PART 4
Saturday, June 7
9 PM
After arguing with both Walter and Ed, Sloan finally consents to take a rest. She has
been asleep in her room for well over an hour when she begins to dream. The image of a man is
fuzzy at first, then becomes clear. She can see Tom running as if in slow motion. He seems to
be surrounded by trees and his breathing is labored.
Suddenly a loud gunshot sounds and she wakes up screaming. "Ahhh! Tom!" Her yell
alerts Grace, who rushes in from the kitchen and sits on the side of the bed. Grace quickly grabs
her hands as Sloan wrestles with the sheets.
"What's wrong, Dear?"
Sloan looks at Grace in fear, then answers in gasps. "I...I don't know, but I...think Tom's
in trouble." She glances around the room and shivers. "Where's Walter?"
"Right here, Sloan. Now, please lie back down and try to relax."
Shaking her head she stares at him. "I can't just lie here...when Tom might be in trouble,
Walter. We've got to do something...please contact Mark. I need to know...what's happening."
Sloan struggles to get out of bed, but Walter stops her.
"Sloan, I'm going to give you a sedative to help you sleep." She looks at him in alarm,
but Walter continues. "I didn't tell you this earlier Sloan, but your doctor said you might behave
erratically from your trauma and if so, I was to use this sedative."
She begins to fight as he raises his hand and squirts liquid out of a needle. "No, Walter, I
don't need a sedative..." Before she can finish her words, Walter jabs her arm and her eyes
flutter. As her body begins to fall back, Grace reacts and gently places her on the mattress.
"Are you sure you should have done that, Walter?"
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Saturday, June 7
11 PM
Tom stops for a moment to look at his watch that had been returned earlier that day when
he had been dressed. It reads 11 PM. He has been on the run for several hours now. Suddenly
he realizes the watch is not his own. 'Lewis must have taken mine,' he thinks, 'but why?' He
removes the watch and examines it. At first he decides to throw it away in case it contains a
tracking device - a typical trademark of Lewis, but instead he places it back on his wrist. "I'll let
Sloan test it later," he says quietly as he kneels beside a tree and scans the bag Cassandra gave
him.
Inside he finds a flashlight, a revolver and some food. He turns on the flashlight for a
brief moment and quickly reviews the map. While waiting in the vent for Cassandra, he had
re-memorized it to ensure he would not have to stop once he was on the move. As the quiet of
the woods envelops him, he thinks of Cassandra. Her words from their departure ring in his
mind. "I know I remind you of her." When he heard the gunshots, he sensed the guards were
near her, but he could not sense if she had been injured.
Perhaps she was able to elude them and get back to the compound. But then what would
she do? He remembers her telling him of the peace faction. He wonders for a brief moment who
the members might be or if he had ever met any of them. Then he thinks about the plan they
must have devised in order for Cassandra to get him out. But what of her own life? She had to
be of some value to them. The feelings he has for Cassandra are unexplainable. He barely
knows her yet her resemblance to Sloan seems to make him feel so very much toward her.
Suddenly his senses alert him to someone nearby. It is not an animal or a human. It is
one of his own. He begins to move quickly and attempts to mask himself. If Cassandra's
calculations are correct, he should reach the meeting point shortly. "I can't make it this far only
to be discovered," he thinks aloud.
As he crests the final hill displayed on the map, he can see the lights of the town. The
sense of someone following him is strong again, and he hurries toward the nearest building. It is
a small shed at the end of the road. He reaches the door, scans the trees, and hurries inside. As
he closes the door, he hears footsteps a short distance away. For a moment he loses hope of
reaching his final destination.
"Tom," squeaks the voice outside as a hand pounds weakly on the door. "Please..." He is
shocked by the vision of Cassandra standing beyond the entrance. He throws the door open as
she falls into his arms. He holds her tight and slams the door shut with his foot. Then he picks
her up and eases her toward an old rusted chair propped against the wall.
"Cassandra! How did you..." He remarks as he gently sets her down. "I heard gunshots.
I thought you might have been taken prisoner." As he removes his arm from around her waist,
he sees blood on his hand and sleeve. "You're bleeding. What happened?"
She looks over at him, and with a weak voice explains. "The guards...did shoot. I
reflected...my image. They moved, then..." Her head drops to her chest for a moment, then she
leans back to look at him. "Please, Tom, I need...to lie down. The pain..."
He takes her in his arms again and places her on the floor. As she coughs up blood, he
rummages through boxes and finds a dirty rag and a worn out tarp. "These will have to do."
Tom rushes back to her and wads the rag under her head and wraps her in the tarp. "You'll be
fine, Cassandra. I can meet the faction and bring them back here to assist you."
"No. It's too late...for me." She coughs harshly, and blood begins to trickle down her
face. "I was attacked from...behind by...Lewis. Somehow he knew. I can't guarantee...safety.
Not sure if he...followed me...get away...while you can. Take gun... and this." She moves slowly
inside the tarp, then weakly hands him her cell phone. "Dial 225. Contact...faction." As he hits
the number, he senses men coming toward the shed.
"Someone's coming. Try to stay quiet." Tom rushes to the dirty window on the opposite
side of the room and peers out. He can see two men, but immediately senses they are human.
Their voices grow louder as they continue past the shed and walk into the woods. He continues
to watch the road, but he can sense no other movement. They are safe for the time being.
