becoming

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Becoming

By Agent Sandy

Disclaimer: Earth: Final Conflict and its characters are copyrighted by Tribune Entertainment Company. All rights reserved.

Author's Note: This story starts taking place in the last 10 minutes or so of "The Joining" and then enters a EFC Universe of my own creating. What might have happened if Ha'gel had not died?

Rating: PG

**********

"I did not believe because I could not see,

Though you came to me in the night.

When the dawn seemed forever lost,

You showed me your love in the light of the stars..."

(c)Loreena McKennitt--Dante's Prayer

If waking up naked in an alley wasn't bad enough, coming face to face with the cause didn't make things any better. Agent Sandoval stared at the alien, Ha'gel, and wondered why his first reaction was one of concern for the alien's condition as opposed to wanting to skrill the being that had already attacked him once.

"I need your assistance," Ha'gel said, his shining from dimming as he spoke.

Sandoval looked at him skeptically, "You're asking this time?"

Ha'gel seemed to shut his eyes for a moment and then replied, "Commander Boone's skrill blast has greatly injured me. By all rights, I should have entered the Void by now, but I haven't. I will die, though, if I do not have your assistance." "And what exactly do you expect me to do? Why should I help you at all?" Sandoval asked. "You do not need to if you do not wish to, but I would ask you to think of our son before you make your decision. He will need me...he will need all of us...to help him live his life in this world to the fullest, "Ha'gel stated.

For a moment, images of the joining with Siobhan floated through Sandoval's mind...

"I do not have much time, Agent Sandoval," Ha'gel's voice broke into his thoughts.

"What do you want from me?" Sandoval asked.

"I need to join with you again," Ha'gel answered. "This joining will be different from the first because it will be permanent." Sandoval shook his head, "I will not allow you to control my identity again." "You do not understand," Ha'gel's voice sounded tired. "You will not lose control of your identity. We would become one. You would only feel my presence when you needed me to help you or if there was something I needed you to know."

"What about you connection to the Commonality? Surely, they would know that you were still alive," Sandoval pointed out.

"No. Once I have become a part of you, I will cease to exist as part of the Commonality. To them, it will seem as though I have entered the Void," Ha'gel replied.

For a moment, Sandoval lowered his head in thought and then looked back at Ha'gel, "Even if I wanted to, I could not. The MI would..." Ha'gel smiled, "I could easily take care of that. I already began its deterioration when I took control of you before. After all, you would not even be able to consider helping me now if it was fully functional."

Sandoval shut his eyes for a moment. At first, he couldn't sense any difference in his MI, then he thought of how much the Taelons had wronged him and realized Ha'gel was telling the truth. He would never have been able to think those things otherwise. Sandoval opened his eyes and looked at Ha'gel, hoping that the Kimera would understand that he wanted to help, but the MI wouldn't allow him to say so even though it was breaking down.

Ha'gel took a step toward him, " I am assuming that that look means yes and your MI will not allow you to say it." Sandoval nodded. "Good, because with out your complete cooperation, this would most likely prove fatal to us both," Ha'gel stated. "What do I need to do?" Sandoval whispered tensely. Ha'gel reached toward him, "Just keep an open mind..."

***

Agent Ronald Sandoval watched the activity on the bridge of the Mothership with detached interest. Things were settling down after the 'death' of the alien Ha'gel. There was still tension in the air, though, because it was well known that a life still hung in the balance. Commander Boone was in critical condition and even though he was stable, it was not known if he would live or die.

[He will live,] a voice inside Sandoval's head stated.

Sandoval smiled slightly. He had been wondering when the Kimeran would speak up. He was, after all, the cause of Boone's condition, even though it wasn't really his fault. It has been an accident, just as Boone's injury of him had been an accident.

[It's nice you finally decided to give me a hand,] Sandoval thought. Over the last hours, he'd had to become used to seeing, feeling, hearing, and thinking in a new light. The closest thing he could compare it to was when he got his CVI... [And the two are as different as night and day,] Ha'gel stated. [Yes,] Sandoval replied. [They are.] [You have adjusted well, just as I knew you would,] Ha'gel said and then paused.

Sandoval sensed a change in Ha'gel's mood and it put him on alert, [What is it?]

[How much do you value William Boone's life?] Ha'gel asked. For a moment, Sandoval thought. There were several things he could think of that would make Boone's death a blessing. Still, something inside of him told him that those blessings would only be an illusion. [He has value,] Sandoval thought back. [Is something wrong?]

