Title: The Destiny Child: Lost Son
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: FRM
Summary: The world had changed… now only the strong survive
~*~
Timothy Speedle pulled on the reigns of his horse, holding up his hand to signal his partner. He looked around the clearing, searching for anything out the ordinary. His partner, Eric Delko, moved his horse next to the other man, waiting for the all clear.
Timothy twisted in the saddle, looking around, and frowned.
“What’s wrong?” Eric asked quietly.
“Something is off.” He turned back towards his partner.
“Off as in duck and cover off, or as in just off.” He smiled at the look Tim gave him.
“Just off.”
A crunch of leaves got both of their attention. Eric pulled out his rifle and held it ready. Timothy laid a hand on his arm, pointing to the small group heading their way. They were human.
Eric lowered his weapon but kept it ready. “Who goes there?”
The older one of the group looked up to see the two men on horse back, a look of relief coming over his face. He waved and called out to them. “We’re very weary travelers looking for shelter.”
“Where do you hail from?” Eric demanded.
“A small settlement, about hundred miles south,” the redhead said as he stopped by the horse. “Our village was attacked…” He looked back at the young man who was helping a pregnant woman. “We are the only survivors.”
“How many lost?” Timothy asked, slipping off his horse.
“Thirty.” His voice was soft and sad. “No warning… we hadn’t had any problems with them for years… Our sentries never saw them approach…”
“They are moving farther north.” Timothy looked over at his companion. “I haven’t seen them this far north in years.”
“Desperation?” Eric asked, slipping off his horse.
“They took the children and killed the adults,” the young man said. “I lost my son…”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Eric’s heart clenched in fear, thinking of his own son. “I’m Eric, this is Tim, though if you want to get his attention I would use Speed.”
“I’m Horatio; do you have shelter?” the redhead asked.
“Our village is not far.” Speed turned towards the pregnant woman. “Ma’am, let me help you onto the horse.”
“It’s Calleigh and I’m fine; I don’t need to be coddled.” She glared at the two men next to her. “I’m only six months and can fend for myself.”
“But you have been walking for a long distance and the next section is very treacherous pass, so on the horse.” Speed took her hand and led her to the animal. “Don’t worry; Spirit here is gentle, he thinks he’s human.”
She patted the horse’s neck. “Haven’t seen a mustang in a while.”
“You know your horses.” Tim smiled as he helped her up onto the animal.
“Long time ago my family bred and raised them.” She sighed in remembrance. “I’m sorry; lost in old memories.”
“Sir.” Speed turned towards the young man.
“Ryan, its Ryan, and I can walk.” He backed away from the horse.
Eric looked over at Speed and then turned towards Horatio.
“I would prefer to walk also,” he said.
Speed shrugged and mounted onto the back, holding Calleigh close. “I did warn you that the path is tricky at best.”
“How long to your village?” Ryan asked as they moved down the path.
“About an hour,” Eric answered.
~ Village ~
“Open the gates the Sentries have returned and they have people with them!” the guard called out from the tower.
The gates opened and the small group rode into the small village. Horatio looked around, quite impressed at the establishment. It had looked like at one point the village had been a small mountain town or resort. There was a large building in the back, looked to be the meeting place. Smaller buildings lined the main street; Horatio could see a store, and what seemed to be a school house, which meant there were children in the village. Looking past the buildings he could see smaller houses. It was a well defined community, one he hadn’t seen since the beginning of the war.
“Nice place you got here.” Ryan looked around in amazement. “How have you stayed hidden?”
“The forest is a natural cover,” Eric said, demounting his horse. “We built a wall around the village, using all material in the area, making it blend into the forests. From the outside you can’t really tell what’s here.”
“Add on the fact they hate the cold and rarely come this far north,” Speed added. “We’ve been able to grow.”
“By taking in refugees?” Calleigh asked as Horatio helped her down from the horse.
“PAPA!”
Eric turned and smiled as a young boy ran towards him. He grabbed up the giggly boy and held him close. “How’s my boy doing?”
“I’ve been good.” He smiled brightly.
Speed ruffled the boy’s hair. “Why don’t I believe that?”
“Because you’re cynical,” the boy said with a straight face.
Speed looked over at Eric. “What have you been teaching him?”
“He didn’t pick that up from me.” Eric laughed. He turned towards the visitors. “This is my son, Richard. Richard, I would like you to meet Horatio, Ryan and Calleigh.”
The kid smiled brightly and wiggled out of his arms and walked up to the strangers. “Welcome to Miami.”
Horatio squatted down next to the child, a smile on his face. “Miami?”
