Terra Nova - Things Lost in the Fire ch2 [Skye/Lucas]
Title: Things Lost in the Fire
Fandom: Terra Nova
Ship: Skye/Lucas
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: bad language, sexual situations, AU
Chapter: 2/?
Summary: Pre-Series. AU story. Skye meets a strange man at Snakehead Falls and ends up falling in love. But can happiness built on anonymity last, when the world around them is on fire?
Author's Note: Complete filler. I was going to jump to more interesting events already, but my mind kept nagging I should write this first.
Things Lost in the Fire
2. No Hard Feelings
It was dangerous to linger, but she did it anyway. It was dangerous to look at him, when he observed her, his hand moving across her side almost passively, but she did it anyway. One glance led to a kiss so easily, and she didn't quite understand this attraction.
To Skye romance hadn't been an option until now. Love required trust, which she couldn't give - not when she was the betrayer herself. It didn't mean she hadn't experienced intimacy. There'd been a few times: childish crushes and regret, fumbling in the dark with the excitement of being caught any minute. This was something else. It was out in the open between them, two people acting like they could be intoxicated by each other's company.
She feared nothing with him by her side, and those horrible feelings inside her subsided for once. This feeling wasn't anything she'd experienced before. Like he'd snatched her soul, not her arm, and pulled it to him.
Skye leaned her head against her elbow, lain over her side on the rocks, the river's flow rippling by her toes. Lucas' position mirrored hers, only his hand was on her side, caressing her skin. They had embraced silence, wearied by their physical activities for now. She didn't know what she could ask him without being denied answers, so she chose to remain silent. His mind was anything but silent though. He made predictions, approached her like an equation that needed to be solved, not knowing any other way to make sense of this.
"Won't your family miss you?" Lucas asked, craving for every detail she'd reveal. He was building a picture in his head, memorizing everything, drawing lines and connections.
Skye reacted with a distant expression, sadness on her mind. "My father died a few years ago. Sincyllic fever. He was supposed to inoculated, but apparently it was a bad batch," she explained, her loss visible in her trembling voice. It was so difficult to talk about it even now. "And my mom," she continued, taking a pause to keep her emotions in check, "She's with Mira, sick as well. I help out so they'll keep giving her the meds."
Motive, another piece in the puzzle fit in so nicely. Lucas brought his hand to her cheek to reassure her, make her forget about this tragedy. She leaned into his touch, empowered by their closeness. "You're all alone then," Lucas stated, thinking how similar they were.
"I have my housemates," Skye corrected, "they're like family. And then there's Commander Taylor, of course."
His heart skipped a beat at the mention of his father; although she was too busy explaining the situation to him to notice how deeply her words affected him. Lucas remembered that moment five years ago, how he'd held the gun and been too weak to pull the trigger. How his father had bested him and thrown him away like trash, exiling him.
"He took me in. He's kinda like a foster father. We play chess together, and he listens if I have something on my mind," she told him, mulling over her bond with the Commander, feeling the sting of her own actions stronger again.
And once again, Lucas was left feeling ridiculed. How had he not known about this? This girl, who'd come to him like a revelation, was also someone his father had chosen to fill the void left by his betrayal. His father had chosen her, taken her under his wing and guided her. Everything he should've had with his father was hers.
Jealousy stung him for a moment, until he realized she probably didn't even know his father had a son. It'd be just like the great Commander to wipe away his existence, never talk about his failure. How could he blame her, when all she wanted was someone to replace the father she'd lost?
A new realization found him, stuck on a loop in his head. In a sense they were brother and sister, their bond was beyond infatuation. Perhaps kismet wasn't too elusive after all; perhaps it was all in his reach. Had she been sent here to stand by his side, help him destroy his father?
Skye realized she must've said something to upset him, his face was so serious all of the sudden. Then she realized he'd been alone for a long time. Perhaps he really had no one. It was cruel to flaunt the people who cared about her in his face when he had no one. "I'm sorry," she apologized, inching closer. "I care for them, but it's nothing like when with you."
Her words pulled him back, a jolt passing through his body, rejuvenating him when he heard her speak. It washed away the bad taste in his mouth, the sensation of being trumped by his father again, simply because he'd found her first. So he let go of the anxiety, pushing the feelings his father roused in him back into oblivion. She offered something sweeter, something better to fuel him.
"My family is gone," Lucas told her, believing his own words. He didn't share blood with the man, who'd condemned him, abandoned him and his mother. He was a wraith of another life long time ago, and he haunted Lucas for sins he had no choice in committing, like being born.
"But it doesn't matter anymore," he whispered before he rose, straightening to his full height. The sun kissed his skin, deepening his tan. Sweat made his old scars itchy, hung onto his skin uncomfortably.
Skye watched him, knowing he'd pulled back, unwilling to discuss a painful topic with her. The cycle already existed between them. He made her talk, confess to him, and when she wanted something in return, he'd pull away, protecting himself even from her. What was he so afraid of? Why was he so guarded against everything, while she was an open book?
She flipped on her back, placing one arm behind her head for comfort. Her bikini had dried in the sunlight, but her hair was still moist. She pretended to close her eyes, shield them with her hand because of the brightness, when in reality she spied on him through the cracks between her fingers.
Lucas pulled his pants back on, unreal anger seething through every action. Why was he angry? Why was he so helplessly entangled with her? How could she burn him like a lit match with such little effort? He wasn't used to caring, of hurting his feelings for someone else. The women before her had been easy, never tried to look past his good looks and brilliance, never tried to reconcile the pieces. She did. She did all of that, and didn't even consider it to be out of place.
With a swift move, he grabbed his water bottle and sated his thirst that the torrid sun only encouraged. It'd been his plan to leave quickly, hurry back into the protection of the jungle, find one of his safe places to sleep and think. He'd abandoned all plans for her, all thought. He was becoming as weak as the people he despised.
"Are you thirsty?" he asked, even offering his water, the thing his life depended upon, to her. Again his senses screamed at him to wake up, to get a grip, but when she sat up, tilting her head, he realized resistance was futile. He'd gone off the deep end already.
