4.18 The Decision

Author's Note: This chapter follows closely after the events in this chapter from the Van Winkle Legacy, 4.18 Terms and Conditions. I'd suggest reading that chapter first to get the most out of this chapter.

A week after Emmaline arrived in Moonlight Falls they went home to Sunlit Tides. Chase and Caleb lingered outside each dreading the upcoming conversations with their spouses. Emmaline ran inside calling "mom, mom I'm home."

Drew was in her room sitting alone on the couch looking through old photo albums. Gently running her fingers across the faces of her babies. Heart breaking thinking she would never see them again, feel their arms around her giving her a hug or hear their voices echoing down the halls. The album slid from her lap unnoticed when Emmaline's voice reached her ears.

Was she dreaming? Pinching herself the pain barely registered through her shock and excitement upon hearing her daughter's voice. "Emmaline," she cried running for the door "Emmaline" she called again running for the stairs.

"Mom," Emmaline cried running for the stairs. Reaching the landing Emmie threw her arms around Drew "mommy I've missed you so so much."

Tears of joy ran from Drew's eyes as she stroked her daughters bright pink hair. She held her daughter close afraid if this was a dream she'd disappear if she let go. "I've missed you too," Drew cried. She bit her lip to keep from overwhelming her daughter with a million questions. She wanted to know so much. Where was she? What was the future like? Why wasn't and Andrew and Charlie with her? Were they alright?

Emmaline breathed in deeply relishing the feel of her mother's arms around her. She'd never leave the safety of this house again. "Mom I love you," she murmured feeling safe for the first time in months. She was home for the first time in what felt like forever. If only Charlie and Andrew were here too. She looked up in time to see the sour face of her older sister. What was she doing here? She let her mom pull her into her room while asking Indira to bring up a tray of hot chocolate and cookies. The thought of Indira playing maid almost made Emmie snicker.

***

Chase was greeted by two excited teen girls squealing in delight at the sight of their father. Caleb scooted past them quickly. He wouldn't say he was envious but it would have been nice to have been greeted like that by his daughter. He had hoped when Indira came home it was a sign she had changed. Evidently he had expected too much.

Leaving Chase to his homecoming Caleb went inside. Climbing the stairs he checked on Drew smiling to find her curled up on the couch with Emmaline beside her drinking hot chocolate and nibbling on oatmeal cookies. "You'd think she'd been kidnapped or something," Indira said harshly at his side

Frowning he turned toward his eldest child. Scowling he asked "what's wrong with you?" He couldn't keep his anger and hurt contained any longer.

"It's only been a few months," she shrugged "what's so detrimental about going to the future?"

"Have you spoken with your sister about her experiences yet?" he asked trying to reign in his temper. "Have you?" he repeated his voice sounding like thunder.

"No" she shook her head "she's just gotten home. When would I have done that?"

"So you don't know what she went through in the future" Caleb stated wondering how his daughter could be so clueless. So self absorbed.

She sighed rolling her eyes "I don't see what the fuss is all about."

Shaking his head at her he couldn't muster the energy to help Indira understand the gravity of the situation. "it was nice of you to come home but I'm sure you're wanting to get back to school and your friends..."

Something flickered behind Indira's eyes but all she did was nod "does that mean I can leave now?"

"If you want to" Caleb sighed heart plummeting at what he perceived was a heartless disregard on Indira's part for her family.

"Good" she smiled "I'll leave tomorrow. I have some papers I need to work on."

Absently he nodded his head distancing himself from the stabbing pain he felt from her lack of concern. He watched his daughter turn and walk away. He turned and slipped into the room where Drew and Emmaline were. Pasting a smile upon his face he saw Drew look up at him from where she sat immersed in conversation with their youngest child.

***

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

Shaking his head he said "Indira has decided to go back to school. She's leaving in the morning."

Tears sprang to Drew's eyes "I thought...I hoped she'd want to stay."

"Mom" Emmaline put a hand on her mother's shoulder "I'll go talk to her. I might be able to get her stay a little longer."

"Oh sweetie that's a nice offer but you don't have to," Drew wiped at her eyes "I'm just a sentimental old fool."

"No you're not," Emmie contradicted saying "Indira's the one that should be sorry."

Caleb bent down and kissed the top of his daughter's pink head. This was the little girl he had missed so much. The spunky fiery spit fire that didn't take any prisoners. "Go talk to your sister. Don't be surprised if she doesn't change her mind though," Caleb told her.

"Oh I won't. I fully expect her to put up a fight and leave," Emmaline said standing up fire in her eyes. She walked to the door. Reaching for the door knob she hesitated, turned and ran back to her dad. Throwing her arms around him she cried "I'm so glad to be home."

Temporarily speechless Caleb just held her close stroking her long hair. "I'm glad your home too," he managed to say over the lump forming in his throat.

Pulling away Emmaline wiped at her eyes before leaving the room. It wouldn't do to show weakness in front of the enemy. She entered Indira's room without knocking. She watched her sister throw articles of clothing into a suitcase muttering to herself all the while.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," she said heaving a heavy sigh tired of watching her sister pack in such a frenzy.

Indira looked up smirking "I wondered how long you'd stand there silently judging me."

"What's your problem?" Emmaline asked "why do you hate us so much?"

"I don't hate you," Indira objected "I just have better things to do than play nurse maid to my mother."

"The least you could do is wait until Andrew comes home" Emmaline told her taking a step forward 

"Our parents need all the support we can give them right now."