“Grandpa lived by the sea, so he named this place Miami,” Richard said, matter of fact. “Isn’t that right daddy?”
Speed smiled down at the boy. “That’s right.”
Horatio looked up to the two men, and mentally smacked himself not noticing. They were obviously lovers, and raising at least one child. Though if this place was ran like any other, he wouldn’t be surprised if Timothy also had a child somewhere, and as if on cue.
“Daddy!”
There was no doubt in Horatio’s mind that the little girl was Speed’s. She had his dark hair and eyes, and was beautiful. His heart ached over the loss of his own children. He stood up and looked over at Ryan, whose eyes held the same pain. Children were very precious in this world. So vulnerable not only to the elements but to them – the ones who destroyed their world and have been stealing their children.
“Elizabeth.” Speed picked up the little girl; she was younger than Richard by at least a year.
“Speed.” A woman walked up to the group. “I see you brought company.”
“Megan, I couldn’t leave them wandering.” He smiled at her, then turned to Elizabeth. “Where you good for mommy?”
“Yes.”
Speed looked over at the woman, and she laughed. “She was an angel, much the opposite of her fathers.”
“Hey!” Both men yelled.
“I’m Lizzy.” She wiggled out of her daddy’s arms and smiled up at the strangers.
“I’m Horatio, this is Ryan and Calleigh,” he said, smiling down at her.
Elizabeth patted Calleigh’s belly. “Baby.” She smiled at her daddy. “It’s a girl.”
Speed gave her a tight smile and picked up his daughter. “Honey, what did we discuss?”
“I’m sorry.” She buried her head into his shoulder.
“Let me take her, and Richard.” Megan took her daughter and then Richard’s hand. “The council will want to talk with you, and Eric – Natalia is on a war path.”
“Don’t even say it.” Eric glared at his lover. “So she wasn’t the best choice…”
Speed just eyed him, but said nothing instead turning toward Horatio. “We’ll introduce you to the council and get everyone settled. Expect a visit from Alexx, the town’s healer.”
“I’m fine…” Calleigh sighed.
“I’ll make sure of that honey.” Calleigh was pulled away from the group by an older black woman. “A woman in your condition needs rest and shouldn’t be marching around the countryside.”
“But…”
“How far a long are you? Is one of the men with you the father?” She glanced back at the shell shocked men.
“John was killed in the raid,” Calleigh whispered.
Alexx pulled her into her arms. “I’m sorry, sugar.” Calleigh just held onto her.
~ Council Room ~
“Did you not think that they could be followed!”
“Calm down, Rick.” Tripp, the head of the council, glared at one of the members. “They did the right thing by bringing them here. Every life is precious.”
“This is the third attack we’ve heard about in the past few months; they are moving further north,” Rick pointed out. “And they could have led them right to us.”
Tripp sighed and looked over at Speed. “Timothy, have you sensed anything.”
Speed stiffened at the question; he hated being openly asked about his un-canniness to sense when they were around. Eric laid a hand on his lower back, giving him support. He smiled at his lover, then turned back to the Council. “No, there’s been no sign of any advancement into this area.”
“We can’t go on his ‘sense’ of the creatures,” Rick said. “For all we know…”
“Don’t even say it!” Eric growled. “Speed protects this village better than anyone here. When was the last time you did patrol, Rick?”
“This isn’t about me,” the council member growled.
“Gentlemen!” Tripp’s voice rose over the arguing. “I and this council have full faith in young Timothy. Many times it has been his warnings that have saved us and this village.” He looked over to the two visitors. “I’ve been informed the young woman with you is with child, a blessing indeed.”
“She lost her mate in the raid,” Horatio informed them. “We were barely able to make it out.”
“How did you escape?” Rick demanded.
“Damn it,” Timothy growled. “Who cares, they did.”
“They could be setting us up,” he pointed out. “Its not an inconceivable option. Turn over other humans in to save their own village.”
Horatio stepped forward and grabbed Rick by the shirt and shoved him against the wall. “Let me tell you something. I just lost my family, the mother of my two children, my brother, his mate and child. Ryan lost his son and Calleigh her mate. I will not stand here being accused of working with those creatures.”
Ryan laid a hand on Horatio’s shoulder. “He’s not worth it, H.”
Horatio let him go and backed off. “The only reason we survived is because we were escorting Calleigh back from another village. We came up onto the destruction.”
Tripp sighed as the room settled into a tense silence. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.” He motioned towards a young woman sitting near by. “Valera will show you to a cabin for you to rest. Tomorrow we’ll have our weekly village meeting, please attend so you can be introduced to everyone.”
