures and governments is never simple," LaDonna added. "So does that mean we're still looking at a possible war?" Kevin asked. Nick bit his lip and nodded. "Damn," A.J. muttered. Anthony nodded his agreement to the simple statement. "Hey guys," Brian said as he and Marie came through the door, hand in hand. A.J. feigned a heart attack, "Holy hell, they are still alive!" Everyone chuckled, causing the two to blush as they took their seats. "Bri, you look good man," Nick commented, slapping his friend on the shoulder. "Thanks," he said, "You look tired." "What else is new," Nick joked, going back to his food. LaDonna smiled across the table at the couple, "It's good to see you well again Brian." "Thank you, your highness. I was beginning to wonder if I ever would be," Brian replied. Mason looked down at his food, immense guilt filling him. LaDonna noticed this and gave his knee a squeeze under the table. He looked up and she gave him a reassuring smile. Nick glanced down the table at Ana. She had been very quiet tonight, and she had a far away look on her face. Their time apart was taking its toll. Everyone had engaged in small talk, ignoring him, so Nick took the opportunity. Ana, are you ok? he thought, glancing back down at his plate. I miss you, was her only reply. Even in his mind, her voice sounded sad. I miss you too. Can we meet? he asked, still not looking at her. Not wanting anyone to even think they were talking. What about your guards? she asked, continuing to eat. I'll take care of it. Meet me in the library tonight, he thought. He chanced at glance at her, just as she looked up. She nodded slightly and smiled. They had a date. "Yo, you awake?" Brian asked, waving his hand in front of Nick's face. Nick snapped back to reality, "Huh?" "Spacing out again?" Brian asked, grinning mischievously at him. "Sorry, I've got a lot on my mind," Nick said, "What were you saying?" "I wanted to know what I can do to help," Brian said again. Nick sighed, "I don't know. It's a waiting game now." "We could use some help in the control room," Ana suggested. "Great, just tell me when to show up," Brian grinned, happy to have a �job' again. He'd been down so long he felt useless. Now he could contribute something to helping out. "How bout tomorrow morning," Ana said. "I'll be there," he replied. "What about the rest of us?" Kevin asked, "Can we help out too?" "I wish you could, but you don't speak the language, and not all our ships are equipped with translators," Ana said. Kevin looked disappointed. "I know," Nick said, "You guys can help Anthony and the council." "What would we be doing?" A.J. asked, a little skeptical. "You would be assistants to us," Anthony said, excited at the idea of getting an assistant. "You mean gofer's?" Howie asked. Anthony and Mason glanced at each other. "What's a gofer?" Mason asked. Nick laughed. For a planet that monitored everything, they sure didn't know much about earth and its species. "A gofer is a small rodent, or in this case, someone that does whatever you ask them. Like run and get you things, stuff like that," he explained. "Ohh I see, then yes, you would be a gofer," Anthony announced. "Great," A.J. muttered, then got a swift kick from Kevin under the table. "That would be fine. Anything we can do to help out," the older man said. The rest of supper went by uneventfully. Everyone talked about the day and what was going on. As they finished and started to get up to leave, Nick cleared his throat. "Hey Bri, Marie, can you guys stick around for a minute? I need to talk to you," he said. "Sure," Brian said, sitting back down next to his wife. Nick waited until everyone else had left, and the servants had shut the doors. Brian glanced at Marie, wondering what this was about, and wondering why Mason was still there, staring at the floor. "Bri, um Mason has something that he wants to tell you," Nick said, looking over at his uncle. The older man fidgeted in his seat for a moment, trying to find the right words. He didn't dare look at the couple. "Brian ... Marie.. I want to say that I'm sorry," he started. "Sorry for what?" Brian asked, confused. Mason took a deep breath, finally looking up, "Sorry for what you went through. The kidnaping, your addiction, the loss of your child....it's all my fault." The couple glanced at each other. "My lord, what do you mean it's all your fault?" Marie asked. Mason looked at Nick, needing some support. He got it in the form of a smile and a nod. "I am the one that set up the kidnaping. I was working for Interstellar then, and they wanted a way to get to Nickolas. I employed Devon to earn your trust so he could lead you into the trap. I'm so sorry .... I had no idea they were going to do what they did. I-I didn't know that you would lose your child, and almost lose your life. I didn't care then, but I do now, and nothing I can say will ever make up for it, I'm sorry," he finished, looking back down at the table. Brian felt Marie's hand slide into his, giving it a squeeze. He didn't know what to say, how to react to this. So he just sat there staring at Mason across the table, in shock. Marie was doing the same, a tear streaking down her cheek every so often. Nick reached over and put his hand on his friends shoulder, "Bri, Mason came to me while you were in medical and told me what he'd done. I have punished him in part, but the last part of his punishment is up to you and Marie. I do want to say that since then, he's changed. He's been helping me, gathering information from Interstellar ... and risking his life to do so. He's not the same man that did this to you, and I want you to consider that." Brian looked at his friend, "You knew?" he whispered. Nick nodded, "For some time now. We didn't