"Oh come off it," Indira scoffed "you act like they're enduring something horrible. You were only gone for a few months. Quit making more of it than it was."

"You have no idea what it was I went through," Emmaline's face contorted as images of mutants writhing on the ground dying because she had shot them. She killed living breathing things. She clasped a hand over her mouth running from the room. She was going to be sick and if she could prevent it she'd prefer to be sick somewhere her sister wouldn't be able to watch her.

***

Settling onto the couch beside his wife Caleb pulled her close. He needed to feel her warmth next to him. "I need to tell you something" he said holding her tight.

Nodding Drew sighed looking up at him "you're going to tell me some powerful being brought Emmaline home. Now you have to agree to do something so that they'll bring the boys home." Her tone was light, joking. Her eyes twinkled behind her lashes. She lost her smile when he remained silent staring down at her with a tortured expression upon his face "that was a joke," she stammered "please tell me that's not what really happened."

Her half panicked plea moved him to open his mouth "I wish I could" he murmured "I can't." Holding her hand he told her everything that he knew, thought or guessed about Quinn, the dimension watcher.

She was silent for several minutes as his words hung between them. She leaned her head on his shoulder "if it means bringing the boys home then agree to her terms. The boys will understand."

"That's what I was thinking. I worry about how this will impact their children's lives." He stared across the room feeling the burden weighing heavily on his shoulders. He wondered what made his father so special. Growing up he never thought Levi was that special other than being an awesome dad. He did understand better his mother's position when she chose Noah over him as the heir. It's scary to put all that responsibility on someone. The best he could hope for is that he lived long enough to be a good guiding  influence in his grandchildren's lives."

"Caleb," Drew snuggled into him "I love you." She lifted her lips up to him kissing his jawline before traveling over to his lips. Hovering above his mouth, her breath warm on his skin "I've missed you" she said bringing her mouth down upon his as if seeking to rediscover forgotten territory.

***

Once his daughters wandered off to find their cousin to ply her with a million questions. Chase walked towards Jennifer. He fell into her arms squeezing her tight "I've missed you so much giving her a quick kiss.

"And I you," she replied taking his hand leading him inside. Sitting on the couch she asked "it's not over is it? Charlie and Andrew aren't here."

"Not yet" Chase averted his gaze unable to meet her eyes without hearing Quinn's voice in his head.

"What aren't you telling me?" she asked.

He smiled sadly "you always could read me like a book." He held her hand while he told her about the dimension watcher.

"No absolutely not," she cried bouncing up prowling the room.

"Sweetie please calm down," Chase tried to take her into his arms only to have her shrug his hands away from her.

"You're talking about sending our babies to another dimension," she shouted tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Not right this minute," Chase told her keeping his voice free of urgency.  He knew this was going to be difficult. "We have time before this happens. They still need to be trained and taught how to be time keepers."

"How long? A few years?" Jennifer demanded crossing her arms.

"I don't know," he sighed "maybe ten, twenty years at least." He continued to tell her about how Quinn planned to bring balance to the dimension.

"What if we refuse?" she asked her chin jutting out defiant.

Chase recognized the signs that his wife was preparing to dig in. Refuse to cooperate. "If we refuse the imbalance remains...." He walked over to her taking her face between his hands "which means we'll lose them anyway. The dimension watcher is only awakened as a last ditch effort to keep the council from intervening and resetting it. Once that happens everything we know is gone."

"What do we do?" she cried looking to him for answers.

"We take advantage of the time we have," Chase told her wiping away the tears that poured down her cheeks "it's not like we'll never see or hear from them again."

She looked up at him a curious glint in her eyes "what do you mean?"

"They'll be time keepers. I'm a time keeper," he smiled down at her. Kissing the top of her nose "time keepers can contact other time keepers in every dimension that exists."

"It won't be the same," she whined.

"No it won't but even if they stayed here they would grow up and live their own lives without us. We'll make the most of what we have to work with." He pulled her close smiling when this time she let him.

"It's better than the alternative I suppose," she murmured leaning into him

***

Later that night Caleb and Chase sat in the living room alone anticipating a visit from Quinn. 

Glancing at the time they began to wonder if she was going to show up. It was well past midnight already.

"We'll give it another hour," Chase said smothering a yawn.

Nodding Caleb stretched out on the couch closing his eyes wishing he was upstairs holding his wife in his arms.

"Isn't this cozy," a woman's voice startled them.

They sat up rubbing their eyes "can't you come at a decent time?" Caleb complained

"What's life without a little surprise every now and then?" she asked laughing at them "so have you come to a decision?"

"We have," Chase spoke for both of them "we'll do as you want."

"Awesome" she clapped her hands with glee "and you?" she asked turning her gaze on Caleb knowing that Chase had answered for both but she needed to hear from him.

"Yes I agree to your terms," he mumbled still not liking the idea but having no idea what he could do differently to get his son back.

"Good," she bestowed upon them a joyful smile.

"When can we expect them home?" Caleb asked sensing the woman was about to leave.

"As soon as they accomplish their task," she told him.

"What task?" Caleb demanded confused "I thought you said it would be my grandchildren who would need to do the time traveling."

"Yes that's correct" she sighed. She hadn't wanted to go into detail what that meant. There was one task that had to be done now in the future to make all the subsequent changes matter. Pull it altogether. It was dangerous. A risk Caleb would not want to take. "A beacon must be set in the future so that everything that is changed in the past will correct the imbalance."

"So you want Andrew to set that beacon before he can come home," it was a statement not a question.

