FOLIE A DEUX

TEASER

"My God, Mel, I can't believe it's in such good condition," Jess breathed as she worked her way up the long row of buttons on the back of Mel's dress. "I mean, your grandmother got married AGES ago and it's not even a little discolored."

"Well, you always did say she was a packrat. She was also good at keeping her packratted possessions in good shape." Mel glanced over her shoulder at Jess. "My God, how many buttons are there on that thing?"

"Too many," Kate contributed from her perch on Mel's bed with a wry smile.

"I just have a few more left to do," Jess assured them, making short work of the remaining buttons. "My hands are probably going to be shaking so bad on the big day that it'll take me three times as long."

Mel smiled at her. "Yeah, you're the one who has a right to be nervous..."

"I know, I know. I'm just so happy for the two of you. Here, let's have a look at you," she said, turning her around. Her jaw dropped. "Oh, bloody hell. You're... well, you're absolutely gorgeous."

"All hail, Jess, Queen of the understatement," Kate murmured, staring at her older sister with wide eyes. The pale green fabric brought out her eyes and complimented her complexion. Between that and the way Mel carried herself while wearing the dress, she was radiant.

Mel flushed under the praise of the two and quickly turned the conversation to more practical concerns. "Fits like a glove, too. We won't even have to get it altered."

"Mel, you up here?" Cole's voice carried into the bedroom in spite of the closed door.

"Oh, he can't see you in the dress," Jess said quickly as Mel opened her mouth to answer. "It's bad luck."

"I'll run interference while you get her out of that," Kate offered, hurrying out of the bedroom. "Hey, Cole," she greeted him cheerfully, giving him a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Hello, Kate," Cole greeted his sister-in-law-to-be with a bright smile. "Where is Mel?" he added, looking around.

"Her room."

"Thank you," Cole said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek and starting down the hall.

"Oh, Cole, you can't," Kate protested, grabbing his arm. "She was just trying on her wedding dress. It's bad luck for you to see her in it before the wedding."

"It is?" Cole asked, frowning.

"Well, that's what some humans think, anyway." Kate shrugged. "Jess'd have my head if I let you see Mel in her dress before the big day. And Dads would probably have it if I let you see her out of it," she added, grinning.

Cole regarded her quizzically for a few moments before smiling faintly. "I wish he could have been here."

"So does he, but it's a bad time to leave the Flames unguarded..."

"Well, at least ONE of you could be here," Mel said, walking into the living room wrapped in a bathrobe. She gave Cole a quick peck on the cheek as Jess joined them. "Maybe I can get over to visit Dad for a few days after the honeymoon. The few days we had just didn't seem like enough."

"No, it was not," Cole agreed gravely, nodding. "It is time for you to come to know him as you always should have, Mel."

"I know," she whispered, nodding faintly. "God, though, everything's just changed so fast, hasn't it?"

"Tell me about it," Jess chimed in, smiling ruefully and shaking her head. "Down the bloody rabbit hole since I fell in with you lot."

"And you loving every minute of it, too." Kate grinned at Jess. "Don't think we can't tell."

"It is somewhat obvious," Cole agreed apologetically.

"Traitor," Jess laughed, tossing a throw-pillow at Cole who, predictably, caught it before it could hit him. "I just can't believe you waited so long to tell me," she said, shrugging.

"Would you have believed it of me in the beginning?" Cole asked gently.

"Hell, no." Jess chuckled. "Point taken, Cole. I guess I needed Mark healing me like he did to start opening my mind." Smiling slyly, she added, "But you're still a right pack of oddballs."

"And damned proud of it," Kate agreed with a mock bow.

"Scary family dynamic when Adelaide Porter is the NORMAL one in the bunch," Jess added, sitting down.

"So, where to for lunch?" Mel asked, looking around.

"Somewhere that doesn't card."

"Kate, NO," Mel said firmly. "You aren't even legal in England yet."

"Killjoy," Kate muttered, but she could not entirely contain a smile.

"Rainforest Café?" Jess suggested. "Kate's never been."

"Great." Mel nodded. "Let me just get dressed."

Kate followed her into the bedroom, perching on the edge of the bed. "I'm happy for you, sis. You could do a hell of a lot worse for a fiancé."

"Three more days!" Jess said happily as the sisters returned to the living room.

"God, is that all?" Mel asked, her stomach doing a back flip at the reminder.

"Yes, Mel, that is all," Cole said quietly, his voice almost reverential. "In three days, you are going to accept me as your husband."

"Always assuming the fugitives don't make any trouble," Mel amended.

"Sod the fugitives," Kate said bluntly. "Half the Chicago PD's going to be there. They'd be off their nuts to try anything."

Cole smiled faintly at the young girl who was frequently as incomprehensible as Jess, and just as dear to him. "They will not try anything, Mel," he affirmed, nodding. "And in three days, our souls will become one."

END TEASER
ACT 1

"Thanks, Maggie," Vic said, smiling up at her as she handed him a drink. "They still unpacking?" he asked, glancing towards the stair-well. Mel was always down here this time of day unless there was something seriously wrong and if there had been trouble with the fugitives, he'd have heard about it by now, he was sure. "They've been back for almost a week."

Maggie shrugged. "Well, knowing Cole, they got straight back to work and are still living out of their suitcases."

Vic shrugged. "Well, that's good news for the rest of us, I guess."

Maggie nodded. "Not that they don't deserve a vacation every now and then, but at the same time, I'm a lot more comfortable having Cole around."

"How much do you--" Vic began.

"Enough to know where my loyalties lie." Maggie smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Vic. Mel's safety is my first priority."

"Okay." Vic nodded slowly. "Fair enough, Maggie." He glanced upwards for a minute. "I'm going to drop up there for a minute, give Cole some stuff I got while he was gone."

"Okay, Vic." Maggie nodded faintly and went back to setting up the bar for the lunch rush.

Vic sighed and rose, emptying his glass before putting it down and starting up the stairs. Chicago had been unusually quiet during Cole's stay in London, but that did not necessarily mean much. The news from other fronts was more alarming as Vic's sources started to cast more and more light on the scope and power of Zin Industries. Zin's people weren't just operating out of two or three well-chosen cities.

They were EVERYWHERE, quietly buying land and building political ties. London, Cairo, Tokyo, Amsterdam, France, Mexico City, Moscow... and those were just their major presences. They seemed to have other, smaller operations around the world, from South Africa to Central America with stops all over Europe, Asia, and Canada along the way.

"Hey, Cole?" he called, entering the apartment. "Mel? You guys up here?" He frowned slightly at the lack of a response and started down the hallway. "Mel? Cole?" he called again, glancing around the dark living room for a moment before checking Mel's bedroom and Cole's room.

No Mel, no Cole. Worried, he walked back into the living room to grab the phone and call Maggie. He stopped in his tracks halfway there as his position afforded him a good look into the kitchen.

"Mel!" he gasped, staring down at her with wide eyes.

