Round Robin: The Infant
by: Angel Island, Renee's Girl, Seven O'Nine, Lisair, Juliette, Lyta....
copyright 2000
Part 1

Da'an stared at the child, blushing as he did so. One of his most secret projects, one Liam didn't even know about, sat gurgling in the cradle that had been made for it. He knew that Liam would have been angry... no, more than angry at Da'an's use of his genes. Still, he had not strictly used all of the hybrid's DNA; just the third strand that signified Liam's Kimera ancestry. The hope of his species.

He had hope that this child would not embrace the void as had the others. While he and Ty'ir had sufficient samples of Liam's DNA, they had yet to produce a stable child out of it. Da'an feared that Ty'ir was correct, that he would have to enlist the hybrid's support to produce a stable mix. The only question was how to approach his protector, who had reason to distrust him, and make the proposal. He would have preferred Ty'ir be the one to Join with Liam, but Liam would have problems as it was accepting that a strange Taelon knew the truth about him.

Da'an was not ideal, either. While his relationship with Liam was still strained, he felt that it was likely that Liam would have problems joining with him as well. He was too much still a parent figure to Liam for the hybrid to see him as a mate. There was also the suspicion that would fall if he carried a child when he had been with no Taelon, though Ty'ir would cover for him. He just didn't want Liam's true ancestry to be known.

But Liam's true ancestry might be the only hope of survival left.

* * *

Something about Da'an seemed different. He had been, well, somewhere else during the whole day, and it was only because the people who saw him didn't know him as well as Liam did that he got away with what he was thinking. He was just about to speak up when his Companion started gazing upon him.

" How is Ms. Palmer, Liam?" The Taelons' question startled the young hyrbrid.

" Fine," Liam replied cautiously.

" That is...pleasing to hear," Da'an replied, " Are you seeing her again sometime soon?"

" Yeah," Liam answered, " I'm meeting her tonight to discuss some security measure for Doors International."

" I see."

Was it just Liam, or did Da'an sound... jealous?

Furrowing his eyebrows, Liam cautiously prodded Da'an. "Are you in need of my assistance? I can postpone if necessary."

The Taelon turned away, silently regarding the virtual glass window. He stared at the bustling city bellow before quietly asking; "Have you ever contemplated having a child, Liam?"

One brow arched toward his hairline. "I'm not much more than a child myself, Da'an."

"Granted." Sighing, the Companion pressed. "However, have you not considered the possibility."

Shaking his head in confusion, Liam stood. "I haven't exactly had time. Besides, how do I know if it's even possible. I'm a genetic anomaly. What's with all the questions?"

"Would you be willing to try?"

"WHAT?" Liam's eyes widened in shock, he stared at the Taelon.

Da'an abruptly turned from the window. Stepping toward his dumbfounded Protector, he asked; "Would you consider joining with me to create a child?"

"W-Wh...." The young man stuttered helplessly. This could not be happening. Da'an was the only father figure Liam had ever known. Without the Taelon's guidance, the hybrid was unsure he would have been capable of coping with his uniqueness. The mere thought of joining with Da'an was repugnant. He would have been no more inclined to sleep with his Mother or Lili.

Shaking his head as though doing so would awaken him from this horrible nightmare, he finally regained his voice. "Are you feeling OK? I mean, you just got over your Kriss addiction. Maybe your not thinking clearly."

"I am thinking very clearly, Liam." Da'an confirmed. "It is possible your DNA could save my species. However, the only way to do so is through a joining"

For a moment, the hybrid stared in open mouthed shock. "I-I.... No!" Liam denied bluntly. "I'm sorry, but the answer is no."

Spinning on his heal, Liam stalked toward the door.

"I am sorry as well, Liam" Da'an's soft, pain filled voice caught Liam by surprise. Thinking to comfort his mentor/parent, the young man turned back.

"Look Da'an, I know you can't understand this, but...." Liam stopped. "What's that for?"

Raising the small stun pistol, Da'an whispered, "I truly am sorry." And fired.

Liam slumped to the floor unconscious. His limbs splayed ungracefully across the bioslurry.

Dropping the pistol, Da'an slowly closed the distance between himself and his unwilling benefactor. Carefully lifting the young mans hands palm up, he kneeled beside him. "This will be over long before you wake, Liam. If there were any other way, I promise you, I would take it."

Placing his own hands over Liam's larger ones, Da'an initiated a joining.

" DA'AN!!" Ty'ir's voice was horrified, " What are you doing?!?" The doctor rushed to the young hybrid's side, " I thought we agreed; it would be his choice! We would not force his hand!"

Da'an heard Ty'ir's voice as if through a wall of water, and felt the doctor tugging at his arm. He was absorbed in the joining, determined to see this through....

But then he felt Liam unconsciously fighting against the sharing, struggling to block himself away. It wasn't going to work. Da'an cringed as he broke the joining off, collapsing next to Ty'ir on the floor.

Liam was still sprawled on the floor, his face twitching as if he were recovering from a nightmare.

Ty'ir glared at Da'an and gripped his arm tighter. "What did you think you were doing?" he asked coldly.

" Try to save our species," Da'an snapped. Throwing Da'an a scornful look, Ty'ir checked Liam's vitals.

" Well, your little brush with heroism will have serious consequences," Ty'ir finally growled.

" Clarify," Da'an ordered. Ty'ir narrowed his eyes at the older Taelon.

" Your Protector's in a coma. One from which it's unlikely he will ever awaken from."

Da'an drew back in shock, staring at Liam's now-still face. He reached out a shaking hand to brush the protector's cheek. "Coma...."

Ty'ir nodded briskly. "Do not touch him. I will be back with the means to transport him to the medical bay."

Da'an did not notice as Ty'ir stood up and walked quickly from the room. His pale blue eyes were locked on Liam, on the young man's slack body and empty face.

My fault, he thought. If I had not done this... if I had not tried to take what he denied...

He slowly began to stroke Liam's hair, hoping that the touch would awaken him. But his protector did not move, even when Ty'ir slid an antigravity stretcher under him, and began slowly pushing him toward the lower levels of the Embassy.

Da'an remained alone in his office, thinking....