“Thank you.” Ryan pulled Horatio out of the room, following the young woman.
“We shouldn’t let strangers in…” Rick sat back down at his seat.
“What would you have us do?” Eric responded. “Leave them out in the forest, alone with a pregnant woman. Let those things hunt them down.”
“We have to think of the survival of our village!” He glared at the two scouts. “Your children, I would point out.”
Speed ignored him and turned towards Tripp. “There were no signs of the creatures around the area. According to Horatio, their village was over a hundred miles south, closer to the foothills. The creatures rarely venture into the mountains and mostly likely will not be following three humans. Now if you excuse me, I would like to have dinner with my family.” He gave the council a nod of the head and left without further word, Eric following behind him.
“Speed…” Eric laid a hand on his shoulder giving his lover comfort. “We did…”
“Eric.”
“Shit.” He turned towards the woman walking up to them. “Natalia, what do you want?”
“I thought it would be nice if we had dinner as a family.” She smiled brightly at him, her hand laying on his arm.
Eric jerked his arm out of her reach. “Natalia, I’m tired of these games you keep playing. My family is Speed, Richard and Elizabeth. You are and never will be a part of it.”
“Megan is part of your family,” she pointed out. “So as mother to Richard…”
“You were his birth mother, that’s it.” Eric snapped. “God, how many times do we have to go through this? We had a contractual deal. You gave birth to my son, who I would raise with my lover. That was it. End of story. There would be no relationship between us. There will never be anything between us. Richard is almost six years old; take Rick up on his offer…”
“I have the right to be part of Richard’s life,” she yelled.
“Not part of ours.” Speed looked over at her.
“You can’t keep me away from him.” Natalia glared at Speed.
“You see Richard every day, but if you keep coming near my family and upsetting them, then I will take my grievances to the council.” He stepped up to her, his voice low and threatening. “Leave my family alone.”
The slap echoed in the walkway. “You stole him from me.”
“Honey, I was doing him since we were sixteen, get the fuck away from me and my family before I toss you out there with no protection.” He motioned towards the front gates.
“You wouldn’t?” She stepped back appalled.
“Try me.”
“Natalia, I suggest you go back to your duties.” Tripp walked up to the small group.
“He threatened me,” she whined.
Speed rolled his eyes. “Tripp…”
“I heard it all.” He looked over at Natalia. “Now go.” She flipped her hair back and stormed off in a huff. “Now Eric, I hoped you learned a valuable lesson…”
“Yes, and it’s been a pain in my ass for six years.” Eric leaned back against the wall. “She was new to the village, fresh blood….”
Speed leaned over and kissed him softly. “We had no idea at the time she would be a leech. It’s not surprising the other men in the village don’t want anything to do with her, not sure why Stetler does.”
“Well no one wants him.” Tripp smirked. “Actually, Tim, I did want to talk with you.”
“Go ahead, Eric, I’ll be home soon,” Speed sighed. Eric gave him a quick kiss and left the two men alone.
“Let’s go for a walk.” The older man gestured towards the open spaces behind the compound.
The two walked in silence for a while, just watching the village going about daily activities. “He told you, didn’t he?” Speed looked over at the councilmen.
“He’s concerned.” Tripp glanced over at the young man. “As are a few people. You seem very worn down.”
“I’m not sleeping… as you know.” Tim shrugged.
“Are they near by?” He stopped and looked at the young man. A man he had come to rely on and respect. Though no one discussed it, everyone knew that Tim had a special gift. It was always his instinct that saved them. If he said they were nearby, they were. He hated the fact, but he never denied it. He remembered when Tim and his father showed up at the small camp. Tim was six-years-old, wide eyed and full of questions. He would sit and listen to everything and everyone, just absorbing information. The first time he had saved the then small camp was a year later. He had walked up to his father and said they were coming. His father, a once US Marine had evacuated the camp, and the few who had stayed, not believing the imaginations of a child, had perished. After that the people learned to listen to young Timothy’s instinct.
There had been rumors, talk, and there still was about why he knew they were around. No one though dared said anything aloud. Tim was very much loved and protected by many members of the village. People learned early not to cross his father, then quickly learned not to cross the village doctor. Once it was clear Eric had claimed Timothy has his own, he became another you didn’t mess with. Tripp himself felt very protective of the younger man.
“I don’t sense anything…” He looked around the clearing, watching the people he watched out for come and go. “Though the patterns have been off. Attacking farther north, it’s as if they are desperately looking for something…”
“Or someone,” Tripp finished for him.
“I don’t know what to do,” he said quietly. “There’s no reason to move, yet if we stay they will come.”