Skye took the water he handed to her, drinking eagerly until she wasn't parched, while his eyes were upon her again. She thanked him when she returned his bottle, wondering whether his scrutiny and bad mood might be over. There was nothing she'd even done to rile him up, so why this change in his demeanor?
Lucas almost reminded her of the wild animals that got zapped by the fence every once in awhile. They'd shy away from human touch, even to the point where helping them was difficult, and even the simplest gestures demanded incredible trust. They needed to be eased into trusting their caretaker, into relying on humans. She could tell he was more than able to stand on his own, so it had to be hard for him to accept others with their weaknesses and differing opinions. Whatever had damaged him so, it had had to involve emotional abuse of some kind.
Refreshed from the water, she stood up as well, realizing how close she was to his body only after she was standing. He held onto the bottle, dangling it with one hand, but his other hand had already snaked around her waist. It held her still, helped her gain her balance faster. The small gesture came naturally, without conscious thought behind it.
Then she realized that he was still shirtless, covered in sweat and the scent of sex. Arousal hit her like a blinding light, leaving her awestruck for a few seconds, before she gathered the little will she had left in her.
"I need a bath," she explained, tilting her head towards the clear water behind them. His touch made her skin feel hot, a love fool's fever burning her. To save her from succumbing again, she slipped from his reach playfully, and glanced at him, before she began ascending into the water.
Lucas watched her move, his focus completely on her. She moved with grace, letting the water embrace her thighs, before she dove in. He actually gasped loudly, squeezing the bottle a bit too tight for the ten seconds she was under water. When her head got back above the surface, his anxiety vanished as quickly as it'd arrived. It was alarming how intensely the thought of her safety being threatened affected him.
The cool water helped ease the discomforting emotions that raged in her body due his closeness. Skye could not believe he had such an effect on her! She'd never experienced arousal so intensely. Even when they'd already consumed their desires twice, she was still hungry for more. It was like a curse, this continued chase for more and more. At this rate she couldn't even walk back home. The thought made her laugh heartily though, and she turned around in the water to see him, her bright smile lighting his face as well.
"Aren't you going to join me?" she dared him, raising an eyebrow at his hesitation. It was insane to invite him in, when the water had just cooled down her overheated body, but she couldn't resist the sight of his mesmerized face.
Lucas looked stranded on dry land as he watched her move in the water with little effort. Skye was an excellent swimmer; her father had taught her right after they'd arrived to Terra Nova, believing her life might one day depend upon it. Lucas had had to learn the hard way. Water was a tightly restricted commodity back in 2149, so swimming lessons weren't exactly available or necessary. Of course by the time he'd arrived to Terra Nova, they taught the basics for survival, but Lucas had skipped some of it in favor of his research. He'd isolated himself in his laboratory, not the least bit interested in the other occupants.
So when his father had cast him out, learning had suddenly become necessary, as his life had depended upon it. Even now, his swimming was somewhat awkward; he didn't enjoy himself in the water, knowing what a treacherous substance it was. But Skye made it seem lenient, harmless. She curled herself to a ball, lifting her knees against her stomach while she floated and waited for his answer. Then she straightened herself again, placing her feet at the bottom to stand up.
She walked up to him, dripping water all over, when she tugged his hand, giving him only enough time to put down the bottle, before she began pulling him after her. Lucas didn't resist despite his mild discomfort. He slid his pants off again, following her into the river. Skye went in first, backing up into the water and when he was waist in, she pushed her legs afloat and wrapped them around him. He took her in gladly, supporting her upper body while he moved further in the water.
The water was cool, but he remained warm. Skye tied her arms around his neck, kissing him lazily once, twice. His lips slid down the side of her neck, the difference in temperature between his lips and her skin sending ripples down his spine. And he forgot all about his dislike for water, concentrated on her charms instead. He loved the feel of her slippery skin, the way she clung onto him with all her hands and legs, and how light she felt.
And when he kissed her chest slowly, moving towards the valley between her breasts, she felt like the whole world was turning into a senseless flow of sound and light. Her breathing rasped by his ear, she held onto him like a drowning woman, trying her best to hold on.
Skye pulled his face back to her lips quickly, kissing him passionately, before she slid her legs down again and stood in front of him, glowing with happiness. Her smirk should've been a warning, should've let him prepare, but he was too caught in the moment to realize that she rammed against him suddenly, upsetting his balance and slamming him beneath the surface.
The splash was enormous, and her smile wicked as she burst into wild laughter at his expense.
Lucas felt the water invade him completely, but he got back on his feet in a few seconds, standing up again, completely soaked. "Son a of bitch!" he cursed at her, his momentarily lack of control eliciting quite a strong response from him.
Skye froze a bit, thrown asunder by his reaction, her smirk gone in an instant. Rage had distorted his features, brought back that uptight scientist, who cared for his work and nothing else. His eyes found her quickly, his eyebrows drawing together in irritation, and he pushed himself into motion to catch her. Skye backed away from him, using the current to her advantage, hoping to avoid retaliation. Alas it was too late for that.
"C'mon, it was just a prank!" she tried to calm him, while eluding his hands that sought to grab her and restrain her.
His intense, rush green eyes stay fixated on her, a low growl stuck in his throat. He moved through the water with frightening speed, and then she slipped, losing her balance while she tried to step back to the rocks. The rough surface grazed her skin, leaving a painful burning behind. She didn't have any time to worry about it though, for Lucas was already on her by the time she could've gotten back up.
He prevented her from moving, his strong arms caging her against the rocky waterline. "That wasn't very nice of you," he told her, his voice low, raw. It made her nervous for awhile, until the creases beside his eyes softened, and he smiled at her again, "You should apologize."
She bit her lip lightly, struggling with keeping laughter inside. "I'm terribly sorry," she apologized with a straight face some seconds later, "I have treated you horribly, and you deserve better."
He could tell she was acting; how it was all a joke to her. Yet some part inside was drunk on her words, her effort to please him, even though she disagreed. She filled everything with laughter, cut the tension apart easily whenever she chose to. It was another piece in this puzzle called Skye. How she actively guided them towards new grounds whenever she found herself in a bind. It was a survival mechanism.