[Zo'or is going to murder him. You must go now if you want your friend to live,] Ha'gel answered.

[What am I...] Sandoval let his thought drift off as he felt Ha'gel's presence withdraw into whatever part of him he went to when he couldn't sense him. Sandoval shook his head. How the he** was he suppose to stop Zo'or without letting the Taelon know that he was no longer working for them? Sandoval started toward the room where Boone was being kept. As he walked, a sudden feeling of dread filled him as he realized that if Boone died, the only tie he and Ha'gel had to their son would be lost.

[We can't allow that to happen no matter what,] Sandoval thought. Ha'gel didn't reply. He didn't need to. Sandoval could feel that the Kimeran felt the exact same way that he did. Sandoval entered the room where Boone was and was glad to see that it was empty except for the blue tank that held the Commander. [At least I'll have a few minutes to try and figure out how I am going to pull this off.] Sandoval stated.

[You need to have more faith in us. Walk up to the tank and place your hands on it please,] Ha'gel requested.

Sandoval was skeptical, but did as Ha'gel asked, [I hope you know what you are doing.]

Ha'gel seemed to laugh, [I hope so as well.]

Sandoval nodded his head and then shut his eyes as Ha'gel asked him to allow his presence momentary control of their body. Sandoval agreed, and after a few minutes, the implant's hands began glowing. The glow spread into the tank and surrounded Boone's still form. Soon the Commander's body was completely covered in the glow. Boone then disappeared, only to reappear--healed except for a few scars--on the floor in front of the tank.

Ha'gel, exhausted from the effort, withdrew and allowed Sandoval control of their body again. Sandoval opened his eyes and then blinked in surprise. Even though Boone was lying on the floor in front of the tank, he also seemed to still be in it.

[It is an illusion,] Ha'gel explained wearily. [They will not know the difference. Unfortunately, you are going to have to get the real Boone out of here on your own. I am too weary to help you.]

"Great," Sandoval mumbled as he draped a robe around Boone. He then knelt next to the Commander and attempted to wake him up. "Boone," he hissed. Boone weakly opened his eyes, "Sandoval? What...?" Sandoval quickly quieted him with a wave of his hand, "I need to get you out of here. Do you think you can stand?"

Boone looked confused, "I don't understand..."

"I will explain later. First, we have to get you out of here before Zo'or realizes what I have done and has us both killed," Sandoval said. The urgency in Sandoval's voice cut through the fog in Boone's mind, and he nodded. Sandoval managed to get him to his feet, and they started out of the room. [Now I just have to get him off the ship...] Sandoval thought, doubting he would be able to.

[You can do it,] Ha'gel replied softly.

***

Sandoval watched Zo'or smirk as Boone's body dissolved from the blue tank. It was hard to for him to keep a blank face knowing that what Zo'or was seeing was only the illusion Ha'gel had set in the tank. The real Boone was now safely in a safe house where he would be allowed to regain his strength. Sandoval both looked forward to that moment and dreaded it. He knew once the Commander had his strength back, he would have to explain everything--including his joining with Ha'gel. That would be dangerous for them both, but it would have to be done. On the other hand, once the Commander was back on his feet, he and Ha'gel would finally be able to meet their son--the son they had both sensed being born just a few hours before...

***

Ronald Sandoval sat at his desk with his head in his hands. He wasn't happy, and to make things worse, a tension headache was forming behind his eyes. Normally, an implant would be worried if he was having headaches, but Sandoval knew that this headache wasn't being caused by his CVI breaking down--Ha'gel would have warned him if it was. No, this headache was being caused by a nightmare come true--one he and Ha'gel would have done anything to prevent. Unfortunately, they hadn't been able to prevent it and know their son was going to be a Companion Protector. It wouldn't have been so bad if Liam would have been working under him because then Sandoval could have done everything in his power to protect him.

[Instead he is working for Da'an, and I have already been told that he is very expendable. It's good that he isn't getting a CVI, but that is going to put him in even more danger,] Sandoval thought. [Ronald, you must understand that I am as worried as you are,] Ha'gel stated, as he tried his best to relieve Sandoval's headache. [I never expected Liam to be so...]

[I believe the word you are looking for is brash,] Sandoval stated when Ha'gel paused. [Brash? Maybe, but also courageous, intelligent, brave...] Ha'gel stated. [I had hoped that he would stay hidden longer. When he showed up at the funeral, I felt a sense of dread like I had never felt before.]