“How long do you think?” the councilman asked.
“No idea,” Speed answered. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Councilman, I would like to go have dinner with my family.”
“Speed, if she bothers you…”
“I’ll toss her on her ass, or let Megan do it.” He grinned and gave him a short wave before turning towards home.
~ Eric and Speed’s Home ~
“Daddy!” Two voices yelled out as he walked into the house.
He kneeled down and hugged both of them. “You’ve been good for papa?”
“Of course they are; they were just going to get cleaned up, weren’t they?” Eric eyed the two kids, who both wisely ran off to wash up.
“Problems?” Speed kissed him before moving into the kitchen.
“Just the typical I don’t want to and you can’t make me stuff.” Eric shook his head. “Everything okay?”
“Tripp just wanted to talk about you ratting me out.” He eyed his lover. “He’s wants to make sure the village is secure.”
“I didn’t rat you initially, he over heard me talking with Alexx,” he said as setting the table.
“So you ratted me out to the mother hen of the village,” Speed laughed. “Explains the herbs she gave me and the firm lecture on taking care of myself.”
Eric slipped his arms around his lover’s waist. “I worry; you haven’t slept a night through in weeks.”
Tim leaned back in his embrace. “I don’t know what it is, but…”
“She’s picked up on it.” He turned Speed around. “Elizabeth, she’s either picking up your moods or …”
“Inherited my talent.”
“Daddy.” Elizabeth stood at the door. “Are the bad things coming?”
Speed slipped out of Eric’s arms and knelt in front of his daughter. “Why do you ask?”
“I see pictures in my head,” she said quietly. Speed sighed and pulled her close to him; his daughter was very much like him.
~ Next Day: Village Meeting ~
Horatio sat to the side with Ryan and Calleigh watching the proceedings. The people had taken them in very easily, happy to see new people and learn of other camps and villages. Megan had already taken Calleigh in and between her and Alexx, the blonde wasn’t going anywhere or doing anything until after that baby was born.
He watched the two men who had brought them to the village. They sat away from the main crowd, watching over the proceedings. He had asked around and found out they were the town’s guardians. Horatio had also heard that Speed had an uncanny knack of being able to know when they were nearby, giving him an advantage when protecting the village.
“Is there a reason you’re staring at my boys?”
Horatio startled slightly, not hearing anyone come up to him or sit down. “You are?”
“Walter Skinner and you were staring at my boys.” He looked over towards Eric and Speed. “You don’t have an issue of them being together?”
“No.” He shook his head. “They are good with each other.”
“Then why the staring?” he pushed.
“Just trying to grasp the dynamics of the village and the people within.” Horatio looked around the room. “Who’re the ones to watch for, the ones to trust, the ones who get things done versus the ones who are all talk.”
Skinner eyed him carefully. Horatio couldn’t help but feeling as if he was being analyzed. “Council?”
“Yes.” The redhead nodded. “I had gone to a neighboring camp to discuss combining resources for the upcoming winter. Ryan, my proclaimed bodyguard, had gone with me. Calleigh tagged along since she wanted to visit a friend.”
“You were lucky.”
“I don’t know if that’s the word I would use.” He turned and watched the children play.
Walter looked over at the kids then back towards the newcomer. “How many?”
Horatio sighed. “Two.”
“I’m sorry; losing a child, it’s hard and painful.” Skinner looked over at his own son. “Tim is my only surviving child.”
He looked over at the young man. “He was born before the war?”
“At the beginning,” Walter sighed. “He’s very special.”
“So I’ve heard,” Horatio replied.
Skinner studied him a bit more then smiled slightly. “I think we need to talk.”
Horatio suddenly had a feeling his world perspective was going to alter and change.
~ Two Weeks Later ~
“Speed you need to see Alexx,” Eric snapped at his lover.
“There’s nothing she can do,” Tim retorted. “I took her herbs and drank her concoction; nothing worked.”
“You can’t keep going on like this.” He paced back and forth. “You’re worn out and ready to collapse.”
Speed sighed and laid his head back against the wall. “Maybe I’ll just pass out.”
“What is going on in that head of yours?” Eric tapped the thick skull.
He was rewarded with a glare. “My body won’t let me relax to sleep. I’m strung out and so fucking tired, I can’t sleep.”
He knelt down next to his lover. “I’m worried, love.”
“I know.” Speed cupped his cheeks. “Though I think we should be more worried about my dad and Horatio getting along. I heard them talking about the best powder to use for a bomb.”
Eric shuddered. “That is just wrong.”
“Are you two done fighting?”