* * *

Ty'ir looked at the unconscious form of the Kimera hybrid, checking his vital signs once more. There was little to be done; Liam's body was functioning, but his mind had retreated somewhere else from the terror of Da'an's attempt to Join.

He understood Da'an's desperation for a new Taelon, a new member of their species. Liam, being part Kimera, was an ideal match, and he wished he could share that with the commonality. Unfortunately, even the name still held terror for most Taelons; the revelation of Liam's presence would certainly mean an end to his existance, and an end to any hopes that he and Da'an might have had.

Leaving Liam's bedside, the scientist went to check on the infant that had been created out of the artificial Joining between his DNA and portions of Liam's. The infant, a small bundle of energy, squirmed restlessly in his grasp. At this point in its life, it had no connection to the commonality and depended entirely on him. He had hoped to introduce it to the commonality once it was stable.

Ty'ir found himself returning to the room that housed the infant's other 'parent', laying it down to bend one of the Major's arms. Once in Liam's arms, the baby stopped thrashing as if it realized that it was in the presence of one of its parents, and went into a peaceful slumber.

It had yet to be seen if the infant might help its parents....

In the meantime, Ty'ir would have to report back to Da'an. He would have sharp words for the Diplomat.

* * *

And in another place, a woman was muttering, "Where *is* he? Liam, if you don't have a good reason for being late, I'll kill you myself...."

* * *

Greedily drawing energy from his parent, the Taelon/Kimerain hybrid slowly began to stabilize. The torturous spasms rippling along it's fragile length, eventually tempered to the occasional tremble. With time, the violent play of cerulean veins coursing over his pale flesh sputtered, and stopped. He lay still, relishing the pure, unblemished serenity.

Suddenly his spine arched as a shuddering wave of energy flushed throughout his body. His small head thrown back, the hybrid wailed pitilessly. A brightly glowing aura of crystalline blue engulfed the infant. Within seconds, it's small frame stretched, growing longer, wider.

When the nimbus of blinding beauty finally faded, a child, roughly the equivalent of a human four year old, lay sprawled across his fathers chest.

His slight, naked body trembled in the cold air. The boys small hands clutched desperately at the material beneath his fingers.

Something felt wrong.

He knew, from the memories buried within, that he should be conscious of the Commonality. He should feel the presence of the others swirling around him. Yet, all he could sense were his own troubled thoughts. His own frightening memories.

Barely suppressing the terrifying panic of solitude, he frantically searched for something to anchor his mind too.

And found it through his link with the energy spring he still latched to. Gently probing the mind beyond, he felt the rush of chaotic emotions brush with his own. Pain, terror, and revolution reigned supreme in his father's jumbled thought. The child watched the scene unfold before him in horror.

*Da'an, his friend, father, and mentor; brutally forced his mind into Liam's. The cold determination of the Companions intentions buffeted against his terrified thoughts. In desperation, Liam held the Taelon back through his only means of retaining his sanity. He retreated deeply within his own conciseness, burying himself in a void of nothingness.*

The child cried out as he jerked free of the vision. He did not want to force his father back to reality if it meant possibly reliving the mental and emotional rape. However, the child needed guidance that only his father could offer.

Slowly, gently working his way through the memories clogging his fathers mind, the young hybrid prodded the void. *Father?*

Nothing!

No emotion or thought escaped the emptiness.

He was alone.

*Father!* He begged. *Please!*

Nothing!

Then gently, like the soft flutter of butterfly wings, a questioning wonder rippled outward.

Ty'ir saw Da'an by the window, his slender fingers working slowly as he stared out over the city. He showed no sign of reacting to what he had done... he looked peaceful. From the back, anyhow. Ty'ir could not see his face.

Ty'ir grimaced as he slowly approached the diplomat. "As peculiar as it sounds," he said in a low voice, "one good thing has come from this incident. The hybrid... has stabilized."

Da'an's hands jerked a little. "How?"

Ty'ir took another step. "I placed the child alongside Major Kincaid. Though I do not know the long-term effects... I left soon after it appeared to stabilize in proximity to its parent."

Da'an bowed his head slightly. "I am glad to see it."

Ty'ir's eyes narrowed. "I only have one question."

"And that would be?"

"What has the effect on you been?"

Da'an did not reply. His hands stilled themselves, hiding any emotions that he might betray.

"Answer my question. Has there been any change in you because of this? Are you...?" Ty'ir drew closer, trying to read Da'an's eyes.

Da'an turned his face from Ty'ir, as if he were upset.

Ty'ir's face tightened. "Da'an, are you with child?"

****

"Da..." was the only word the boy could speak at the moment. He knew of others, but they seemed to die on his tongue.

He felt his father shift, and felt a questioning thought touch his mind. He eagerly began begging his father to react again, to show some sign that he could be there...

Liam struggled against the encompassing tide of emptiness. His instinct to remain free of the overwhelming fear warred with his desire to discover the source of the emotionally charged call. Like fighting his way up current through rapids, the hybrid searched for the origin of the desperation he felt welling throughout his mind.

*Father, I need you.* The thoughts rushed through his brain like fire ants across a dirt mound. Shoving everything in their path aside, the sobbed phrase took precedence over Liam's terror.

*Who?* His weary mind whispered into the void.

Such elation swept over him, the he was very nearly ripped from peccaries position and thrown back into the emptiness. He held on however, and waited.

Images flashed around him. *The shimmering blue artificial womb he spent the first month of his life in. Other wombs, other babies, slowly wasting away and eventually dying. Sobbing in pain as he realized he would soon follow the others. And finally, being placed on his fathers chest. Drawing from his energy, his strength.*

Shocked at Da'an's betrayal of his trust, Liam withdrew. He could not... He could not handle knowing what Da'an was capable of. He did not want to believe his mentor could be so cruel.

Liam began surrounding himself in shadows once more. He welcomed the peace of nothingness.

No thought.

No fear.

No betrayal.

*NO!*

The emotion was breathtaking in its power. He felt it in his fingertips, in his toes. Light exploded throughout the emptiness, obliterating the dense void.