Sandoval nodded, [I felt it too. Thank God the replicant didn't hurt him. What I don't understand is why he is being so open about his heritage. He was dropping clues not only to me, but to Siobhan as well, and that is very dangerous, especially since it seems that the Resistance somehow managed to make her forget all about him and what happened. Who knows what will happen to her if she remembers.]

[You care very much for her,] Ha'gel pointed out. [More so than she or I thought.] Sandoval nodded again, [More than I thought too. I didn't realize how much the MI was repressing my feelings until it was no longer doing it.] [Perhaps...] Ha'gel was cut off by a knock on Sandoval's office door.

Sandoval looked up and motioned for Major Kincaid to come in. For a moment, Sandoval could almost swear that Liam was looking at him with concern, then the man's face went blank. Sandoval stood up and let himself slip back into implant mode, "Is there something you need, Major?" "You still haven't explained why you had that weapon engineered to fail. Da'an and I could have been killed," Liam stated bluntly.

Sandoval was barely able to keep himself from wincing. Zo'or had ordered the weapon to be sabotaged, and he had had no choice but to carry the order out. The only thing that had kept him from blowing his cover and disobeying Zo'or was Ha'gel's assurance that Liam's shaqarava would be able to destroy the replicant. Still, it had been a close call. Sandoval pulled himself together and looked at Liam, "The weapon was experimental. A flaw that was not discovered before is what caused it to fail. Why you cannot accept that explanation is your problem. It is the truth, and the only truth you will get."

Liam glared at Sandoval. The anger in the look tore into Sandoval's heart. He wanted so badly to tell Liam the truth--the real truth about him and Ha'gel. Unfortunately, he knew this wasn't the time. Liam looked at Sandoval a moment longer and then left the office with a shake of his head. After Liam had gone, Sandoval slipped back into his chair and shut his eyes. Seeing Liam's hatred for him had only made the headache worse. Maybe going home early for once wouldn't be a bad idea...

Sandoval jumped when his global went off. He pulled himself together and then answered the call. It was Da'an. For a moment, the Taelon just looked at him, and then he spoke, "Agent Sandoval, I wish to speak with you. Please come to my private chambers immediately."

The global screen went blank after Sandoval told Da'an he would be right there, but instead of getting up and going to see Da'an, Sandoval just sat in his chair--and felt his headache worsen...

***

Sandoval stood in front of Da'an and fought to keep the nervousness that the Taelon's close looks were causing off his face. It had been several minutes since he had entered Da'an's office, but Da'an had said nothing to him. He had only looked at Sandoval as if the agent was some new type of bug that he had never seen before.

More time passed, and then Da'an finally spoke, "Tell me how you did it." Sandoval looked at Da'an with a confused face, as he felt Ha'gel's fear build. Could Da'an know about the joining? "I'm afraid that I don't understand your question. How did I do what?" Sandoval asked. Da'an's look seemed to sadden for a moment, and they he replied, "Let me rephrase my question. First, though, may I ask which of you I am talking to?" "Which of 'us,' Da'an?" Sandoval fought to keep his voice neutral as Ha'gel's fear threatened to paralyze him.

"Yes, Agent Sandoval, or is it Ha'gel? Which of you am I speaking to?" Da'an asked.

Sandoval swallowed nervously and paled. How had Da'an found out? Was it worth trying to deny the truth? Sandoval tried to think of a way to talk the two of them out of this, but he couldn't because Ha'gel was so upset. [Calm down!] Sandoval ordered. [If you want me to get us out of this alive, you have to let me think!] Ha'gel took the equivalent of a deep breath and calmed himself, [I am sorry.]

Sandoval looked at Da'an. After a moment, he realized that it would be better to tell the Taelon the truth. He had a feeling that Da'an would be able to see though any lies he told him. At first, Ha'gel objected to the decision, but then he was quiet.

"Which of us do you wish to talk to, Da'an?" Sandoval asked.

Da'an looked a little surprised that Sandoval had so easily admitted the truth, but then he smiled, "I was correct in assuming that you and Ha'gel had permanently joined." Sandoval nodded, "How did you figure it out?"

Da'an looked Sandoval in the eyes, "Because I more than any Taelon on the Mothership or on Earth, spent the most time with Ha'gel before he was imprisoned. I noticed that you had changed after your encounter, and decided to watch you closely to see if I could figure out why you had changed. I was surprised, and a little worried, when I started to realize that your new mannerisms were the same as several I knew Ha'gel possessed."