"Ward, here." Tom hears the voice on the other end answer, but he does not respond
causing Mark to shout, "Who is on this line?"
Tom hesitates for a moment, then answers. "This is Tom Daniels. I need your help.
Cassandra is gravely injured."
There is silence on the line, then he hears a hesitant response. "Mr. Daniels... Where are
you?"
With a brief glance to Cassandra, whose nod tells him to continue, Tom answers.
"Cassandra provided me with a map. We're in a shed near the meeting point. She told me I
would be met by members of a peace faction. Who are you?"
"I am the leader of the peace faction, Tom. My name is Mark Ward. I think I know the
shed you are referring to. My team is not far from that location. I will send my men there
immediately to get you and to treat Cassandra. How bad are her injuries?"
Tom explains she is bleeding profusely from a gunshot wound in her back and has a deep
laceration in her forehead. "She's coughing up blood." As he glances back at Cassandra, she
begins to convulse. "I think she is going into shock." He again describes the shed to guarantee
Mark knows the correct location. "Cassandra said she's not sure if she was followed."
"Don't worry about that. Just take care of her until we reach you. We are only a few
minutes away." The men are silent for a moment, then Mark says. "I'm glad you are safe, Mr.
Daniels."
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Saturday, June 7
11:05 PM
The quiet of the cabin is interrupted by Walter's cell phone. As it rings for the fourth
time, he clumsily answers it in breathless anticipation. "He...Hello." He sits in silence for a few
seconds, then clears his throat. "Yes...yes, I understand, Mark. That is wonderful news."
As Walter listens intently to Mark's words, Ed looks over to him in concern and places
the book he was reading on his lap. From the couch where they fell asleep an hour ago, Grace
and Matt glance at each other in wonder. "What's he saying, Walter?" Grace asks as she gets up
from the couch and walks to Sloan's room. Walter stares at the wall, then gives her a look of
concern.
As she opens the door, she can see Sloan lying on the bed peacefully. Grace hates to
wake her, but she needs to know Mark is on the phone. "Sloan," she says lightly touching her
shoulder. "Sloan, Mark is on the phone. Can you hear me?" Sloan stirs then moves her head
back and forth. She raises her hands to rub her eyes, then turns her face toward Grace.
"What...what's going on?" Grace looks at her with a half smile and whispers softly in the
hopes of keeping her calm.
"Mark is on the phone with Walter, Sloan. I thought you'd want to know."
Upon hearing those words Sloan lunges out of bed but gets tangled in the blankets.
Shaking them from around her arms she tries to stand, but the sedative disorients her causing her
to topple to the floor. Grace tries to stop her fall, but doesn't make it around the bed in time.
Sloan crashes to the floor with the blankets wrapped around her legs and cries in pain.
"Are you hurt, Sloan?" Grace helps her to her feet and throws the blanket back on top of
the bed.
"No...I'm fine. I just bumped my knee." Sloan attempts to rush out the door of her
bedroom while rubbing her knee and heads straight for the recliner where Walter is sitting. He is
finishing his call as she approaches. "Walter, what's going on?" she asks in a gruff voice.
He nods his head then answers. "Yes, I will let them know." A moment later Walter
says, "I understand," and hangs up the phone.
"What did Mark say?" She looks at him with a combination of fear and longing.
He takes her arm and escorts her to Ed's bed. "Sloan, please sit down." Ed sits up
quickly and places his hands on her shoulders.
"Walter, you better tell us what that was all about before you need to give her another
sedative," Ed says aggressively.
Sloan stares at Walter for a moment and says, "We'll talk about that later. I want to know
what Mark said now!"
"All right, Sloan, I will. Just give me a moment to find the right words." He lowers his
eyes to the floor, then looks back at Ed and Sloan. "Mark said they are about twenty miles
outside the city. And he just received an unusual phone call." He pauses to catch his breath,
then continues. "It was from Tom, Sloan."
She stares at him in disbelief. Despite the pain in her knee she rushes to the kitchen table,
grabs her coat, and races for the door before Walter can react. The guard stationed outside turns
to stop her. "Dr. Parker, I was ordered to keep all of you inside."
She looks at the man, dressed all in black, with anger as Walter reaches for her. "Sloan,
you can't leave," Walter protests. "Mark said he isn't sure if it's a trap. They were going to check
it out and report back to us as soon as possible."
"When will that be, Walter? In another day or two after we've all gone crazy from being
cooped up in here?" she says frantically.
"I'm not sure, Sloan. Mark said soon, that's all." He returns to the recliner and watches
her face.
She shakes her head in disappointment. "But Walter, what if it's really Tom? What if
he's hurt? I should be there. The dream I had was Tom. He was running towards something..."
"Sloan, I know what you think you saw, but we're just going to have to wait. We have no
other choice at this point." He pauses for a moment then says quietly, "I'm sorry about the
sedative, Sloan. At the time I thought it would help you."
Sloan stares at him as she leans against the kitchen table. "Apology accepted. But don't
do that to me again, Walter." He nods in agreement, looks at his watch, then walks back to the
recliner sitting in the middle of the room. He leans his head back on the chair and closes his
eyes.
Grace stands near the kitchen sink and watches Sloan as she walks toward Ed's bed and
sits down beside him. She says hesitantly, "Sloan, I just know everything will be okay."