She was sprawled on her back on the kitchen floor, still wearing her bathrobe, her opened eyes glazed. One hand held a slowly emptying glass of water, soaking part of her robe. Cole was lying on his stomach nearby, one arm extended in Mel's direction. There was no blood, he saw, no indication of a struggle. Breakfast still lay half-eaten on the table. He quickly felt for Mel's pulse, closing his eyes and heaving a sigh of relief to find it strong and steady, if slower than it should have been. Cole's pulse was equally strong, but his eyes bore the same glazed look. Both had clammy skin and waxy complexions.

Vic's mind snapped into Detective mode as he tried to establish a sequence of events rather than worry about his friends. He rose and took in the kitchen again. Breakfast was half-eaten. He nodded faintly to himself, seeing the image begin to unfold in his mind. Mel had gotten up halfway through breakfast for a glass of water. She had gotten as far as the sink and been on her way back to the table when she had fallen. Cole had jumped to his feet, reached out to break her fall, but not made it. They had gone down within a few seconds of each other.

"How?" he whispered, crouching between the two and looking around again. Something had been introduced into their systems: a drug, maybe. "Gas?" He shook his head immediately. There was no way that anyone could have introduced something like that into the kitchen without Mel and Cole noticing. He glanced from Mel to Cole again. There was still a fork in his hand. "Something in the food..." Vic rose, cursing, and returned to the living room, picking up the phone and dialing quickly. "Maggie, it's Vic. We have a problem."

***

Vic sighed as he watched Nestov picking at the remains of Mel's pancakes. "Anything?"

"No," he said around a mouthful of them. "Damn, though, that Mel is one fine cook."

"Focus, Nestov," Vic managed from behind clenched teeth.

"Right. Well, I've tried everything on the table and I'm not tasting anything unusual. Could as easily have been something they had last night," he added, picking up Cole's glass of water and taking a sip. He immediately spit it out again. "Found it," he announced, walking over to the sink and turning on the tap. He grabbed a fresh glass and filled it and took a small sip which he immediately spit out. "It's the water," he told Vic, pulling open the refrigerator and making a face. "God, how could they not TASTE that?"

"Taste what?" Vic asked, taking a cautious sip. "Tastes like water to me. Fluoride, chlorine..."

"Chlorine. You wouldn't be able to taste it over the chlorine." Nestov nodded to himself and pulled a bottle of wine out of the fridge.

"Hey!" Vic protested as he opened it and started gulping.

"It's the only thing in there not made with tap-water. I need something to get this TASTE out, okay?" Nestov asked, shaking his head. "I knew it was too quiet," he added with a sigh.

"Too quiet?"

Nestov nodded. "Lana's office has been very quiet lately. There are... rumors that she's close to getting Zin out."

"He can't possibly still be alive?" Vic asked.

"Lana believes that he is." Nestov shrugged. "And not one person who's lived under her Lieutenancy this long is dumb enough to question her."

"This timing can't be coincidental," Vic sighed, nodding. "Things are heating up all over the world. It's what I came to talk to Cole about today."

Nestov nodded and began searching through cabinets, coming up with a bottle of vinegar. He took several chugs then passed the bottle to Vic. "Come on, before it gets into your blood-stream, too. That'll neutralize it."

Vic shivered but complied. "What is it, anyway?"

"Dweh. Dwenyah Ordí," Nestov told him. "It's a... Dessarian recreational drug." He shook his head faintly. "Humans use Ecstasy, Dessarians use dweh."

"Ecstasy?" Vic repeated, frowning. "It's not like that Euphoria shit?" he asked anxiously, bending to check Mel's pulse again.

"Oh, no, no man, nothing that serious. I'm not even sure it's possible to kill yourself, quite honestly, but then I've never known a Cirronian to try it..."

"So what did it do to them?"

"It alters your brain chemistry and the patterns in which your nerves fire."

"Most drugs do that," Vic pointed out. "Care to be slightly more specific?"

"It's a... group hallucinogen. The science is hard to explain..."

"It's a hallucinogenic?" Vic demanded.

"Yeah, but it's more than that, too," Nestov said, bending over Cole. "Their brain waves have synchronized."

"'Their brain-waves have synchronized'?" Vic repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You mean they're communicating telepathically?"

"Sort of." Nestov nodded. "But since they don't know they took dweh together, I doubt they realize it. They're just... sharing the same set of hallucinations."

"Like a freaking episode of the X-Files," Vic muttered, shaking his head. "So they're both comatose and hallucinating the same shit and they have no clue?"

"Basically," Nestov answered apologetically. "Lana must have tapped into the water system while they were in London and she's probably been slowly increasing the amount."

"How do we snap them out of it?" Vic asked, sighing and staring at the unconscious pair.

"Uh, that's... complicated."

"You SAID people don't OD on this stuff!"

"Well, normally they don't," Nestov said, shifting uneasily and feeling incredibly thankful that Cole had not yet given the human Detective a Collector. He was as bad as Mel half the time. "It's just that... well, the Cirronian brain is wired kind of funny and... well, the power of belief is very strong in them."

"The 'power of belief'?" Vic scoffed. "Damn it, Nestov, I've got a Cirronian cop and my ex unconscious on the damned kitchen floor telepathically HALLUCINATING with each other!"

"Yeah, and believing every second of it is REAL. Lana was smart. A low dose wouldn't have affected them. Too high a dose and they'd have noticed what was going on. You gradually increase your dose, and the rewiring of your brain goes unnoticed until they reach threshold. So now, they've lost all sensory contact with the outside world and don't even know it."

"Jesus," Vic whispered. He walked into the living room and sank onto the couch, covering his face with both hands. "This is... bad."

"Yeah." Nestov nodded and sat down next to him, lightly patting his shoulder. "Good news is that it's not permanent. Once the drug's out of their bloodstream, they'll wake up."

"How long?"

"Two or three days tops."

"Three days, Zin's people active all over the world, Lana close to freeing him, and our best line of defensive is on the floor having sweet dreams..."

"Offer you a piece of friendly advice, Vic?" Nestov asked quietly.

"Yeah, sure."

"Forget everything you know and go into hiding."

"Oh, come on!" Vic protested.

"I mean it. If Lana does manage to spring Zin, you do NOT want to be associated with the man who imprisoned him in the first place. 'Cause if he's still alive down there, he's had a lot of time to plan his revenge."

"And if she doesn't free him?"

"Then the shit is REALLY going to hit the fan. Because if Lana doesn't snag Zin, I can virtually guarantee you an all-out civil war between at least six of Zin's Lieutenants. Tensions between the factions have been building since before his capture and he WAS the only one keeping them in line. Without him, it is all going to fall apart."

"But if it's criminals killing criminals--"

"You really think they're going to leave it at that. These people consider your species to be PAWNS, Detective. Lana's already proved exactly how highly she thinks of human life. I've seen her give street kids to killers just to keep them placated. Scary part is, Lana's among Zin's more subtle Lieutenants." He shook his head. "People ARE going to die, one way or another, and you do NOT want to be in Chicago when it starts."