[I should have known,] Ha'gel thought. [I should have warned you when I noticed you were changing.] [It's not your fault. I noticed the changes as well. I figured that they were just a part of us becoming one. I am as much at fault as you are,] Sandoval replied. "What are you two talking about?" Da'an asked when he saw how distant Sandoval's eyes had gotten. He knew that it was a sign that the implant was talking with Ha'gel.

Sandoval lowered his head, "I'm sorry, Da'an."

Da'an motioned with his hand, "Do not be. While I cannot claim to understand how you are feeling, I can guess that this must be very difficult for you. Why did you allow it to happen?" Sandoval didn't respond. While he and Ha'gel suspected that Da'an knew about Liam's true heritage, they weren't going to say anything until they knew for sure.

Da'an gave him a knowing look after the silence had stretched a few more minutes and then whispered, "Liam."

Sandoval nodded.

"You truly care for your son even though your actions have spoken otherwise. It must be very hard on you to have him hate you," Da'an stated. "Yes," Sandoval whispered. "We care about him a great deal." Da'an nodded slightly, "As do I. That is why I have decided not to inform the Synod of your 'joining.'" For a moment, Sandoval felt Ha'gel relax, then the Kimeran tensed again.

[Why is he helping me? What does he want?] Ha'gel hissed. "Why are you doing this? There must be another reason," Sandoval stated.

" I am well aware that Zo'or wishes me dead. That is why he did not require Liam to be implanted. All I ask is that you watch out for him as much as you are able so that when I am killed, he is not taken with me. I believe him to be the bridge between our races. I have already watched one of my protectors murdered by Zo'or. I will not allow the same to happen to him." Sandoval shut his eyes for a moment. The sadness in Da'an's voice made him want to tell him that Boone was alive, but he knew that it would be too dangerous to even hint at that until Boone was strong enough to defend himself again.

"Agent Sandoval," Da'an's voice pulled Ronald out of his thoughts. "Yes, Da'an?" Sandoval replied. For a moment, the Taelon was silent, then he whispered, "May I speak with Ha'gel?" [Ha'gel?] Sandoval asked. [Allow me,] Ha'gel answered.

Sandoval nodded and shut his eyes, allowing Ha'gel to take control of their body.

Da'an looked into the Agent's eyes for a moment after they had opened again and then smiled, "You are truly there." "Did you doubt?" Ha'gel replied. "I told you that it was something the Kimera were capable of given the second party was willing." Da'an nodded, "I will not doubt you again. You are having no problems?" Ha'gel smiled, "Agent Sandoval and I are getting along well."

[Most of the time,] Sandoval pointed out.

Ha'gel's smiled changed to a smirk when he heard Ronald's response, and he was almost tempted to laugh. "It seems Agent Sandoval does not completely agree with you," Da'an said. "Stubbornness is something I have yet to get used to. That and his sense of humor," Ha'gel stated. Da'an nodded, "I am...glad...that you were able to find a way to survive." Da'an's voice got sad. "I only wish..." " I am truly sorry about Commander Boone. I did not mean to injure him as I did," Ha'gel replied. Da'an shook his head an pulled himself together, "It was not your fault. It was Zo'or's treachery. I will look forward to working with you to stop him."

Ha'gel smiled, "Ma'el would be proud of you, Da'an." Da'an didn't reply. He just lowered his head and blushed deep blue...

***

Agent Sandoval was only half-paying attention to the rock he was climbing. Most of his mind and Ha'gel's was focused on using Liam's mind to lead them to Siobhan who had gone missing hours earlier. At first, when he had heard about her disappearance, Sandoval had been forced to stay on the Mothership. He had no real way to track her except by going through all of the areas near her home that she often went to rock climb. It was a tedious process that was getting him nowhere very slowly. Then, somehow, Ha'gel had been able to briefly connect with Liam's mind through the Kimeran link they shared. That contact had told Ha'gel where Liam was going and both Ha'gel and Sandoval agreed that Liam was probably going to the right place.

Of course, Siobhan's location wasn't the only thing Ha'gel had picked up from their son's mind. He had also picked up on Liam's worry for his mother because her CVI was breaking down. They both knew time was of the essence if they were going to save her life--something Liam didn't think was possible--so they had immediately left the Mothership. Now Sandoval just hoped that they were going to get there in time.

Ronald reached the opening of the cave just in time to hear Liam hit the ground inside. For a moment, he and Ha'gel just listened to them talk. As they watched what was going on, Sandoval felt his heart breaking. The look on Siobhan's face was so sad, but the sadness wasn't for her, it was for the children she knew she would never have. Sandoval smiled slightly as Liam joined with her to let her know who he really was.