In its place, stood a green hill covered with wild flowers. The grass swayed in the soft breeze, brushing his pants legs as he stared across the valley. He was home. He remembered this place from his Mothers memories. Lying in the grass for hour, dreaming about the future.

*Father?*

Liam spun around. A small boy, no more than four, was standing before him. His auburn hair fell raggedly across his kelly green eyes. Those large almond shaped orbs were circled with bright blue rings. His sharp featured face reminded Liam of Siobhan's.

Eyes widened in wonder and awe, Liam whispered. *Seis Seth* (Sweet peace in Gealic)

The child smiled brightly. *I'm so happy I found you.* Throwing himself into his Father's arms, the child burrowed his face against Liam's chest.

*I-I... am too... Seth.* The young man sighed. Slowly gathering the boy closer, Liam hugged him furiously, burying his tear stained face in the child's hair. *It means...*

*Tranquility and peace* the boy murmured as he snuggled within his fathers embrace.

*Yes. You're my peace.*

The Scientist's query was met by Da'an's stern gaze. "I wish not to hear of it now. Please, take me to Liam and the infant."

Not able to compulse the centuries-older Diplomat, Ty'ir followed as Da'an swept off to the medical chamber where Liam and the infant rested.

The scene was not as he had left it.

The infant - apparently child now - had stabilized for the moment into the form of a male human four-year-old, no doubt mimicing the form of the parent whose arms it rested in. Ty'ir noted absently that the skin was perhaps an amount too pale for even the palest of the human race, and the ears maybe too big compared to a normal human head. The occasional fine line of blue-green light traced across random parts of the child's body. The child was still somewhat supported by the parent's arm and hand, although Ty'ir speculated that it was more for communicative purposes than anything else; he could see the almost-hidden light of Liam Kincaid's supposedly dormant shaqarava.

"There is more brain wave activity appearing. Perhaps the damage is not quite as bad as I feared," he said, trying to sound clinical while trying also to find an excuse to examine Da'an. "They seem to be supporting each other."

But the Diplomat was silent. Ty'ir continued on. "What fascinates you so?"

Apparently, the Diplomat was more willing to answer this time, or at least not opposed to answering. "I am merely wondering if Liam ever appeared to be this age," he said quietly.

The child began to move on the bed, causing his parent to move reflexively as humans did when making way for a loved one sharing a bed. Its eyes opened slowly, gazing upon the Taelons.

And then it began to cry, while its parent shifted restlessly, as if having a nightmare.

"What is wrong?" Da'an asked sharply.

Ty'ir quickly went to the child's side, but started as Liam's hands reflexively tightened on his son's arms. The boy clung to his parent, still crying and holding tightly to his arm.

Da'an's eyes widened as Liam's face began working and twisting. The monitor began showing erratic brain function.

"Out!" Ty'ir ordered. "It may be your presence, Da'an... you have done damage to Kincaid, and now he fears you..." He quickly began entering a series of commands into the monitor. The child was silent now, staring at Da'an with wide eyes.

Da'an quickly pulled back, the child's wide eyes watching him until he was out of sight. It was only as the room sealed itself that he realized how he was shaking.

****

Seth's eyes were full of tears as the second Taelon quickly left the room. His father was hurting....

He curled up at his father's side and slipped his small hand into the larger one. He began to shiver as he felt Liam wildly reliving the terrifying feeling of Da'an cutting through his defenses, forcing his way through Liam's mind and thoughts... Seth tried to calm his father, but he was panicking now.

Father... he pleaded, trying to calm his parent. Father... I'm scared...

* * * Renee Palmer's shoes click-clicked on the tiled floor of the lobby. She had long since given up on the magazines... they either talked about celebrities or scandals, and right now she wasn't in the mood for either.

Liam Kincaid, you are dead in whatever century you show up, she thought furiously.

Her global beeped. She opened it, murmuring, "Oh, so now you call to make excuses?"

But it was Da'an on her global. She frowned. "Da'an... what a surprise. I was supposed to meet Major Kincaid. Has something happened?"

Da'an's voice was suspiciously neutral. "Yes, I am afraid so. I have the situation well in hand, though."

An alarm went off in Renee's head. "Something happened to Liam, didn't it?"

Da'an's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes, he was... injured... in one of his duties."

"Is he all right?"

"I will tell you what you must know, Ms. Palmer," Da'an said sharply. "Major Kincaid is being seen to by a Taelon physician... I will call you back if there is any news to convey."

He cut the link without any kind of farewell. Renee found herself staring open-mouthed at a blank screen, knowing hardly anything more than when she had opened it...

Taelons, she thought with disgust, They expect every little human to obey their every little whim. Slamming her global shut, she strode towards the nearest portal. Well, we'll just see about that!

* * * Ty'ir was studying charts of the child's DNA, before and after lying with his parent, in hopes of finding out what happened. What he found fascinated him, but before he could inform another Taelon about his discovery, he was warned into silence by an angry clicking coming down the hall. Whirling around, he turned to face a very angry-looking human woman. Ms. Palmer, he remembered. What is she doing here?

" Where is he, and what the heck did you do to him?"

"To whom do you refer?" Ty'ir asked, truely baffled.

"Liam Kincaid, that's who!" Renee snapped. "Da'an called and said something about falling in the line of duty--what happpened?"

"I regret that I cannot disclose that information," Ty'ir replied. "Or, at this time, permit you to see him."

Renee fumed. Then something occurred to her--if they hadn't known already, surely having Liam under medical obsevation in a Taelon facility had revealed his more unusual genetic traits. "Does this have anything to do with his parents?" she asked recklessly, not caring what Ty'ir might do to any human that knew.

Ty'ir looked startled. "You know of Liam's parents?"

"Yes," Renee said quickly, before she could talk herself into backing out of this suicidal line of conversation.

Ty'ir did not reply, merely waiting.

Internally cursing, Renee added, "Yes, I know about his parents. All three of them."

Ty'ir bowed his head. "How did you learn of this information?"

"He told me," Renee answered, getting more annoyed. "We're friends. That's why I'm worried. Why won't you let me see him!"

Ty'ir turned to lead Renee to Liam's room. "He is unconscious."

"What happened?" Renee asked again, following him.