"I'll instruct him in what needs to be done. The rest is up to him." She moved away from him not wanting to tell him that Andrew's success probability was about 30-40 percent. "I can't physically do anything to change things. I can suggest, maneuver and manipulate to get things done but I can't make the changes myself. That's why I needed your willing acceptance to my terms." 

***

"Do you believe that Emmie is home?" Charlie asked keeping his arms wrapped around his fiance.

"I have to believe it," Andrew leaned back closing his eyes "otherwise I let her go off by herself to die. I can't....." 

Charlie kissed the top of his head holding him tight. He didn't voice his opinion. It'd only crush Andrew to know that he believed that Emmaline had become mutant food.

"I shouldn't have let her go," Andrew cried burying his face into Charlie's shoulder "she's dead and it's all my fault."

"Don't talk like that," Charlie tried to soothe the tremors he felt run through Andrew's tense body "you have to believe that when we get home she'll be there."

"We're never going home," Andrew sobbed "I'm such a gullible idiot. Fantasies have no place in this god forsaken place. I'm the guy who'd buy beach front property in the middle of a desert."

What Charlie feared most was starting to happen. Andrew was unraveling right before his eyes. If they had any hope of surviving he had to find something to give Andrew a reason to hope. He feared all he could do was let Andrew cry on his shoulder.

The dog whined scratching at the floor by their feet. The mangy thing always became upset when Andrew was upset. Charlie had learned in the days since Emmaline disappeared he had to be cautious in how he approached Andrew. The dog seemed to have adopted Andrew as his new master.

Eventually Andrew cried himself to sleep lying half on top of Charlie on the couch. Absently Charlie ran his fingers through Andrew's hair wishing he could come up with a way to get the both of them home. The idea of raising their child in this place was terrifying. With each successive week it brought them closer to the day Andrew would go into labor. Than what? He didn't know how to deliver a baby. Where would the baby come out of? Would he need a c-section? There were so many questions and so few answers.

Andrew moaned in his sleep calming when Charlie ran his hand down his arm. One day Charlie knew he was going to have leave him alone while he went out for supplies. He would put it off as long as possible but their meager food store would eventually run out. He dreaded that day. He knew Andrew wouldn't want to be left behind but Charlie knew with the baby and his now protruding stomach he wasn't able to move as fast or maneuver the way he needed to avoid mutants.

The dog growled by his feet baring it's teeth it stood growling. Instantly alert Charlie jumped to his feet ready to defend Andrew to the death. A small woman stood silently by the door a lopsided grin upon her pretty face. "Dog be silent" she waved her hand deafening the room in silence. "That's better," she smiled please with herself.

"Who are you?" Charlie demanded standing defensively in protection mode.

"That's her," Andrew said standing from the couch tugging on Charlie's arm "that's the woman I told you about."

"Ah" Charlie acknowledged without taking his eyes from the woman's face "what do you want?"

Ignoring him Quinn directed her comments to Andrew "your father agreed to my terms."

Andrew sucked in a deep breath. What had his father agreed to? 

"He's eager for you to come home. However you need to set this beacon for me," she produced a small device. Holding it out to him she waited for him to take it.

Andrew reached for it only to have Charlie swat his hand away "we don't know if we can trust her."

"If it weren't for me you'd be dead by now," Quinn told him "I healed you so that Andrew would believe I could do what I said I could."

Charlie stood immobile obstinate in his refusal. "Charlie please," Andrew tugged on his arm "you were awfully sick when we brought you here. She did heal you."

"I suppose you believe she sent Emmie home too" Charlie said sounding confused, miserable and angry.

"I want to," Andrew said his eyes pleading "what's the harm in doing what she wants? If she's on the up and up than we go home."

"If she's not?" Charlie demanded wanting Andrew to see the consequences of his actions.

"Then you'll be no worse off than you are right now," Quinn supplied the answer growing tired of the conversation.

"I still don't like it," Charlie grumbled letting Andrew to take the beacon "if you're on the up and up I want to take advantage of it to get Andrew home."

"Good boy" Quinn nodded her approval. She understood his logic could appreciate it "take that device. Follow the directions exactly as I've written down for you."

Charlies eyes narrowed "we can't" he objected upon reviewing the map "this will take us into the middle of mutant territory."

"I can do it," Andrew said with a tremor in his voice "I'm the only one who can. I'm pregnant. They won't kill me. I can't become one of them. I'm a progenitor remember?"

"I won't let you go alone," Charlie shook his head "absolutely not. I forbid it."

"I'm not a child. It's my choice. I'm doing it," turning to Quinn "I'll do this if and only if you keep Charlie here."

"Very well," she rolled her eyes, clapped her hands and Andrew was gone.

4.17 Can She Be Trusted?

Randy spent the majority of his time in Charlie's apartment. He couldn't take the awkward silences or the glares he received from Indira ever since their shared kiss. There had been something in that kiss. Something more than the loneliness or the nightmare they shared. He could acknowledge it to himself even if he would deny it if anyone asked him. He was attracted to her. All her ups and downs. Her passions and tantrums. He liked the girl even though he was sure she'd never admit having the same feelings for him.

Restlessly he paced the small apartment. It had been days since he had been able to call his parents. It was unusual to say the least but that wasn't the most troublesome worry he had. If it were simply his parents being busy he could accept that. Life gets hectic sometimes. But the lines between Sunlit Tides and Moonlight Falls were down. Had been down for weeks. He thought at first it was just his remote location. He took a ferry to the mainland only to find the lines were down there too. The last time something like this happened Moonlight Falls had gone dark to the world for hundreds of years. He couldn't help but worry he'd be separated from his family forever.