[We have to act now or she is going to die,] Ha'gel's voice startled Sandoval out of his thoughts.

Sandoval nodded and repelled down into the cave. He ignored the looks Liam gave him as he moved to Beckett's side and took her hand. Siobhan smiled weakly at him, "Now I will definitely nay be dyin' alone." Ronald met her eyes and let Ha'gel take control. For a minute, Beckett couldn't understand why Sandoval suddenly seemed different, then she knew.

"Yah did nay die?" She whispered. "No," Ha'gel replied quietly. "I did not. I can save your life if you will allow me to."

Liam's confusion turned to anger, "Sandoval, what is going on? You know as well..." Liam's voice trailed off when Ha'gel looked up at him. For a minute, Liam just looked at him unsure of what he was seeing. It couldn't be... "Ha'gel?" Liam's voice was tight. Ha'gel nodded slightly and then shifted his attention back to Beckett.

"Will you let me help you, Siobhan?" He asked. "Aye," she whispered. Ha'gel took her hands and shut his eyes as he channeled his healing abilities into her. Liam watched the glow spread around his mother. He only half-understood what was going on, but he knew it was good. For the first time since this whole thing started, he began to hope that everything would be okay.

Minutes passed and then the glow vanished and Ha'gel sat back and allowed Sandoval control over their body again. The implant was almost as exhausted from the efforts as Ha'gel was and allowed his eyes to fall shut for a few moments. Liam looked from Sandoval to his mother. At first, he couldn't even tell if she was alive, then she opened her eyes. "I tell yah, that boy does nay know how ta be borin,'" she laughed weakly.

Sandoval smiled and opened his eyes, "When he comes out of 'hibernation' I'll tell him." Liam looked at Sandoval, "Will you please tell me what is going on?" Beckett looked up at him, "Ha'gel is still with yer father. He just healed the damage the CVI did ta my mind. 'Tis like I never had one."

Liam shook his head, "How? I thought..." "Later," Sandoval cut Liam off. "We have to get Siobhan some place safe and come up with a story about her death that Zo'or will believe. Then we can talk."

"Do you have a place in mind?" Liam asked.

Sandoval nodded, "Yes I do. I wasn't going to let anyone know about it so soon, but there is someone there you need to meet anyway."

"Who?"

Sandoval looked Liam in the eye, "Does the name William Boone ring a bell?" Liam looked at his father in shock. Sandoval just smiled and then turned to Beckett, "Can you stand?" She nodded, "Aye, with a little help, I believe so." Liam took one of her arms, and she began to stand up. Suddenly, she stopped and winced as pain ran through her head. She tried to shake it off as just being the after affects of what had just happened, but then another, stronger wave of pain washed over her and she collapsed back to the floor of the cave.

"Mother!" Liam cried as he went back to his knees beside her. His eyes filled with fear when he saw the blood that was again pouring from her ear. He looked at his fathers, "What's happening?" Sandoval was as pale as a ghost, "I, I don't know."

"Ha'gel?" Liam asked desperately.

Tears entered Sandoval's eyes, "He doesn't know either. This shouldn't be happening." Beckett took their hands into hers, "'Twas just nay meant ta be." She smiled at them, "Yah three take care of each other, an' I'll be watchin' over yah from above." Liam looked up a moment to blink the tears from his eyes and whispered, "I love you mommy."

When she didn't reply, he looked back down at her. Only her empty eyes looked back...

***

Liam was worried about his fathers. Sandoval had been staring out the window for the last few hours and had hardly moved. Liam knew both he and Ha'gel were blaming themselves for not being able to save his mother. At first, Liam could feel Ha'gel's sense of failure loud and clear through the link he had just discovered between himself and his Kimeran father. After the funeral, though, Ha'gel had withdrawn so far Liam had a feeling Sandoval couldn't sense him either and who knew what that meant. Liam thought that it couldn't be anything but bad.

"No change, hu?" Liam turned around to see that Boone had walked up behind him. Liam was still getting over the shock of seeing the man alive, but it was a good shock. The Resistance could use all the help they could get, especially from a leader like William Boone.

Liam motioned for Boone to follow him into the next room.

"I don't know why I did that," Liam shook his head. "Somehow, I doubt he would even notice we were there--let alone that we were talking about him. To answer your question, no, there has been no change." Boone looked troubled, "I wish I could do something to help. Granted, Sandoval isn't my favorite person, but he and Ha'gel saved my life."

"I know," Liam stated and shut his eyes.

