Disclaimer:

Disclaimer: Earth: Final Conflict Universe is from Gene Roddenberry.

No copyright infringement is intended.

The idea is mine.

Author: Mithril ([email protected]) 1999.

Spoilers: The story is set after the first season of Earth: final conflict.

Summary: What ever happened to Sarah Boone and Ha’gel? Read this to know a possible answer. ;)

A Friend in the Dark

He stood alone, surrounded by a tender light, an incredible feeling of peace flowing through his body. He wondered for how long he had been standing there, but he did not know. He tilted his head. What had happened? What event had led him to that sanctuary of peace? For a strange reason, he could not remember. In fact, his whole, long life seemed to be just a dream that slowly was starting to fade. After moment of thinking, he decided that such loss of memory was not a bad thing, as so sad his life had been.

He shook his head and mentally smiled, everything was over now; the fear and pain were gone. He had successfully fulfilled his mission. He had saved his race from extinction and, even though he had been forced to leave his offspring before the birth –an event that saddened him to no end- he was sure the child would be strong enough to survive without him. Yes, he had done what he had been expected to and now he was more than willing to join the Void. He was so tired...

(It is not your time yet) a somehow familiar voice echoed in his mind.

Startled, he looked around, but he was still alone.

(You must help her) the voice added.

Suddenly he felt a force pulling him out from that safe place. (I do not wish to return!) He replied, fighting with all his power to remain there.

(You must help her!) The presence insisted, this time, though, there was a hint of despair in that voice.

Slowly, the tender light was replaced by darkness and then by a yellow light. "NO!" he exclaimed aloud, but he realized it was too late. Now he found himself standing in a human city, in a dim illuminated alley... He had returned. "Why?" he asked bitterly, leaning his shaking body against a cold wall. "I do not--"

He was abruptly interrupted by a frightened scream.

(Please save her, Ha’gel) the voice begged.

Deeply moved by the sadness and panic of that voice, Ha’gel sighed with resignation, glowed brighter and began to walk towards the scream.

(Thank you) the voice whispered in relief.

******

"Good bye, Miss Boone," the security guard said, opening the door for her. "Do you want me to call you a taxi?" he offered, worried. "It is too late for a young woman to walk alone in the street."

Sarah shook her head and managed a smile. "No, thank you, John. I am in a walking mood tonight. See you on Monday," she said and went to the exit.

"Miss Boone," John suddenly called her.

She turned. "Yes?"

He slightly blushed under her sad gaze. "I... I am sorry for your brother," he said sincerely.

Unable to say a word, Sarah just nodded and walked away. She certainly would not do a scene before John.

Once she was out of his sight, she began to run until she had to stop for air. She looked her surroundings and blinked. She had arrived to a bridge. Tired, she leaned on the handrail and then, losing her little control left, she burst into tears.

A week had passed since Willie’s death and she still could not believe it. One day she was planning to visit him and the next day she was receiving the dreadful call that broke her heart.

*Why?* She thought desperate, turning her hands into fists.

When she had lost her baby at the Taelon’s hands it had been Willie who had comforted her... It had been Willie who always had been there for her...

She sighed. Who would comfort her now?

She bowed her head and looked intently at the flowing water below. A dark idea began to rise in her depressed mind. Now that her beloved brother was gone, she was alone in the world... And she did not like to be alone...

"Just one step and the pain will be gone," she whispered, leaning forward...

Suddenly someone rudely grabbed her arm and pulled her back, throwing her, merciless, to the ground. Startled and terrified, she raised her head and saw a tall, menacing man standing before her, completely dressed in black. He had his face covered with a mask and she could only see his cold, cruel eyes.

"Well, well, what do we have here," he said in a mocking tone, grabbing her collar and lifting her up without effort.

"Let me go!" she yelled and, panicking, she screamed for help.

The man laughed evilly and hit her face, causing her lip to bleed. "Silence!" he ordered harshly. "No one will listen!"

As incredible as it was, the painful blow seemed to wake her up. She blinked and, surprised, realized that she did not want to die. Gathering all her remaining strength and courage, she kicked him on his groin as hard as she could manage. The psycho winced in pain and Sarah took the opportunity to run. However, he recovered quickly and was faster than her. He ruthlessly grabbed her hair and threw her to the ground again. "You will pay for that," he said darkly, taking a sharp knife out of his pocket.

Shocked, Sarah could not move; she just closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable.

"Say good bye to your pretty face--" he began to say, but could not finish as a painful blow hit his back, throwing him away.