"An experiment which was conducted without his permission," Ty'ir replied cryptically. "I believed--"

"That it wouldn't hurt him?" Renee demanded angrily.

"No. That we should not have proceeded in the face of his refusal. I was overruled," Ty'ir said sadly, opening a door.

Beyond, Liam lay curled on a bed, a four-year-old child in his arms. Both appeared to be sleeping. Renee froze. "That boy--he was the experiment?"

Ty'ir bowed his head in acknowledgement.

"Well what happened to Liam? Why is he unconscious?" Renee wanted to know. "It's not like he gave birth, did he?" She blinked. "DID he?"

"He did not," Ty'ir replied. "However, in cases involving telepaths reproducing, there can be... psychological repercussions."

"So he's... what? Shocked half to death?" Renee asked incredulously.

"He is in a coma," Ty'ir clarified. "I have hope that the proximity of his offspring may draw him out of it--the child was also suffering medical problems, but stabilized in Major Kincaid's presence."

Renee walked slowly into the room. "May I--may I be alone with him for a few minutes?" she asked.

Ty'ir turned away, closing the door. Alone, Renee approached the bed, not sure what to do about the child. Finally she ignored him and reached to Liam, brushing at his hair and his temple. "Oh Liam. What did they do to you?"

"Who are you?" The child was awake, looking at Renee accusingly.

Renee withdrew her hand. "I'm Renee. I'm a friend of Liam's," she offered, trying to keep the surprise from her face.

*******

Father? Who is Renee? Do you know her?

To Seth's surprise, Liam snapped to attention, pulling out of the void he'd created probably faster than was healthy. Seth felt Liam's mind flood back into his body. Liam's arms tightened around Seth protectively. "Renee?" he croaked out loud.

"I'm here, Liam."

Liam didn't open his eyes. A rush of shame, guilt, horror--he couldn't face her. Liam turned his head away from her voice physically, and Seth felt Liam try to slip out of himself again.

NO, Seth told his father, emphasizing it with a fist on Liam's chest. She said she's your friend. She acts like she's worried. You CAN'T go away again!

I can't talk to her, I can't, Liam insisted. She won't understand.

She wants to try, Seth begged, even though he had no idea if this was Renee's intention. He could feel his father wavering.

"Liam? Are you all right, Liam?" Renee sounded a little panicked.

Liam exhaled audibly and turned his head back to Renee, opening his eyes. "I'm fine," he lied.

Tell her the truth, Seth prodded.

No.

Why not? I don't know what to do--she might!

She can't.

Father, please.

NO. Like Liam, Se th could do nothing to refute that particular tone of mind.

*******

Renee didn't know what was going on between the two, but she suspected there might be some telepathic communication, because blue lines kept firing across the child's skin. "I'm getting you out of here, Liam," Renee told him.

Liam looked at her blankly, but the child burst out, "You can't take him away again!"

"Both of you--I wouldn't leave anyone in the Taelons' hands if I had a choice about it," Renee replied.

The child wrapped its arms around Liam's neck. "Let's go."

Liam closed his eyes, worrying Renee and, apparently, the child. "Father, you can't!"

Father? Renee felt her heart tighten oddly. She had known, from what the Taelon had said, but...

Liam opened his eyes again. "All right," he grumbled, as if it were a chore.

"Can you get up?" Renee asked. Liam sat up, holding the child close. Renee gave him a hand to help his stand. He took a minute to get a comfortable hold on the child, but didn't seem to be weak. "Do you still have your weapon?" Renee asked, pulling her own out of her purse. Liam reached for his hip, shifting to accomodate the child's weight in the new position, and nodded. "Have it ready," Renee told him.

As Renee led them down the hall, Ty'ir appeared around a corner. He looked surprised, but hid it quickly. "Major Kincaid. I am pleased to see you have recovered."

"Is there such a thing as recovery?" Liam asked dully.

Renee frowned worriedly. "We're leaving. Liam's not going to be forced into any more experiments," she told Ty'ir.

Ty'ir sighed. "As I told you, I was opposed to it. However, I cannot allow you to take the child. He is the first child born of the Taelons in a millenia."

Renee tried to formulate an answer. She had pretty much decided on "like hell" when Liam spoke up.

"There could be another."

Ty'ir gazed at him quietly. "Da'an refused to inform me on that topic. He has chosen to exclude me from his other decisions as well."

"Will you stop us?" Liam asked. His blaster was still at his side, his hands full of the child.

Ty'ir looked at the man that Da'an had nearly destroyed for several long moments. Softly, he said...

"No." The Taelon scientist whispered. "But you must allow me to continue to evaluate his condition."

"We'll work that out in the future." Liam gently readjusted the boy. "Do you have something I can wrap him in?"

"Why don't you use your coat." Renee suggested and reached forward.

Liam flinched. Stumbling backwards, he violently shock his head. "Don't touch me!"

He backed across the room and put Seth on the biobed. Gently brushing the thick auburn locks from the child's rounded eyes, Liam whispered, "We'll go home. Remember the valley."

Smiling broadly, Seth nodded happily. "We'll be safe there."

Liam straightened and slowly removed his jacket. "Just you and me. No more Taelons" He wrapped the material around the child and lifted him into his arms.

"Come on, we'll get a taxi back to my apartment. You guys can stay there tonight." Renee offered.

"No!" He snapped quickly. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself. Liam turned toward the CEO, a cold, emotionless mask plastered across his pale features. "Thank you, but Seth and I will be fine at my place."

"Liam." Renee took a step toward them. "I think it would be best if..."

"I said no." The hybrid growled angrily. His voice shaking with barely repressed fear, he put as much space between himself and Renee as possible.

"Fine. Let's go then." She waved her hand toward the door, indicating he should exit first.

Shaking his head, Liam remained beside the bed. He wouldn't allow anyone to take him by surprise again.

Ever!

Sighing in resignation, Renee left the room.

Liam paid as much attention to Seth as the boy needed--he fed the boy, found some blankets to wrap him in, gave him the puzzle that Lili and Augur had given him--but didn't talk. He didn't even think, Seth knew, he just acted as needed.

