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

No copyright infringement is intended. The idea is mine.

Author: Mithril ([email protected]) 2000.

Spoilers: Set after third season’s episode The Cloister.

Summary: Da’an makes a wish ;)

Second Chance

It was a beautiful night in Washington, the stars were shining in the sky and so was the full moon. It was one of those nights that invited to be in a good mood...

However, inside the Taelon Embassy, one being was oblivious to its beauty. Deep in his thoughts, Da’an stood by the virtual glass window, feeling miserable. He had his head bowed and his eyes closed, Zo’or’s words still echoing in his mind. When he had told the young Taelon he would do anything to protect him, Zo’or had answered that he would never do such a thing for him.

Grief-stricken, Da’an lost his façade and took both hands to his chest. "Why do you hate me, my child?" he asked in a sad whispered.

The North American Companion raised his head and sparkle brighter. Things had not always been like that, though. Thousands of years ago, his child used to look at him with awe and respect... and sometimes... even love, but now... Now he could only see coldness within in Zo’or’s eyes. It was as if his mere presence bothered the young Synod Leader.

"If only those precious moments could return," Da’an said softly. "If only you could respect me again..."

Suddenly, a shooting star caught his attention. He tilted his head. Did some humans not believe that shooting stars granted wishes? It was such a naiv belief, but still...

Da’an recovered his façade and smiled sadly. "I wish you could love me again, my child," he said in a barely audible voice. Then, shaking his head, he sighed and went to his chair, he was so tired...

******

Onboard the Mothership, inside his private chamber, Zo’or was seated under the energy stream, but he could not relax. Each time he had tried, Da’an’s sad gaze had come to his mind... and each time, he had had to make an extreme effort to vanish it.

Annoyed with himself and realizing there was no point in remain seated, the Synod Leader rose from his chair. He walked to the window, but instead of glancing outside, he balled his hands into fists and stood with his back to the window. He shook his head. Why had Da’an’s gaze touched him so... deeply? Why his eyes keep on hunting him?

His body stiffened. Could it be that after all those years... he actually... felt something... for his parent?

"That is ridiculous!" Zo’or angrily stated aloud, blushing blue. He knew he felt nothing for Da’an... Nothing!

"Nothing!" he repeated as he nervously began to pace up and down the room. After a while, he stopped by the window again and sighed, defeated. Who was he trying to fool? If he felt nothing for Da’an –as he was trying to convince himself- then why a wave of relief had flowed through his body when Da’an had told him he would do anything to protect him? Why he had been so... happy to learn that Da’an still care... for him?

"Why?" Zo’or asked himself, leaning a hand on the virtual glass.

Unbidden, the answer came to his mind. Deep inside of him and in spite of himself, he simply... loved his parent. He... loved... Da’an...

He bowed his head.

...But it was too late now.

"If only things could be as they used to be... between us," he whispered, but then, he stiffened and mentally reprimanded himself for being so... weak.

"Enough!" the synod Leader exclaimed and smoothing his uniform, he turned and walked away, leaving his chamber and heading to the bridge.

******

One week later, in one of the secret facilities Taelons had on Earth, an important experiment was about to take place...

"Are you sure this is safe, Or’rel?" Liam asked, worriedly eyeing the strange looking Interdimensional Portal.

"I share Major Kincaid’s concern," Da’an added, gesturing with a hand. "Have all the necessary measures been taken, Or’rel?"

"Of course, Da’an," the Taelon scientist answered, slightly bowing his head. "This experiment is completely safe."

"Why this portal is so different from the others?" Liam asked with curiosity.

Or’rel looked at him and blushed blue, clearly pleased by the question. "This is a prototype, Major. As you well know, any time an interdimensional travel is done, two portals are required: one in the point of origin and one in the point of destination. Using this new technology, only one portal is needed. It can take the user everywhere. It only needs the right coordinates."

"It’s only a one way trip?" the young hybrid asked, really interested.

Or’rel tilted his head, confused, but then he understood. His grin widened. "Oh no, Major. The idea is to have this kind of portals linked to the Globals."

"Then the Globals would act like personal transporters!" Liam exclaimed in awe.

"Not exactly," Or’rel corrected him. "They would only take you where the portal of origin is located."

"Still... is amazing," Liam noted.

"Indeed," a satisfied voice said from behind them.

Da’an and Liam turned. "Zo’or," Da’an gently greeted the Synod Leader and was about to say something else, but Zo’or’s cold stare convinced him to remain quiet. Da’an just made the Taelon salute –that Zo’or answered- and nodded to Sandoval.

