Emotion 3

by Seven


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



Note from Author: Okay, here's more. It's not much,and I think the romance factor is going down. It takes place during Sanctuary, near the end.



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A brilliant flash of light, and Zo'or collapsed, slowly twisting as he fell. Liam quickly grabbed him   before he hit the pavement, feeling his hands begin to shake.

For a long moment, Liam simply stood in the dark, cold street, holding the unconscious Zo'or tightly. Then, he slowly knelt and allowed Zo'or to crumple to the ground, shivering.

The Taelon shuddered and moaned softly. Brilliant blue eyes fluttered open, and one of the slim   hands began to clench and unclench at Zo'or's side.

"Zo'or," Liam whispered. "Don't try to move, okay? Don't move."

Zo'or shivered again, and looked up at Liam with wide, pale eyes. His lips began to twitch, and it   took a moment for Liam to realize that he was speaking. He slowly bent closer, until his ear was   almost touching Zo'or's lips.

"Major..." Zo'or whispered. "How did I... where..."

Liam pulled back a little, and looked into those fearful eyes. "You were infected with a Taelon   disease. You ran away from the Embassy." At Zo'or's slightly confused frown, he added, "You were   a little disoriented-I don't think you knew what you were doing."

Zo'or nodded, his eyes drifting shut. For a moment, Liam thought he had fallen asleep again, and   started to rise. But suddenly Zo'or's quivering hands shot up and gripped the front of his coat, and a   low moan escaped the Taelon's lips as he began to pull at Liam.

"Zo'or, don't try to get up," Liam whispered, but Zo'or was clearly not listening. After a moment of watching him strain, Liam gritted his teeth and slid his hands under Zo'or's back, lifting him as   gently as he could from the awkward position.

"You'll be all right," he crooned to Zo'or. "Take it slow..."

Zo'or clung to him, pushing himself off the ground and wheezing a little. Liam began to gently pull   him to a nearby grassy spot, under a young oak tree.

He felt his heart beginning to race as he carefully pulled Zo'or over, and gently detached the clinging fingers from his shirt. Zo'or murmured, "No, no..." as Liam carefully pushed him down to   the grass, and sat by his side.

As Liam pulled out his global, a shock ran through his system. Zo'or was looking at him again, but   without the hollow blankness of before. His features were slightly twisted, as if he were about to cry,   and his eyes shimmered with pain.

Liam quickly shut the global and whispered, "Are you all right?"

Zo'or didn't reply, but only closed his eyes and looked away. Liam gently pressed his fingers to Zo'or's shoulder, but the Taelon's hand shot up and gripped them, still shaking. His facade flickered.

A wave of sympathy washed over Liam, mingled with the pain of seeing Zo'or so miserable... "It's okay," he whispered warmly. "It's okay, Zo'or. Shh..."

Zo'or made a choking sound, still not looking at the human. Slowly he started to reach up toward's Liam's cheek, but his hand fell back to the grass, as if he had been defeated in something  important.

Wrapped up in the turmoil of the young Taelon's emotions, Liam barely heard the roar of shuttles coming out of ID. He simply watched Zo'or, not releasing his hand.

****

The energy stream glimmered around Zo'or, soothing the needs of his body and refreshing his  mind. But nothing could drive away the turmoil of his thoughts.

Why? he thought, watching the glowing particles dance above his face. His last coherent memories  were of the pesh'tal solution invading his body, throwing his mind into darkness. Then his thoughts had been a jumble of strange thoughts and feelings, and visions of the two young humans called only Tom and Kelly.

His eyes closed as he remembered the love in their faces. Complete. Comforting.

Why can I not be loved by someone? he whispered to the air. And once again, he thought of Liam Kincaid.