He sat in a chair, eyes focused slightly beyond where Seth sat on the floor, playing half-heartedly. Liam didn't notice when Seth yawned, but when he started to radiate tiredness, Liam scooped him up and carried him to bed.

They lay as they had in the biobed at the embassy. Seth forced his eyes to stay open until he felt Liam drift into sleep.

*******

Da'an slid his fingers between Liam's--

Liam jolted awake. Father? Seth asked sleepily, knowing something was wrong, but not what.

"We're leaving," Liam told him, his physical voice sunding harsh in comparison to his mental one.

Where are we going?

Liam bit his lip. He didn't feel safe here, where they knew he would be, but he didn't know where to go, where to find Sanctuary...

Augur's place. Liam would never have been willing to go there if Augur had been there, he couldn't trust him. Augur had had looked out for him like Da'an, and Da'an had just... no. But Augur wasn't there. But that J. Street woman might be...

Who? In response, Seth received a brief flash of a woman with a crop of frizzy red hair, saying, "I like your shirt."

"Someone else I can't face," Liam sighed. "But we can't stay here. They know I'm here. Da'an--" He swallowed bile. "Da'an must know I'm here. I was an idiot to come here, I just couldn't go with Renee."

Why not? Seth asked, wondering if Liam might tell him this time.

"She wouldn't understand what happened to me," Liam growled.

You could show her. The way you showed me, Seth pointed out.

Liam looked down at Seth, face shocked. You saw that? In my mind?

Yes.

You saw how Da'an...

Yes.

Oh God. Liam's mind abruptly cut off from Seth's, completely.

Father?! No response. "Father?" Seth whimpered.

"I don't know where we're going but we have to leave," Liam told him, as if Seth had never revealed his knowledge. "Renee's... yes, we'll go to Renee's. You can stay with Renee."

Where will you go? Seth asked. But he didn't ask it aloud.

"You promised!" Seth begged. "You said we'd go to Grandma's. You said we'd be safe."

*Please Father... You promised.* Tears trickled from the child's large green eyes and down his pale face. Seth snagged his Fathers hand, pleading silently.

Liam looked down at the floor, avoiding the accusing gaze of his son. "You don't understand. I have to be alone for a while. I have to think things through."

"But, you said..." The boy whimpered softly.

"Seth, I can't take care of you right now." Liam explained.

Fighting the sobs welling within his throat, the younger hybrid desperately sought his Father's mind. The blocks in place however, were fare to strong. He didn't want to be alone. He shuddered as a wave of icy blue washed over his lean frame.

"Da, I'll be good." His lower lip trembling, Seth tugged Liam's fingers. "You don't have to take care of me. I p-promise."

"Oh God!" Liam moaned softly. Dropping to his knees, he gathered the boy close and hugged him fiercely. Opening his mind, Liam sent soothing thoughts across their tentative link. *You didn't do anything wrong, Leannan. Your right, I did promise. *

Standing, Liam placed Seth on the bed. He quickly walked to the closet and pulled out an overnight bag. Yanking a few items from hangers, he shoved them inside. "We'll use several different portals and scramble the location. That way, no one can track us. We'll get you some clothes on the way." Pacing to the dresser, he began stuffing odds and ends inside.

* Your not going to leave me?* Seth whispered.

Turning, he quickly closed the distance between them. Wiping the tears from the child's face, Liam gently caressed his sons cheek. *I wont leave you, ever.*

Throwing his small arms around his fathers neck, Seth buried his face against Liam's chest. *I love you, Da.*

*Me too, Leannan.* Liam wrapped his arms around the boy and stood. Grabbing the bag from the dresser, he left the bedroom. "Me too."

Renee threw open the windows of her bedroom, allowing her hands and face to dangle out in the cool night air.

Her mind flew to Liam and Seth - as Liam had called the little boy who had come with him. The child didn't look particularly Taelon, but who could tell? Those little hybrid babies had looked human enough...

But what had happened?

Renee knew that if the boy was Liam's son, then his DNA must have been used in some way without his consent. She couldn't imagine him allowing Da'an to tinker with his genetics that way...

But there was something missing. Liam had reacted far too strongly for mere paranoia - he was downright afraid. The child was afraid too, but not the same way.

What did they do to him....

****

"He is gone."

Da'an broke from his reverie, hearing Ty'ir's voice behind him. He turned to look at the doctor, seeing a cool lack of emotion in his face. Da'an watched Ty'ir for a moment, then closed his eyes. "Liam?"

"Of course. Who else would I be speaking of?" Ty'ir said sharply, then checked himself. "And, he has taken the child with him."

Da'an looked up sharply. "Where have they gone?"

Ty'ir grimaced. "Kincaid made some reference to 'his place.'"

The doctor paused, and began to slowly circle around Da'an. "You should be interested to know that Renee Palmer is aware of Kincaid's heritage, and - to some extent - what we have both done. She offered both him and the child shelter at her home."

Da'an looked slightly irritated, leaning forward in his seat. "Then Liam and the boy are with her?"

"No. Kincaid reacted strongly to the suggestion." Ty'ir faced Da'an, eyes narrowed. "I do not advise going near Kincaid until he chooses to do so of his own will. Otherwise... after the events of this night, he may act violently."

Da'an drew back slightly, looking conflicted...

****

Seth shivered in the night air as his father carried him quickly to the portal. He could feel Liam's fear and determination, helping him to hold back his own fear.

"Will we ever come back, Da?" he murmured.

Liam patted him absently on the shoulder. "I think so."

"Where are we going?"

"Well, we'll see where we end up, shall we?" Liam's tone was deceptively light.

Seth craned his neck to look down the street. It was empty, except for a few dark shapes that were wandering away from them. None had paid attention to the man carrying a little boy to the portal...

Liam stepped between the long blue prongs that formed the portal. "Might make you feel a bit dizzy," he murmured, setting Seth down on the ground beside him, and gripping his hand tightly. "I did my first time in. Don't let go of me..."

Seth obediently clutched his father's hand, and waited as the portal activated itself.

Liam's palms began to itch at the memory of Da'an's hands against his. He wiped them against his shirt absently, trying to force the Taelon from his mind. Why can't I forget? he thought wildly.