Sloan looks to Grace slowly and answers, "I hope you're right, Grace."
Grace calls for Matt and they walk quietly into their room. Ed looks down at Sloan, who
is staring at the front door. He whispers in her ear, "It's going to be okay, Sloan."
She shakes her head, then whispers, "I don't know, Ed. I can't explain it, but something
just isn't right."
He looks up at the ceiling and blinks his eyes slowly. "I hope you're wrong, Sloan. For
all our sakes." He pauses for a moment then says, "Why don't you go back to bed?"
As she leans against his shoulder, she answers quietly, "I'd rather stay here, Ed."
----------------------------------------
Saturday, June 7
11:06 PM
Tom returns to Cassandra's side, and touches her forehead as she struggles to open her
eyes. "Tom," she gasps as she coughs again. He reaches beneath her and discovers the tarp is
saturated with her blood.
"Hold on, Cassandra. They're coming for us." Suddenly Tom senses someone
approaching the cabin. He reaches for the revolver he placed on the floor beside her and quickly
stands. Moving quietly to the window he sees a figure pass. It's Lewis.
"Tom," Cassandra says weakly. "Get out." Through her pain she senses Lewis's
presence. Tom knows he cannot leave her alone. She saved his life and he intends to help her no
matter what. Inexplicably, his feelings for Cassandra are incredibly strong; almost as strong as
his feelings for Sloan. The medication in his system has his reactions working overtime. He
senses Lewis as he circles the shed and yells their names.
"It's no use, Tom. I know you and that traitor are here. I will not allow this to happen
again. It's your choice, Tom. You can die here with Cassandra or return to the compound. If
you give up now , perhaps I will let you live long enough to see Sloan again."
As he moves toward the shed door, Tom looks to Cassandra, who struggles to move
inside the tarp. He tells her in a quiet voice, "Stay here. I'm going to end this once and for all."
Before she can gasp a response, Tom slams the door shut and walks outside.
Thoughts race through Tom's mind as he approaches Lewis. He sees himself turning
toward a smirking Lewis as he calmly watches Tom shoot his own mother. He sees an image of
himself turning toward Lewis after he shot the dream image of Sloan. And, he sees the scene in
his imagination of Lewis shooting Cassandra in the back. Each image enrages Tom more. His
rage is overpowering by the time he hears Lewis yell.
"I'm glad to see you're being reasonable, Tom. Did you really think this escape would
work? I know about the peace faction, and I had my suspicions about Cassandra. I used a ruse
of having her help me move you to confirm her true intentions. I am very disappointed in both
of you."
As Lewis speaks, Tom continues to walk directly toward him with determination in his
eyes. "I don't care what you think any more, Lewis. I am no longer one of you. You're not
going to harm anyone again. This is for Cassandra, Sloan, and everything you've done to me."
Before the man can react, Tom raises his gun and empties the magazine into Lewis's body. His
body drops to the ground as the last bullet hits his heart and ends his life.
Mark, his men, and Ray arrive at the scene, as Lewis falls to the ground. Ray looks out
the window of the car and sees Tom standing over the body. "This doesn't look good, Mark," he
states solemnly as he reaches for the door handle.
Mark exits the vehicle when it stops beside Tom. "What happened?"
With no hesitation in his voice, Tom answers. "He showed up a few minutes ago. He
threatened me...and Cassandra. I didn't have a choice. I had to end it." He then looks at Mark
and asks, "Are you Ward?"
"Yes, Mr. Daniels. I wish we could meet under better circumstances."
Ray exits the van and stands beside Mark. After a moment he says hesitantly, "Hello,
Tom. I'm glad to see you're okay."
Tom looks at Ray and opens his mouth to answer. A sudden distant look crosses Tom's
face as he drops the gun and runs back to the shed kicking the door open. "Cassandra," he yells.
He picks her up tenderly, but it's too late. Her head droops back as she lies in his arms. She is
gone. The pain he feels is written on his face as he exits the shed with her body in his arms.
Mark and Ray stand near the doorway as Tom drops to his knees and yells in despair.
"Nooooooooo......"
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Saturday, June 7
11:08 PM
In a daze, Sloan stares out the window, lost between sleep and consciousness. Her eyes
are glazed over when a loud sound jars her senses. A scream echoes in her mind and she gets to
her feet awkwardly. Ed reacts in alarm as she stands holding her head in her hands. She
suddenly begins to cry.
"Sloan, what's wrong?" He tries to reach her hand to calm her down, but she is too far
away. "Sloan?"
She begins to sway back and forth, and abruptly drops to her knees on the carpet near the
kitchen table. Her sobs increase and she rakes her hands through her auburn curls. "Ed, it's
happening again. I can feel Tom. I feel his pain. Something's happening. I just don't know
what it is but I know it's bad."
Walter hears her cries and rushes from his chair to calm her. He lightly touches her
shoulder, but she brushes him away and stands up. As she begins to circle the table, she looks at
the men in blind confusion. "I just heard Tom yell, Walter. Are you going to say I'm acting
erratically again?"
She suppresses a cry and attempts to sit down at the table. She looks at Ed, then turns her
attention to Walter. "I know what I heard, Walter, and it frightens me. We have to contact
Mark. I know something is terribly wrong."