Speed looked up and smiled brightly at the young man, who was holding a small infant. “Wally.” He stood up and hugged him then cooed at the baby. “How are you and little Bernard?”
“He’s a quiet baby, which is good.” He smiled brightly, obviously the proud father. “I figured his Uncle Tim would like to say hello.”
Tim pulled the sleeping baby out of his carrier and held him close. He looked over at Eric. “Makes me want another one.”
Eric eyed him. “The two we have keep us occupied. Besides, who would be the mom? If you say Natalia, I’ll kill you.”
Speed and Bernard gave him a disgusted look.
“Maybe the new girl, I mean after her baby is born and she’s well,” Wally suggested.
“Right now isn’t good timing for another addition to the family.” Speed handed Bernard back to his father. “Maybe in a few years.”
“Well any new addition is a blessing.” Wally bounced his son happily. “Valera wants you to come over for dinner with the kids sometime this week.”
“Sounds nice, we’re going out for patrol in a day so when we get back,” Eric answered.
“I’ll let her know, is Megan watching the kids?” he asked.
“Yes.” Speed nodded.
“Oh did you hear?” Wally grinned at them. “Natalia accepted Rick’s proposal.”
“Oh, thank you GOD!” Eric exclaimed up to the heavens. “Now maybe she will leave us alone.”
“Seriously doubt that,” the young man said. “Since I heard Rick can’t have kids…so she’s going to be looking for a donor.”
The three men shuddered. “Not sure how you slept with her in the first place.” Wally shook his head at Eric.
“Closed my eyes and thought of Speed.” Eric shrugged.
“Not sure if I’m flattered or eweeed.” Speed grinned at his lover.
Wally smiled as Eric leaned over and kissed Speed deeply. “I’ll just leave you two alone now.” Eric waved him off as he pulled his lover into their house and slammed the door shut.
~*~
Horatio kneeled down next to the perimeter of the fence. “Very clean.”
“I don’t want anyone accidentally tripping it off,” Skinner said from further up the fence.
“You think this is necessary?” the redhead asked as he followed the ex-Marine along the fence line.
“Yes,” was the simple answer. “I’ve been watching my son these past weeks. He’s not well. What ever is going to happen, it’s going to be big.”
“Has this happened before?” Horatio asked; he paused making sure the wire was secured and covered.
Walter stopped and looked at the other man. “Once – before we came here.”
“What happened?” He wasn’t sure if he wanted to know.
“We were with my unit still.” Skinner stood up looking over towards the main village. “Had a few civilians with us… Tim wouldn’t settle down, tired, cranky, cried all the time. He was maybe four. Until one day just out of the blue they swarmed down on us… I barely got Tim out of there. Only reason we escaped was his knack for knowing things… I learned to read his moods and response to know where not to go. We were alone for two years, wandering until we came up on this camp.”
Horatio watched the older man as he turned back to the task at hand. He glanced back at the village. In the few weeks they had been here, they had felt nothing but welcome. The local religious man had performed a memorial service for those they had lost, cleansing them of the loss and helping them start to move towards the future.
He had watched the two guardians, Eric becoming more worried as Speed seemed to grow tired and warn. The village moved about their daily business, not noticing or acknowledging the tension in the air. Horatio sighed and turned back towards the task at hand. When they did arrive, a surprise would be waiting.
~ Few Days Later ~
Speed saddled Spirit, preparing to head down the mountain and check the outside perimeters. He yawned slightly as he tied down his gear and tack. He had gotten a few hours of sleep, but it was filled with dark images and a sense of foreboding. Elizabeth had woke up screaming in the middle of the night, taking both men to calm her down enough for her to fall back to sleep. Speed had held her through the night, not wanting to leave her alone.
He glanced over the horse to see Eric tying his gear onto his; turning around, he sighed. His daughter was staring at him with her big brown eyes, being held by her mother.
Speed walked up and ran a hand through her long locks. “I want you to be good for momma.”
“Don’t go,” she cried.
“I won’t be gone for long, honey,” he soothed her. “We’ll be back tomorrow evening.”
She held out her hands; Speed took her into his arms. “Please don’t go.”
“Speed, maybe you shouldn’t go?” Megan looked over at the two. “I’ve never seen her like this.”
“She had a bad nightmare last night.” Tim rocked his daughter gently.
“You haven’t been doing well yourself,” she pointed out.
He sighed. “Yeah, well, there’s no one else to do it, so that leaves me and Eric.” He glanced at her. “And don’t even suggest he go by himself.”