Liam shut his eyes tightly and took a deep breath as the ID field swept them away. Safe... he and Seth would be safe, as soon as they found a place, for a time... perhaps he could contact Renee later on. He shuddered at the idea of calling Street, the way he felt right now...

But he heard Seth squeak in dismay and clutch at his pant leg...

Liam opened his eyes to find a very familiar face coming up the stairs towards the portal he was currently standing on. Sheriff Hartland. Liam had this very bad feeling that if he turned around that he would find that he'd accidentally set the portal for Taelonville, Indiana.

"Hello, Sheriff."

* * *

After a few moments, Da'an seemed to decide. "Then you must continue the search for him, since I am a repulsive figure to him."

"First, I must examine you before I begin the search. I would be derelict in my duty if I did not see to your health," Ty'ir told him, pleased at last to see that he could find out for himself if the Joining had produced a child despite Liam's resistance.

Of course, Liam's departure with their child tore at him. He doubted Liam knew that he was the child's other parent. While the child had not been a part of him, he wished to see it again. And he wished to know that the child was safe.

"Come," he said, and managed somehow to get Da'an to follow.

* * *

Melissa Park's global beeped and she swore, having had a rather stressful and bad day. She didn't want to talk to anybody at the moment. But she still answered, just in case it was an emergency. Renee Palmer's face filled the small screen. "Doctor, may I talk to you? It's about Liam."

Her heart started pounding. "What about Liam? What's happened?"

She saw the other woman seem to take a deep breath. "Look, it would take too long to explain over global and I don't dare leave. Could you come here? I need someone who knows Liam well, someone he'd trust."

"I'll be there," Melissa responded, cutting off the conversation. For Liam, for his health and safety, she'd do anything.

* * *

Agent Sandoval stepped away from the wall and quickly entered Da'an's office before the two could exit.

He'd been standing at the entrance, listening to the Taelon's inside talk. Although he didn't understand the references to Major Kincaid's heritage, he was sure with enough time, he could find the answers he required. What truly intrigued him however was the mention of "the boy."

He'd been searching for his son since his release from the hospital. Unfortunately, he'd had no luck. Perhaps that was because, officially, the child did not exist. What if "the boy" was his son? If that were true, what could Da'an have possibly done to cause the Major to defy him and take the child?

Brushing aside the thoughts for the time being, Sandoval cleared his throat.

Da'an and the scientist at his side abruptly jerked to attention at the interruption. Upon seeing the Agent, a blush of cerulean veins swept over the US Companion. Facing the virtual glass, Da'an questioned indifferently. "What do you require, Agent Sandoval?"

"Zo'or is in need of the Major's assistance." Sandoval's smooth icy calm voice replied.

"I'm afraid that is impossible at the moment." The Taelon stated. "Major Kincaid has gone home for the evening."

Ty'ir quickly intervened. "He was not feeling well and requested tomorrow off. Perhaps another Protector can be of use."

"I'm afraid not." Honey sweet, Sandoval feigned ignorance of the conversation he had overheard. "Zo'or is preparing to retrieve more documents from Ma'el's memory banks."

"Then he will have to wait until L-Liam is well" Sandoval didn't miss the stutter in Da'an's reply.

*Interesting!*

"Zo'or is unlikely to accept the delay." Turning toward the exit, a Cheshire cat smile stretched across the Agent's face. "I'll send a Volunteer to pick the Major up at home."

"NO!" Both Ty'ir and Da'an blurted at the same instant.

Spinning round, Sandoval furrowed his brows in mock confusion. "You did say he went home for rest, did you not?"

"I will discuss the situation with Zo'or." Da'an informed the Agent hurriedly. "You needn't bother my Protec ... the Major's recovery."

Sandoval very nearly arched his brows. This was getting more interesting every moment. What had Da'an done to Kincaid to make him question whether the man were still his Protector? And what did it have to do with a child?

Finally nodding his head, Sandoval sighed. "All right, Da'an. But Zo'or will not be pleased."

"I said I will take care of it." The Taelon snapped sharply.

Now, Sandoval did arch a brow. However, he refrained from commenting on Da'an's outburst. He was fully aware of why the Taelon was so agitated.

* Must be in need of more Kriss.* Sandoval thought. *I'll just have to stop by again tomorrow and bring him some.*

Bowing his head, the Agent turned and left the chambers.

* * *

Finally, Liam and Seth arrived at their final destination. The Sheriff's pressence at one of the portals they'd arrived in almost caused the whole plan to fall apart. Luckily, the man had been called away to handle a burglery before the Q and A period had begun. At a couple of small shops in France, Liam had picked up several items Seth would need; including clothing and books. The child had seemed genuinely intrigued by the wide verity of reading material. Thus Liam had bought a rather large quantity.

In China, Liam had accessed his funds. He emptied his bank account in case someone tried to track him through his purchases. Rather than changing banks, he simply carried the money with him. The small scrambler Liam kept in his pocket, took care off both the portals memory banks and any cameras in the many portal stations they passed through. With no trial to follow, they should be free from company.

Once out of the portal station, they crossed the street and entered a bus station. For several hours they hopped from one bus to another until they eventually arrived in a small town south of Limerick, Ireland.

Liam rented a room in a cozy boarding house just outside of town. Deciding they'd find more permanent living arrangements in the morning, they took in a light meal and went to bed.

"Da?" Seth whispered from were he lay cuddled agianst Liam's chest on the large mattress.

"Yes,Leannan." Liam murrmured half asleep.

"Thank you for not leaving me alone." The child breathed.

"I'll never leave you." Liam hugged him tightly. *You'll never be alone again.*

*Neither will you.* Seth sighed before falling into a peacefull sleep.

Melissa drove as fast as the law would allow to Renee's place. What's wrong with Liam? And why the hell did he go to her first?!?!

Knocking angrily on the door, she was let in by a frazzled looking Renee. Melissa cut to the chase.

" What happened?"

In the darkened bedroom, Liam was shivering.

Thin lines of residual Taelon energy streaked under his skin as he shifted on the bed. His face was working and twitching, and Seth woke as his father's grip spasmed.

"Da?" he murmured, sitting up.