His hair was dripping water over her, the small waves of the stream clashed against them in a dreamy rhythm, and it all seemed unreal. If his life had ended right now, he would've still died happy, complete. His grin deepened, and he wrapped his hands beneath her knees and back, picking her up easily. Then he looked at her mischievously, holding her above the water, before he tossed in her with a splash.
Skye let out a scream of surprise, went under and swam back up again, gasping for air sporadically. She had not seen this coming, and she'd actually swallowed some water. Coughing fiercely, she shot him with a blaming look, feigning offense. "That wasn't nice either!" she exclaimed, eventually smiling all the way, as she couldn't keep up the more than a minute. She'd enjoyed every second of it, her heart was elated.
Something howled in the distance, shadow flew right over them, reminding them both of the reality of the situation. Lucas reacted quickly, peering at the skies, and then signaling her to follow him by extending his hand. "Dry land," he commanded, clearly unwilling to take no for an answer. Skye took his hand, fear clutching her insides. She'd never seen a howler, but she knew exactly what they sounded like.
He dragged her from the water, pulling them both away from sight, closer to the cliffs. He grabbed his clothes on the way, drying his face on his shirt before he grabbed his gun. The adventure was over now, Skye could tell he'd enter survival mode. She also took her clothes from her backpack and pulled her shorts and a shirt on, while Lucas surveyed the skies.
They stood by the walls for an extended moment, waiting for an attack, a crash, a howl. Lucas held his gun tightly, prepared for anything. He waited patiently for other signs of danger, but eventually even he had to admit the howler must've just been passing through. It took him awhile to let it go, keep suspicion from nagging at him, but when she placed her hand over his gun and lowered it little by little, she managed to snap him out of it.
"I think it's safe," Skye said gently, careful not to startle him when she touched him. She didn't like guns much these days, though her father had carried one for as long as she could remember. Nowadays she knew she might one day have several pointed at her, her life hanging by a thread.
"Yes," Lucas agreed, putting the safety back on and placing the gun in its holster. "I suppose it is."
The sun had advanced on its path towards the end of the horizon. Only a few hours of time together remained. Suddenly it made him moony, the final goodbye hung between them. He chose to ignore it.
Lucas brushed his hand through his hair, squeezing the water from them the best he could. He then threw his wet underwear over the rocks, and pulled his dry pants back on, as well as a shirt. The moisture on his skin wet them quickly, but not altogether. Skye stood by his side, restless, unwilling to watch him clothe himself so casually.
She then ventured back towards the waterline, wanting some space, some sense in all of this. She tied her arms around herself, not knowing what else to do with them.
There were no options here. She couldn't follow him into jungle like some lovesick girl, she had obligations and so did he. On top of everything, she'd fallen for someone she hardly knew, and he was intent on making that harder every step of the way. She could tell he was damaged, just the kind of person sane people steered away from.
But the greatest fear now was the unknown. Once she let him go, he'd be gone. If he died alone in jungle there was no way she'd ever know. She'd wait for him until her heart was in shambles, and her feelings would be reduced into nothing but bitterness.
"Why so grim?" he asked, fixing his clothes, still standing by the walls with his equipment. He could sense the difference in her though, could see it in the way she held herself.
"I can't remember the last time I've been this happy," Skye confessed upon realizing lying was futile. He could probably tell if she lied, and demand a straight answer, so why bother? Precious minutes were wasted. "But it's not going to last."
"No, it's not," he admitted very matter-of-factly.
"What are we going to do?" she asked next, trying to blink the emptiness away. Her face was twisted, her jaw clenched shut, everything tense about her.
Lucas didn't let pessimism get a hold of him though. He took a step towards her, and then another, approaching with no haste. "We'll sit down, and have a bite to eat. You'll tell me more about yourself. I'll listen to every word. And when the time comes, we'll say goodbye."
Like it was that easy, no effort required. He managed to calm her though. Skye nodded, fighting internally to recover her good mood. "Sure, I'll buy lunch," she quipped, going for her backpack right away.
She then realized how wet the swimsuit still was, and decided to remove it instead. Her undressing gained his attention, but it didn't stop her. She removed her wet bikini, and pulled on clean underwear before she put her clothes back on, and kneeled before her backpack, picking up the lunch she'd packed herself.
Lucas seated himself by the stream. His dry clothes felt alien, coarse, when she'd been so soft against him. Skye's steps approached him, and he heard a strange cracking sound when she leaned over, tossing him a piece of fruit later. Lucas caught it, recognizing the fruit back from Terra Nova. They grew it on the fields, it was native here, but rare.
"Thank you," he said, after struggling to remember the correct social behavior. He hadn't received anything from anyone in a long time. He hadn't said 'thanks', or 'you're welcome' or even 'I'm sorry'. The jungle demanded no words of gratitude or regret. It was fierce, it tolerated no weakness. It had shaped him more than he'd realized.
Skye liked his consideration though, recognizing how he had to dig through his mind to find the right words. She sat down next to him, playfully bumping against his shoulder with hers. "No, thank you," she corrected, knowing he'd done more for her than anyone in a long time. He'd made her remember the girl she'd once been: fearless, charming, straight-forward and beautiful.
Lucas brought the fruit to his lips, sucking on its flesh first carefully, then eagerly when its sweet taste spread across his mouth. Some of the juice flowed down his chin, and she wiped it away with a finger, focusing them on her own fruit. Her touch was tender, it moved him.
Once done with eating, he watched as she chucked the empty shell of the fruit into the stream and looked on while it floated away. He followed her example, tossing it aside carelessly.
"What do you do when you're not making calculations?" she asked, eyes set on the golden carvings across the stream. He'd been busy, as almost every section here had carvings in different sizes.
"I live, I hunt, I plan for the future, and I sleep," he explained, understanding himself how empty it sounded. It'd just been like that for a long time now.