----------------------------------------
Saturday, June 7
11:09 PM
Mark orders his men to secure the area and search the woods. "We must make sure no
one is waiting to attack us. Surround the perimeter and report back to me immediately."
His soldiers respond, "Yes, Sir," and break into groups to complete their orders. Mark
looks at Tom as he holds Cassandra close to his chest. Ray stares at the lifeless body of the
woman, then he walks hesitantly toward Tom and kneels beside him.
"I'm sorry, Tom. How did this happen?" asks Ray quietly
Ray lightly touches Tom's shoulder as Tom raises his head slowly to look at Mark. Tom
then turns toward Ray and answers. "Lewis shot her in the back." Ray looks at the young girl's
face and lowers his eyes to the ground.
Mark slowly bows his head, then watches Tom carry Cassandra's body to one of the vans.
"It is a shame to lose a good operative." Tom looks at him in surprise, but doesn't respond.
"How can you be so cold, Mark?" Ray asks as he gets to his feet and stands beside Tom.
"It is how we are, Mr. Peterson. You should know that by now." Mark then turns his
attention to Lewis's body.
"I had to end it once and for all," Tom says in answer to Mark's telepathic thought. "You
know that as well as I do. He was going to destroy us and anyone who got in his way." They all
stare at Lewis's body as two soldiers wrap him in sterile plastic and place him into the other van.
Tom then says quietly. "I couldn't have stopped if I tried." Tom stops for a moment and stares at
the van containing Cassandra's body. "I didn't have a choice. It was me...or him. I believe we
were destined for this outcome."
Suddenly a message comes through from Mark's men. "The perimeter is secure, Sir.
There is no sign of hostiles. But we did find the bodies of two humans a short distant from the
shed. Do you want us to return with them?" Mark orders Team One to bury the bodies and
Team Two to search the shed. "When you are finished, return to the vehicles." A few seconds
later, one of his men from Team Two produces a bag, which Tom grabs and holds tight.
"We found this in one of the compartments in the bag, Sir." Mark takes the diskette and
looks at the label. "It's addressed to you." He hands the diskette to Tom.
"I need to see what's on this, now!" Tom demands.
One of the soldiers points toward the van where Lewis's body lies. "We have a laptop
computer in the van, Mr. Daniels."
Tom reaches the van quickly and inserts the diskette into the machine. The screen of the
computer is black for a moment, then Cassandra's face appears. She is standing in a stark room,
wearing the same clothing she had on during the escape. "She must have recorded this before
she helped you get out," Mark responds as she begins to speak.
"Tom, if you're viewing this diskette, then I have been successful in my mission. I can
only hope you have made it to the location and that you are safe. I have some valuable
information I need to give you. I'm making this recording because I'm not sure if I will have the
chance to tell you this in person.
A month after you left the program, Lewis ordered me to follow you. I was to report back
to him on a daily basis your actions and those of the scientists. At first, I obeyed completely.
But, as I saw your interaction with the humans, I became intrigued. I could sense Sloan's
emotions and your growing attraction to her. These human emotions are very strange, but as the
months progressed, I, too, began to feel...feel empathy for your choice to leave our people. And,
I longed to be free also."
Tom feels Ray approach the van, and he glances at him momentarily. They make eye
contact, then the men turn their attention to the computer screen. "A short time later, I learned of
the peace faction and made the decision to work for them as an operative. The position I held as
Lewis's adjutant gave me the access the peace faction needed to stop him. When I learned Lewis
planned to take you prisoner, I started following him. I used our masking ability to my
advantage. I am able to reflect my image, and the image of those close to me in different
directions and into different images."
Tom remembers her use of masking during the escape. He now understands her talent.
Mark and Ray notice his reaction, but they remain silent.
"The first time I followed Lewis, he met with Dr. Attwood's associate. I never learned
her name, but she was always driven in a dark limousine." Mark and Tom share a brief look of
concern as her words continue. "Needless to say, I did some careful research and learned they
were working together. The woman wanted you out of the way, Tom. And Lewis, of course,
wanted you back in the program. You are to be our leader. He would tell that to all of us in the
Chameleon Program on a regular basis.
When you were actually taken and arrived at the compound, I watched as the technicians
performed your initial examination. I also learned from one of the doctors that Sloan had been
taken to a hospital. She obviously followed you when Lewis's men took you from her
apartment." With worry on his face, Tom looks at Ray, who nods his head in recognition and
silently mouths 'she's okay.'
"I also learned that Lewis knew about the safe house where your friends were taken by
Dr. Attwood. Lewis told me he left something behind that Sloan would later discover was a clue
to your location."
"It has to be the watch," Ray whispers. Mark nods as Tom reaches down to brush his
sleeve away from the watch he is wearing. He takes it off his wrist and hands it to Ray. "I think
you're right, Ray. This isn't mine." They quickly look back to the screen as Cassandra continues
talking.
"He wanted them to find you, Tom, because he was programming you to eliminate them
once and for all. I'm getting ahead of myself, though.' She pauses for a moment and looks to the
ground. She returns her attention to the camera and resumes. 'When you were returned to the
cage, you had a vision of your mother. It was actually me. In fact almost all the visions you had
-- your mother, Sloan, even Lewis at times -- it was me or the visions Lewis wanted you to see.