want to tell you until you were well. We both knew this would upset you both very much." Brian took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He was trembling with anger, and as he looked over at Marie, he noticed she was too. "How could you?" Brian asked in a voice so low it almost wasn't heard, "How could you do this to us?" Mason bit his lip, trying to fight the tears he felt welling up, "I have no excuse Brian, other than my own greed." Brian stood up and slammed his fist on the table, "That's not good enough!! How could you do this to us?! What the hell did I ever do to you?!" Nick reached out and touched Brian's hand, "Brian." Brian pulled it away, "Don't Brian me Nick! What he did was unforgivable! We lost our child .. I almost died, not to mention the hell I went through, the hell Marie went through! How could you keep this from us?! Why isn't he in prison?!" he screamed. A guard stepped inside the door, "Is everything alright?" he asked, glancing around the room. Nick nodded, "Everything is fine, go back outside." The guard nodded, leaving the room. "Brian, sit down," Nick said, giving his friend a stern look. Brian glared at him, but did as he asked. "I know you are angry, and his punishment is up to you both, but I need him now Brian. I'm looking at a war that I don't know how to deal with, I need his help and yours," Nick said. Brian looked down at the table, at a loss as to what to do. He wanted to jump over the table and beat Mason senseless, but that wouldn't solve anything. Marie squeezed his hand again, and he looked up at her, "Come into the hall with me," she said. They both got up and left the room. Nick half smiled at Mason, "Well that was better than I thought." "Really?" the older man asked. He nodded, "Yeah, I was expecting him to jump over the table and beat the shit out of you." "I almost wish he had," Mason said, sighing heavily. "I know this is odd coming from me and all, but I'm proud of you," Nick said out of the blue. "Proud of me?" he asked. Nick nodded, "You're doing the right thing, knowing it could hurt you. I've watched you change into a decent person these last few weeks. The old Mason would have never let on that he had anything to do with this. I'm glad that you are taking responsibility for what you've done." The older man smiled, "Thank you." Just then the door swished open and Brian and Marie walked back in. Both looked somewhat calmer. "We have decided what his punishment is," Brian announced. "Alright," Nick said, gesturing for Brian to tell him. Brian swallowed and glanced at Marie. She smiled. He looked back at Mason, "Aside from your duties on the council you will also work in the medical ward two hours a day for the next year. You are to work in the nursery, helping the nurses out with the newborn babies. I hope every time you hold a child, you think of the one we lost," Brian spat, doing his best not to start yelling again. Mason looked down and finally let the tears he was holding back fall. "That is a fair punishment," Nick said, looking to his uncle, "You will start tomorrow." Mason nodded, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Thanks Bri," Nick said. Brian nodded, taking his wife's hand and quickly walking from the room. Nick knew he was angry at him as well, but hoped with time it would fade. Mason stood to leave. "You alright?" Nick asked, walking out with him. He nodded, "Brian is right. Every time I'll hold a baby I'll think of theirs." "Appropriate punishment don't you think?" Nick asked. "The worst I can imagine," Mason replied. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick walked into the library, slowly walking through the isles of books. He felt her there, it was just a matter of finding which isle she was standing in. Finally he found her, near the back of the room in the corner. He ducked into the isle and pulled her into his arms, hugging her and not wanting to let go. "I missed you so much," he whispered. "So did I," she said, pulling back and gently kissing his lips. She pulled back again, looking past Nick, "Where is your guard?" "In the hall," Nick answered, "I couldn't get rid of him," he said dejected. Ana smiled, "Well they are suppose to be protecting you." "I can take care of myself," he countered. "Oh like you did the other night? If Rowland hadn't gotten there ......." she trailed off. Nick cupped her chin in his hand, "Let's not talk about that, K?" Ana nodded. "So tell me how you are?" Nick asked, sitting down in the floor, pulling her with him. "I'm OK ...worried," she replied. "About?" he asked. "You," she said, staring right into his eyes, "You're still having the nightmares?" He nodded, and she saw the fear flash in his eyes. "Talk to me Nick. What scares you so much?" she asked, taking his hand. He looked at the floor, "I-I can't Ana. This is something that I have to deal with on my own." "Why? Why do you have to face this on your own?" she wanted to know. He sighed, "Because I'm the only one that can do it." She stared at him for a moment, "This has something to do with the prophecy doesn't it?" He looked away from her, and she had her answer. "Did you find it? What it says in full?" she asked. He shook his head, "No. I just know it, in my heart." Ana pulled his chin around making him look at her, "Your scaring me Nick. You look so distant, so sad. Please let me help you." He half smiled, tears brimming his eyes, "You are helping me. Knowing you love me keeps me going," he said, as a tear trailed down his cheek. Ana pulled him into her arms, letting her own tears fall. Whatever he was dealing with, frightened her. Nick wrapped his arms around her, "Hold me Ana. Just hold me," he almost begged. She nodded, pulling him tighter. Chapter 83 |