An unpleasant memory crossed his mind though; he was unable to bury it right away. When he'd been first exiled, he'd spied on Terra Nova, watched them in their work: An outsider with an ounce of regret. He'd watched his father, forgetting all about his existence. Well, his regret had died in the jungle when the beasts had come, and he'd been forced to fend for himself. And he'd survived alone.
"No wonder," she rolled her eyes at his response, realizing how different this had to be compared to a normal day of his. Lucas raised his eyebrows at her. "No wonder what?" he asked her, an icy tone sneaking into his otherwise slow, soft voice.
"You never do anything for fun," Skye explained, crossing her legs and pressing her hands against her knees, while she rolled her tense shoulders and head. The rocks hadn't exactly been the most comfortable place for lovemaking.
"It isn't an option," Lucas responded, a hint of annoyance. Again, he was reminded of her youth, her positive way of thinking. She didn't know absolutes or Shakespeare's tragedies, obviously. He was about to tell her all about when her constant movement started to bother him.
"Stop it," he requested, instantly getting her to stop. "Stay still," he instructed her next, and moved behind her, placing both legs on her sides. Then he placed his hands on her shoulders and began massaging her tense muscles.
Skye's eyes fluttered at the sensations his dexterous fingers brought when they tended to her pain. It was like he knew when to push and when to apply less pressure. He found all the sore spots, worked on them until they started to loosen up. "Take off your shirt," he said next, whispering right to her ear.
Her hands followed his request without doubt; she pulled her shirt off, giving him better access. He slid the straps of her bra down. They hung loose on her upper arms, barely holding her bra up. She sat up straight though, placed her hands over her chest to keep the underwear in place, as he started to massage the sore muscles on her back. He advanced down from her neck, thumbs following her spine, spreading that uncomfortable ache. Skye pursed her lips more and more as he advanced.
"How does it feel?" he inquired, a knowing smile hidden from her eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing, and enjoyed every minute of it.
"Incredible," she responded without hesitation, closing her eyes and focusing on him.
Lucas focused on her neck though, desire clutching his insides. He brushed her hair off her back with his free hand, leaned in and kissed the nape of her neck lightly. And his hands slid from her back to her front, folding her into his arms. He held her loosely, her head resting against his arm, while his hands were on her stomach, and the rest of her body was set between his legs.
"You stopped," she teased him with a frown, her voice hoarse suddenly. Lucas didn't respond, he had no words, he just held onto her, looking onwards. It was so peaceful here. If he ever came back, and didn't find her here, waiting for him, it would end him right there. That is how he knew he was never coming back.
They were suddenly interrupted by noise. The layout of the cliffs, water and the cavern it flew through made far away noises echo here much louder, but they remained recognizable. Vehicles were approaching in the distance. Skye pushed herself up, standing in a matter of seconds, her shirt by her feet.
There was confusing at first, but then she realized. "Hunter, goddamnit!" she spat, anger fuelling her as she grabbed her shirt and threw it on her back on. She turned to Lucas, who was still puzzled by the recent turn of events.
"I told one of my roommates where I was going in case something happened. Looks like he didn't have as much patience as I thought," she explained bitterly, furious that the precious few hours she had left with him were stolen by her thoughtless friend.
Lucas tensed again and also started to gather his things. "So he has alerted the soldiers, and they're here to bring you home," he sighed poisonously.
Skye nodded stiffly, reality once again caught between them. "You need to go," she told him, worried he would not leave even when he should. Lucas seemed hesitant at first, but as the noises grew louder, she could tell he found no other option available either.
Everything was ending. She felt cold, so she closed the gap between them and kissed him. Her fingers brushed his jaw, her lips felt heavy and tender. Neither of them cried though. It was all there in that kiss, that unspoken wish. Lucas gripped her shoulders forcibly once their lips parted, and then his hands fell.
He took his things, pulled on the harness that supported his holster and left. He didn't turn to look at her again, denying weakness even at such a moment. Skye felt numb, thinking was harder now. However, she was quite sure this was what a broken heart felt like.
-
It took them fifteen, twenty minutes to come to the top of the cliffs. She'd circled back by then, and waited for her 'rescue' patiently. It wasn't even dark yet, so she was easy to spot. She saw Hunter peek at her from one of the vehicles; guilty as hell to find her unharmed and pissed. But Commander Taylor's apparently rage took the first prize, as he strode straight to her, barely containing the fury that'd driven him this far.
They stared at one another for awhile, as the soldiers moved around them, mere ants between the two of them. He looked like he had so much to say to her and recognized she knew it all, but had done this anyway. For once, Taylor realized how much Skye reminded him of his own son with her rebellion. He too would always do things his own way, regardless of warnings.
"You're grounded," he finally said, his voice softer than intended. Happiness to see her safe and unharmed bled through his rage.
"I know," Skye responded hands folded across her chest, her body language screaming opposition.
"I expected more from you," he then murmured, rather to himself than her, as if pained by the disappointment she'd given him. It softened her resolve, reminded her of his kindness. Skye let her hands fall, unwilling to fight when she knew his only sin was worrying over her. She was the one who'd played with fire after all.
"I'm sorry, it won't happen again," she said, searching for his eyes with hers. "Trust me; even I know this was stupid."
Of course it was another lie, another gushing wound to this dying body of their relationship. It pained Skye that things had to be this way. One day she would tell him everything, and he would not worry about her anymore. He would not come to her aid, when she needed him the most. It was tragic because he was the only person in her life she could rely on anymore, despite having backstabbed him from the start.
"We'll talk about this at home," he remarked, attempting to sound strict and unmoved, but she knew he wasn't. The commander really went out of his way to understand her, he always had. She didn't know why, but when she'd lost her parents, he'd taken her in like he needed someone like her, a child to look after.
"Yeah, I know," she sighed, relaxing and following him, as he turned and gathered the search party together again.
They didn't talk the whole way home, and when Hunter tried to approach her carefully, she shot him down too, hating herself for this mess.
She hung her head in shame, locked in her room, and remembered the man she'd met by the falls kindly. She did not go back to Snakehead Falls even after she'd regained the Commander's trust, knowing full well he would not be there.