END ACT 1
ACT 2

"Night, guys," Mel said, giving Kate and Jess each a last hug as they finished pulling on their jackets to leave for the evening. "See you bright and early."

"Well, not TOO early," Kate teased, winking at Mel. "I'm sure you two have a long night ahead of you."

"Kate, I have told you more than once that Cole and I are not--"

"Not YET," Kate amended with a knowing smile. "Come on, Mel, everyone knows that Cirronians make the best lovers."

Mel closed her eyes and shook her head once. "Good night, Kate," she said firmly.

Kate chuckled and planted a kiss on Mel's cheek. "Sorry, Mel, but Jess is right. You're just too easy to tease..."

"Kate!" Jess laughed in protest.

"Night, guys," Kate said, standing on her toes to plant a kiss on Cole's cheek.

"Good night, Kate. Good night, Jess. Mel, I will walk them to the car."

"Okay, Cole." Mel smiled and nodded, giving each woman a last hug before they left, sighing softly, she walked into the living room and sank onto the couch.

"What are you thinking about?" Cole's gentle voice intruded on her reverie.

"Kate. Jess. Dad. You. US..." Mel smiled and shook her head. "Everything's just changed so fast, Cole. It's kind of scary."

"I know it is." He sat down next to her and gave her a reassuring smile. Reaching up, he lightly brushed her hair out of her face and began caressing her throat. "I am also frightened," he admitted. "It's been almost ten years since I've been able to call myself a woman's husband. The thought of losing you... it does horrible things to me when I meditate, but... the thought of not becoming one with you is worse. My soul is no longer my own, Mel. Without you, it is not complete and neither am I."

"Come here," she murmured, pulling him into a hug. "God, I love this man."

"As he loves you. When you accepted me in London, I thought my heart would break from happiness."

"At least until Dad tried to break your nose," Mel chuckled.

"Yes, that was what humans would call a 'mood-killer', Mel," he answered gravely. "But I am glad that he did interrupt us. It would have been wrong for us to forge such a bond in haste."

"Yeah, I guess so," Mel agreed quietly, not sure if she felt that way or not. "But the wedding's in a few days, Cole. We don't have to wait until the wedding night, you know."

"I wish it to be a proper Cirronian wedding, Mel. Does this upset you?"

"Not really." She smiled faintly and kissed him. "Good things are worth waiting for, you know. So, how's this 'proper Cirronian wedding' bit work?"

He smiled faintly. He had already explained the ceremony to Mel in great detail more than once, but she loved hearing about it over and over. Nor did Cole mind explaining it again, of picturing himself and Mel as his vows were spoken.

"Jonas will stand in place of your father and Vic will stand beside me. I will light a candle to represent the fires of our hearth and I will give it to Vic, who will offer it to Jonas." Cole slipped off the couch, kneeling in front of her and taking her hands in his own. "When Jonas has accepted the candle, I will speak my love and devotion. Jonas will charge me to care well for you and protect you if you accept me. Then you will be asked if you accept or reject me and Vic will remind you of the importance of loving and caring for your husband."

"Then the kiss," Mel said, smiling down at him.

"On Cirron, the union would be sanctified by a public joining of the new couple. But I thought you might wish to skip that part."

"Smart-ass," she chuckled, shaking her head. She eyed him keenly for a moment. "Shit, you're serious about the public joining, aren't you?"

"Yes, Mel." He smiled at her obvious discomfort. "Such matters are not taboo on Cirron and marriage is a matter for the community."

"You and Nallia... in public?" Mel whispered.

"Yes, Mel." Cole smiled unabashedly. "I was horrified because I had never joined with a woman before, but her father was very helpful."

"Her... father?" Mel asked, wide eyes growing wider. She tried to picture Mark Porter, who had less than three weeks ago given Cole a black eye for trying to make love to Mel, coaching him along as he did.

"Yes, Mel. He told me exactly how I should proceed."

"Whoa." Mel shook her head. "Interesting... Hope you don't mind if we don't invite the wedding party along on the honeymoon."

Cole smiled. "I understand that such matters are private in this society. I have no wish to make you uncomfortable. It is only a symbolic act. A kiss will be sufficient token."

"Good." Mel gave him a shaky smile.

"And that night..." Cole chuckled and shook his head. "I am once again completely inexperienced, Mel."

"You'll be fine," Mel assured him. She paused. "I, uh..." Clearing her throat, she quickly mumbled, "I saw those books you got."

Cole smiled faintly as Mel flushed and looked down at her hands. She was easily embarrassed by such topics. He was sure that she would be less constrained with him after marriage. "All these things are part of being a good husband, Mel. I must protect you and comfort you always, but that is not the limit of my obligation to you..."

"My fiancé is a virgin who has memorized the Kama Sutra..." Mel smiled wryly and shook her head.

"It is not the only book on the subject I have memorized, Mel," Cole said in a reassuring voice. "I have extensively studied many others. You don't have to worry about me making a mistake."

"I'm not," she said quickly, shaking her head. "I'm just... I don't know, it's just such a uniquely Cole thing to do."

"Is that a bad thing, Mel?" he asked, frowning faintly. "If the books displease you, I'll get rid of them."

"It's not a bad thing, Cole. It's part of what I love about you."

"That I have memorized the Kama Sutra?" he asked, his expression bemused.

"That you try so damned hard to please me all the time," she clarified, giving him another kiss and sliding into his lap. "I love you, Cole Hauser," she whispered, resting her cheek against his chest.

"I love you, Melanie Irene Porter," he whispered, sliding his arms around her and holding her close.

"Say it in Cirronian?" she requested, snuggling into him.

"Hwa'annin ey tenat ahnyaka, ni Melah en'i."

Mel smiled and closed her eyes, relaxing into his warm embrace and mentally marking off another day.

***

"Good morning, Doctor Lana," the Vardian said, shifting slightly as he stood in front of her desk. These days, even her staunchest allies never knew where they stood and Neko had survived the Vardian political system long enough to know that even the most trusted advisor was not always safe. "How may I serve?"

"Sit," Lana directed absently, laying down the report she had been studying. She smiled benignly up at him. "Offer you a drink?" she inquired lightly, mentally returning the report to her filing cabinet.

"Thank you, no, Doctor."

"Are you sure?" she asked, mentally pouring herself a brandy. "You sound quite parched."

Neko frowned faintly, examining the young woman thoughtfully. She was acting calm and there was no way in hell that she actually WAS, not this close to Zin. She was out for blood and it was entirely possible that she had marked him to be the donor. After a moment's deliberation, he nodded once, deciding to let her interpret the action as she would.

"Very well, then." She mentally filled another glass and slid it across the desk. "I imagine you know why I've called you here?"

"I am quite certain that Doctor Lana has her reasons, though I would not presume to know them," he answered, retrieving the glass.