Inwardly he groaned when saw Indira march up the stairs as if she owned the place. "What do you want?" he growled not in the mood to bolster her fragile ego or feelings.

"What put a burr up your butt?" she demanded.

"You haven't spoken to me in days," Randy pointed out "what else am I supposed to think?"

"Whatever" she mumbled running a finger lightly across the ancient stereo. Glancing at her finger as if to find fault with the cleanliness of the room. Shrugging "I need your help."

"Hah" he guffawed loudly "I knew it. You never seek me out without wanting something. You couldn't actually be nice or concerned about me."

Her eyes narrowed for a moment "what would you have to worry about?"

That was it. The last straw. "Get out," he shouted.

She looked at him in mild shock "this is my house. You get out."

"You're right ice princess," he eyed her with disgust "I don't know why I ever though you'd change. You're nothing but a cold hearted bitch." He stormed past her throwing his things into his bag.

Indira followed him unsure why he was so upset. This is just what they do. He always came back. She was sure this time would be no different. Leaning against the door she asked "where will you go? Back to school?"

His hand froze as he thought about his options. "No" he said coming to a decision "I'm going home."

"What about the apartment?" she asked in concern.

"It's paid up till the end of the quarter," he told her "I'll get my things before than."

"Aren't you coming back to school?" she asked in surprise marring her carefully uncaring attitude.

"I...doubt it," he said "you should probably find someone to room with to help you with the expenses."

"What's so important at home worth giving up your education?" she asked her tone showing how ridiculous she thought he was being.

"Family," he snapped "if  you haven't noticed by now family is important to me." He grabbed his bags and marched past her and down the stairs.

***

Andrew carried Charlie grunting in pain as the wounds on his back stretched and pulled. He was positive several of them were open and bleeding. His head swam from the exertion to keep going. He moaned as Andrew adjusted his hold on him.

"I'm sorry," Andrew said seeing how much pain Charlie was in "I should have agreed to their terms and stayed."

"No," Charlie mumbled once he unstuck his tongue from the cotton balls his mouth had become "we should have left once they let you out of that cage."

"Keep your voices down," Emmaline hissed coming up alongside them "do you want the mutants to hear you?"

"Are we in their territory?" Andrew asked eyes darting up and down the deserted seeming street.

"As soon as we left the compound" she told him.

"Oh," he took several deep breaths as panic rose inside him. They had been here for several weeks and all he knew about this world was the inside of the compound walls. As a progenitor he wasn't allowed out past the wall. Emmaline and Charlie had both been on hunting parties, trained on how to survive here. He wished Charlie was in condition to take the lead. He felt wholly unqualified to do so.

Emmaline squeezed his hand "I found a place we should be able to defend against attack." Turning she said "follow me."

The place she led them to was a small house, a shack really. Andrew didn't care as long as no hostiles were in it. It was situated on a cliff overlooking a lake.  A small wall surrounded the house. "Looks good" Charlie said nodding in approval.

With relief Andrew helped Charlie inside and into the only bed in the house. Coming out of the room he tapped Emmaline on the shoulder "I'll take first watch."

"No I can do it," she protested smothering a yawn.

"Get some rest," he ordered turning his attention to the window peering into the growing shadows. His eyes and ears alert to the nocturnal noises and movements of the creatures beyond the wall. Someone had lived in this place and had done so for quite sometime by the fortifications they had made to the structure. He tried not to think about what had happened to them. He could only pray that they didn't meet the same fate. He felt how inadequate he was for this type of life. He didn't know how to fight or defend himself. His back hurt. His feet were swollen. He couldn't keep his eyes open as his body demanded sleep.

With a jerk he came to full attention, a low growl permeated the room. What was that? Andrew peered into the darkness. He couldn't see anything moving around. The growl came again low, persistent followed by a scratching sound at the door. If he were at home he would think it was a dog wanting inside. Here it could be just about anything.

"What is that?" Emmaline's low voice beside him assured him he wasn't alone. It bothered him that she caught him half asleep when he was supposed to be on guard. What else had he missed while he dozed? He needed to learn some survival skills if he were going to survive out here on his own.

Shaking his head he whispered back "dog?" his voice more a question than one of confidence.

Shrugging Emmaline pantomimed going to sleep then pointed at him. Andrew got the hint. Be quiet. Go to sleep. Overall he sucked at this survival business.

***

The following morning Andrew woke up blurry eyed and stiff from sleeping on the floor. Groaning he pried himself from the floor, stretching before padding across the room to join Emmaline at the window. 

Turning she nodded at him before turning back to the window. "I should go out to find food," she told him as came to a stop beside her.

"How do you do that?" he demanded "I thought U was pretty silent approaching you."

Shrugging "you walk heavy," taking it for granted that her senses had been honed by her experiences in this world. "You'll get better," she encouraged.

Crossing his arms over his stomach he stared glumly out the window. "I hope so," he muttered feeling his life was one unwelcome experience after another.

Glancing up Emmaline gave him one of her trademark smiles "I'll teach  you."

"Thanks short stuff," he grinned at her "I'm not sure if it's a good idea you going out there alone."

"Who else? You?" she asked moving away from the window. She gathered her things in preparation "look I've been trained for this, you haven't. You're sole purpose in the compound was to incubate babies. Probably mine too once I came of age," she patted his hand observing his disappointment "besides someone has to stay here to protect Charlie." She reached into her pocket extracting a gun "take this."