Startled by the sudden noise, Sarah opened her eyes just to see the psycho "flying" to a side... and a sparkling being falling to his knees.

Oblivious to the pain, she rose with difficulty and slowly approached to the Taelon-looking creature.

He was shaking, with his head bowed and his hands leaned on the ground. He seemed to be... exhausted and... Fading!

Sarah opened her eyes wide and realized he had risked his life to save her.

As if feeling her nearness, the now transparent being raised his head and extended a hand to her. "Help me," he whispered.

Knowing that she was responsible of his current state, Sarah knelt and took his hand. "How... can I help you?" she asked in a low voice.

To her astonishment, he spoke directly in her mind.

(I... need... a... host...)

Sarah bit her lip, puzzled, but soon understood. "A body?"

He slightly nodded.

She gently released his hand and rose. She nervously looked around; wondering what to do and suddenly her gaze was drawn to the unconscious man lying on the ground a few meters away from her. She walked where he was and just to be sure, she kicked him softly and immediately went a step back, ready to run. To her relief, he did not move. Unable to stop herself, she kicked him harder and, in spite of her non-violence philosophy, she felt fine.

Once positively sure that the psycho would not wake up, she grabbed his feet and taking a deep breath, she began to drag him towards the sparkling being.

"What will... you do... with him?" she asked, secretly hoping that it would not involve anything disgusting.

He did not answer; instead, he placed his hand over the man’s face and started to glow brighter. Sarah watched in disbelief how the being seemed to melt and took the man’s appearance, leaving that man like a rock.

The "new" man rose and took of the mask that covered his face.

Sarah went away from him and wrapped her arms around herself.

He looked kindly at her and smiled. "I will not harm you," he said in a soothing tone.

She slightly smiled and walked a step closer. "Thank... you," she whispered.

He nodded and turned to the cocoon. "And neither will he," he added, raising a hand and firing a blast of energy. "Your aggressor is gone to join the Void, I--"

He abruptly stopped, took his hands to his temples and before that Sarah could catch him, he fell to the ground again.

Quickly, she knelt by his side and took her hand to his chest and opened her eyes wide, his heart was not beating! Instinctively Sarah held his hands and sighed in relief when he moved a little. He was still alive!

She looked at him and decided that she could not leave him there alone... She wanted to help him; she owed him her life. She put his arm around her neck, so that his head could rest on her shoulder and encircled his waist with her arm. Gathering her strength, she rose and tried to lift him up and was surprised of how little he weighed. Ignoring the growing pain running through her body, she forced herself to start walking.

Fortunately for her, a couple of minutes later, a taxi seemed to appear out of nowhere. She made it stop and, at the alarmed glance the driver gave her, she bit her lip. "I... We... A pair of drugged boys attacked us." she managed to explain.

"Do you want me to take you to the police or the hospital?" he offered.

She shook her head. "No, thank you," she said and then gave him the address.

******

Twenty minutes later, Sarah and her companion arrived to their destination, her late brother’s house.

Sarah half dragged half carried her guest to the chamber and lied him on the bed. She took off his shoes and pulled up the covers. She looked intently at him and a grin appeared on her face. He seemed so... different now, all the cruelty and ruthlessness where gone. "Thank you for being a friend in the dark," she whispered after a while, walking away.

Sarah entered her own room, grabbed her favorite T-shirt and an old pair of jeans and went to the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed, her lips were wounded and her left eye had a "beautiful" purple tone. *Well, it could have been worst* she thought, washing her hands and taking a wet finger to her injured eye... not a good idea. "Ouch!" she exclaimed. *Great* she thought and closing the door, she prepared herself to take a warm shower, her aching body urgently needed one.

After a wonderful shower, Sarah emerged from the bathroom, feeling much better. She was about to return with the sleeping stranger, when an unpleasant and scary idea occurred to her. What if the man woke up with his true personality? She shivered at the thought and hurried to one of the closets. There she grabbed Willie’s old baseball bat. "Just in case," she said to herself and went to see how her guest was doing.

She silently entered the chamber and after seeing that he was still asleep, she sighed in relief and sat on the armchair. With the bat tightly held between her hands, she leaned back, planning not to take her eyes away from him. However, physically and emotionally drained, she fell asleep almost immediately.

******

The next morning, felling the sunshine on his face, Ha’gel regained consciousness. He opened his eyes and looked around. Startled and somehow curious, he realized he was in a human chamber, comfortably lay on a bed. For a second he wondered what had happened, but as soon as his gaze was drawn to the slept woman on the sofa, he remembered...