"You're a cautious man, Neko. I admire that." Lana rested her hands on the desk and leaned forward, smiling widely at him. "You know as well as I do that there is only ONE thing on my mind just lately."

"Doctor Zin, of course. You grow near the Vault?"

"I do. Contact will be in under a week. I have effectively distracted the Tracker and his mongrel for at least three days. After that, interference is more likely, however I think they will likely be too preoccupied to oppose me fully. But these matters are not your concern... Others of my loyal inner circle will keep the Tracker and his cohort occupied. For you, as for me, there is only ONE concern."

"Doctor Zin," he agreed, raising his glass in a silent toast.

"Many of the others have given him up for dead," Lana noted.

"So I'm given to understand."

"And, of course, you likewise understand that I believe him to live?"

"Your faith in Doctor Zin has always been unwavering," he agreed.

Lana lifted her head proudly. "It has," she agreed.

"Doctor, unless there were provisions in place of which I have not been made aware--"

"There were," she interrupted quietly. "I have my reasons for having kept them quiet this long, Neko, you may rest assured. Zin had not planned to bring the drug, but I was insistent."

"Preservation Stasis?" he whispered, his eyes widening.

"Yes." Lana smiled widely, nodding. "I'm told that the quantity of the drug in the syringe he carried with him when he was locked in the Vault is sufficient to keep him alive in hibernation for many years. What say you, Doctor?"

"It is certainly possible," he agreed. "I think the record for a Vardian's survival in Preservation Stasis is just over six years."

"Yes, I remember reading of that case a few years ago. It destroyed her mentally, did it not?"

"It did," Neko agreed adding, "However she was sub-intelligent to begin with and she spent six years in Preservation Stasis in the harshest of environments on an Enixian mining satellite. The Vault is a relatively stable environment and, of course, Zin's intelligence may be expected to buffer him again most ill effects."

"And there is, of course, a world of difference between one year and six," Lana added, nodding. "Which brings me to my reason for summoning you."

"Of course, Doctor. What do you require of me?"

"Speak without fear for your life, which I vow on Zin's name is safe from this point forward so long as you do not actively work against me. What is the probability that the drugs forced him into Preservation Stasis rather than simply shutting his system down completely? I'm given to understand that the line is a fine one."

"Very fine," he agreed, nodding. Lana may have been completely psychotic, but her reverence for Zin bordered on the fanatic and she would not swear on his name lightly. "However Zin was a man in his prime. I would give him a better than sixty percent chance."

"And me, Neko?" Lana asked quietly.

"A female of your age and history, somewhat less than thirty percent. Your intelligence would be somewhat worked against by your poor constitution."

She nodded sharply. "I see. Then Zin has a better than sixty percent of survival even before his sheer stubborn will to live is factored in?"

"He does."

"Wonderful. Zin will be in need of a physician to administer the counter-therapy. When the digging is complete, Neko, you and I will be first among those into the Vault."

"If it pleases Doctor Lana," he agreed, inclining her head.

"Oh, it pleases her GREATLY," Lana assured Neko with a faint smile, pouring him another drink.

END ACT 2
ACT 3

"Pacing isn't going to help, Vic," Nestov said, shaking his head.

"I don't see YOU doing anything productive!"

"I told you, man, there's nothing TO do. We don't have the technology to detox their bodies artificially. We just have to wait..."

"WAIT?" Vic demanded, rounding on him. "Are you out of your damned mind? We NEED them..."

"Go to ground, Vic, I mean it." Nestov shook his head. "It's all falling apart here. Cut your losses and get out while you still can."

"No," he said firmly. "I am not abandoning my friends. My species calls it loyalty."

Nestov glared at him. "Do humans even HAVE a survival instinct? This city is going to be a blood-bath!"

"I don't see you going anywhere!" Vic snapped.

"I have nowhere TO go!" Nestov shouted. "I run, and I'm not just wanted by the Tracker, I'm wanted by LANA, too. And unlike him, she doesn't believe in second chances!"

They stood glaring at each other for several minutes of icy silence.

Nestov looked away first. "What are we going to do, man?" he sighed, shaking his head. "This is bad... this is SO bad..."

"I know," Vic whispered, nodding. "And we are not going to solve anything by shouting at each other."

"Yeah." Nestov sighed and nodded. "So what DO we do?"

"I have no idea. Give me the rundown on this drug again," he suggested, glancing in the direction of Mel's bedroom where they had carried both Mel and Cole.

"Uh, it's distilled from this flower that grows on a plant... it's like a cactus here."

"What, like peyote?" Vic asked.

Nestov shrugged. "Never tried it."

"Have you tried this one?" Vic asked.

"Yeah," he whispered, walking to the window and staring out at the street below.

Vic blinked, startled by Nestov's abrupt shift in behavior. "Bad trip?" he guessed uncertainly.

Nestov shook his head, not turning to face Vic. "Good trip. They're ALL good; it's part of the appeal. And you... you find things out about the person you're taking it with. Hopes, dreams, desires..." He turned to face Vic. "It's beautiful and you don't want to come back, especially not when you live in a third-world slum and have to fight for every meal. I still dream about it," he added, shrugging. "Still. She was... oh, she was the most beautiful woman I've ever known, Vic. Introduced me to this whole new world and I... I was hooked."

Nestov's expression turned abruptly bitter. "May she rot in hell," he added, shaking his head.

Vic's eyes widened. "Nestov?"

"Zahnta. Introduced me to my life of crime. She was an adult, took me on when I was still a kid. The drugs cemented it... I wouldn't have gotten into crime if I hadn't fallen in with her. When I was little, I wanted to be a Tracker like my father. But Zahnta... she gave me everything that my father couldn't. Trackers don't make much and it's easy to go hungry on Dessaria anyway. Dad always made sure we all had enough to eat, but we wanted for a lot of other things as a result. Zahnta gave me things I'd never dreamed I'd possess. I was charmed. And then she gave me dweh. And I was hooked."

Nestov shrugged and continued, "I learned a lot that first time and, after that, I just couldn't get enough. Part of it was the dweh, but it was mostly her. It was the only time I ever had her. I thought I loved her. Maybe I really did." Nestov shook his head. "Why am I telling YOU this?" he asked abruptly, turning away. "The point is that it is NOT a bad trip. Just trust me when I tell you that Mel and Cole are nothing but happy with the current state of affairs."

"What do you hallucinate about?" Vic asked quietly, not sure he wanted an answer, not where Mel and Cole were concerned.

"It's different every time, but it's always what you most want in the world."

"What happened to her?" Vic asked quietly. "To your friend?"

"I woke up one morning and she was gone." Nestov shrugged. "I wasn't born a criminal, Detective," he added, sighing. "I was born a Tracker. I was MADE a criminal or... I allowed myself to become one..." He shook his head. "Forget it. Doesn't matter."

"Seems to matter to you," Vic noted quietly.