Liam only shuddered again, squirming. Seth's small face was set as he slid his hand into his father's. His green eyes went wide. "Da, wake up! Wake up!"

But Liam did not wake...

****

Ty'ir heard a sound behind him as he moved toward the medical bay.

Da'an had stumbled against the wall, his eyes wide and his breath coming in short rasps. The doctor quickly moved to his side, and slid a hand across the diplomat's cheek. A faint glow rippled across Da'an's facade. "So, it is worse than I feared," he murmured.

Da'an shut his eyes. "What is?"

"Kincaid's injury." Ty'ir drew away. "You have dealt him a great psychic wound, Da'an... one that will not heal on its own." His voice became solemn. "He is unable to distance himself from what has happened. Unless something is done for him soon, he will forever feel you forcing your way into his mind, forever feel his betrayal and fear - as freshly as when it happened."

Da'an took another shuddering breath, slowly straightening. "Then why... am I feeling his dreams? Why do I hear his voice?"

"Even a forced joining," Ty'ir said quietly, "will produce a connection of some kind."

"And what can be done for this... psychic wound?"

Ty'ir's gaze flickered. "The Commonality might repair the damage... exposure to a Taelon might stop it. He would still feel the pain, and will remember what happened. But the memory would fade with time, and he might be able to forgive."

Da'an stared at Ty'ir for a moment, then down at his hand, as if it had betrayed him. "Will you find a way to heal the Major?"

For a moment, Ty'ir looked vaguely insulted. He hesitated, thinking, and then replied.

The soft snick of the lock informed Sandoval he could enter. Standing, he shoved the lock-pick tools in his back pocket. The Agent slowly pushed the door open. Skrill raised, he scanned the quiet apartment, before closing the door behind him.

Upon leaving the Embassy, Sandoval had immediately left for the Majors apartment. He'd knocked several times before finally picking the door lock.

The spartan living room held two bookcases, a sofa, chair and a rug. The shelves were stacked with literally hundreds of books. As it was, a pile of hard covers had been started beneath one of the windows.

Sandoval slowly crossed the hard wood floor to the bed room. Against the far wall, lay an unmade bed. Drawers hanging open half-hazardly, the dresser stood between the rooms two windows. The closet door had been flung wide to reveal empty hangers. From the discarded clothing on the floor and unkempt room, the Major had obviously left in a hurry.

Whatever Da'an had done to the young man, had left him terrified and skittish. Sandoval was shocked to find himself actually concerned about the Major's welfare.

Whatever was happening, the Agent was determined to find some answers.

******

Ty'ir stared at Da'an in shock, before stating ."I do not believe he would allow me or any other Taelon near him. "

"It is not healthy for my offspring to be experiencing such emotions, you will fix the problem." The US Companion ordered regally.

"The humans have a term for what you have done, do they not?" The scientist glared coldly at his fellow Taelon. "I believe it is called rape."

"It was necessary." Da'an snapped angrily.

"You can rationalize your actions as much as you like. It however, does not change the outcome." Ty'ir responded. "If the only way to save our species is by destroying others, then I must question the wisdom of allowing our species continued existence."

Gasping in horror, Da'an stared at the older Taelon. "You are suggesting..."

"I am suggesting nothing." The Taelon's apathetic reply left little room for doubt. "I am merely questioning your methods."

"I haven't a clue," Renee said quietly, brushing a strand of blond hair from her eyes. She and Melissa Park were seated on a couch, staring at two cold mugs of coffee. "All I know is that he couldn't stand to have me come any closer. And he wouldn't stay at my apartment."

"Did he say what had happened to him?" Parks asked.

"Nothing."

"What was the name of this doctor?"

"I didn't catch it."

Park grimaced. "There are a fair number of Taelon doctors on Earth... and I can hardly be casual asking all of them."

Renee stared at her knees for a moment. "Perhaps I should try talking to him again. Or to the child."

"Ms. Palmer..."

Renee stood up and brushed a few crumbs from her skirt. "Do you want to try? He looked as if someone had broken his soul in half, and he's simply going to rot away if someone doesn't talk to him." She frowned. "It might help if you do talk to him. You've known him longer than I have."

Park sighed. "Perhaps you're right. I'll go to his apartment."

****

Searching Kincaid's possessions for a sign of where he'd gone wasn't difficult. The man lived like a monk - a studious monk, but with almost nothing once his clothes were gone. There was a Taelon puzzle and a few computer games.

He slid in front of the table and activated the computer. It was an older model from the turn of the millennium, but still functional if adapted. But he frowned as the desktop showed no icons. He initiated a search. Nothing. So Kincaid had wiped the drive before leaving.

He grimaced. He intended to find out if the child with Kincaid was the missing son. And if the child was, then Kincaid wouldn't stand in his way...

Snick...

Sandoval stiffened at the sound of a door opening, and soft footsteps on the tiled floor of the lower level. His skrill hissed slightly as he rose and glided noiselessly to the door, his dark eyes flashing.

Someone was moving on the narrow staircase leading up to Liam's door, holding a flashlight. There was a muffled squeak as he reached out and yanked away the flashlight, shining into the face of the intruder.

"Do you mind?"

"Sheriff Hartland," Sandoval said, startled. Of all the people he might hve expected to meet breaking into Major Kincaid's apartment, the sheriff of that town where Da'an had been running Taelon-human genetic experiments? He lowered the flashlight. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," the sheriff replied, "since I *know* the Major's not home."

"How do you know that?" Sandoval demanded.

"He showed up in Taelonville about an hour ago," the Sherriff replied. "I was called away over a theft and he walked out, but it was very suspicious. He had a child with him, made me wonder, after all that ruckus he raised last year over kidnapped pregnant women in Taelonville."

Sandoval called up the details of the reports with his CVI, and found them somewhat lacking in specifics. "What did the child look like?" he asked.

"Well that was the weird thing," Hartland told him. "Kinda glowy."

Glowy? Sandoval shook his head. "Did Major Kincaid say anything? Why he was traveling? Where he was going?"

"Nope," Hartland replied. "Didn't say much of anything at all. Real glum like. Very suspicious, indeed. I figured since I didn't get to question him I might as well come here and see if I could figure out what was going on."

