Cannot Find The Words To Say

by Seven


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



Notes from Author:      This is the sequel to the four previous Liam/Susan stories I wrote. I frankly couldn't think of anything further to do with the two of them, so if you don't like things that happen in alternate universes (TNG-style) you better not read any further. I may do another piece that would take place in OUR universe, if you know what I mean. This is more of a "might be" than anything else.

Okay, enough rambling. Back to the story.



**********



Sandoval glanced at his pocketwatch in frustration. Then he opened his global.

****

"You're right," Susan whispered, snuggling against Liam's shoulder, her blond hair brushing his hand. "It is a beautiful view. And Ma'el left the clues there?"

"So Lili tells me," Liam replied, staring at the stone obelisks in the misty Irish terrain. "I wasn't working for the Taelons--or the Resistance--at that point. It was Boone who really figured them out, though. And there's this one thing that she won't tell me about, something about a bet he made..."

Susan kissed him to stop the flow of words, then glanced out with a sigh. "Have you ever thought about living here?" she asked.

"Living... here?" Liam asked slowly.

"Here in Ireland. This place is really beautiful, so is the town... and you said your mother came from around here."

Liam felt a knot inside his chest. "Yeah," he rasped. "She was."

Susan looked at him sympathetically. "I'm sorry if I hit a nerve. She must have meant a lot to you."

"Yes," Liam said, hugging his girlfriend. "Yes..."

The annoying chirp of a global interrupted them. Liam pulled it out of his pocket as Susan shifted to the side, so whoever was on it couldn't see her. Sandoval's frowning face appeared on the tiny screen. "Major, you and I were assigned to inspect the shuttles at the various embassies. You're half an hour late."

Liam winced. "Oh, I forgot," he grimaced. "Sorry. I'm on my way. Just need to make one brief stop on the way."

"Very brief, Major," Sandoval emphasized, then cut the link.

Liam looked at Susan apologetically. "Sorry our little time together has to be cut short." He watched as Susan brushed the golden hair from her face, clearly understanding but regretting it all the same. "Can I drive you back?"

"No, I have a patient in France waiting for me," Susan said, giving him a peck. "I'll catch a portal back. Right now I'm going to check out Ma'el's tomb."

Liam felt his spirits soar. "I'll see you tomorrow."

****

Sandoval turned as he heard the roar of a shuttle coming out of ID behind him. "You're ten more minutes late, Major," he called out.

"Sorry," an apologetic voice came.

As Liam emerged from the shuttle, Sandoval saw a paper bag sticking out of the younger man's leather jacket. Liam caught his gaze, and hurriedly stuffed it into his clothing. Sandoval decided not to ask.

****

"Augur, I have a credit card," Liam called, brandishing his leather wallet. He hopped down to where the table where Augur was making a salad and sandwich.

Augur stood up and applauded, his face alight with fake enthusiasm. "Bravo, Liam! You're all of six months old and you've finally acquired a Visa. I'm very proud of you."

Liam rolled his eyes. "Well, I lied about my age. Well, I don't think the age limit is going down," he joked.

Augur picked up the hoagie sitting on his table. "So," he asked, taking a bite, "what's your first purchase going to be?"

Liam flopped down in the chair, smiling oddly. "I've already made it."

There was a silence, as Augur chewed and swallowed, then brushed the crumbs from his goatee. "So?" he asked. "What is it?"

Liam smiled wide and pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. Augur stared at it intently. "That's a jewelry box."

"Nothing compared to the contents." Liam opened the box, and Augur's eyes bulged. "A ring?" he asked.

"For Susan," Liam nodded.

"Liam, I don't know how it is for Taelons, but when a human man gives a human woman a ring, especially one with, uh..." Augur squinted at the slip of paper behind the glittering ring.

"Twelve diamonds," Liam said.

"... any number of diamonds, it usually means something. Do you want to know what that something is?" Augur leaned forward, his glasses beginning to slip down his nose.

Liam shrugged, shut the box, and slipped it into his pocket. "I know what it means," he said quietly.

"You do?" Augur gasped. "Then you're... you're going to ask her..."

"I'm going to propose to her, yes." Liam nodded solemnly.

Augur slumped back. "Liam, you've known her for two months. Aren't you going a little fast?"

"I grew up in less than a day, Augur. How can I go too fast?" Liam grinned. "Seriously, I just know we're perfect for each other." His face clouded over, his green eyes squinting a little. "Except..."

"Except what?" Augur asked in a faint voice.

"I haven't told her about... something about me," Liam squirmed.

Augur slapped his forehead and stalked around the room, making little moaning and whimpering noises. "You haven't told her that you're part Kimera, have you?" he asked through gritted teeth.

Liam sank back against the pillows. "Well, no."

Augur uttered a low moan. Liam jumped a little as his global opened, and stifled a whimper as he saw Sandoval's face again. For the second time that day, Sandoval looked positively grim.

"Major, I want you to go to Ireland immediately. A known scientist who has worked for the Taelons was in a cave-in near Ma'el's tomb."

Liam's heart stopped. "What scientist?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound too shell-shocked.

"Doctor Susan Armstrong."

****

Liam's shuttle dove out of ID and landed clumsily next to the huge dig, now buried by giant boulders. Liam took a deep shuddering breath as he approached the caves, raised his hands, and ignited his shakarava. A series of blasts from them disintegrated the giant boulders blocking the entrance.

Liam ran in to find Susan, bloodied but conscious, on the floor of the cave. He knelt beside her, hugging her to his chest. "Susan," he whispered. "What happened to you? Why did this have to happen?"

Her eyes flickered open. For a moment, she stared at him without recognition. Then a dreamy smile touched her lips. "Liam," she whispered. "I was just dreaming about you... you were... underground... with Da'an... and your hands were glowing..."

Liam took a deep breath, and held up one of his hands in front of Susan. His palms glimmered and sparkled in the dim light of the tunnel. Susan's mouth dropped open, and she hurriedly grabbed his fingers and curled them over his shakarava. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.

"I... I don't know," Liam said softly. "No time seemed right."

"I love you anyway," she whispered, kissing him.

As they kissed in the dank tunnel, Liam reached into his jacket and pulled out the tiny velvet box. He pulled Susan's hand from his elbow and slipped the ring on. She pulled away, staring at him in surprise.

"Will you marry me?" Liam asked softly, terrified of her answer.

Susan nodded, her eyes moist. "Yes, Liam. I'll marry you."

They kissed again, ignoring the sound of shuttles coming out of ID