Andrew stared at the foreign object hesitant to touch the weapon she held out to him. It was scary how normal it had become to handle a gun. "What about you?" he disliked the idea she was out there on her own without some way to protect herself.

Giving him a sideways look she sighed "I don't need a gun for protection. I can fight."

Nodding Andrew sighed. It was just one more thing he wasn't a part of. His sole purpose was to have babies. "Just be careful," he told her.

Squeezing him tight as she moved towards the door "don't worry. Keep the door locked. Stay away from the windows. Be quiet."

"You don't need to tell me what to do inside. That's one thing I'm good at," he said. He swallowed over a lump in his throat feeling as if he was about to walk across an abyss. He hated this place and how it was changing them.

Emmaline opened the door just wide enough to slip through when a large back dog ran inside, teeth bared, growling. Backing up she bumped into Andrew. "Shoot it," she whispered urgently as the dog crept closer.

Raising the gun, Andrew steadied it with both hands as it shook in his unsteady aim. "I can't," he said heart pounding in his chest as the snarling creature inched closer.

"Just do it Andy" Emmaline cried bumping into him. Gone was the self-assured would be warrior.

The dog growled deeply just as the door to the porch crashed open and a mutant broke in. Running the dog leaped at the mutants throat ripping it out. It quickly bled out on the kitchen floor. Once the mutant quit jerking the dog retreated whining by the door.

Stunned by the carnage it took a moment for them to recover from their shock. "Where did it come from?" Andrew asked "you can't access the porch from the yard."

"It had to have been here all along," Emmaline said "maybe even the previous occupant." She pointed towards a picture of a man hugging a large black dog, "I guess we know what happens when you get bit by mutant."

"We better get rid of the body and sterilize the house," Andrew said moving towards the inert body on the floor.

Moving to help Emmaline asked "what are we going to do with the body?"

Nodding towards the open door, "up and over the porch rail" he told her "and down the cliff."

Once they got rid of the body Emmaline said "Andy we need supplies."

"I know" he handed her the gun "that dog will be better protection then something I can't fire."

"Alright," she grudgingly gave in and took the weapon. Wrinkling her nose she said "while  you're cleaning up this place maybe you can give the dog a bath."

The dog growled softly as she edged around it otherwise it preferred to stay by Andrew's side.

Andrew would check on Charlie periodically while he was busy cleaning the house. He was concerned with how listless Charlie had been since they arrived here the night before. He hadn't properly woken up for the past twenty-four hours. To Andrew's untrained eyes the welts on his back appeared to be red and puffy. Infection. The dog whined at the bed making Andrew feel that much more apprehensive. Could the dog sense something was wrong? 

Shaking his head Andrew continued to clean searching the house for antiseptics and fresh bandages. He finished giving the kitchen a thorough cleaning. Fixing the porch door was the most difficult. He found evidence that the mutant had been hiding on the roof which explained why Emmaline had missed it when she did her cursory search of the premises. 

He moved on to the bathroom where he spent several minutes scrubbing every surface from the grime on the porcelain surfaces. He moved on to searching the cupboards. "Jackpot," he cried smiling pulling out a first aid kid fully stocked with bandages. There was even dog shampoo stuffed back in a far corner. 

Three hours later Andrew was satisfied with the results of his hard work. A clean house. A clean dog. There was even a meager supply of food that would last for a couple of weeks. "Charlie" he said sitting on the edge of the bed "honey wake up." He was rewarded with a slight flutter of his eyelids and a low moan.

To Andrew's touch Charlie's forehead felt hot, feverish. Sighing Andrew cleaned and bandaged the stripes on his back. He knew Charlie needed all the rest he could get. The only thing he could do now was hope for the best.

A couple hours later Andrew paced the floor worry creasing his forehead. Where was Emmaline? What was taking her so long? He crept towards the window noting the long shadows as the day turned to evening. Nothing moved on the deserted street. Should he go and look for her? Had she been attacked? Was she hurt? Dead? He missed not being able to send an easy text and find out immediately what's wrong. He put a hand on the door knob intent on finding his sister.

"She's safe" a woman's voice spoke behind him.

Whirling around he found himself looking into the impassive face of a light green woman with hair to match. "Who are you?" he asked wondering how another mutant had gotten passed him.

"I'm not a mutant," she said indignantly "trust me, your sister is safe."

"How do you know that?" he asked taking a step back pressing  his back into the door "what have you done with her?"

Shrugging she announced "I sent her home."

"Home?" he said disbelief in his voice "that compound isn't home."

"Oh" she laughed causing his confusion, fear and anger to deepen "not that place. Home as in back to the loving arms of your dad. Let's say I needed a good faith token and she was it. I didn't think you'd want to be separated from your lover."

"How do I know you can be trusted?" he asked edging around her. The dog followed growling at the woman.

"Good question" she smiled "here's one for you, how do you know you can't?"

She had him there. He had no idea who he could trust. He could feel his control of things slipping through his fingers. "How did you get in here?" he asked focusing on things he could understand.

"Magic" she told him her eyes twinkling finding amusement in his confusion.

A skeptical snort escaped his lips "just because I don't know how you did it doesn't mean it was magic."

"Good" she nodded in approval "you're not as naive as you appear." Her smiled slipped becoming serious "I need you to do something for me."

"What?" he asked peering into the darkening room where Charlie slept.

"I can't tell you yet" she told him "your father hasn't agreed to my terms yet."

"Does my dad know what you want me to do?" Andrew asked knowing he would do anything his father wanted him to.