"You turn into a shrink when I wasn't looking, Detective?" Nestov asked shortly. "I don't like talking about it. Doesn't mean it doesn't still affect me," he added in a low voice. "Look, I honestly wish there was something I could do to help Mel and Cole, but I'm no doctor and I just don't KNOW enough to do anything. I'd probably kill them trying to save them."

Vic nodded faintly. "Okay. And they'll come out of it in a few days? You're sure of that?"

Nestov nodded. "You always come out of it. Always." He sighed softly, not mentioning that it was the awakening that was always the hardest. As if Mel and Cole did not have enough pain in their lives...

"Then we just need to secure the Watchfire and the basement until then and make sure that Mel and Cole are taken care of and made comfortable."

"Comfortable isn't in our hands right now," Nestov said. "Cole has motion-detectors in the basement, so that just leaves the bar."

Vic nodded faintly. "Good deal. You start securing this place. I need to call Mel's father..."

***

"You gave me your heart and in return I give you my name," Mel recited to Kate and Jess. She sighed softly and pressed one hand to her heart. "God, isn't that beautiful?"

"I think the whole thing is," Jess said, batting at her eyes.

"Bloody brilliant," Kate agreed, nodding and biting her lower lip.

"So, has he told you what he's going to say yet?" Jess asked, glancing down at the ceremony outline in her hands.

Mel shook her head. "He says that he needs more time."

Kate shook her head. "Well, seeing as the wedding's tomorrow, he'd bloody well better hurry."

"I think he just wants it to be a surprise," Jess contributed. "He told me that on his planet, every man's vows are individual even though the women all say virtually the same thing."

"Wonder why that is?" Kate murmured.

"Cirron's matriarchal," Jess told her. "I'm surprised the ceremony didn't give it away. The man literally GIVES himself to the woman and she gets to take him or not."

"Cole told you that?" Mel asked, startled. It had never occurred to her to ask why the wedding ceremony was set up the way it was.

"Yeah, Mel." Jess nodded. "I mean, I don't think most women would go into the ceremony planning to say no, but from what Cole says, she gets a lot more say than the man about the marriage."

"I didn't know that," Mel whispered, frowning slightly. "Why didn't he tell me that?"

"Maybe he didn't think it was important," Jess suggested. "Or that you knew already. Mel, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but pretty much since day one, Cole's followed you around like an adoring puppy. He was waiting for you to make the first move."

"He told you that?" Mel asked, startled.

Jess nodded. "Yeah, Mel. He said that you said something to him in London that made him realize that you were as interested as he was. So he came to you."

Mel closed her eyes, remembering her injunction to Cole: Stop fighting it... Stop fighting YOURSELF, my love. "Huh, I guess maybe I did make my interest kind of obvious," she admitted, smiling to herself as she remember the feel of his lips against her throat. Tomorrow night was going to be absolutely glorious.

"What DID happen in London?" Kate asked, grinning at the look on Mel's face.

"Not much before Dad sprung to my 'rescue'," Mel chuckled, shaking her head.

Jess cocked her head at Mel. "That definitely sounds interesting. Share."

"Nope." Mel shook her head firmly. "What is between Cole and I is... between Cole and I. All you guys need to know is that we love each other and that we have for a long time."

"It's not physical yet, is it?" Kate asked.

"How did you..."

Kate shrugged. "Comes with sensing life-forces, I guess. You can just kind of tell sometimes when two become connected. You and Cole, as much as you love each other, I'm not getting that feel."

Mel nodded faintly. "Cole wants to wait. I can respect that."

"It's a Cirronian thing," Kate agreed. "Dad was telling me all about it after you and Cole told him the good news."

"Oh." Mel nodded faintly. "God, this is... I can't believe this is finally happening."

"Exciting, isn't it?" Jess asked, spontaneously hugging her.

Mel laughed and hugged back, nodding. "Oh, God, it's been so long now since I've wanted this just about more than anything in the world," she sighed happily, shaking her head. "Good things to those who wait."

Kate nodded sagely. "Dad says that the timing couldn't be better for you. The treasure-hunters have been pretty inactive lately as far as he can tell, and he thinks he might be coming close to finding at least one of the other blood-lines, plus Interpol's got pressure on Zin Industries so they're probably looking everywhere but here."

"That'll take a lot of pressure off Cole," Mel agreed, nodding. "Some days, especially lately, it's just like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders. It'll be good if he can feel less alone in all of this."

"He's not alone, Mel," Kate said softly, shaking her head.

"No, I'm really not," Cole agreed gently as he walked into the living room. He walked over to where Mel was seated between Kate and Jess and dropped to one knee on the floor next to her. "With you here, Mel," he said, resting one hand over his heart as he spoke, "I am NEVER alone."

END ACT 3
ACT 4

"It's Haag and he sounds really pissed, Doctor Lana," Lana's secretary told her apologetically.

"Thank you, Mara," Lana sighed, nodding faintly. "Have a cup of herbal tea and my Xanax sent in, will you? My head is killing me."

"Yes, Doctor. Right away." Mara turned and hurried off.

"When I have freed Zin," Lana growled, scowling at the blinking light on the phone. "When he finds out that I alone was faithful, I alone put his own welfare above that of the project, I alone..." She trailed off with a frustrated howl, wanting nothing quite so badly as to get that Orsusian fool in her office alone for five minutes so she could rip his throat out. Preferably with her teeth. "Enter!" she snapped at the sound of hesitant tapping on her door.

"Doctor, I thought I heard--" the runner began.

Lana interrupted him shortly. "Nothing. You heard nothing. Leave the tray," she added, waving her hand absently towards a tray bearing a pot of tea and a pill bottle.

It gave a lurch in the runner's hands, and he immediately dropped them to his sides as it floated across the room. He stared at his shoes, waiting for permission to go. Lana pretended not to notice him as she poured herself a mug of tea and helped herself to several pills. She looked up at the sound of him shifting uneasily, smiling playfully.

"Oh, are you still here?" she asked curiously. "Did you require something?" she added politely.

"No, ma'am," he assured her quickly.

"Oh." Lana affected surprise, amused. "Then you should just be running along, hmm?" she asked gently. "I'm sure you must have SOMETHING to be doing."

"Yes, ma'am, thank you, ma'am," he said, quickly backing from the room.

Lana chuckled and shook her head. "'Let them fear me so long as they obey me'," she murmured, quoting some Roman Emperor or other. Her smile faded as she realized that she still had Haag to deal with. "'Let them hate me so long as they fear me'," she sighed, another quote from the same General.

The problem with Haag was that he did not have the native intelligence to fear her. He HATED her, certainly, but he did not adequately fear her and enjoyed making things as difficult as possible for her. One of many who would end up paying the ultimate price when she had freed Zin. Sweeping administrative changes in Zin's operations all over the world would be the first rule of order once he was free. The disloyal and lazy would be replaced with the industrious and faithful. And since Zin had spent almost the past year in the Vault, he would need guidance to know who these individuals were...