TBC
Fandom: Terra Nova
Ship: Skye/Lucas
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: bad language, sexual situations, AU
Chapter: 2/?
Summary: Pre-Series. AU story. Skye meets a strange man at Snakehead Falls and ends up falling in love. But can happiness built on anonymity last, when the world around them is on fire?
Author's Note: Complete filler. I was going to jump to more interesting events already, but my mind kept nagging I should write this first.
Things Lost in the Fire
2. No Hard Feelings
It was dangerous to linger, but she did it anyway. It was dangerous to look at him, when he observed her, his hand moving across her side almost passively, but she did it anyway. One glance led to a kiss so easily, and she didn't quite understand this attraction.
To Skye romance hadn't been an option until now. Love required trust, which she couldn't give - not when she was the betrayer herself. It didn't mean she hadn't experienced intimacy. There'd been a few times: childish crushes and regret, fumbling in the dark with the excitement of being caught any minute. This was something else. It was out in the open between them, two people acting like they could be intoxicated by each other's company.
She feared nothing with him by her side, and those horrible feelings inside her subsided for once. This feeling wasn't anything she'd experienced before. Like he'd snatched her soul, not her arm, and pulled it to him.
Skye leaned her head against her elbow, lain over her side on the rocks, the river's flow rippling by her toes. Lucas' position mirrored hers, only his hand was on her side, caressing her skin. They had embraced silence, wearied by their physical activities for now. She didn't know what she could ask him without being denied answers, so she chose to remain silent. His mind was anything but silent though. He made predictions, approached her like an equation that needed to be solved, not knowing any other way to make sense of this.
"Won't your family miss you?" Lucas asked, craving for every detail she'd reveal. He was building a picture in his head, memorizing everything, drawing lines and connections.
Skye reacted with a distant expression, sadness on her mind. "My father died a few years ago. Sincyllic fever. He was supposed to inoculated, but apparently it was a bad batch," she explained, her loss visible in her trembling voice. It was so difficult to talk about it even now. "And my mom," she continued, taking a pause to keep her emotions in check, "She's with Mira, sick as well. I help out so they'll keep giving her the meds."
Motive, another piece in the puzzle fit in so nicely. Lucas brought his hand to her cheek to reassure her, make her forget about this tragedy. She leaned into his touch, empowered by their closeness. "You're all alone then," Lucas stated, thinking how similar they were.
"I have my housemates," Skye corrected, "they're like family. And then there's Commander Taylor, of course."
His heart skipped a beat at the mention of his father; although she was too busy explaining the situation to him to notice how deeply her words affected him. Lucas remembered that moment five years ago, how he'd held the gun and been too weak to pull the trigger. How his father had bested him and thrown him away like trash, exiling him.
"He took me in. He's kinda like a foster father. We play chess together, and he listens if I have something on my mind," she told him, mulling over her bond with the Commander, feeling the sting of her own actions stronger again.
And once again, Lucas was left feeling ridiculed. How had he not known about this? This girl, who'd come to him like a revelation, was also someone his father had chosen to fill the void left by his betrayal. His father had chosen her, taken her under his wing and guided her. Everything he should've had with his father was hers.
Jealousy stung him for a moment, until he realized she probably didn't even know his father had a son. It'd be just like the great Commander to wipe away his existence, never talk about his failure. How could he blame her, when all she wanted was someone to replace the father she'd lost?
A new realization found him, stuck on a loop in his head. In a sense they were brother and sister, their bond was beyond infatuation. Perhaps kismet wasn't too elusive after all; perhaps it was all in his reach. Had she been sent here to stand by his side, help him destroy his father?
Skye realized she must've said something to upset him, his face was so serious all of the sudden. Then she realized he'd been alone for a long time. Perhaps he really had no one. It was cruel to flaunt the people who cared about her in his face when he had no one. "I'm sorry," she apologized, inching closer. "I care for them, but it's nothing like when with you."
Her words pulled him back, a jolt passing through his body, rejuvenating him when he heard her speak. It washed away the bad taste in his mouth, the sensation of being trumped by his father again, simply because he'd found her first. So he let go of the anxiety, pushing the feelings his father roused in him back into oblivion. She offered something sweeter, something better to fuel him.
"My family is gone," Lucas told her, believing his own words. He didn't share blood with the man, who'd condemned him, abandoned him and his mother. He was a wraith of another life long time ago, and he haunted Lucas for sins he had no choice in committing, like being born.
"But it doesn't matter anymore," he whispered before he rose, straightening to his full height. The sun kissed his skin, deepening his tan. Sweat made his old scars itchy, hung onto his skin uncomfortably.
Skye watched him, knowing he'd pulled back, unwilling to discuss a painful topic with her. The cycle already existed between them. He made her talk, confess to him, and when she wanted something in return, he'd pull away, protecting himself even from her. What was he so afraid of? Why was he so guarded against everything, while she was an open book?
She flipped on her back, placing one arm behind her head for comfort. Her bikini had dried in the sunlight, but her hair was still moist. She pretended to close her eyes, shield them with her hand because of the brightness, when in reality she spied on him through the cracks between her fingers.
Lucas pulled his pants back on, unreal anger seething through every action. Why was he angry? Why was he so helplessly entangled with her? How could she burn him like a lit match with such little effort? He wasn't used to caring, of hurting his feelings for someone else. The women before her had been easy, never tried to look past his good looks and brilliance, never tried to reconcile the pieces. She did. She did all of that, and didn't even consider it to be out of place.
With a swift move, he grabbed his water bottle and sated his thirst that the torrid sun only encouraged. It'd been his plan to leave quickly, hurry back into the protection of the jungle, find one of his safe places to sleep and think. He'd abandoned all plans for her, all thought. He was becoming as weak as the people he despised.
"Are you thirsty?" he asked, even offering his water, the thing his life depended upon, to her. Again his senses screamed at him to wake up, to get a grip, but when she sat up, tilting her head, he realized resistance was futile. He'd gone off the deep end already.