"Not yet," she pursed her lips in thought "all I can tell you is what I need you to do is important to saving the future."

"Have you had a good look at this place?" he asked "there's mutants running around eating people. 

There are humans that act like animals with no concept of how to love and be loved. Why would you want to save this future?"

"What I'll ask of you will change this future. It's the first of many things that will need to be adjusted." She walked closer to him ignoring the growling dog. She put a gentle hand on his shoulder "if you help me your children and grandchildren will never need to fear a future like this. You can 

make the future better."

Andrew sighed. He liked the idea of being instrumental in changing the future "I still don't know if you can be trusted."

She could see she had gotten to him. Could see the excitement in his eyes at the idea of being of use. She knew she had him hooked. All this would be pointless if Caleb Gray refused her terms though "what I'll ask will be difficult. If you agree, you and Charlie will be allowed to go home, raise a family. One day one of your children will be asked to do something for me."

Putting a hand to his stomach Andrew wondered if he could agree to something that might endanger his children. What if they were asked to do something they morally couldn't do? It would be unfair to them. "I don't know," he mumbled.

"All you need to do now is think about what I've said," she told him. Glancing at Charlie her face softened "I'll give you a good faith token to prove I can send you home."

Andrew blinked waving his hand in the place where the strange woman had stood. Maybe it was magic after all. Before he could put too much thought into what had just happened his attention was drawn to the bedroom.

"Andrew" Charlie called his voice weak and tired.

"What are you doing out of bed?" he demanded upon entering the room.

"I feel better," he said with a grin pulling Andrew into a passionate kiss.

"I can see that," stroking Charlie's face "you were so sick. You barely moved for the past twenty-six hours." Andrew coaxed him to sit down so he could inspect his injuries "I don't believe it."

"What?" Charlie demanded a little anxious at what Andrew was seeing.

"It's completely healed" he ran a hand across Charlie's back.

"Don't that tickles," he said squirming a little under his touch.

"She said she would give me a good faith token," Andrew murmured.

"She who?" Charlie asked "where's Emmie?"

"Shh I'll tell you everything I know. Some of it you'll just need to trust me because you won't believe it."

Author's note: If you want to know more about Quinn, Andrew's visitor please read 4.17 Going From Bad to Worse of my Van Winkle blog. 

4.16 Feelings

They walked a short distance away from the group. Charlie whispered in Andrew's ear "how far along are you?"

Squeezing Charlie's hand before dropping it to his side afraid Itchy would see them Andrew replied "about six weeks."

Nodding "that's what I figured too" Charlie leaned in close inhaling deeply.

Taking a step back "Charlie don't," Andrew's eyes darted around the darkening yard "they might see us."

"I don't care," Charlie hissed "I love you. You're my boyfriend. I'll show you affection regardless of their stupid rules."

"I love you too," Andrew leaned forward his head resting a moment on Charlie's chest. He jumped startled by the sudden clatter of the gate opening. He tried to pull away only to have Charlie pull him close and hold him fast. While his heart beat an irregular rhythm Charlie's remained calm and steady. Soothing to his frayed nerves.

"What's the matter with you two?" Emmaline demanded coming along side them.

Chuckling in relief Charlie released his death grip around Andrew. "I refuse to let them dictate how I treat my boyfriend. He's mine not their's."

"Charlie you're the one who said we need them to survive." Emmaline looked from her brother to Charlie sighing "are you jealous?"

"No," he grumbled staring stonily ahead past her irritated visage.

"You don't have to be," she insisted "Itchy doesn't like Andrew. He just wants to make a baby. Once he..."

"Oh is that all," Charlie drawled "that guy is not laying a hand on Andrew."

"So you are jealous," Emmaline teased despite the stormy look Charlie gave her "we have months before that becomes an issue." Her voice was light, teasing meant to diffuse the situation.

"This is no joking matter," Charlie growled.

"I know it's not," she hissed keeping her voice low "you have to understand how things are here." She jumped backwards as Charlie growled at her "I know you don't like it but it means their survival and ours if we are to stay here."

Andrew closed his eyes as fear gripped his heart. He had hoped to be home before the baby came. "Charlie" he said his lover's name unsure what he thought he could do "maybe she's right. Maybe we should just play along...."

"No," he said the word with a fierceness that caused both siblings to jump in surprise. "We're not staying here. We're going home."

"What if we can't?" Emmaline asked being the first one to recover from her shock. "We have to be realistic. There's a very real possibility that we're stuck here."

Charlie's mouth set in a stubborn line "I won't give up hope. We were sent here. There's every reason to believe it can reversed. We are going home."

"I hope you're right," she pulled him into a fierce hug "they're getting ready to lock down for the night. I'll buy you a few minutes to say goodnight." Turning to Andrew she ran her hands through his hair "you should wear it down more often."

"I love you too sis," he pulled her close. Once Andrew released her she slipped off towards the house. Turning to Charlie he said "she's right you know. We need to play by the rules until we figure out how to get home."

"I don't like it," he muttered allowing Andrew to pull him close.

"I know but it's only for a little while," Andrew soothed looking deep into Charlie's eyes.

Shivering in Andrew's arms Charlie muttered "just the thought of that guy touching you makes my blood boil." He leaned in close capturing Andrew's mouth pressing their bodies together.

Pulling apart Andrew smiled "so you are jealous," his voice light, teasing.

"Maybe a little," Charlie admitted. Taking a step back he sighed "we better go inside before Itchy comes looking for us."

