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.

4.15 Separation Anxiety

Charlie leaned against the bars separating him from Andrew. He slipped his hand through smiling as he felt the warmth of Andrew's hand grasping it tightly. "What are we going to do?" Andrew asked glancing up with wide eyes that reminded Charlie of a deer caught in headlights.

"I don't know," he moved his head around surveying the room "I don't trust these people."

Nodding Andrew kissed the hand he was holding "neither do I." He kept is voice low afraid of being overheard. He hated being locked inside this iron cage. On display for everyone to see. He bit his lip as it began to tremble. He needed answers to the many questions in his head, answers he knew Charlie didn't have. Where were they? How did they get here? Could they go home? If they could go home, how could they prevent this future from ever happening? A part of him wanted to doubt everything Emmaline told them about time travel. How could his cousins send someone through time?

"I want to go home," the words escaped before he could stop them from forming. He flinched from the angry glare Charlie shot at him.

"Don't you think I want to go home too?" Charlie snapped at him. He regretted his harsh words as soon as they were uttered as he watched Andrew drop his hand cringing like a whipped puppy.
"I'm sorry," he said reaching through the bars to awkwardly pull Andrew into a hug "I shouldn't have taken my frustration out on you. I'm not mad at you." He kissed Andrew's forehead best he could from where he sat outside the cage.

"I know," Andrew mumbled resting his head on the bars wishing it were the comforting shoulder of his boyfriend "I didn't mean to imply it was your fault."

"I know you didn't baby" Charlie squeezed him as tight as the obstructing bars would allow "we'll figure it out. I promise I'll get you home."

Holding a hand to his still flat stomach Andrew nodded "I don't want to raise our child in this place."

Multiple emotions flitted across Charlies handsome face as a weight settled on his shoulders like a heavy cloak. They had been in this place a little over a week. Andrew was still in quarantine. As yet he showed no signs of infection which could only mean one thing. He was indeed pregnant. Pregnant with his child. Under any other circumstances he would have been ecstatic. "Neither do I," he ran his fingers through Andrew's hair.

A loud clatter interrupted them. Jerking his head up Charlie found himself looking into the hostile eyes of the man who had wanted to shoot Andrew the day they arrived here. "Step away from the bars," the man ordered rattling the bars again to emphasize his words.

Ignoring him Charlie turned back to Andrew pulling his face close to the bars. He pressed his lips best he could to Andrew's "I love you" he murmured before the man knocked Charlie away from the cell.

"That's enough Romeo," the man barked towering over Charlie as he struggled to his feet. "If he's a progenitor he's the property of the group not your sole possession."

Andrew gasped backing away from the bars out of easy reach of the man who kept a gun within easy reach. He heard Charlie cry out as the man back handed him across the face. Cringing by his bed he cried out "Charlie don't antagonize him."

Harsh bitter laughter greeted him "it's a good thing he's a progenitor. He's too weak for anything else."

"You leave him alone," Charlie shouted as the man took a step towards the cell door. Charlie stood spitting blood from his split lip onto the floor.

"You're in no position to make demands," the man sucker punched the younger man sending him moaning to the floor. Kicking him in the side, the man knelt beside him grabbing a handful of hair yanking Charlie's head back "you're lucky you got to him first otherwise you'd be last in line."

"Don't you touch him," Charlie shouted through clenched teeth.

"Don't worry," the man hissed harshly "he's of no interest to me in his current condition. Tens months from now it'll be a different story," he released Charlies hair letting his head drop. He stood up straight winked at Andrew before walking away.

"Charlie?" Andrew asked keeping his voice low. Cautiously he moved towards the bars close to where Charlie lay on his side. "Are you alright?" he asked reaching through the bars trying to touch the man he loved but he lay just out of reach.

Panting in pain Charlie grasped Andrew's hand closing the gap between them.

***

Sometime later Emmaline came inside dropping to Charlie's side she shook his shoulder. "You've got to get up," she told him "hurry before they come to get you."

Bleary eyed Charlie moaned lifting his head up. Dried blood crusted his mouth "what's happening?" he mumbled through swollen lips.

"The head honcho wants to go on a raid," she informed him her green eyes worried as she surveyed the damage to his face "he was looking for you."

Weakly he dragged himself to his feet leaning heavily on the bars. Holding his side hoping it would stem the tide of pain that wanted to engulf him. "Ok" he grunted taking a wobbly step forward "better not keep him waiting."

"You can't go," Andrew gripped his hand that held onto the bars "you're hurt."

"Baby I have to," Charlie gave him a lopsided grin "until we know what's happening or find a way home we need these people."