Skye took the water he handed to her, drinking eagerly until she wasn't parched, while his eyes were upon her again. She thanked him when she returned his bottle, wondering whether his scrutiny and bad mood might be over. There was nothing she'd even done to rile him up, so why this change in his demeanor?
Lucas almost reminded her of the wild animals that got zapped by the fence every once in awhile. They'd shy away from human touch, even to the point where helping them was difficult, and even the simplest gestures demanded incredible trust. They needed to be eased into trusting their caretaker, into relying on humans. She could tell he was more than able to stand on his own, so it had to be hard for him to accept others with their weaknesses and differing opinions. Whatever had damaged him so, it had had to involve emotional abuse of some kind.
Refreshed from the water, she stood up as well, realizing how close she was to his body only after she was standing. He held onto the bottle, dangling it with one hand, but his other hand had already snaked around her waist. It held her still, helped her gain her balance faster. The small gesture came naturally, without conscious thought behind it.
Then she realized that he was still shirtless, covered in sweat and the scent of sex. Arousal hit her like a blinding light, leaving her awestruck for a few seconds, before she gathered the little will she had left in her.
"I need a bath," she explained, tilting her head towards the clear water behind them. His touch made her skin feel hot, a love fool's fever burning her. To save her from succumbing again, she slipped from his reach playfully, and glanced at him, before she began ascending into the water.
Lucas watched her move, his focus completely on her. She moved with grace, letting the water embrace her thighs, before she dove in. He actually gasped loudly, squeezing the bottle a bit too tight for the ten seconds she was under water. When her head got back above the surface, his anxiety vanished as quickly as it'd arrived. It was alarming how intensely the thought of her safety being threatened affected him.
The cool water helped ease the discomforting emotions that raged in her body due his closeness. Skye could not believe he had such an effect on her! She'd never experienced arousal so intensely. Even when they'd already consumed their desires twice, she was still hungry for more. It was like a curse, this continued chase for more and more. At this rate she couldn't even walk back home. The thought made her laugh heartily though, and she turned around in the water to see him, her bright smile lighting his face as well.
"Aren't you going to join me?" she dared him, raising an eyebrow at his hesitation. It was insane to invite him in, when the water had just cooled down her overheated body, but she couldn't resist the sight of his mesmerized face.
Lucas looked stranded on dry land as he watched her move in the water with little effort. Skye was an excellent swimmer; her father had taught her right after they'd arrived to Terra Nova, believing her life might one day depend upon it. Lucas had had to learn the hard way. Water was a tightly restricted commodity back in 2149, so swimming lessons weren't exactly available or necessary. Of course by the time he'd arrived to Terra Nova, they taught the basics for survival, but Lucas had skipped some of it in favor of his research. He'd isolated himself in his laboratory, not the least bit interested in the other occupants.
So when his father had cast him out, learning had suddenly become necessary, as his life had depended upon it. Even now, his swimming was somewhat awkward; he didn't enjoy himself in the water, knowing what a treacherous substance it was. But Skye made it seem lenient, harmless. She curled herself to a ball, lifting her knees against her stomach while she floated and waited for his answer. Then she straightened herself again, placing her feet at the bottom to stand up.
She walked up to him, dripping water all over, when she tugged his hand, giving him only enough time to put down the bottle, before she began pulling him after her. Lucas didn't resist despite his mild discomfort. He slid his pants off again, following her into the river. Skye went in first, backing up into the water and when he was waist in, she pushed her legs afloat and wrapped them around him. He took her in gladly, supporting her upper body while he moved further in the water.
The water was cool, but he remained warm. Skye tied her arms around his neck, kissing him lazily once, twice. His lips slid down the side of her neck, the difference in temperature between his lips and her skin sending ripples down his spine. And he forgot all about his dislike for water, concentrated on her charms instead. He loved the feel of her slippery skin, the way she clung onto him with all her hands and legs, and how light she felt.
And when he kissed her chest slowly, moving towards the valley between her breasts, she felt like the whole world was turning into a senseless flow of sound and light. Her breathing rasped by his ear, she held onto him like a drowning woman, trying her best to hold on.
Skye pulled his face back to her lips quickly, kissing him passionately, before she slid her legs down again and stood in front of him, glowing with happiness. Her smirk should've been a warning, should've let him prepare, but he was too caught in the moment to realize that she rammed against him suddenly, upsetting his balance and slamming him beneath the surface.
The splash was enormous, and her smile wicked as she burst into wild laughter at his expense.
Lucas felt the water invade him completely, but he got back on his feet in a few seconds, standing up again, completely soaked. "Son a of bitch!" he cursed at her, his momentarily lack of control eliciting quite a strong response from him.
Skye froze a bit, thrown asunder by his reaction, her smirk gone in an instant. Rage had distorted his features, brought back that uptight scientist, who cared for his work and nothing else. His eyes found her quickly, his eyebrows drawing together in irritation, and he pushed himself into motion to catch her. Skye backed away from him, using the current to her advantage, hoping to avoid retaliation. Alas it was too late for that.
"C'mon, it was just a prank!" she tried to calm him, while eluding his hands that sought to grab her and restrain her.
His intense, rush green eyes stay fixated on her, a low growl stuck in his throat. He moved through the water with frightening speed, and then she slipped, losing her balance while she tried to step back to the rocks. The rough surface grazed her skin, leaving a painful burning behind. She didn't have any time to worry about it though, for Lucas was already on her by the time she could've gotten back up.
He prevented her from moving, his strong arms caging her against the rocky waterline. "That wasn't very nice of you," he told her, his voice low, raw. It made her nervous for awhile, until the creases beside his eyes softened, and he smiled at her again, "You should apologize."
She bit her lip lightly, struggling with keeping laughter inside. "I'm terribly sorry," she apologized with a straight face some seconds later, "I have treated you horribly, and you deserve better."
He could tell she was acting; how it was all a joke to her. Yet some part inside was drunk on her words, her effort to please him, even though she disagreed. She filled everything with laughter, cut the tension apart easily whenever she chose to. It was another piece in this puzzle called Skye. How she actively guided them towards new grounds whenever she found herself in a bind. It was a survival mechanism.