***

Emmaline skidded to a halt as she came face to face with Itchy's glowering face. That wasn't his real name of course but Andrew's nickname was what stuck in her head. 

"Where's your brother?" he demanded.

"He'll be along shortly," she told him flashing her eyes at him "you and I can be alone for a while."

Pushing her away from him he scowled "if you were older I wouldn't hesitate. You're nothing but a 

child."

"Age is only a number. What difference does it make?" She stomped her foot emphasizing her words. If she were at home any number of guys would have jumped at the chance to sleep with her. What was wrong with this guy?

"Pregnancy for someone your age is almost always fatal," he told her pushing her aside

"Maybe for a girl born to this world it would be. I'm not from this time." She had said it several times before. They never believed her. It was good in a way because the thought of having a baby and raising it here was too awful to contemplate. She understood all too well Andrew's anxiety and Charlie's fixation on going home. Sighing she moved closer to him. Moving the way she had seen her mother do with her father a hundred times. She promised to give Charlie and Andrew time and that's what she was going to do. 

Shoving her away from him she landed hard on the floor. "I told you no," he shouted as his anger bubbled over.

"Maybe you should remember how this feels when my brother refuses you," she snapped as her own anger rose "you don't even like him."

"What is wrong with you people clouding a biological function with feelings and attraction?" he asked mystified.

"If feelings and attraction mean nothing than why forbid my brother and Charlie from being together?" she demanded.

"Girl come here" a female voice from behind them demanded sending shivers down her back. She knew she had been pushing the limits now she was going to pay for it. She turned to the red-head prepared to face whatever punishment she dealt out.

Instead of addressing the young girl the woman said to Itchy "go get the lovebirds." Itchy nodded a slight smirk of anticipation brightening his features.

Emmaline shivered facing the older girl "please don't" she bit her lip as the girl slapped her hard across the face.

"You have helped your brother for the last time. If you persist you will receive the same punishment Charlie will get."

"What punishment?" she cried watching as the leader uncoiled a long weathered whip. Eyes round with fear she gasped "you can't. They've done nothing wrong but love each other."

***

Itchy stood and watched the young couple holding each other. His stomach twisted in disgust. Love, attraction even jealousy were foreign things to him. They had no business in the struggle to survive. As soon as they learned that the better he thought.

They looked up at the same exact moment. Itchy laughed as their faced fell in shock. "You should have heeded our warning," Itchy said sternly "now it's time you face the consequences of your actions." Roughly he grabbed Charlie by the shirt pushing him ahead of him. Andrew rushed forward as Charlie fell to knees.

"Leave him be," Andrew shouted at the man "he's done nothing wrong."

"You poor deluded little fool," Itchy laughed "you've done everything wrong. There's no room for feelings. I thought your sister understood that. I was wrong. Now she get's to share in your punishment."

Gathering his feet beneath him Andrew charged screaming "keep your filthy hands off my sister."

Without thinking Itchy back handed Andrew sending him flying backwards. Eyes wide Itchy hurried to help Andrew up. "Don't you touch him," Charlie yelled pushing the mans hands away as he inspected Andrew's bruised face "are you alright?" he asked cupping Andrew's face tenderly in his hands.

"I think so," Andrew mumbled through a split swollen lip.

"The baby?" Charlie asked in concern "do you think it's ok?"

"I think so," Andrew nodded "I don't think I fell hard enough to hurt the baby."

Leaning down Charlie offered a hand to Andrew to help him up "we've got to get inside" an edge in his voice as the noises of the nocturnal creatures raised their voices in chorus.

Nodding Andrew took his hand accepting his help. Despite Andrew's efforts Charlie refused to release his hold on him as they walked towards the house. Andrew leaned into him drawing momentary strength and comfort from him.

"I've got you," Charlie murmured in his ear "no matter what they do to us always remember I love you."

"That's enough," Itchy growled pushing them apart as they entered the house.

Charlie came to an abrupt stop as he took in the scene that awaited him. The leader was snapping a long leather whip through the air. The two women were setting up some sort of restraints. He swallowed guessing what awaited him. He could feel Andrew leaning into him shaking as he too came to the same conclusion.

"Bring  him" the leader ordered snapping the whip once more through the air smiling in satisfaction.

Itchy forced his way between Charlie and Andrew forcing Charlie forward towards the restraints. Grabbing his arms he said harshly "come on lover boy time for your punishment."

"No" Andrew cried moving in front of Charlie as if to protect him "you can't do this. He hasn't done anything wrong."

"Stand aside" the leader ordered his voice hard and cold "if you weren't pregnant you'd be getting the same."

"Why?" Andrew cried as Itchy grabbed him pulling him away from Charlie as the women fastened him to the restraints.

"We warned you what would happen if you persisted down this course. Feelings are not tolerated. They are unnecessary distractions."

"Love is unnecessary but hate, jealousy and anger are essential?" Andrew asked "no wonder your world fell apart."

"Enough," the man shouted "stand aside or suffer the consequences."

"No I won't" Andrew struggled in Itchy's arms refusing to budge. Flinching as the whip bit through his skin along his left shoulder.

"Andy please," Charlie pleaded "think of the baby."

"I can't let them do this to you" he cried turning to Charlie twisting in his restraints "I love you..."

"I love you too baby," Charlie told him "now move out of the way." He watched the struggle in Andrew's face as he fought his desire to protect him over the desire to protect their unborn child won out "it's ok I understand." Charlie told him wishing he could ease the pain he knew Andrew was in.