For that, he would turn to what had been the sole voice in the wilderness for months, the only one among his Lieutenants who had KNOWN that a man like Zin could not die, not like that. Lana had kept careful track of everyone under Zin's employ, from the traitor Nestov to Haag himself. She knew the loyal from the disloyal the way only a truly loyal subordinate could. For this attentiveness, as for her faith in him personally, Zin would surely reward her.

A woman who had once aspired to nothing more than a comfortable, secure life serving in one of the great households, her time under Zin's tutelage had molded her into a creature ambitious enough to want more. Not prestige; prestige was less than nothing. Not even wealth; wealth was fleeting and seldom sufficient to buy that which people desired most. Power, though... Power was different. And if her mentor were to become the most powerful man in the Alliance, Lana WOULD benefit by it. She had read her history, knew the way the universe worked. It was no difficult matter for an ambitious and prudent servant to become more powerful than her own Lord.

Smiling to herself at the thought, Lana hit the speaker phone. "What can I do for you this fine afternoon, Haag?" she asked casually, reaching into one of her drawers and pulling out her photograph of Zin. She had really never noticed quite how attractive his human form was...

"The Tracker was in London!"

"Are you quite sure?" Lana inquired, her smile widening. That trip had saved Lana a great deal of trouble in getting the dweh into the mongrel woman's water supply. "Did you lose many followers?" she asked, affecting concern. Haag, she was going to ask to be allowed to kill with her own hands, she decided.

She smiled faintly at the picture, making a note to herself to have Zin's rooms cleaned and prepared soon. He would need a new mistress, too, she realized, as his last had recently been Collected by the Tracker. She mentally reviewed a list of the suitable females in her employ, but came up blank. Only she herself seemed adequately faithful and talented... Her smiled widening at the thought, she shook her head. Zin could decide for himself when he had returned to their midst. She would not object if he chose another, but if he DID happen to chose Lana, she certainly could not foresee herself having any complaints about that, either. Both had foreseeable benefits.

She covered her mouth with one hand to keep herself from laughing over the speaker-phone.

"I didn't LOSE anyone!" Haag snarled at her. "But Mark Porter is alive."

Lana frowned faintly. "Mark... Porter?" she repeated, her eyes widening. "As in Marcus David Porter, half-breed brat of Adelaide and Alan Porter?" she demanded, rising. That had NOT been part of the plan. "You said he was DEAD!" she shouted. "You TOLD Zin it was handled!"

"Damn it, Lana, there was no way of knowing..." Haag began, and Lana could hear the hesitation in his voice. He could afford to upset her with relative impunity, but the news that Mark Porter was still alive would anger Zin, too, if he ever escaped. And Haag knew that Lana was once more close...

"I can almost hear the wheels in that underdeveloped brain of yours turning, Haag," Lana informed him flatly. "You have blundered. So, fix your mistake and perhaps Zin will be disposed to be merciful once I have freed him. Do not call me again without news that is good," she added, snapping off the speaker phone. "Send me Neko again," she ordered.

"Right away, Doctor."

Lana clicked off the phone with a sigh. This new development necessitated a slight change of strategy. London had suddenly become far more salient to the overall picture. One Guardian running around was bad enough. TWO, though? She returned the picture to her drawer as a knock sounded on the door.

"Enter!"

"Doctor Lana. How may I serve?" the Vardian asked, inclining his head politely as he entered.

"You may serve by aiding me in overthrowing Haag," Lana told him bluntly.

"Not ambitious at all, are you?" Neko asked with a faint smile.

"Doctor, you forget that I was not raised a scientist but a slave." Lana shook her head imperceptibly. "My ambitions are not to rule but to serve."

"Service to Zin has many rewards," Neko noted, quoting Lana's own favorite phrase.

"Indeed it does," Lana agreed, thoughtfully examining the old Vardian. He was an intelligent man, and while not without his own ambitions, they were less grandiose than Haag's. He was exactly the sort of confederate she could use in elevating Zin's status and, thus, both of theirs.

She nodded sharply to herself before continuing. "Understand me, Neko, when I tell you that Zin is one of the Great. I could ask no more than to serve a living legend, and yet I do. I would have more and I SHALL. Before I'm done with Zin, he'll not be considered a legend but a GOD..."

"And as a living god's most loyal servant, you shall become Messiah?"

Lana smiled and shrugged. "Not merely myself, Neko. ALL of Zin's faithful will be remembered. We may yet save our people from the depredations of membership in the Migar Alliance. Are you willing?"

He did not hesitate. "What is required?"

Lana's smile widened. She had chosen well. "I need a reliable man in London."

***

"Only for Mel would I wear this torture device again," Cole grunted, jerking at his tuxedo's tie as he tried to knot it properly.

Vic chuckled and shook his head. "Could be worse."

"It could?" Cole asked dubiously.

"Yeah." Vic nodded. "Come here, man," he added as Cole continued to struggle with his tie. "You do it like this."

"Oh, thank you, Vic." Cole smiled at him. "That is much better. How long did you have to go to school to learn how to tie one of these?"

Vic chuckled again. "Actually, Mel had to teach me."

Cole regarded the human detective in concern as his smile faded, replaced by a wistful look. "Vic," he began.

"Let's not do this, Cole," Vic suggested, shaking his head. "I mean, it's one thing coming to the wedding, even being your best man, but you CAN'T ask me to be happy about it, too."

"I know, Vic." Cole nodded faintly. "If Mel had chosen you over me, I would have supported her choice, but it would have been with tears in my eyes and a breaking heart. If a man loves a woman, he must want her to be happy, even when that is not easy. I will do everything in my power to make her happy, Vic, I promise you."

"I know you will." Vic sighed and nodded. "Doesn't exactly make this easier, but I know you'll take good care of her and I have to accept her right to chose."

Cole touched one hand to Vic's heart and one to his forehead. "Thank you, Vic," he said quietly. "This means a great deal to me, but it means even more to Mel."

"Yeah, just... make her happy," Vic ordered, shifting slightly and glancing at his watch. "Come on, Cole. You're on."

"Okay, Vic," Cole agreed, following him from the room.

"Nervous?" Vic asked as they walked towards the pavilion that Jonas had gotten for the afternoon for Mel and Cole through one of his friends in the city government. It was crowded with police officers and other Watchfire regulars, along with the barmaids and a few personal friends of Mel.

"Incredibly nervous, Vic. This is simply not something most Cirronians DO..."

"What isn't?" Vic asked, frowning at him.

"Marrying again, Vic. It is virtually unheard of on Cirron."

"Damn," Vic murmured. "Oh, would you look at her," he breathed, stopping in his tracks halfway towards the altar and pointing towards Mel, flanked by Kate and Jess and talking quietly to Jonas, who was standing in for Mark. Maggie and Gail stood slightly behind Kate and Jess.