I was simply following Lewis's orders. I didn't have a choice, Tom. He would have been
suspicious. I was also ordered to provide you with meals laced with the proper medication;
although I never actually put the drugs in your food. I was able to protect you from the worst,
but I couldn't stop the technicians. That's why I had to give you that injection before it was too
late.'
She grows quiet, and stares behind her. 'I don't have much time. I have to finish this
before one of the guards discovers me. The information I need to give you is their plan to
eliminate your friends. I was able to access some of Lewis's computer records while he was
away from the compound this afternoon. According to what I learned, I can tell you Dr.
Attwood's associate is a dangerous woman. But I'm sure you already know that, Tom. Look
inside the bag, in the lining. All the information you need is there. Be well, Tom."
The screen fades to black, then Tom turns again to stare at Cassandra's body as it lies
motionless in the other van. One of the guards carefully rips the seam of the bag, and discovers a
map and a detailed report.
"I'd say your action against Lewis will stop this human woman from implementing their
plans," Mark says quietly. As Tom reviews the report, he looks at Mark and shakes his head.
He hands the report and the map to Mark and they share a look of alarm. "You might be
wrong about that, Mark."
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Sunday, June 8
7 AM
Despite Sloan's insistence, Walter does not call Mark. He and Ed are able to convince
Sloan to wait for him to contact them. Both men think it best not to interfere with his mission in
case Mark's fear of a trap is proven true. Sloan isn't happy with the decision, but she eventually
consents. A short time later she falls into a restless sleep beside Ed causing him to get very little
rest himself.
Just before dawn, Walter's phone begins to ring. Sloan jumps up awkwardly then races
frantically to his side. She stares at him as he listens silently, her panic building. She begins to
pace in front of the chair where he sits.
"That's wonderful news, Mark." There is another long pause, and Walter's face begins to
grimace. "I'm sorry to hear that. Yes...yes. I understand. We will expect their arrival." Walter
hangs up the phone, and gently takes hold of Sloan's hands. She comes to a complete stop before
him, then pulls away.
"Walter, tell me what he said," she insists.
He looks at her with a slight smile and says, "They found Tom, Sloan. He's fine." A look
of sheer relief covers her face, then she frowns as Walter continues. "Mark had some disturbing
news, though. One of his operatives, who helped Tom escape, was killed...by Lewis. When
Mark's team arrived at the location they also found Lewis dead...Tom killed him."
Sloan turns to Ed and gasps, "I told you something wasn't right, Ed." Ed looks at her in
concern and pats the mattress beside him urging her to sit down. She hesitates for a moment,
then walks to the bed and slowly sits.
Walter allows her a moment to collect herself then continues. "Mark didn't explain
everything, Sloan. What he was able to tell me was that his operative, Cassandra, provided them
with pertinent information about a plan devised by Lewis and my boss." With that word Sloan
looks to him in concern.
"A plan...what kind of plan?"
"It seems they planned to eliminate us." Sloan and Ed look at him in fear, but he waves
his hand asking them to allow him to finish. "With Lewis out of the way, Mark, Ray, and Tom
feel the plan will not succeed, but Mark and his team are on their way to stop her. Tom is being
sent to one of their laboratories. That's all he would tell me over the phone."
"Why isn't Tom coming here first, Walter?" Sloan says in despair.
"Mark said Tom needs to be checked by his technicians because of what Lewis might
have done to him. It's nothing too serious, Sloan. Just a precautionary action."
She reacts harshly. "You said the same thing about Ed too. No, there's more to this than
precaution." After a brief pause to catch her breath and pull her hair from her face she demands.
"I want to go to their lab. I need to be there, Walter, when Tom arrives. I can't wait here now
that I know he's okay."
Walter looks at her and contemplates his answer. "I know how you feel Sloan, but
Mark...doesn't want you there. He told me that on the phone before he hung up."
"I don't understand. Why does he see me as a threat? I've done nothing wrong to make
him disregard me...or have I?"
Walter shakes his head. "No, Sloan, I don't think he views you as a threat. I...I don't
really know. All he would say was that some of his men would be here for us in a few hours to
take us home."
Before Sloan can react Walter turns to see Grace and Matt standing by the kitchen table.
"Grace and Matt, two of Mark's men will escort you home. Ray is supposed to meet you there."
Grace smiles and looks down at her son.
Walter then looks back to Sloan. "Ed will come with me, and stay at my home until he
fully recovers. After Mark's men return Grace and Matt to their home, they will take you back to
your apartment. Mark said with Lewis out of the way and my boss soon to be taken care of , we
could go home. However, his men will be standing guard at all of our homes to guarantee our
safety until Mark's new mission is complete."
Sloan sits motionless on the edge of the bed. "Your boss will be taken care of, what does
that mean?" Walter stares at her a moment but shakes his head in uncertainty. She thinks for a
few moments then says quietly, "We can go home?" She stares out the window for a moment
and asks distractedly. "Why do I have to go back to the apartment?" She pauses then says in
determination. "I want to see Tom."
Ed reaches for her hands and pulls her to him. "Sloan, you've got to calm down. We
need to trust Mark." He looks to Walter for reassurance. Walter looks at him apprehensively.
"I'm sure you'll be able to see Tom soon."
She looks at him first in anger, then in realization. "I guess you're right, but I don't like
this one bit."