His hair was dripping water over her, the small waves of the stream clashed against them in a dreamy rhythm, and it all seemed unreal. If his life had ended right now, he would've still died happy, complete. His grin deepened, and he wrapped his hands beneath her knees and back, picking her up easily. Then he looked at her mischievously, holding her above the water, before he tossed in her with a splash.
Skye let out a scream of surprise, went under and swam back up again, gasping for air sporadically. She had not seen this coming, and she'd actually swallowed some water. Coughing fiercely, she shot him with a blaming look, feigning offense. "That wasn't nice either!" she exclaimed, eventually smiling all the way, as she couldn't keep up the more than a minute. She'd enjoyed every second of it, her heart was elated.
Something howled in the distance, shadow flew right over them, reminding them both of the reality of the situation. Lucas reacted quickly, peering at the skies, and then signaling her to follow him by extending his hand. "Dry land," he commanded, clearly unwilling to take no for an answer. Skye took his hand, fear clutching her insides. She'd never seen a howler, but she knew exactly what they sounded like.
He dragged her from the water, pulling them both away from sight, closer to the cliffs. He grabbed his clothes on the way, drying his face on his shirt before he grabbed his gun. The adventure was over now, Skye could tell he'd enter survival mode. She also took her clothes from her backpack and pulled her shorts and a shirt on, while Lucas surveyed the skies.
They stood by the walls for an extended moment, waiting for an attack, a crash, a howl. Lucas held his gun tightly, prepared for anything. He waited patiently for other signs of danger, but eventually even he had to admit the howler must've just been passing through. It took him awhile to let it go, keep suspicion from nagging at him, but when she placed her hand over his gun and lowered it little by little, she managed to snap him out of it.
"I think it's safe," Skye said gently, careful not to startle him when she touched him. She didn't like guns much these days, though her father had carried one for as long as she could remember. Nowadays she knew she might one day have several pointed at her, her life hanging by a thread.
"Yes," Lucas agreed, putting the safety back on and placing the gun in its holster. "I suppose it is."
The sun had advanced on its path towards the end of the horizon. Only a few hours of time together remained. Suddenly it made him moony, the final goodbye hung between them. He chose to ignore it.
Lucas brushed his hand through his hair, squeezing the water from them the best he could. He then threw his wet underwear over the rocks, and pulled his dry pants back on, as well as a shirt. The moisture on his skin wet them quickly, but not altogether. Skye stood by his side, restless, unwilling to watch him clothe himself so casually.
She then ventured back towards the waterline, wanting some space, some sense in all of this. She tied her arms around herself, not knowing what else to do with them.
There were no options here. She couldn't follow him into jungle like some lovesick girl, she had obligations and so did he. On top of everything, she'd fallen for someone she hardly knew, and he was intent on making that harder every step of the way. She could tell he was damaged, just the kind of person sane people steered away from.
But the greatest fear now was the unknown. Once she let him go, he'd be gone. If he died alone in jungle there was no way she'd ever know. She'd wait for him until her heart was in shambles, and her feelings would be reduced into nothing but bitterness.
"Why so grim?" he asked, fixing his clothes, still standing by the walls with his equipment. He could sense the difference in her though, could see it in the way she held herself.
"I can't remember the last time I've been this happy," Skye confessed upon realizing lying was futile. He could probably tell if she lied, and demand a straight answer, so why bother? Precious minutes were wasted. "But it's not going to last."
"No, it's not," he admitted very matter-of-factly.
"What are we going to do?" she asked next, trying to blink the emptiness away. Her face was twisted, her jaw clenched shut, everything tense about her.
Lucas didn't let pessimism get a hold of him though. He took a step towards her, and then another, approaching with no haste. "We'll sit down, and have a bite to eat. You'll tell me more about yourself. I'll listen to every word. And when the time comes, we'll say goodbye."
Like it was that easy, no effort required. He managed to calm her though. Skye nodded, fighting internally to recover her good mood. "Sure, I'll buy lunch," she quipped, going for her backpack right away.
She then realized how wet the swimsuit still was, and decided to remove it instead. Her undressing gained his attention, but it didn't stop her. She removed her wet bikini, and pulled on clean underwear before she put her clothes back on, and kneeled before her backpack, picking up the lunch she'd packed herself.
Lucas seated himself by the stream. His dry clothes felt alien, coarse, when she'd been so soft against him. Skye's steps approached him, and he heard a strange cracking sound when she leaned over, tossing him a piece of fruit later. Lucas caught it, recognizing the fruit back from Terra Nova. They grew it on the fields, it was native here, but rare.
"Thank you," he said, after struggling to remember the correct social behavior. He hadn't received anything from anyone in a long time. He hadn't said 'thanks', or 'you're welcome' or even 'I'm sorry'. The jungle demanded no words of gratitude or regret. It was fierce, it tolerated no weakness. It had shaped him more than he'd realized.
Skye liked his consideration though, recognizing how he had to dig through his mind to find the right words. She sat down next to him, playfully bumping against his shoulder with hers. "No, thank you," she corrected, knowing he'd done more for her than anyone in a long time. He'd made her remember the girl she'd once been: fearless, charming, straight-forward and beautiful.
Lucas brought the fruit to his lips, sucking on its flesh first carefully, then eagerly when its sweet taste spread across his mouth. Some of the juice flowed down his chin, and she wiped it away with a finger, focusing them on her own fruit. Her touch was tender, it moved him.
Once done with eating, he watched as she chucked the empty shell of the fruit into the stream and looked on while it floated away. He followed her example, tossing it aside carelessly.
"What do you do when you're not making calculations?" she asked, eyes set on the golden carvings across the stream. He'd been busy, as almost every section here had carvings in different sizes.
"I live, I hunt, I plan for the future, and I sleep," he explained, understanding himself how empty it sounded. It'd just been like that for a long time now.