He had decided to fulfill the voice’s request, help a human woman. He had followed her scream and had arrived in the last minute. Unfortunately, the use of his shaquaravah drained him and, ironically, the same woman he had saved, helped him in the end.

After all, the Voice had been right; it had not been his time yet.

Ha’gel tilted his head and focused his attention on the woman. His heart shrunk at her helpless appearance and thanks to his host’s memories, the thought of her possible fate –if he had not arrived- suddenly reached his mind. He shook his head, disgusted, to erase those unpleasant memories. Why did humans hurt each other in such a cruel way? He asked himself sadly, seeing the bruises on her face.

His eyes glowed sympathetically when he realized that she was frightened even in her sleep, as she was holding a piece of wood –a baseball bat according to his human host- to defend herself. However, he could tell that there was something else; she irradiated a deep sadness that seemed to be tearing her apart. By the dark shades under her eyes he knew she had not had enough rest... and the events of the past night had not helped her.

Feeling unexplainably drawn to her and wanting to know the truth, he rose from the bed and quietly approached her. He raised his hand to touch her, but abruptly stopped as a pair of terrified blue eyes stared at him.

"No," Sarah whispered, holding the bat tighter and pressing her back against the sofa.

"Do not fear," he said softly, slowly walking a couple of steps back and sitting on a chair. "I promise I will not hurt you."

She met his eyes and noticed that they were kind and tender. She relaxed and let go the bat. "I am sorry... I thought that you..."

"I understand," he gently interrupted her. "The man who attacked you last night is dead. What you see now is the recreation of his body. I am forced to use a host to ensure my survival in your world," he explained.

She nodded and smiled. "Thank you... for saving my life."

Ha’gel smiled back. "There is not need for you to thank me as you too help me," he replied seriously. "I believe the human expression is... ‘We are even’."

"I suppose you can say so," she said with a grin, but suddenly turned serious and closed her eyes. "It only hurts when I laugh," she explained him, taking a hand to her aching face.

"Please, let me heal you," he offered, moving the chair closer and raising a hand.

"What--"

"Just close your eyes," he said softly, touching her forehead and activating his shaquaravah. Seconds later, he withdrew his hand and could not help but smile at the look of wonder and disbelief present on her now uninjured face.

"What... Who are you?" she asked once she recovered her voice, but seeing his sudden sad mood, she immediately regretted it. "Please, forgive me," she added apologetically. " You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to."

He shook his head and looked kindly at her. "No. It is all right, I will tell you what you want to know," he said, standing up. He dropped his human body and took a hand to his chest. "My name is Ha’gel. I am a Kimera."

She opened her eyes wide. "You look like a Taelon," she whispered in awe.

He recovered his human body and sat again. "Yes, but that is where the similarities end. While the Taelons seek worlds to conquer, we seek knowledge. Well... that was before they annihilated us."

Grief-stricken, he stopped for a moment and then continued. "We are... We were a pacific race who traveled across the Universe, learning from other beings and often, helping them. It was during one of our journeys that we met the Taelons." He bowed his head. "They were a dying race, so we did our best to save them. Never we thought the terrible prize we should pay for our generosity. They simply destroyed us!" He exclaimed, glowing angrily through his human body. "As Leader of the High Council and Head Scientist, they did not kill me. Instead, they imprisoned me inside a pod and abandoned me in deep space. I am the last of my kind. I--"

Overwhelmed by the painful memories, could speak no more.

Deeply moved by Ha’gel’s story, Sarah leaned forward and place her hands over his own. "I am so sorry," she said softly, unable to hold back the tears. "I have recently lost my unborn child and my brother... and I thought that I was alone," she whispered, "but now... I... realize I was so wrong... Please... forgive my selfishness," she finished.

Ha’gel raised his head and when he met her eyes, he was surprised by the tenderness and compassion he saw within them. For a second, he felt the same peace and safety he had experienced in the void... He found himself trapped by her blue, kind gaze.

Blushing under his intense stare, Sarah bit her lower lip and withdrew her hands. Then she rose and nervously stroked her blond hair. "If you... do not... have a place to... go, you can stay here," she offered, really wanting him to accept. "This was my brother’s house and I don’t want to be here alone. Your company would be appreciated."

Amazed by her trust and generosity, he nodded and smiled. "It would be and honor to stay," he accepted. "Thank you..."

He abruptly stopped and gave her a puzzled look. "Would you mind to tell me your name?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Oh forgive me," she apologized with a grin. "It’s just that I was... distracted. My name is Sarah, Sarah Boone," she said.

Ha’gel froze at her name and closed his eyes. Was it possible that he was the responsible of her pain? *No!* he thought sadly.