"It's going to be just fine, Sloan," Grace says trying to reassure her. "Why don't I fix us
an early breakfast. That will at least make some of the time go by until Mark's men come to get
us." Hesitantly Sloan nods in agreement as she stands and walks toward the window.
The sun is beginning to rise, and the colors on the horizon are beautiful. For a brief
moment Sloan thinks about Tom and wishes he were here with her right now. Before her
thoughts wander Grace asks her to join them. As she turns toward the kitchen she watches
Walter help Ed to the table for his first meal out of the bed.
"Did Mark say anything about what he plans to do about your boss?" Ed asks Walter in a
quiet voice so Sloan doesn't hear.
Walter looks at him perplexed for a moment, then responds. "No, I'm afraid not. He was
very vague, but he promised to call when it was finished."
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Sunday, June 8
10:30 AM
Tom, along with Mark, one of his soldiers, and Ray race into downtown Burbank headed
for a building Tom knows. It is the office complex where he had met with Walter's boss on
numerous occasions. He had never told any of the team about his visits with her, but Mark can
sense his feelings. "You've been here before, haven't you, Tom?"
Tom looks at Ray sitting in the front seat and determines he did not hear Mark's question.
"Yes. I've met with the woman before. I'm surprised she's still in the same location, though.
That doesn't seem to fit what little I know about her."
"She's human, Mr. Daniels. They lack our advanced abilities..."
Before he finishes, Tom glares at him. "Mark, I will allow you your thoughts on humans,
but please remember that some of them are my friends and I have worked closely with them for
quite some time. I don't wish to jeopardize that relationship in any way." He pauses as Mark
stares at him. "We have a much higher objective to attain than any kind of personal agenda you
may have."
"We're here," interrupts Ray. He turns to look at the two men in the back seat and reads
the expression on Tom's face. "Is everything okay back there?"
Tom and Mark glare at each other with tense expressions, then Tom answers.
"Everything is fine, Ray. Just a difference of opinion."
The soldier driving the van pulls into one of the empty stalls closest to the main entrance
door and turns off the ignition. The three men exit the vehicle and cautiously look around the
parking garage. Tom and Mark sense no guards and look at each other for a brief moment. "It's
safe, Ray. Take your position over there. This won't take long," Tom directs.
As Ray moves behind one of the large barricades, Mark and Tom enter the building
concealing their guns under their long black trench coats.
----------------------------------------
Sunday, June 8
11 AM
Sloan and the team wait patiently for Mark's men to arrive. The sound of vehicles
stopping outside the cabin makes Sloan rush to the kitchen window. She watches the guards
speak to the new arrivals, then the door opens and one of Mark's men enters. He looks around
the room and stops when he finds Sloan standing by the sink. "Hello, Dr. Parker. Is everyone
ready to depart?"
She answers a quiet "Yes" and retrieves her bag from the kitchen counter. Walter assists
Ed out the door and into his car. Grace and Matt are escorted to the van where several of Mark's
men are waiting. Sloan looks hesitantly around the cabin, then she closes the door slowly. One
of the guards helps her into the van and they begin to drive away.
She waves good-bye to Ed as Walter drives off in his car. Grace grabs hold of her hand
and reassures her. "Everything is going to be just fine, Sloan. I know it. Just try to be strong
and relax. You'll see Tom soon enough. I'm sure Mark knows what he's doing. After all, he has
Tom's best interests in mind. Don't you agree?"
Sloan looks at Grace for a moment, then makes a request to one of the guards. "Is there
any way I could contact Mark and find out where Tom is being taken? I would really like to be
there to help."
The guard in the front seat, the same one who stopped her from leaving the cabin the
night before, answers. "I'm sorry, Dr. Parker. We have our orders. You're to be taken to your
apartment." He turns away abruptly and speaks quietly with the driver.
She looks at him in anger, then Matt chimes in. "It's okay, Dr. Parker, really. My dad's
working with Mr. Ward, and if that's where he wants you to go, then there's a good reason for it.
Right, Mom?"
Sloan and Grace share a look of surprise. "The wisdom of a child can be overwhelming,
can't it?" Grace asks as she proudly looks down at her son.
----------------------------------------
Sunday, June 8
2 PM
Hours later, Walter drives into Whitney University's laboratory parking lot. Ed wakes up
slowly, then realizes where they are. "Walter, what are we doing here?" Ed glances around at
the familiar territory and looks to him for an answer. As Walter slows the vehicle, Ed glances
out the window to see Mark and Ray standing at the entrance door. He then watches as Tom
exits one of the vehicles parked nearby. "What's going on, Walter?"
Walter stops the car in front of the men and begins to get out. Ed reaches over and grabs
his wrist. "Wait a minute, Walter. You didn't answer me. What's going on?" he asks with
concern in his voice.
"Please wait here Ed. I'll explain everything in a few minutes." Walter turns to look at
Tom and says, "I'm glad to see you're in one piece, Tom. But I have to tell you Sloan is
extremely upset. Why did you insist I tell her she had to go back to her apartment?" Tom tilts
his head and looks at Walter as he continues to speak. "Four of Mark's men will be there with
her, but I doubt she'll be able to stay put for long. She wants to see you desperately."