Sandoval shook his head. "There's nothing to be learned here. You might as well go home, Sheriff."

"My, my, if it isn't Grand Central Station," came a woman's voice from below.

Sandoval swung the flashlight into Renee Palmer's face. "Ms. Palmer," he said coldly. "Are you in the habit of visiting Major Kincaid in the middle of the night?"

Renee glared at Sandoval.

" Didn't think you were the type, either," she retorted, " Just thought I'd join the party," She quickly moved her glare the Sheriff's way, assesing his intentions in a single glance. He was drooling.

* * *

Seth, startled and alarmed by his Parent's unconscious state, tried frantically to find a way to wake his Parent up. But Liam's mind was closed, and Seth could not get him to respond. Looking around, he spotted the things that Liam had brought along, which included the global. Seth concentrated, trying to draw on his father's memories on how to operate the global, and in addition, how to find the number for Liam's friend Renee.

About a half-hour later, he had both, activating the global's stored-number feature. He tried calling Renee Palmer, but got no answer, so he called up another name that his father knew well. Dr. Melissa Park.

* * *

Melissa Park had tried Liam's apartment, but finding that he wasn't there, went to other places she knew that he had once hung out at. It occured to her that he might even come to her. She was, after all, a person that he'd known since the day he was born. And who else does he have left to turn to that knows so much about him?

On her way there, she called Renee Palmer to report that Liam wasn't at his place. Renee had merely nodded. "He's got to be somewhere. Let me look over there. I have a key."

Melissa somehow doubted it, but let it go anyway. She was a doctor, not a cat burglar. As she stepped into her house, her global beeped and she answered it. The face of a young child, not over four, appeared on the screen. "Hello?" she asked. "Who are you?"

"I'm Seth," the child said plainly. "You're a friend of my father. Can you help me?"

"Liam," Melissa said automatically. "Seth, what's going on? Where are you?"

"Da - Father... he said he was taking us to grandma's house, but now he won't wake up!"

"Seth, calm down. Do you know where you are?"

The child, who faintly resembled Siobhan Beckett more than his father ever had, shook his head. "I see a field."

Well, it's better than seeing dead people, she thought. She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring look. "Don't worry about it, Seth. I'll find you. Renee and I will find you and Liam."

"Is she okay? I couldn't reach her," Seth stated.

"I'll find out. And then we'll make sure you and your father are safe. Okay, Seth?"

"Okay." And with that, his image winked out, leaving Melissa to wonder what had happened to Renee.

Sandoval's eyes narrowed, and a chill ran up Renee's spine.

" Well then, welcome to the party, Ms. Palmer," he said coldly, and pulled out his gun, " Where is he?"

" Hey!" the Sheriff shouted, and lunged forward in a rare but useless attempt at chivalry. Sandoval threw him against the wall, and the Sheriff slide, unconcious. Sandoval returned his attention to a frozen Renee.

" He has my son," he growled, " Where did he take them?"

"You idiot, what the hell are you talking about? Seth is Liam's son." Renee snapped angrilly. Pushing past the sheriff's body, she looked around the appartment.

The Agent slowly lowered his weapon before murrmuring. "It looks like they left in quite a hurry."

"Dammit!" Renee cursed. Slamming her purse roughly against the back of the sofa she murmered. "I knew I shouldn't have left him alone last night."

The Agent realized Renee possibly knew what Da'an had done to cause Kincaid to leave. Taking a chance, Sandoval gently prodded for information. "Da'an was concerned for the Major's health."

"I'll bet he was." Renee sneered hatefully. Under her breath, she sighed. "Probably just wanted to do more experiments on him."

Sandoval's eyes widened as his CVI enhanced hearing caught the soft words. He could understand Zo'or condoning such a thing, but Da'an? A phrase from Yeats poem The Second Coming ran through his mind; "Things fall apart, the center cannot hold, mere anarchy is loosed upon the world..."

* * * * *

*Father?* Seth's soft call rippled through Liam's foggy mind. The terror the memories induced slowly began to recede.

"Da?" Seth whispered. His small hands were tightly wond around Liam larger ones.

Eyelids fluttering briefly, the older hybrid lazily opened his eyes. For a moment, everything was swathed in gray fuzz. Eventually the center cleared to reveal pre-dawn light shimmering through the windows. The edges of his vision remained a dark sightless blur.

"Seth?" Liam murrmered.

"Father, you wouldn't wake up." The child explained. He moved into Liam's side once more. "I was scared."

"I'm sorry, Lennean." The older hybrid whispered groggily. He tried to sit up but found the effort to great for his weakened body.

"I called a lady named Melissa for help." Seth tried to get his fathers attention.

Liam's eyes closed slowly. Sighing he fell back to sleep.

"Ty'ir, if you cannot-" Da'an's voice was cut short by a choking gasp, as if someone had struck him.

Ty'ir eyed the diplomat. "What is it?" he asked.

Da'an did not reply, his blue eyes fixed on something that Ty'ir could not see. He had the sudden feeling of being trapped, of being locked inside his own body with a thousand demons swarming around him. He jerked his head to the side, trying to shut out the feeling...

"Is it Kincaid?" Ty'ir's voice shot through the chaos.

Da'an forced himself to distance from whatever connection he had with Liam. The action itself was painful, but now he could focus. "Yes, I believe so. He is... trapped."

Ty'ir's face tightened slightly. "Perhaps," he said, "you should dwell on the suffering you have wrought, Da'an. You not only violated Kincaid, but now torture the child and yourself with echoes of your deed. Do you truly believe that this is in the best interests of the Taelons, if it has so much damage inherent in its action?"

Da'an's gaze flickered, looking uncertain of his actions for the first time. "I do not know..."

"You should know."

Melissa left Augur's place after getting the hacker to trace the little boy's signal. Before leaving the portal for Ireland, she tried Renee again. Finally, she's there!

" Have you found him?" the other woman asked, and Melissa filed the barely conceled emotion in her voice away for later. Maybe it was time for her to re-evaluate her opinion of the younger woman.

" Yes," she replied, " He's in Ireland. I just got a call from the boy. He was worried,"

" I'm coming with you."