“What if he goes with one of the new guys,” she suggested. “I mean, Horatio seems very capable…”
“Dad’s got him doing something; what I don’t know and probably don’t want to know,” Speed said. “And Ryan is helping Alexx, seems he’s got healer skills.”
“I just don’t think you should go.” Megan ran a hand through their daughter’s hair.
Speed closed his eyes, his heart and head fighting on the right thing to do. “We’ll go do a quick perimeter and be back tonight.”
Elizabeth looked up at her father. “Bad going to happen.”
Speed handed her back to Megan and cupped her cheek. “We have to make sure everything is safe, I promise to be home by nightfall.”
Eric looked over at his family. “Speed…”
Tim kissed Elizabeth on top of the head then mounted up. “Sooner we get out of here, the sooner we get back.”
Eric quickly mounted up and the two men rode out of the village, the gates closing behind them. Elizabeth buried her head into her mother’s shoulder and cried.
~*~
By nightfall Speed was agitated and jumpy. Eric tried to keep him calm, but his lover just bristled. “We need to get back now.”
“Speed?” Eric asked, concerned.
“Now! Eric.”
He spurred on the horse and rode up the trails towards the village. There were within feet of the gate when it hit. He pulled back on the reigns and cried out in pain. The horse stumbled and fell slamming its rider into the ground. Eric jumped off his horse and moved quickly to his lover, helping him up. He looked into the dark brown eyes and saw the pain radiating from them.
“They’re here.”
Eric pulled his gun and turned to protect his lover. The sharp pitch and whine pulled his eyes upward. Above them their ship hovered moving slowly towards the village. He turned towards Speed, who watched the ship. Tim looked at him and pulled his own weapon. The two men made a run for their home.
~ The Village ~
They were helpless; by the time the ship had been spotted, the creatures had already descended onto the village and blocked any attempt to escape. They could do nothing as children were ripped away from their parents. The men of the village tried desperately to protect the woman and children, some dying for their effort.
Walter held Megan close to him, watching in horror as the children were lined up. Horatio and Ryan hid Calleigh behind them, making sure her pregnancy was covered. Valera cried in Wally’s arms, as their son was poked and sniffed by one of the creatures. Tripp moved quietly through the crowd, flashing discreet signals. They had not survived all these years without plans for situations such as these.
Megan turned towards Walter. “What about Speed and Eric?”
“They came by ship, so they wouldn’t have seen them,” Walter whispered.
“It also means they knew exactly where the village was,” Horatio added. “They didn’t stumble upon this place.”
“Only way for that to happen….” Megan gasped. “Someone on the inside?”
A hush fell over the area as one of the creatures stepped forward. He was a leader among them, his stance and movements were fluid and showed he was used to others following. Walter stiffened slightly as he began to examine each of the children. The creature tilted his head and studied each child, scanning them with a small device.
He paused in front of Richard studying him carefully. His long claw like fingers reached out and delicately traced over the smooth cheek. He then looked over towards the humans clicking softly to another creature near by. The creature nodded and pulled the child out from the others.
“NO!” Natalia screamed, rushing forward. “You promised!”
The creature signaled towards the guards. She was surrounded and pulled towards him.
Richard stayed quiet, watching the situation with his father’s keen eyes. He turned towards his sister, making eye contact. Elizabeth nodded and turned back towards the confrontation.
“If that thing doesn’t kill her,” Megan growled, “I will.”
“Why?” Ryan shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense…”
“Made a deal.” Walter looked over at the young man. “I’ll give you my village, you spare my son and probably Eric…”
“Sacrifice dozens of people for what?” Calleigh spat out. “I’m with Megan, if they don’t kill her, we can make it slow and painful.”
“Extremely painful,” Megan added.
The creature made a few more clicking sounds, looking over at the small child. He then motioned towards the guards. Natalia was dragged by and thrown towards the little boy. She bent down to hug him, but he stepped back, his eyes cold.
“That’s my boy.” Walter beamed with pride.
“Richard, honey, let’s go…” Natalia grabbed his hand.
He pulled free of her and back-up. “You are not my mother.”
“Yes, I am.” She grabbed him again. “I did what I had to for us to survive.”
“NO!” he screamed. “You betrayed us. I would rather die then go with you.”
The creatures turned towards the two humans as the guards approached. Richard lashed out and kicked Natalia, knocking her back into one of the creatures before he ran. The two guards threw the woman to the ground and took off.
“Stop!” a small voice yelled out.
The creatures stopped and turned towards the small child.
“Leave him alone!” Elizabeth stood away from the other children, defiant in her stance.