"I knew Sloan would want to come Walter, if you told her the truth." Tom shakes his
head in thought. "I couldn't risk that." Tom then turns to several of Mark's men who are
standing at the stairwell door. He waves for the men to join them. As they move from the
entrance, Walter's boss appears at their sides. Her hands are bound behind her, she is gagged and
her ankles are cuffed. As she struggles to keep pace with the dominants, the men pick her up by
her arms and forcibly stand her in front of Walter.
Ed exits the car as quickly as possible and shouts, "What is going on here, Tom?"
Tom looks at Ed, then back to Walter and says, "Veronica has something very important
to tell us. Don't you?" Tom looks to the woman, who orchestrated his capture by Lewis, as he
swipes one finger over her mouth and removes the gag.
As she spits in Tom's face, one of the guards hits her from behind. She stumbles, but
quickly corrects herself before falling into Walter. She hesitates for a moment, then feels the
guns of the two guards hit her spine. "We suggest you cooperate or we'll be forced to follow
orders." She turns to regard the men with disdain, then returns her gaze to Walter. She avoids
any and all eye contact with Tom.
She begins hesitantly, "I let Lewis free...with the agreement he would get Tom out of the
way...and make sure all of you were eliminated. He was also to make sure the peace faction was
toppled."
Walter and Ed stare at her for a moment, then Tom moves to her side and orders her to
finish.
She barely looks at him, then says, "The watch Lewis left at the cabin contains directions
to the compound where Tom was being held. That plan, of course, didn't work because of that
bitch Cassandra..."
The guards quickly grab her arms and she struggles. "All right, let me go." She shakes
her hair from her eyes and continues. "Lewis believed Sloan would figure out the significance of
the watch and all of you would arrive at the compound. The dominants would be waiting for
you. I was to be there to witness the massacre. Tom would have been programmed to complete
his original assignment - to kill Sloan - and then eliminate all of you. All traces of the
dominants' existence would be gone with your deaths. I would have control of the dominants
through Lewis and he would have control of Tom, who would take his rightful place as leader."
Ed looks at her in dismay and says abruptly, "Looks like your plan failed."
She stares at him with anger, then reluctantly continues when she hears the distinctive
sound for placing the safety switch into fire position on the guards' weapons. "When Kewley's
Comet hits on October 12 the war between our people and the Dominants would become futile.
They are immune to the effects of the comet, but humans...aren't. However, Lewis's technicians
have perfected an antidote for those Homo Sapiens who have worked as collaborators, myself
included." She laughs slightly, then feels the pressure of the guns increase on her spine. She
swallows slowly and finishes.
"It was inevitable they would win, Walter. I refused to be on the losing side. I did what I
had to do to survive. But, with Lewis's death at the hands of him," she briefly glances in Tom's
direction, "those plans are worthless."
Mark steps in and with one nod of his head, the guards remove Veronica and place her in
an awaiting van that drives out of the parking lot.
"Does this mean that you aren't marked men any longer?" Ed asks quietly. Mark is the
first to turn and stare at him. Walter and Ray glance at each other then look at Tom.
"It would appear we are safe for the time being at least where my former boss is
concerned," states Walter matter-of-factly. Ray shakes his head and Mark moves toward his
soldiers, who remained behind to provide them cover.
"Where are your men taking her, Mark?" questions Ray. He falls silent when he looks
back at Tom, who has a stern expression on his face.
"I don't really think you want to know, do you, Ray...Walter...Ed?" Tom queries.
The three men stare at the exit and shake their heads.
----------------------------------------
Sunday, June 8
2:30 PM
Four of Mark's men return Sloan to her apartment and station themselves outside her
door, and outside the apartment building, to guarantee she does not attempt to leave. Mark's
orders are exact. They are to keep Sloan in the building until Tom arrives. She is not to know of
Tom's planned meeting with the men from her team or the final disposition of the human woman
who was working with Lewis. Tom will explain everything to Sloan when the time is right.
As Sloan walks into her apartment, she discovers the aftermath of Tom's capture.
Cushions from her chair are lying on the floor and the medical bag Ed brought with him that
night is lying on the carpet. As she reaches to pick up the bag, she discovers broken glass and a
large, ugly brown stain on her carpet. The chemicals in his bag must have mixed together and
soaked into the fiber.
She stares at the mess and leans against the kitchen counter. 'What about Tom?' she
thinks. "I want to see Tom," she yells in the room. The guards hear her voice but do not
respond. She walks over to the window and looks down her fire escape. Two of Mark's guards
are there staring up at her. "I'm trapped in my own apartment. This is just perfect."
Looking back at her apartment, she decides the only way to get her mind off what is
happening is to clean. "I hate cleaning, but at least it will pass the time." She steps into her
kitchen and turns on the radio.
The afternoon disc jockey speaks rapidly. "Good Sunday afternoon, Pasadena. This is
your ever jubilant Sunday mad man Crazy Dean welcoming you to KWX Radio's salute to Sarah
MacLachlan, who will be performing at Coleman Arena next Saturday with her entourage for
Lilith Fair 1998. Tickets are available..."
The words blend as Sloan turns on the water and fills a bucket to wash the stain out of her
carpet. As the water falls, she hears the faint strains of "Sweet Surrender," MacLachlan's latest
hit, play softly on the radio. She walks around her kitchen counter, picks up the cushions and
replaces them. Then she returns to the kitchen and turns off the water. She listens briefly to the
haunting melody of the song, then grabs her broom and dustpan and begins to pick up the glass
on the floor near the counter.