Visibly shaking Andrew looked away unable to watch his only love leave him behind. "I love you," he said almost to low to be heard. He knew they owed these people their lives. It didn't mean he liked it. He shivered thinking about Itchy and how eager he had been to blow his brains out. Even worse were his insinuations of them being together in the future. For that one reason he was glad he was inside this cage. Anything to keep the guy away from him. "Be careful" he said locking eyes with Charlie before dropping his hand.

"I will," Charlie said stepping closer to the cell. Following his example Andrew did the same. He let Charlie's strong arms wrap around him drawing him closer so they could kiss between the bars "I love you," Charlie said stepping back "somehow we're going to survive this. I promise I'll get you home."

Fear knotted Andrew's stomach as he realized the depth of that promise. He knew Charlie would sacrifice himself to protect him. Helplessly he watched them leave telling himself they would all go home together. Holding his stomach he promised the baby he was carrying that he would protect him or her with everything he had until he drew his dying breath.

***

Randy threw his pen at Indira, hitting the side of her head above her ear, bounced off clattering to the floor. She lifted her face from the book she was reading to scowl at him. "Answer the damn phone," he grumbled having grown tired of it's incessant racket. All he wanted was twenty minutes of silence to still his pounding head. It had become abundantly clear it had been a mistake to agree to rent a house with the irritating girl. 

Glancing at the display she set her phone aside "it's just my mother."

"Don't you think you should at least answer it?" he asked "it could be important."

"Doubtful," she mumbled. It had been months since she had seen or spoken to her family. She didn't need them. The sooner they got that through their thick skulls the better.

Thirty minutes later her phone went off again. Indira simply ignored it. Lunging forward Randy swept it up "hello," he growled at the caller. "Yeah she's here," he tried to hand the phone to her but she waved him away glaring at him.

"Sorry she's being her usual charming self," he told whoever was on the other end "I'd like to say I'd have her call you back but that's doesn't seem likely." He nodded a few times as he listened his face tense as his voice lost it's sarcastic tone. "I'm so sorry. I hope you find them. If I or my family can help don't hesitate to ask."

Indira looked up a questioning look replacing her usual disdain. "What?" she snapped as soon as he tossed her phone at her.

He gave her a withering glare "now your interested in what your mother has to say." Walking towards the door he said "call her back." He walked onto the porch slamming the door behind him.

Staring at the place where Randy had stood moments before. Reaching for her phone she pulled up her mom's number. Hesitating she sighed letting the phone drop into her lap. It was probably an elaborate trick to get her to call home. Well if they thought she was going to fall for it they have another thing coming. Picking up her book she went back to studying for her business ethics class.

An hour later Randy came traipsing back into the house. She looked up from the book demanding "where have you been?"

"What business is that of yours?" he growled. Since the night she had tried to seduce him things had steadily gotten worse between them. He objected to everything she did that reminded him of why he didn't like her or ever would.

"I can't sleep when you're out till all hours of the night," she gave him her usual disagreeable look "have you been drinking?" she sniffed the air with distaste.

"So what?" he asked "I can't have my friends over in my own house, now I can't drink with them outside my house."

"I don't like your friends," she told him nostrils flaring.

"What gives you the right to dictate who my friends should be? You don't even pay rent, yet you think you can dictate to me who and what comes into my house." He took an unsteady step forward "you're nothing but a fool who has the utter gull to think she's better than the rest of us." He gave her a piercing look that could have melted the polar ice caps "we'll honey you're not. You can read all you want about business ethics but if you don't have any personal ethics you're a sorry human being."

"How dare you say that to me," she jumped to her feet offended.

"Easily" he slurred "you don't even have the common decency to call your parents."

"They're like children always wanting my attention," she dismissed it "they call all the time."

"You're parents aren't the joke you think they are. They deserve your respect." He walked away towards his bedroom.

Following him she watched as he threw clothes into a duffel bag "where are you going?" she demanded.

"I'm going to offer my assistance to your parents.  Since they're only remaining child is a spoiled brat only concerned with appearances and what people might think." He picked up his bag and walked past her towards the front door.

"What are you talking about?" she asked anger in her voice causing her words to come out cold and harsh "tell me."

"Why should I?" he demanded "your the one refusing to talk to your parents." he put his hands up miming quotation marks "they're too childish to know what constitutes an emergency." He rolled his eyes "they've only been trying to contact you for the past week to let you know your sister and brother disappeared." He walked out of the house leaving her standing open mouthed in the living room.

"Wait" she called as she ran after him "you can't say something like that and just leave."