Boone noticed the fear that crossed Liam's face and couldn't help but feel a little worried. Liam was less than a year old, yet he was doing all the things Boone himself had been doing when he was 'alive.' Boone gently touched Liam's shoulder and the boy jumped.

Liam looked at him. He couldn't understand why Boone was looking at him like that.

For a moment, Boone paused, unsure of how to say what he wanted to say. Then he spoke, "I just want you to know that you can talk to me. I...I know you don't have much of a family besides Ha'gel and Sandoval. You can ask me anything..." Boone let his voice trail off for a minute, and then he laughed, "Boy, am I really bumbling this. It's not like I am asking you on a date or anything." Liam still looked confused, so Boone added quickly, "I'm just trying to say, I'm here if you need anything. Look at me as a big brother if you need one."

For a moment, Liam just looked at Boone, then he smiled.

***

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Ronald knew that he was putting Liam, Boone, and himself in danger by 'disappearing' from duty for so long, but to the rest of his mind, that didn't matter. Ever since Siobhan's funeral, Ha'gel had withdrawn and yet had not. Sandoval could barely sense Ha'gel's presence; the Kimeran's feelings, on the other hand, were a completely different story. Ronald could feel Ha'gel's grief, sense of failure, and depression intensify with each hour. Ronald knew the emotions were new to Ha'gel and that was part of the reason the Kimeran was having such a hard times controlling and dealing with them, but it was only a small part of the reason. Ha'gel felt he had failed Siobhan, Sandoval, and his son. In his world, that type of failure would have driven the Kimeran to enter the Void. The tradition of the honor-bound suicide was one the Taelons had taken from the Kimera race, after all. At the moment, Ha'gel was seriously considering joining the Void. The problem was that he and Sandoval knew that they were now so deeply bonded that that wasn't an option because if Ha'gel chose to join the Void, then Sandoval would as well.

[Will you talk to me?] Ronald asked, almost begged, Ha'gel. [We can't work this out if you won't talk to me.] [There is nothing to talk about,] Ha'gel replied. [I have failed. I am a disgrace. I should join the Void.] Sandoval's thoughts got angry, [And I have no choice in this? I thought that you told me you would never force me to do anything if I went along with the joining. Were you lying?] [No!] Ha'gel answered quickly. [I just, I...]

Silence fell between them. After a few moments, Sandoval spoke.

[Ha'gel, I wish to speak with you.]

[I do not...] Ha'gel began.

[Must I force it?] Sandoval asked.

Ha'gel sighed, [No.]

Sandoval nodded and shut his eyes. After a few seconds, he felt his consciousness shift. When he opened his eyes, instead of looking at the room where he had been sitting, he was facing Ha'gel's shining form.

[Well?] Ha'gel asked.

Ronald looked the Kimeran over, [Ha'gel, we have to discuss this. I cannot function under the emotional backlash I am receiving from you. And don't even suggest joining the Void unless you want to deprive Liam of all the family he has left because you know that if you die, you will take me with you.]

Ha'gel shut his eyes and lowered his head, [I have never felt emotions so strongly before. I do not know how to control them or how to deal with them.]

[It's not something to be ashamed of. My human emotions are just as alien to you as having the ability to heal is to me. Ha'gel, we are deeply connected now, but we have not truly accepted what we are...we have not become one. If you can stop thinking of the emotions as alien and become one with them, then we will be all the closer to becoming what we need to become so that we can survive.]

Ha'gel continued to look at the ground for a while and then looked up at Ronald. Ron was shocked to see that the Kimeran was crying.

[Will you help me, Ron?]

Ronald took a step toward Ha'gel and held out his hands to him, [Only if you help me as well...]

***

Liam and Boone were startled out of the conversation they were having by a bright flash of light. They rushed into the room where Sandoval had been sitting, but were surprised to see that nothing seemed to have changed.

"What was...?" Boone's voice trailed off when he saw Liam grinning. "Liam, what is it?" He asked. Liam motioned toward where Sandoval sat. As he did, Sandoval opened his eyes and slowly stood up.

"Dad?" Liam asked.

Sandoval turned to face them, and, as Ha'gel touched Liam's mind, the boy's smile widened. Boone sighed, "What am I missing? Would someone care to share?" Liam looked over at Boone, but it was Sandoval who answered. "Things are fine now, Boone. Ha'gal and I have taken care of the problem." "Really? And how did you do that?" Boone asked.

Sandoval shut his eyes for a moment and then replied, "We became, Boone. We became."

THE END

Send any comment etc. to Agent Sandy at roguemoon4@yahoo.com