Cole did not have to be told to look twice. He did not think that he had EVER seen Mel looking as beautiful as she did in the pale green gown that had come down to her from her grandmother. The color of fresh buds in the spring, it brought out her rosy complexion, making her look more like a girl than a woman, except that Cole doubted he could ever have been half so moved by feminine beauty in a girl not yet grown. Besides which, the gown clung to every curve, giving Cole no doubt that this creature before him was a woman in every sense of the word. He felt tears sliding down his face and made no effort to check them. She was too beautiful to do anything BUT cry.

"You are one lucky man, Cole," Vic murmured, his voice wavering slightly.

"Too lucky," Cole agreed honestly. "I don't deserve her."

"No, you really don't," Vic said wryly. "But you HAVE her. Or you will after you've gotten your ass up there and made it official." He shook his head. "Come on, Cole. Keeping a girl waiting is really NOT a great way to start a marriage."

"No, no. Of course not," Cole agreed absently, starting forward again.

"There you are," Kate said warmly. "We were starting to think you'd gotten cold feet."

"It means that you got nervous and had second thoughts," Jess chuckled at Cole's bemused look.

"Nervous, yes," Cole agreed, never tearing his eyes from Mel. "But never could I have second thoughts."

"Okay, so the gang's all here. Let's get started," Vic suggested.

"Okay." Jonas nodded. "You both signed off yesterday, so it's technically official except for this ceremony you want, Cole. Ready?"

Cole could only nod in answer.

Jonas smiled. "Okay, and Mark couldn't get here, so he wanted me to stand in his place, Mel. That okay with you, sweetie?"

"Yeah," she whispered.

"You know, this format is a lot like Mark's first wedding, really," Jonas noted.

"It is our way," Cole said simply. "It is fitting."

"Okay, then." He nodded and cleared his throat. "Melanie Irene Porter, this man comes before us today to offer himself to you. As your god-father, I wish for nothing more than your happiness. With the wisdom of years behind me I can honestly assure you that, by following your heart, you will make the right decision."

Mel gave a shaky nod and picked up a candle, lighting it and handing it to Cole with a nervous smile. He smiled shyly back and accepted the candle with hands that were shaking so badly that he was afraid he would drop it. Steadying himself, he passed the candle to Vic, who offered it to Jonas.

"May your home never lack the warmth that a loving female may bring," Cole said quietly as Jonas accepted the ceremonial offering and fell back a step.

"And neither may yours," Jonas replied, smiling. "Cole Hauser, you offer yourself to this woman whom I have been sworn to protect. If she accepts you, her happiness is answerable to you and you are answerable to me. Treat her well. Always love and protect her and do all in your power to see that she never wants for anything."

"With my entire heart and soul, I swear that I shall."

"Mel..." Vic cleared his throat and started again. "Melanie Irene Porter, this man offers himself to you today, heart and soul. If you accept him, his happiness is forever in your hands and you bind yourself to treat him with kindness. Do you understand this?"

"Yes." Mel nodded faintly. "I understand."

Kate and Jess stepped forward then and Kate spoke the words she had memorized. "We are Melanie's sisters, and her happiness is of interest to us. How do we know that you will make her happy? How do we know you are worthy of her love?"

Mel smiled faintly at the two girls before turning her attention back to Cole. This was his cue to recite the vows he had written, at which point she would accept him and the ceremony would be over except for the celebration feast. And the honeymoon...

"I have... been considering this question for some time now, Kate, and... I remain unsure. I think I can make my answer now, but it is for your sister's ears alone."

"As it has always been," Kate agreed, nodding and falling back again.

"Mel," Cole whispered, stepping towards her and taking her hands in his, bowing his head until his forehead touched hers. "I... I don't know if I am worthy of you. Most days I am sure I am not, but... When I came to you, I had nothing. I was naked and homeless and Hope had died within me. There was an empty hole where my heart had been." He smiled hopefully at her. "NOW, though..."

Shaking his head, he dropped to his knees in front of her and continued, his forehead resting against the back of her hands as he spoke so quietly that she had to strain to hear.

"I am not a rich man, Mel. I have no wealth to give, not even a home to offer you. I have relied on you for everything and you have given it without hesitation. And, by doing that, you have done more. You gave me Hope back, gave me my LIFE. And now I offer you the only thing I have TO offer." He looked up at her, tears in his eyes. "If you will have it, Mel, my heart is yours."

"Cole," she whispered, swallowing hard. Her own eyes were swimming with tears at his gentle, honest words. "Cole," she repeated more loudly, for the others to hear. "You have freely given me your heart, and I gladly offer you my name and my home and myself in return. Rise as my equal, Cole. I love you. I'll always love you."

Cole rose slowly, smiling hesitantly down at her and whispering, "You have made my heart glad, Mel..."

"So have you," she answered, wrapping her arms around him and resting her cheek against his shoulder.

"Thank you," he whispered, cradling her close and burying his face in her hair. "Thank you..."

"Cole has made an offer and Mel has accepted it," Jonas announced gravely. "And now their hearts and souls are as one. A physical pledge in the presence of family and friends is required to cement this pact, Cole."

Cole nodded faintly and lowered his head to brush his lips tenderly against Mel's. He gasped and tightened his grip on her as he felt Mel's energy begin to melt into his. He pulled away, staring down at her with wide eyes. He had not expected it to happen so readily.

"Cole?" she whispered, gasping and clinging to him for support. "What was that?"

"A token," he answered in a low, shaking voice. "And, I think, a sample of what we might expect to come."

"Wow," Mel whispered, smiling weakly.

"Hey, save it for tonight," Vic suggested, grinning. "Come on, Cole. Move back so I can kiss the bride."

Cole obediently stepped back only to be pounced on by Kate and Jess who each had more than one hug for him. He smiled faintly as he watched Mel and Vic speaking quietly for several moments before hugging and kissing each other. Vic smiled down at her and nodded faintly, moving to shake hands with Cole.

"You be good to her," he ordered again.

"Always," Cole promised, nodding.

"Cake, cake!" Jess pronounced, bounding back up to them. "Come on, Cole."

"Some things are universal," Cole noted with a faint smile, accepting the plate she offered and taking up a small forkful of cake. He smiled down at Mel who obediently opened her mouth. "May you never hunger for anything," he said quietly, feeding it to her. "May your heart always be full."

Mel smiled and repeated the words and gesture.

"And that makes it official. Congratulations, you two," Jonas said, smiling widely.

"Yeah," Jess agreed, nodding. "Now let's party."

"Sounds like a plan," Kate agreed, following Jess and Gail to the buffet-table.

"No alcohol, Kate!" Mel shouted after them.

"Killjoy!" Kate laughed over her shoulder.

Mel smiled and shook her head. "How soon do you think we'll be able to get away?" she murmured to Cole.

"Soon, I hope. It may not be in Cirronian nature, but I grow impatient, Mel."

"I'll bet you do..." Mel smiled up at him, shaking her head as she saw Gail waylay Jonas and drag him onto the makeshift dance-floor amid laughs and catcalls from the crowd. "And that would be our cue," she murmured, silently thanking the girl for the distraction.