Once that chore is complete she tosses the glass into her trash can under the sink and
glances out the window. The sky is clear and beautiful; few clouds to mar what will assuredly be
an incredible sunset. She stares at the horizon and thinks about Tom. "Where have they taken
you, Tom? And, why was Mark so adamant about my not going there to be with you?"
As the song ends, and a commercial begins to air, she hears a knock on her door. The
sense of Tom flashes through her mind. 'But that isn't possible,' she thinks. As she focuses her
attention on the doorknob, it turns slowly. She is momentarily frightened, then the door slides
open slowly. She reacts by grabbing the nearest object, her broom. She stands at the ready for
an attack.
Suddenly the person at the door is standing before her. It is Tom.
She is unable to move for a brief moment. As she looks at his face, she drops the broom
and runs to him. He stretches out his arms and encloses her in a warm embrace. She pulls away
for a moment and looks at him. He reaches to wipe away the tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Sloan," he whispers in a deep voice.
"Tom," she gasps as a sob escapes. She wraps her arms around his waist and holds him
tight. "Oh, Tom. It's really you. Oh, God. I was so worried about you. Are you okay?" She
begins to run her hands over his back, then pulls away from him slightly. "I thought Mark was
sending you to one of their labs."
"No, that wasn't really necessary. I'm fine, Sloan." He cups her cheek in his hand and
stares at her face. The bruise around her left eye has slightly faded to yellow, and he kisses it
lightly. He glances at the bandages on her cheek and forehead and touches them lightly. He then
leans down to whisper in her ear. "Ray told me what you did the night I was taken. You
shouldn't have come after me, Sloan."
Her breathing becomes labored as he begins to kiss her face, touching it gingerly with his
lips. Her eyes flutter as he caresses her. "I had to Tom. I just...I just couldn't..." He reaches for
her mouth and kisses her. She opens her mouth to him and their tongues touch, each thrust
growing deeper. He then pulls away and looks at her.
"Tom, what's wrong?"
"Sloan...I can sense everything you feel. Joy, peace, longing, pleasure...love." She looks
up at him for a brief moment, then he kisses her deep and long. As she pulls away slowly, her
lips tremble and her knees weaken. She has spent her entire life looking for answers to the
unknown and the biggest unknown, her greatest discovery, is in her arms and she loves him more
than life itself.
"I love you, Tom." He smiles at her, but doesn't respond. Rather he resumes their
interrupted kiss as they slowly move toward the counter. She whispers his name as he begins to
kiss her neck.
The disc jockey begins to talk again. "Next up is a 1993 release by Sarah MacLachlan
from her highly acclaimed album "Fumbling Toward Ecstasy." Here is "Possession" for all you
lovers out there."
As soft, melodic music begins to play, Sloan suddenly recognizes the tune, a special song
that always stirs her emotions. When the lush keyboard introduction begins, she hears the words
as if for the first time and she stares at Tom in rapture. Their eye contact conveys all the words
that need to be spoken.
Listen as the wind blows from across the great divide,
Voices trapped in yearning, memories trapped in time,
The night is my companion and solitude my guide,
Would I spend forever here and not be satisfied,
And I would be the one to hold you down, kiss you so hard,
I'll take your breath away and after I'd wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear.
As the song continues, Sloan pulls Tom gently across the room, her thoughts beckon him
to dance with her. He takes her in his arms and they begin a sultry dance. He holds her close to
him, breathing in the freshness of her skin. She holds him tight, and time seems to stand still as
the song plays on and they move in circles. The motion is intoxicating; creating a realm of
emotions untapped until this moment.
Through this world I've stumbled so many times betrayed,
Trying to find an honest word, to find the truth enslaved,
Oh you speak to me in riddles and you speak to me in rhymes.
My body aches to breath your breath, your words keep me alive,
She raises her head to look into his eyes and their breathing falls and rises in unison. The
sway of their bodies is electrifying. The words of the song have an affect on their feelings for
each other as if the words are their own.
And I would be the one to hold you down, kiss you so hard,
I'll take your breath away and after I'd wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear.
As the guitar joins in the crescendo, they kiss passionately and begin to move toward the
bedroom. As they reach the steps leading to the room, Sloan nearly loses her balance. Tom hugs
her tightly to prevent her fall. They stare into each other's eyes as the words of the song
continue.
Into this night I wander, it's morning that I dread,
Another day of knowing of the path I fear to tread,
Oh into the sea of waking dreams I follow without pride,
coz nothing stands between us here and I won't be denied,
Tom releases her slowly as they reach the foot of the bed. He watches tears stream down
her face then wipes them away as if the song controls his actions. The final refrain of the song
lingers in the room as Sloan nods to Tom. He gently picks her up in his arms and asks her
breathlessly, "Are you sure?"
And I would be the one to hold you down, kiss you so hard,
I'll take your breath away and after I'd wipe away the tears
Without hesitation she reaches for his mouth and kisses him. He lays her down on the
bed as the last words of the song echo in the room. "I love you Sloan," he mutters softly between
kisses. Her day dream from days ago comes true.
Just close your eyes dear
I'll hold you down , kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away
and after I'd wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes
His recovery is complete and the activities of the past few days are temporarily
unimportant. There will be time to talk about what happened later. The only things that matter
now are their love, this moment and each other.
To Be Continued
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