An unpleasant memory crossed his mind though; he was unable to bury it right away. When he'd been first exiled, he'd spied on Terra Nova, watched them in their work: An outsider with an ounce of regret. He'd watched his father, forgetting all about his existence. Well, his regret had died in the jungle when the beasts had come, and he'd been forced to fend for himself. And he'd survived alone.
"No wonder," she rolled her eyes at his response, realizing how different this had to be compared to a normal day of his. Lucas raised his eyebrows at her. "No wonder what?" he asked her, an icy tone sneaking into his otherwise slow, soft voice.
"You never do anything for fun," Skye explained, crossing her legs and pressing her hands against her knees, while she rolled her tense shoulders and head. The rocks hadn't exactly been the most comfortable place for lovemaking.
"It isn't an option," Lucas responded, a hint of annoyance. Again, he was reminded of her youth, her positive way of thinking. She didn't know absolutes or Shakespeare's tragedies, obviously. He was about to tell her all about when her constant movement started to bother him.
"Stop it," he requested, instantly getting her to stop. "Stay still," he instructed her next, and moved behind her, placing both legs on her sides. Then he placed his hands on her shoulders and began massaging her tense muscles.
Skye's eyes fluttered at the sensations his dexterous fingers brought when they tended to her pain. It was like he knew when to push and when to apply less pressure. He found all the sore spots, worked on them until they started to loosen up. "Take off your shirt," he said next, whispering right to her ear.
Her hands followed his request without doubt; she pulled her shirt off, giving him better access. He slid the straps of her bra down. They hung loose on her upper arms, barely holding her bra up. She sat up straight though, placed her hands over her chest to keep the underwear in place, as he started to massage the sore muscles on her back. He advanced down from her neck, thumbs following her spine, spreading that uncomfortable ache. Skye pursed her lips more and more as he advanced.
"How does it feel?" he inquired, a knowing smile hidden from her eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing, and enjoyed every minute of it.
"Incredible," she responded without hesitation, closing her eyes and focusing on him.
Lucas focused on her neck though, desire clutching his insides. He brushed her hair off her back with his free hand, leaned in and kissed the nape of her neck lightly. And his hands slid from her back to her front, folding her into his arms. He held her loosely, her head resting against his arm, while his hands were on her stomach, and the rest of her body was set between his legs.
"You stopped," she teased him with a frown, her voice hoarse suddenly. Lucas didn't respond, he had no words, he just held onto her, looking onwards. It was so peaceful here. If he ever came back, and didn't find her here, waiting for him, it would end him right there. That is how he knew he was never coming back.
They were suddenly interrupted by noise. The layout of the cliffs, water and the cavern it flew through made far away noises echo here much louder, but they remained recognizable. Vehicles were approaching in the distance. Skye pushed herself up, standing in a matter of seconds, her shirt by her feet.
There was confusing at first, but then she realized. "Hunter, goddamnit!" she spat, anger fuelling her as she grabbed her shirt and threw it on her back on. She turned to Lucas, who was still puzzled by the recent turn of events.
"I told one of my roommates where I was going in case something happened. Looks like he didn't have as much patience as I thought," she explained bitterly, furious that the precious few hours she had left with him were stolen by her thoughtless friend.
Lucas tensed again and also started to gather his things. "So he has alerted the soldiers, and they're here to bring you home," he sighed poisonously.
Skye nodded stiffly, reality once again caught between them. "You need to go," she told him, worried he would not leave even when he should. Lucas seemed hesitant at first, but as the noises grew louder, she could tell he found no other option available either.
Everything was ending. She felt cold, so she closed the gap between them and kissed him. Her fingers brushed his jaw, her lips felt heavy and tender. Neither of them cried though. It was all there in that kiss, that unspoken wish. Lucas gripped her shoulders forcibly once their lips parted, and then his hands fell.
He took his things, pulled on the harness that supported his holster and left. He didn't turn to look at her again, denying weakness even at such a moment. Skye felt numb, thinking was harder now. However, she was quite sure this was what a broken heart felt like.
-
It took them fifteen, twenty minutes to come to the top of the cliffs. She'd circled back by then, and waited for her 'rescue' patiently. It wasn't even dark yet, so she was easy to spot. She saw Hunter peek at her from one of the vehicles; guilty as hell to find her unharmed and pissed. But Commander Taylor's apparently rage took the first prize, as he strode straight to her, barely containing the fury that'd driven him this far.
They stared at one another for awhile, as the soldiers moved around them, mere ants between the two of them. He looked like he had so much to say to her and recognized she knew it all, but had done this anyway. For once, Taylor realized how much Skye reminded him of his own son with her rebellion. He too would always do things his own way, regardless of warnings.
"You're grounded," he finally said, his voice softer than intended. Happiness to see her safe and unharmed bled through his rage.
"I know," Skye responded hands folded across her chest, her body language screaming opposition.
"I expected more from you," he then murmured, rather to himself than her, as if pained by the disappointment she'd given him. It softened her resolve, reminded her of his kindness. Skye let her hands fall, unwilling to fight when she knew his only sin was worrying over her. She was the one who'd played with fire after all.
"I'm sorry, it won't happen again," she said, searching for his eyes with hers. "Trust me; even I know this was stupid."
Of course it was another lie, another gushing wound to this dying body of their relationship. It pained Skye that things had to be this way. One day she would tell him everything, and he would not worry about her anymore. He would not come to her aid, when she needed him the most. It was tragic because he was the only person in her life she could rely on anymore, despite having backstabbed him from the start.
"We'll talk about this at home," he remarked, attempting to sound strict and unmoved, but she knew he wasn't. The commander really went out of his way to understand her, he always had. She didn't know why, but when she'd lost her parents, he'd taken her in like he needed someone like her, a child to look after.
"Yeah, I know," she sighed, relaxing and following him, as he turned and gathered the search party together again.
They didn't talk the whole way home, and when Hunter tried to approach her carefully, she shot him down too, hating herself for this mess.
She hung her head in shame, locked in her room, and remembered the man she'd met by the falls kindly. She did not go back to Snakehead Falls even after she'd regained the Commander's trust, knowing full well he would not be there.
TBC