Andrew felt a gentle tug on his hand. Looking down he found Emmaline by his side a bruise red and swollen on her cheek "what happened?" he demanded.

Tears flowed from her eyes as she buried her face in his shoulder "I tried to buy you time. It didn't work."

"They hit you," it was seldom anyone ever heard his voice rise in anger. The room fell silent as all eyes turned on him.

"I'm ok Andy" Emmaline assured him afraid he'd do something reckless.

"Emmie get him out of here," Charlie yelled at her urgently trying to protect him and his unborn child.

Caught off guard Emmanline was able to use that moment to pull him aside. As the whip cracked Andrew turned ready to run back to Charlie only to find Itchy blocking his path. Unable to do anything he cringed as the whip cracked the air around them and Charlie's muffled cries turned to screams of agony.

When the torture finally ended Andrew rushed forward ready to catch Charlie before he hit the floor. His back cut to ribbons Charlie tried to stand up only to fall back panting. "Take it easy," Andrew told time "I'll take care of you."

Emmaline rushed to get water to clean the wounds before they could become infected. While she was gone the leader stepped in front of Andrew "this is your final warning. Next time we'll kick you out and you can fend for yourselves out there with the mutants."

"I'd rather take my chances with them than stay here with you monsters," Andrew shouted holding Charlie in his arms "this is no way to live or raise children."

"That's your choice" the leader said stepping away.

Itchy followed the leader saying "you can't let them go, at least not the progenitor."

Shrugging the man looked back at the little group huddled together "you can go with them if you like." His voice was even despite the underlying anger "don't think I missed the broken lip."

Itchy hung his head knowing that he was getting off easy. It was still a capital offence to harm a progenitor. "It won't happen again," he muttered.

"I know it won't," the leader stared straight at him "either they conform to our rules or they have to 

leave."

Nodding Itchy moved away. He could feel his chances of ever having his own child slipping away from him. He watched the girl walk past him with disinfectant and salve. Maybe the girl was right and she could handle a pregnancy without ill effects. What did he have to lose?

Indira felt as if she were living inside a morgue. Her mother was barely keeping it together and her dad was still fighting with the idiots running Moonlight Falls to gain access to some worthless portal. She tried to concentrate on the only thing she could control her classes. Even that was becoming increasingly more difficult as the days lengthened into weeks then months. She could feel her agitation rising as she glanced up from her computer frowning as she found her young cousins watching her. "What do you want?" she snapped.

Looking at her like a couple of scared rabbits it was Connie who asked "how can you study when your brother and sister are gone? Don't you miss them?"

"Of course I do," Indira shouted at them "I just don't see the sense of wasting time when I could be 

doing something constructive."

"Maybe you could give mom a break from sitting with Aunt Drew," Michelle suggested.

"Why don't you?" she demanded "if it weren't for you none of this would be happening."

"We said we were sorry," Connie shouted at her.

"Sorry isn't good enough," Indira retorted "because of you they could be dead."

"I'm sorry," Michelle cried fleeing from the room crying.

"Take that back," Connie demanded watching her sister "It was my fault. I was the one that talked Shell into doing it."

"Then you should know better than to do something you have no idea how to reverse," Indira told her. She had no patience for stupid mistakes or people even if they were related. "This is all your fault," she repeated slamming shut her lap top and stomping from the room.

Taking refuge in Charlie's apartment she sat on the couch that some old lady must have thought was the height of fashion. Wiping angrily at the tears that persisted on falling despite her best efforts to stop them. 

"So the Ice Queen has feelings after all," Randy said coming up the stairs after her.

She glared at him having forgotten he was staying out here. "Despite popular opinions I do have feelings," she glared at him getting up to leave.

"Hold your horses Ice Queen," Randy said blocking her way "I just came up here to see if you wanted to talk."

"Why would I want to talk to you?" she tried to duck around him only to have him grab her arm preventing her from leaving.

"Everybody needs someone sometime," he quipped.

"Spouting stupid lines will get you no where," she growled.

"It's better than taking out my anger on two little girls like you did earlier," he informed her "you should apologize."

"Why should I?" she crossed her arms tossing her head in defiance "if it weren't for them my brother wouldn't be missing."

"So?" he questioned "it's not like you were on speaking terms with him."

"That's different," she mumbled holding her arms tight around herself.

"I don't get you," he flung his arms up in the air "you didn't want anything to do with our family when they were here. Now that they're not you act like you're falling apart without them." He turned to go back the way he had come.

"Don't go," she put a hand out to stop him. The entreaty in her voice and the genuine tears in her eyes had him stopping, turning towards her.

The next thing he realized she was in his arms sobbing, clinging to him like she were drowning. He gingerly wrapped his arms around her at first feeling awkward until it felt natural for him to be their holding her tight. The thought both alarmed and excited him. Distant memories of that faraway kiss filtered through his mind.

"You've always been here for me," she mumbled nuzzling his neck running her fingers lightly up his back.

"As of yet you haven't listened to me," he told her as she pressed her lips to his sensitive skin along his collar bone. Her touched ignited a fire within him that he didn't even know existed.

"I'm sorry" she said softly kissing along his jawline until she reached his lips brushing them lightly with her tongue.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked feeling his reserves slipping as he filled his senses with her touch and smell.

"Want me to stop?" she asked kissing his soft lips and when he opened his mouth to respond to her question she slipped her tongue inside his mouth.

His hands gripped her small waist as their tongues fought each other. Briefly he told himself he should stop this, whatever this was, before it got out of hand but his defenses slipped powerless to stop her.