The leader held a hand up, clicking loudly he moved towards the young girl. She held her ground and refused to look away. Looking down at the readings of the scanner, he bent closer to her, touching her hair and skin. He ran the scanner again making excited clicking noises. Others in the group stepped closer examining the child.
“What’s going on?” Megan demanded.
Skinner shook his head, moving forward. “No…”
The creature’s long fingers grabbed the child’s arm and began to pull her towards the ship.
“NO!” A shot rang out taking out one of the guards, closely by followed by a second. Elizabeth kicked out hard, slamming her tiny foot into the creature’s leg, pulling away from him. She cried out as she stumbled back, causing the long claws to scratch her arm. The distraction was enough for others to react.
Chaos broke out in the village. Walter and Horatio moved forward pulling weapons out of hideaways, aiming them towards the aliens. The children scrambled and ran for their parents. Richard appeared suddenly, grabbing his sister and helping her up. Both children froze when the lead creature clicked noisily and leaned over them. The children were pulled back quickly, their daddy standing between them and the alien.
Speed held up a gun and pointed it at the creatures head. “You will not touch my children.”
The human and alien stared at each other, neither moving nor flinching from the others gaze. The small sensor started to vibrate and beep. The creature pulled it up and looked at the readings. His black eyes went wide as he looked at the human male. Stepping back, he looked between the large and small human. The alien moved close to Speed his claws reaching out in a loving gesture.
The human backed up, pushing the children back. “Run; your papa is just around the corner.”
“Daddy.” Elizabeth looked between them.
“GO!” Speed yelled.
The two children ran towards their papa. Time stood still as the two species studied each other.
The creature clicked softly beckoning the human towards him. Speed shook his head, getting agitated; the gun slipped from his fingers as he sunk to his knees, gripping his head. Bending down, the alien ran his fingers through the dark locks, cooing softly. Suddenly Speed’s head snapped up, eyes wide; he growled and pushed the alien back. Scrambling for his gun, he fell back away from the approaching creatures. He was roughly pulled up by one of the guards; he lashed out fighting back, screaming out in pain as its sharp claws slicked across his side and back. Clutching at anything, he grabbed the creature’s weapon, turned it on the approaching guard and fired.
The alien fell to the ground dead.
Speed stared at the fallen alien then at the weapon.
The guard released him and clicked loudly at others; humans couldn’t use their technology.
The human shook himself out of shock and pulled the weapon around and fired at the remaining guards before fleeing.
~*~
Skinner watched as the creature and his son faced each other, knowing the truth would come out and Tim would know who he really was. He glanced toward the redhead. “Let’s go.”
They moved quickly towards the perimeter fence, working as a team they capped and set the charges. Walter pulled the detonation switch and cursed loudly. “They are jamming us.”
Horatio looked over at him, blue eyes full of concern. “What?”
“They are jamming all frequencies. So we don’t get a SOS out to surrounding camps and villages.” Skinner tossed the box down. “We’ll have to set them off by hand.”
“There’s not enough time to set them and get out of the area,” the redhead pointed out.
“I know that.” He looked towards the center of the village, his sharp eyes focusing on his son. “Take care of them.”
“Walter.” Horatio shook his head. “I’m not needed here…”
“That’s where you are wrong.” Skinner pushed him towards the escape path. “Go. You know the truth; help him find his way.”
“I…”
“Get the fuck out of here Horatio, before we both die and this all to waste.” Walter pulled his gun and made his way back towards the fence; he had one hell of surprise for those things that destroyed their world.
~*~
Eric pulled his children towards him and turned towards the center looking for Speed. “Where’s your daddy?”
“Facing the alien,” Richard said, tears in his eyes. “We have to go back for him.”
The young man looked down at his kids and made the hardest decision of his life. He pulled Elizabeth into his arms and grabbed Richard’s hand. He quickly made his way towards one of the escape paths, sighing with relief when he found Megan at the front entrance, guiding others into the tunnel.
“Megan!”
“Eric, thank GOD!” She hugged him and the kids. “Where’s Speed?”
“He’s coming.” He handed Elizabeth to her. “Go, take the kids; I’m going to make sure Speed gets here.”
Elizabeth held on to her mother tightly. “I want Daddy.”
“He’ll be here soon,” Megan soothed her. She grabbed her bag and Richard’s hand and moved into the tunnel.
“Let me help, I can take Richard.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Wally.”
He knelt down in front of the quiet boy. “Help me with Bernard?”
Richard nodded and patted the small child’s chest. Wally straightened up and took the boy’s hand; he followed Megan, trying not to think about the loss of Valera and the others in the village.