"I don't see why not. It's not like you cared before. Why should now be any different?" He wondered if he was finally getting through to her inner core.

Crossing her arms she asked "how do I know this isn't some trick to get me to come home?" 

"This is ridiculous" he shouted slamming the car door shut "either come with me and support your family in their time of need or pack your shit and get the hell out."

She stared at him willing him to back down. Tell her it was all a bad joke. As the seconds ticked by something in his demeanor convinced her this wasn't a trick "Fine I'll go but I have to pack first."

Looking at his watch "if your not packed and out here in ten minutes I'm leaving without you."

***

"Sweetie you have to eat," Jennifer coaxed her baby sister into sitting up.

"I'm not hungry," she protested pushing the tray of food away.

"Eat," she ordered picking up the fork attempting to force feed her "you need to keep your strength up."

"Did you call her?" Drew asked for the hundredth time. Lying back onto the pillow ignoring her sisters attempts to get her to eat. Closing her eyes as the tears began to flow.

"I spoke to her roommate," Jennifer informed her "he sounded like a nice young man."

"I didn't even know she had a boyfriend," she mumbled as fresh tears spilled out "what did I do to make her hate me?" She wished Caleb was there to hold her. To tell her everything would be ok. He was her rock "have you heard from Caleb or Chase?" she asked sitting up drying her eyes on the backs of her hands.

Looking to the floor Jennifer slowly shook her head "they're still in negotiations with the vampires. Without Uncle Adam there to speed things along the vampires aren't letting anyone into the castle or near the dimension portal."

"They have to let them. It's the only way" she gripped Jennifer's arms like a vise grip.

"Shh everything that can be done is being done," Jennifer assured her "you need to concentrate on keeping your strength up."

Glaring at her sister Drew let out an exaggerated snort "alright I'll eat." She took a bite of the stale sandwich grimacing as it stuck in her throat "mmm delish."

"Don't complain," Jennifer chided "a chef I am not but it's your fault for letting it get cold."

***

Caleb tried to hide the fascination he felt for the supernaturals assembled in the room of the conference hall. He felt his spine tingle as a werewolf elder growled in displeasure showing several sharp teeth. The glittery wings of the fairy that arrived as the werewolf growled. Witches weren't that dissimilar to humans and vampires had never seemed scary to him before. Somehow he expected them all to be like Adam, his wife's Uncle. Caleb turned questioning eyes towards Drew's Aunt who remained silent as the gathered supernaturals argued among themselves.

The verdict once again was a resounding no. No they wouldn't give them access to the dimension portal. Caleb felt like he had been banging his head against the proverbial wall. He could understand their distrust of humans. They had been living in near isolation for centuries after humans had hunted them almost to extinction. Still that was ancient history, couldn't they give them the benefit of a doubt?

This was too important to hold on to petty disagreements and prejudices. All of their futures hung in the balance. Caleb looked towards Beverly who had touched his hand indicating they should leave. He followed her from the room without a word. Once they left the conference hall though he was unable to keep quiet "why are they being so difficult? So pigheaded? Can't they see we mean them no harm?"

"Give them time," she advised him her green eyes moist with unshed tears "trust isn't earned overnight."

"I know it's just so frustrating" he felt like screaming "I have children somewhere in the stream of time, in a future that shouldn't exist. There isn't time to deal with all these road blocks."

"Oh Caleb," she pulled him into a hug squeezing him tight "I understand more than you know."

He could feel the tremors in her small frame. For the first time he seemed to remember that her husband and son were missing. Coming to Moonlight Falls emphasized how bad things were. Time seemed to be moving differently across sim nation. While he expected that Adam wouldn't age being a vampire he wasn't expecting Beverly to appear so young when she should be an old woman. Her son Keenan was still the same fifteen year old boy he had met when Adam came to help him get rid of Andrew's imaginary friend. Time seemed to have stopped here.  Heath had tried to explain how certain towns closely connected with Moonlight falls like Midnight Hollow and Dragon Valley time had virtually come to a stand still. They hadn't noticed it right away since the majority who lived in these towns were supernaturals with longer lifespans than the average human. 

Caleb looked up shaking his head as Heath joined them "I take it the elders refused your request."

Nodding Caleb could feel his frustration rising again as his hands curled into fists. "I don't know what else we can do. Unless they give us approval to enter the castle and to use the portal there's no hope of fixing this mess."

Heath looked around as supernaturals filtered from the room. Keeping his voice low he said "Alanon is working on something to help us."

Caleb gave his wife's cousin a sharp look of hope and pain. He had to do something otherwise his kids were doomed in a future that shouldn't exist.