END ACT 4
TAG

"Well, their pulses are back up and their eyes are responding to light again," Vic sighed, looking up at Nestov.

"It won't be long now," he assured the human.

"Maggie's had a time reassuring the girls down in the bar," Vic said. "They're worried because they haven't seen either of them in almost three days now."

"Well, it won't be long now," Nestov repeated, walking over to Mel and feeling her pulse. "Her temperature's up again, too."

"And there's no more of this crap in the water?" Vic asked.

"No. I pulled the tanks and have been checking. It's running clean now."

"Good. And all quiet on the western front..."

Nestov nodded faintly. "No new orders down the pike from Lana," he agreed quietly, wondering if that was a good thing or not. "But a LOT of activity in London."

"I'm not surprised. Interpol's tearing apart Covington Realty and Marguerite Braxton is being searched for all over the world. By our people AND Zin's."

"What surprises me is that Lana's not taking advantage of it," Nestov noted quietly. "Not like her."

"No, it's really not," Vic agreed quietly. "Cole out of the picture, Haag's operation falling apart. Perfect opportunity for her to seize more power."

"And she isn't," he sighed. "So what gives?"

"Not a clue." Vic's head shot up as Mel gasped in her sleep, her body tensing.

Nestov caught his arm as he moved to stand with her. "Man, you should know what this looks like. It's NOT going to be pretty."

"Define 'not pretty'?" Vic demanded, frowning at Mel who looked like she was having a small seizure.

"Well, they'll be pretty out of it for a few minutes after they emerge from the coma--"

"So what do we do?" Vic interrupted, frowning.

"Ride it out. Not much else TO do," he told Vic apologetically, shaking his head and frowning as Mel stopped twitching and began tossing restlessly. "They're not going to be happy when they wake up, Vic," he added quietly. "People have been known to get violent."

"Violent?" Vic repeated, his eyes widening as he stared at Mel.

"Yeah. Probably not these two..." Nestov smiled reassuringly. "Just understand that they're not going to be real clear on what's been going on."

"Yeah, I understand," Vic assured him, moving to stand by Mel. "Hey, Mel, sweetie," he murmured, touching her shoulder.

Mel gasped and shot into a sitting position, catching his hand in what felt like a death-grip and looking around frantically. "What? What happened? Where..." She shook her head in confusion, gasping when her eyes fell on Cole. "Oh, my God. What happened?" she demanded frantically of Vic, shaking the Cirronian. "Vic, what happened? Is he hurt?"

"He's fine. Mel, sweetie, listen to me," Vic suggested gently, trying to recall her attention. She was too preoccupied with Cole to notice. "Damn it, Mel, LISTEN!" he snapped.

She spun to face him, her eyes wide. "Vic, what are you doing in here?" she asked quietly. "Nestov?" She frowned. "What the hell is going on?" she demanded.

"Dweh," the Dessarian whispered, bowing his head.

"No," a strangled voice behind Mel gasped.

"Cole, are you--" she began, turning around. He was ghost-white and looked like a man who had just been kicked low. "What's wrong?" she asked, reaching up to cradle his face.

"It wasn't real..." he whispered, staring at Nestov for confirmation. "None of it was real, was it?"

Nestov shook his head. "You two have been out for almost three days," he apologized. "About a week after you got back from London, Lana drugged you."

"No," Mel protested, shaking her head. "No!"

"Nestov, you must be mistaken?" Cole asked desperately. He felt like his heart had been ripped out and then shoved down his throat, as if nothing would ever be right again...

"I don't believe you!" Mel snapped, jumping to her feet and closing the distance to Nestov. "You're lying! That bitch Lana sent you!" She swayed on her feet, nearly colliding with Nestov.

"Mel," Vic began, catching her. "Just think about that for a minute. Why would we lie?"

"Because you... I don't... COLE?" Mel moaned, staring at him for support and reassurance.

"No. They're mistaken. They must be. Kate and Jess will tell them." Cole nodded with more hope than certainty.

"Kate and Jess are in London," Vic told him, frowning faintly.

"No, they're still staying at the hotel for another few days unless Dad needs them," Mel protested, pulling away from him and moving to Cole's side. "Cole, TELL them..."

"Cole, man, I'm sorry," Nestov murmured, shaking his head.

"Dwenyah Ordí. It is a hallucinogen, Mel," Cole told her quietly. "It merges telepathic output."

"What?" Mel asked, frowning.

"You share the same set of hallucinations," Nestov translated.

"I don't believe you," she whispered, shaking her head and brushing away Vic's hand as he tried to comfort her. She stared at Cole with wide eyes, her lower lip trembling. "We've waited so long, been through so much..."

"Mel," Cole whispered, shaking his head. "I am sorry."

Mel reached up wordlessly and dried away his tears, heedless of her own. "I meant it all, Cole."

"As did I, Mel, every word, every gesture..."

"Come on, Vic," Nestov suggested quietly as the human stared at the two uncomprehendingly. The last thing he needed was Vic getting possessive at a time like this. Leaving them alone for any length of time was probably a bad idea but, by the same token, Vic should probably be removed from the room for a few minutes. "These kids have a lot to work out."

"Tell me they're wrong," Mel pled, cradling Cole's face in her hands. "PLEASE, Cole..."

"I wish I could, Mel, but..."

"We had a ceremony," she protested frantically. "We signed a marriage certificate. We took our vows!"

"There we did, but... here?" Cole whispered, shaking his head in confusion.

"I meant it all," she repeated. "So did you, Cole."

"But does that change what happens here?" he asked quietly, torn.

"I... I don't know. I can't think." Mel shook her head in frustration. "I'm just so TIRED!" she wailed.

"It's the drug. You should rest."

"I want to talk," Mel protested.

"I'd recommend against it right now," Nestov suggested from the door.

"No one asked you," she snapped, glaring at him.

"Voice of experience here, Mel," Nestov told her apologetically. "You'll end up hurting yourself more if you don't wait until the drug's completely out of your system. You need rest right now way more than you need a drug-induced heart to heart chat."

"But," Mel began, tears in her eyes. "Why am I so tired?" she whispered, sobbing.

"Mel," Cole whispered, wrapping his arms around her.

"DON'T man," Nestov advised. "You're just going to make it worse until you're both de-synched and you know it. I'll stay with her," he promised. "So will Vic."

Cole nodded and planted a tender kiss on Mel's forehead. "Take care of her," he ordered, rising and reluctantly leaving the room. "I think Mel could use your friendship," he told Vic dully in the hallway.

"What about you, man? You don't look so good."

"I'll be fine. Go to Mel," Cole ordered, retreating into his war-room and closing the door.

Locking it firmly, he dropped into his chair and stared at the monitor unable to even THINK of working with how desolate he felt. Shaking his head, he clicked off the monitor and dropped his head onto the desk, sobbing.

THE END

RavenKat

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