~*~
Speed ran towards the escape routes. His side burned, his head hurt, questions and turmoil were raging through his head. He stumbled, jarring his knee as he hit the ground. He clutched the wound, feeling the warm blood seeping through his fingers. After a few calming breathes, he picked himself up only to come up sharp.
“You’re the one I wanted them to kill!” She held his own gun in his face.
“So you betrayed your own kind for what?” Speed sneered. “Thinking you would ride into the sunset with Eric? Not likely, sweetheart.”
“He belongs to me!” Natalia snarled. “Just look at Richard and how beautiful he is…”
Eyes lifted to the heavens. “Please God, don’t let insanity be hereditary.”
Her eyes flashed with pure hatred as she pulled back the hammer. “It’s a shame you didn’t survive the attack.”
“See you in hell bitch,” Speed growled.
The shot never came. Natalia’s eyes went wide, mouth open in shock, the gun slipping from her fingers. Speed stared as her lifeless body fell to the ground; behind her was the creature, his sharp claws covered in blood.
“Speed!” Eric ran up to his lover, gun drawn aiming at the alien. He looked over at Speed, whose hand was on his, lowering the gun. “Tim?”
The alien tilted his head slightly, then backed away, fading into the darkness. Eric looked between the empty place and his lover. Speed shook his head, before turning and heading down the path. Eric picked up the fallen gun, resisting the urge to kick the body, and followed his lover down the hill.
~*~
“Horatio!” Calleigh cried and fell into his arms. “I was worried; where were you?”
The redhead glanced back up towards the village. “Setting up a surprise for our guests.” He looked around to see who had survived. Admittedly it was more than he expected, but not a lot.
Alexx was treating Ryan, while Tripp was organizing everyone before they moved from the area. Megan had the surviving children near her, with Wally helping. He was a bit surprised to see Stetler still walking among the survivors. His eyes swept the area. “Calleigh did Eric and Speed make it?”
“I haven’t seen either of them.” She shook her head. “Eric had brought the kids to Megan, then went looking for Speed.”
“We can’t let them get Speed…” Horatio moved through the make shift camp, back towards the main path when he saw the two men coming down it slowly. “Alexx, we need medical attention here.”
Alexx patted Ryan’s arm gently. “Keep the eye covered; it should heal in a few days.” Ryan nodded as she got up and moved towards Speed. “Sugar, what happened?”
“He got in the way of their claws.” Eric sat him down on a fallen log.
“I’m fine,” Speed hissed as Alexx began poking around his side checking the wound. “Where’s Dad?”
Horatio looked up the mountain.
Tim followed his gaze.” NO.” He stood up, scrambling back up the path. Horatio quickly grabbed and held him tight against his chest. “Leave no man behind…”
“Speed…” Horatio whispered into his ear. “He’s doing what he can to protect his family.”
“No… That son of a bitch isn’t going to…”
The explosion shook the ground, sending the two men two their knees. Speed looked up to the only true place he called home, watching as the fireball exploded up into the air, engulfing the mountaintop. He sagged in the redhead’s arms, eyes closed, tears steaming down his face.
Drops of rain began to fall.
Eric dropped to his knees, pulling his lover into his arms, holding him close as he wept for the man who raised him. Elizabeth and Richard pulled away from Megan and ran towards their fathers, holding onto them tightly. While the small group of survivors scattered for shelter, Horatio stood up and stepped back from the small family; he lifted his face to the sky letting the cool rain wash away the dirt, blood and tears.
They would keep moving; they would survive. The human race would endure.
As the rain washed away the blood and death that had taken place, the alien ship lifted off the ground and headed back to base. The creature looked down at the forest canopy, his dark eyes searching – for his son.
~ Next On: The Destiny Child ~
They had been running for weeks.
Alexx had pulled Horatio aside, worried about Speed and Calleigh. The blonde was due any day now, and the cold rainy outdoors was not the best place to have a child, while Speed was on the edge, not sleeping, and his wound wasn’t healing properly. They needed shelter and needed it soon.
Horatio lifted a hand, stopping everyone in their places. He motioned towards Eric, then towards his left. The young man nodded and pulled his weapon, covering the redhead as they eased towards the sound.
A snap of a twig and Horatio was suddenly face to face with a 9mm. “Who are you and what are you doing in this area?”
“We were raided, our village destroyed.” Horatio raised his hands in the air. “Look, we got wounded and a woman who is ready to give birth.”
The older man looked past Horatio, his blue eyes sweeping over the small band of survivors. He lowered his gun and smiled at the redhead. “Name’s Gibbs; welcome to our home.” He whistled and the clearing was suddenly filled with a small army.