Liam's Kin: Hard Admissions

by Seven


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



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Liam Kincaid stood in front of the bathroom mirror in the back of the Flat Planet. He opened his mouth to say something, then sighed and rubbed his forehead.

Who was he kidding? He had forgotten what he was going to say twice, now three times, and it would undoubtedly jump from his brain as soon as the moment actually arrived. Liam reached over and pumped the handle to the paper towel dispenser, then poured water on the towels and scrubbed his face.

This was very possibly the biggest risk he would ever take... well, except for taking Da'an to the Liberation HQ. But this one was fully his and his alone. He just hoped that nothing came of it.

****

Mrs. Beckett got out of her chair as she heard a knocking at the door. As she opened it, a flood of memories assailed her. It was Liam Kincaid, the young man who had spoken so tenderly of Siobhan at the graveyard. "Why, Major!" she exclaimed with a smile. "Please come in." She pulled the door open wider.

Liam stepped in, his chest and stomach painfully constricted with worry. There was still time to back out now.

Mr. Beckett, a tall lanky man with thick gray hair and mustache, held out his hand. "Hello, I'm Beckett. What can we do for you?"

Liam took a deep breath. "Uh... I'm sorry to have to dredge up memories... but I need to talk to you about Siobhan."

Mrs. Beckett smiled sadly and sat down beside Liam. She began to pour coffee and handed him a cup. "Yes, what about her?"

Liam took a sip of the coffee. "Siobhan loved children, didn't she?"

"Yes, she did," Mr Beckett said with a slight smile.

Liam bit his lip. This was going to be very, very hard. "That's why I've come here today... to tell you that Siobhan had a baby."

There was only silence as the two elderly humans stared at him. "How?" Mrs. Beckett asked dazedly. "We saw her every few weeks..."

"Siobhan did not have a... normal baby. Her baby was part alien, from an attack from an alien named Ha'gel," Liam said, gripping the coffee cup for dear life. "She was only pregnant for nine hours, and the baby grew up in less than a day. He's in danger all the time."

"Where is he?" Mr Beckett asked eagerly. "We can take care of him, we can keep him safe!"

Liam tried to smile and failed. "Well, um..." he stammered. "The fact is... *I*... am Siobhan's baby. I'm part alien..." He held up one of his hands and his shakarava glowed, then vanished. "But if anyone ever finds out, I'm dead."

"Then why did you tell us, Liam?" Mrs. Beckett said in a whisper. Her face had gone pale, but her eyes were shining.

Liam felt hot tears streaming down his cheeks. "Because," he choked. "You're my grandparents... and I love you..."

The Becketts stared at him for a long time. Liam felt the blood drain from his face as he wondered what they would do. Accept him? Reject him?... Report him?

Then Mrs. Beckett set down her coffee cup and hugged Liam. He hugged her back, leaning his head on her shoulder. Mr. Beckett got up and sat down beside them. "I always knew Siobhan's baby would be the brightest and best," he said, smiling and giving Liam a pat on the shoulder. "Come on, me boy. Welcome to the family."