"Is it something wrong?" she asked worriedly, interrupting his thoughts.

He forced himself to recover and shook his head. "Everything is all right," he lied.

She smiled and looked at him thoughtfully. "I believe you can use Willie’s clothes," she noted, completely unaware of Ha’gel’s unsettlement. "That is if you need them," she added. Without waiting for an answer, she walked to the closet and after a couple of minutes of searching, she found what she was looking for, a green T-shirt and a pair of jeans. "These will suit you," she said, turning to him. "I--"

She suddenly stopped, dropped the clothes to the floor and too dizzy to stand, she leaned on the wall.

Alarmed, Ha’gel hurried to hold her and gently guided her to the bed. "You need to sleep," he said softly. "You are exhausted."

She lay back and looked at him with incredibly sad eyes. "I know, but I don’t want to... dream. Every time I sleep... I see the monster that killed William," she whispered, closing her now misty eyes.

He shook his head. "No this time," he said kindly and carefully placed a glowing hand on her forehead. "No more nightmares for you, little one."

Then, just as she had done the night before, he pulled up the covers and, unable to stop himself, he ran a hand through her blond hair. If only he had met her under different circumstances... If only he ever had a chance to choose a mate...

Ha’gel sighed, picked up the clothes and quietly left the room. Curious, he wondered around the house and soon he saw some photographs hanging on the wall. Hie eyes glowed electric blue. If he had had any doubt, now he was sure. William Boone, protector of Da’an and Sarah’s late brother, were the same man.

*What kind of cruel joke is this?* he thought, feeling both guilty and angry. *Why did the voice send me to her?* he asked himself. *I almost killed her brother and now she offers me her house--*

Desperate, he turned his hands into fists. *No! I will not make her go through this!*

Knowing what was the right thing to do, he left the clothes on a table and walked to the main door. He was about to open it, when he sensed the familiar presence surrounded him.

(Please, do not leave her) the voice begged.

Ha’gel did not turn, he just closed his eyes. (Why did you send me here? I cannot stay, not after what I did to her brother)

(That was an accident...) the voice replied. (Do you still not know who I am, Ha’gel?)

The Kimera stiffened and lost his human appearance as a sudden realization hit him. (William Boone!) He exclaimed in disbelief.

(Yes) Boone’s voice confirmed. (Please, forgive my behavior, but I was desperate... I am so sorry)

(Do not worry, as you said before, it was an accident) Ha’gel replied reassuringly. (However, I cannot remain here)

(Why not? What is it that really troubles you?) Boone asked curiously.

Ha’gel sadly lowered his head. (I... I do not... want her to hate me) he answered after a moment of silence.

(You should give her a chance to decide) the voice said softly.

(What can I do now?) The alien asked and to his annoyance, Boone chuckled.

(Cook... Diner perhaps?) His invisible interlocutor answered, amused.

"Diner?" the Kimera asked aloud, puzzled. He opened his eyes, but nobody answered.

 

******

Three hours later, Sarah woke up after an unusual, wonderful rest. She stretched her arms and to her surprise, something smelled deliciously. As if confirming her suspicious, her stomach roared. Curious –and slightly worried- she rose from the bed and hurried to the kitchen. There, she found a busy Ha’gel... holding a spoon in one hand and a frying pan in the other. An alien... cooking? She smiled at the idea and then realized that he had changed his black clothes... and that he looked... cute...

After a couple of minutes, she cleared her throat to call his attention. "Do you need some help with that?" she asked, unable to hide her amusement.

He turned and denied with a shake of his head. "That will not be necessary. Please, have a seat."

Sarah sat and Ha’gel solemnly placed an omelet in front of her. "It looks good, thank you," she said sincerely.

He nodded and sat too and to Sarah’s astonishment, he also had an omelet in front of him. "Please, begin," he invited her, looking intently at her.

She grinned and holding a fork, she tasted the omelet. "It is delicious!" she exclaimed. "I didn’t know that you can cook," she added mischievously.

"Thank you," he said, pleased, but then he tilted his head. "Why is it that you find so amusing? I am one of the most capable scientists of my kind. I can assure you that cooking was not such a difficult task," he replied seriously.

Sarah chuckled. "Of course not," she agreed. "It’s just that you... surprised me." She took another bite and gave him a puzzled look. "Can you eat?" she asked a second later.

"As long as I remain in this body, I can eat, like you," he explained. "I do need nourishment."

"I see..." she said and her smiled widened. "I am happy that Willie’s clothes suit you."