Then, ignoring Da’an, the young Taelon turned to the scientist. "You may begin, Or’rel," he said with his ever-present smirk.

Or’rel nodded and indicated his two human assistants. "Doctor Patrick Johnson and Doctor Melvin Connor," he addressed them.

Both scientists nodded to the Companions and their protectors. Doctor Johnson went a step forward. "I have volunteered to be the first human to use the portal," he said, clearly excited.

"The coordinates are already set," Or’rel said. "Doctor Johnson will materialized in the waiting chamber, a few meters away from here," he explained, showing them a small room protected by a virtual shield. Then, he activated the Portal. "You may go inside, Doctor Johnson," he added in his soft voice.

Johnson nodded. He had walked a couple of steps, when suddenly Doctor Connor rudely pushed him and jumped to a startled Zo’or. Before than Sandoval or Liam could react, he took a weapon out of nowhere and put it in Zo’or’s chest. He dragged the now scared Taelon toward the portal.

"Let him go!" Sandoval ordered darkly, raising his arm with the dangerous glowing skrill.

"Release him!" Da’an exclaimed, panicked, blushing blue and going a step closer.

"Da’an," Zo’or whispered miserably, looking at him with frightened, childish eyes.

"Connor, let him go. There is not way out!" Liam yelled.

"You are wrong, Kincaid. I have already given new coordinates to the portal," Connor barked. "The Talons must pay... He must pay!" he added and to Da’an’s despair, they entered the portal... and disappeared.

Frustrated, Sandoval fired.

"NO! ZO’OR!" Da’an yelled, shaking and leaning on Liam for support.

"Do not worry," Or’rel soothed his fellow Taelon. "In spite of what he said, they would not go anywhere. The portal is secure. They will materialize in the waiting chamber."

Da’an blinked in relief and steadied himself. "Call a security team," he ordered and without another word, he hurried to the room. The others followed him. Seconds late, confirming Or’rel’s prediction, in a blinding flash of light, the fugitives appeared...

******

"WHAT!" Liam and Sandoval exclaimed, before their jaws fell open in disbelief. Equally shocked, the Taelons lost their façades and sparkled brighter, especially Da’an.

Inside the chamber, apparently hit by Sandoval’s skrill, Doctor Melvin Connor lay dead on the floor. A few steps away from the fallen body stood a sparkling little being, dressed in an oversized jumpsuit uniform. He was nervously looking around and shaking uncontrollably.

"What... happened?" Liam managed to ask a couple of minutes later, once he found his voice.

"I... do... not know," Or’rel answered, recovering his disguise.

"It does not matter," Da’an stated in wonder. "I must go to him." Without another word, he entered the chamber.

"Do not be afraid, little one," he soothed the now small Zo’or.

The new child fixed his eyed upon him and then, to Da’an’s surprise, he ran toward him. "Da’an!" he exclaimed, embracing the older Taelon’s legs. "Da’an, do not leave me" the child said softly, as if he were crying.

Unable to say a word and touched beyond belief, the North American Companion knelt and tenderly embraced... his child.

******

Outside the room, both protectors and the Taelon scientist exchanged amazed glances.

"Will... will Zo’or remain like that?" Agent Sandoval asked.

"I do not know," Or’rel answered. "This... has never... happened before."

"I never thought I would say this... but Zo’or looks cute," Liam noted. "It is a pity... he could not stay like that," he added in a far away voice.

Suddenly, the three of them stiffened and exchanged glances again... mischievous glances.

******

Two days later...

Onboard the Mothership, the new and extremely happy Synod Leader stood by the virtual glass window, looking at the blue planet below. He smiled. Now things would be different between humans and Taelons. Now reaching an understanding was possible. He would--

Suddenly, hearing light footsteps behind and feeling the beloved one’s presence, he turned and his smile widened.

"What are you doing, Da’an?" the child asked softly, tilting his head.

"I was just looking outside, little one," the Synod Leader answered and, taking small Taelon’s tiny hand, he guided the child to the window. "Do you like the sight, Zo’or?" he asked gently, without releasing him.

"It is beautiful," Zo’or whispered in awe and then looked up at his parent. "When will I meet the humans?" he asked, his body sparkling in anticipation.

Da’an laughed softly and stroked Zo’or’s head, causing the child to giggle. "Soon, little one, soon. There is so much that I want to teach you, my child."

Yes, things would be so different now...

Fin