Ha’gel stiffened and bowed his head.

"What is it?" she asked, worried by his strange reaction.

He sighed and met her eyes. "I... I did not tell you everything. There is something that you should know. I--"

"Please, no," Sarah interrupted him, taking a hand to his own. "I know it is too painful for you... and I do trust you."

He smiled sadly and continued, positively sure that she would soon hate him. "Just listen to me, Sarah....

When the Taelons abandoned me, somehow the pod reached your planet. Thousands of years later, I was accidentally set free and following an overwhelming imperative, I joined with a woman to procreate a child. Unfortunately, she did not survive the mating."

"Did... you... kill her?" she managed to ask in a low voice.

"Believe me, Sarah, it was never my intention to harm her, but the imperative was too strong and I did not know that she was so... frail. I had to save my race from extinction, so I continued searching until I found a stronger woman. She did survive and we did procreate a child... but I was forced to leave them," he said.

"I can help you to find them," she offered, feeling his regret and sadness.

His eyes glowed. "I do not deserve your kindness," he whispered and seeing that she was about to protest, he raised a hand, indicating her to keep quiet. "Once free, the Taelons felt my presence within the Commonality... and they sent their agents to hunt me... They sent your brother, Sarah... and he did find me," he finished.

Sarah turned white and felt like if a train had hit her. Was it possible that the kind being that saved her was the monster who killed her brother? "NO!" she yelled, rising from the table.

"Please, Sarah," he begged.

"YOU KILLED HIM!"

"Sarah," he tried again, worried by her reaction, rising too.

"Leave me alone!"

Desperate and feeling betrayed she hurried out of the house and went to the street, with Ha’gel running after her. Grief-stricken and blinded by the tears, she did not see the car... until it was too late...

"NO!" Ha’gel shouted and with inhuman speed, he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him, out of the vehicle’s way.

Momentarily frozen, she just looked at him with wide, terrified eyes.

"Are you all right?" he asked, concerned.

Sarah blinked, waking up, and tried to run away again, but he did not release her. "Let me go!" she yelled, struggling.

"I am so sorry," he whispered embracing her.

Resigned and too tired to fight him, she closed her eyes and, leaning her head on his chest, she began to cry. "Why?" she asked between sobs. "Why?" she repeated, trembling.

"Please forgive me," he said softly. Ha’gel lifted her in his arms and carried her inside the house. He left her on a sofa and sat by her side, still holding her. Once she stopped crying he released her and, placing a hand beneath her chin, he gently forced her to look at him. "I can show you what happened if you allow me to," he offered.

Sarah dried her eyes and after a moment of hesitation, she nodded. "Show me," she said in a low voice.

Ha’gel raised a hand and offered a glowing palm to her. "Touch my hand," he encouraged her. "I promise it will not hurt," he added reassuringly.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly pressed her palm against his own...

Immediately she witnessed different moments of Ha’gel’s amazingly long life. She saw the destruction of his world and felt his pain and his overwhelming loneliness. She felt his excitement when he was set free and his despair to find a female and procreate a child. She felt his joy when he knew she was pregnant... but something happened... William arrived...

Sarah heard their conversation on the church, saw them lowering their arms... and then, the tragedy occurred...

Five minutes later, Sarah withdrew her trembling hand and, biting her lip, she bowed her head. She did not say a word.

"I understand," Ha’gel said with a deep sadness. "I shall leave you now. Farewell, Sarah Boone."

He rose and turned to leave. He had walked a couple of steps, when Sarah suddenly called him.

"Ha’gel, wait!" She said, rising from the sofa and nervously stroking her hair. "Thank you... for showing me the truth," she whispered. "Now I know it was an accident... But I do not know why are you leaving me. I... want you to... stay," she finished, blushing in a deep red.

Startled, he faced her in his true form. "Is it that your decision?" he asked, sparkling brighter in delight.

"Yes," she answered simply.

He walked towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Surprising Sarah –and himself- he leaned forward and kissed her. (I will always stay with you, Ka’lin sha)

(Ka’lin sha?) she repeated, puzzled.

(It means chosen one) he explained tenderly, pulling her closer...

*************************************************************************

Epilogue

Three months later...

In a cemetery, a man and a pregnant woman stood before a grave. She had two orchids in her hand and gently laid them over the grass. She sighed and her companion placed his arm around her shoulders in a reassuring way.

"Are you all right, Sarah?" Ha’gel asked softly.

"Yes, it is just that I was thinking about Willie and Kate. I still miss them, but it doesn’t hurt as much as before... Besides, I have tw 1

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws