Chapter Six
Desolation
Laelia decided to start out again, but the this time she had a much more pleasant walking companion. She should have felt awkward after spilling her guts about the events leading up to Loren's demise, but she didn't feel odd at all. For some reason discussing her feelings not only felt natural but had made her feel better. A heavy weight had lifted from her shoulders once she had talked about her feelings of guilt. The guilt was still there, the opinion that somehow, in some way she had been responsible for her brother's death.
"Klorel killed him, but it might as well have been me." Laelia had said, but Skaara had disagreed. He said he didn't see how anything she had done could have caused Loren's murder; and he should know because he had been there. He had winced when he said this, making Laelia feel bad for even bringing up the subject. Still, Laelia believed that Loren would still be alive if she would have said something, stood up for what she thought was right.
"He asked me if I wanted him to stay," Laelia continued. "I told him I didn't care and he should do what he believed was right, but we both knew what that meant. I told him to go. I told him to meet his death…"
"It's not your fault… you could not have known. He had been gone on missions like that before had he not?"
She sighed, "yes."
"Then there was no reason for you to believe that he was in any more danger than he had been in the past, and he had returned from those."
Laelia didn't know what to say. For every reason she brought up to fault herself he had another reason waiting to convince her she wasn't. It was confusing, different. She sighed and once more she checked the map, her face knotting into concentration.
"How much longer?" Skaara inquired, peering over her shoulder to take a look also. Her heart leapt and her body tensed at his closeness.
What she really wanted to do was forget all about what she had to do and turn around and kiss him again. She contained herself and forced out an answer. "A few more miles, but by the looks of it we may just have to camp again." She groaned, "another night in the woods of doom."
Her companion smiled lightly. "I have to admit the situation is not the most ideal, but the company is not so bad."
Laelia felt the fire of a blush sweep across her face. She wished she could stop these childish, unreasonable feelings. She was embarrassed, flattered, uncomfortable, and giddy all at the same time. It only took one look from those dark, sensual eyes for her to loose her sense of equilibrium.
Dammit how could she let a male affect her like this!
The biggest surprise to her was that she didn't actually mind. She had made a rule a long time ago to never let anyone, especially a member of the opposite sex, control her thoughts and actions, but now it was hard to avoid and it didn't matter anymore. What is it about you, Laelia thought, glancing up at him again. What makes me feel this way when I've never encountered it with anyone else?
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It was an awful feeling, that tearing of consciousness that heralded Klorel's return. Once again Skaara was unceremoniously shoved to the back of his own mind. It was never pleasant when this happened, but this time something was different. Something had changed in the demon, and when Skaara leaned what it was he was horrified.
Klorel knew what Laelia had been doing, and he planned on stopping it. The malice rising within the creature was almost unbearable. Violent thoughts and images began to pass through his mind, and Skaara knew Klorel was taunting him, for he had learned Skaara's secret, too. Not only was Klorel furious, but there was a deep sense of possession and jealousy.
I see now. Klorel was thinking so his host could hear. You care for her, but she always cares for you. And the punishment will be severe for you both…
He let loose another set of images, the things he was planning to do to Laelia. The things he was going to force Skaara to watch. And there was no way to warn her of the danger she now faced.
He felt helpless, hopeless. He didn't know if he could take having to witness that. He knew he wasn't strong enough to fight Klorel on this. The demon was too determined, too anger-driven. He could only pray Laelia could keep herself safe.
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Laelia knew the exact moment Klorel had retaken control. She suddenly become wary and uncomfortable. With a small glance over at her companion her suspicions were confirmed. There was a dark hatred in his eyes that only Klorel could produce, and somehow Laelia knew that he knew. "So you figured it out." She said.
"I'm not a fool." The Goa'uld prince spat. "I must admit that potion was a nice trick the first time, but using it again was a mistake."
Laelia watched him cautiously. He was being way too calm about the whole situation. Then she saw a small twitch in his countenance. Skaara. He was trying to warn her. Too late Laelia noticed what was wrong. Klorel had loosened his bonds. He was free.
Her eyes widened as she stumbled back. Her hands searched for a weapon that wasn't there. In her pack… Shit. A diabolical smirk crossed Klorel's face before fading into complete malice. He lunged forward, grasping her arms. She was too stunned, perhaps too frightened, to do anything. He wrapped one hand around her neck and pulled her closer. "This is going to hurt."
Before she could react Laelia found herself on her back, pinned to ground. Knees pressed into her sides and hands held her wrists above her head. She raised her eyes to meet Klorel's gaze in an attempt to be defiant, but all she could manage was fear. She had lost control and she didn't know what to do to get it back. Her only ally was in no position to help her.
In a way that's what this was about. It wasn't about the fact she had out witted him and made him her prisoner. It wasn't about her sneaking aboard his ship and becoming his favorite little slave. It was about Skaara. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in the way his hands wrapped around her wrists.
"You hate us." She whispered. "You hate us because I feel for him what I cannot feel for you."
"You were mine." He growled.
"Never. There was a chance, but it's no more. You made your choice. You were right. I was foolish to see you as anything but a monster." The grip on her wrists tightened and his eyes darkened, but she spoke on. "You don't have it within you to really love somebody. You can't care. Abomination."
"Shut up!" He shouted.
"What are you going to do me, huh?" She prodded. "Are you going to make me give you what you couldn't earn for yourself? Are you going to torture me until I beg for mercy, until I change my mind and say that I was wrong? Do what you want, but it will change nothing. You don't mean anything to me anymore."
He made his mistake then. He let go of her wrists to wrap his hands around her neck. For a moment she couldn't move as the breath was being choked from her. Then, with one movement she gripped his hands with her own, wrenching his hold from her. She rolled out from under him and stumbled to her feet. He wasn't far behind her, once again grabbing her from behind.
She struggled, but he wasn't going to let go this time. She twisted in his arms and tried to push him away. She had to get away. For a moment she nearly lost her footing. They were standing at the edge of a steep incline. "Let go! We're going to --"
And then they falling.
There was a sharp pain as Laelia's head connected with something hard. Darkness.
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It was night when Laelia regained consciousness. She was stiff. When she tried to move she realized why. She had landed against a tree. It had stopped her descent, but it had also knocked her out. She reached up to touch the side of her head and found her hair partially matted. Blood. Another injury to add to her list. She carefully climbed to her feet, grasping the side of the tree for support.
When she was steady and her head had stopped spinning she began to look around her. The darkness that had settled was hard to see through, but she could still make out shapes. It wasn't wise, but she called out anyway. "Hello! Klorel! Anybody! If you can hear me answer me! Are you hurt?" She paused and listened, waiting for an answer.
It came, but the voice was weak, and not who she expected. "Laelia… here… I - I can't move."
Oh gods… It was Skaara. How injured was he that Klorel had been knocked out of control? Laelia didn't want to think about it, but the words 'can't move' didn't sound hopeful. "Hold on! Let me go get my stuff and I'll be down in a moment!" She pulled herself up the side and then skidded to a stop beside her fallen pack. She gathered all the spilled things and tossed them back inside before hurrying back to the side.
Her head was pounding with all the action, but all she could think about was her friend. Her heart was twisting in her chest at the thought of him being badly hurt. As she made her way down the incline she tried to think clear thoughts, but couldn't manage. He had taken over her soul and all her feeling. It was then she realized that she was falling in love with him. He was a strange man from a strange world, but he had awakened so many things in this strange girl.
She found him curled up toward the bottom. She immediately dropped to her knees by his side. She didn't know what to say, words formed then faded. Finally she just went to work to figure out the problem. "What hurts?" She asked, laying a hand softly on his shoulder.
"Everything…" He whispered, "it feels like I can't breath."
Her mind ran through things, but she cursed her lack of any sort of medical training other than the herbal potions that had been brewed on her home planet. That wasn't going to help too much at the moment. "Okay. I need you to roll on your back for me." She tried to sound as much like a nurse as possible. "I'm going to move you now, you ready?"
"Umm…"
He sounded like he was in so much pain. It was her fault. Everything she touched turned to ashes. She was the fucking goddess of destruction. She took a deep breath, hoping that this wasn't going to make things worse. With gentle hands she eased him over to face her. There was a cringe and a hissed intake of breath.
"Sorry."
He shook his head.
"No… this is my fault." She said. Klorel had retreated. He was leaving Skaara to deal with this pain. Bastard. "He's punishing you because of me."
"Not your fault."
Yes.
Without another word Laelia went to checking new injuries. She ripped more cloths for first aid and carefully took to bandaging them. There weren't many exterior wounds that he could see. Mostly they were bruises and scraps. What she was more worried about was his comment. Had he sustained any internal injuries? She was pretty sure of it.
She pulled another device from her pack and paused. She wanted to know…but she was afraid. They were still far from their destination. What if he was too badly injured?
She placed her hand over his chest and concentrated, her eyes slipping shut. Images sprang to her mind as she searched the information. And then… "Oh, no." Shit, shouldn't have said that out loud.
"What is wrong?"
"You have a few broken ribs. Not really bad, but bad. That's why you feel like you can't breathe. You'll be okay (I hope) but I wish I could just get you to the Tok'ra."
Suddenly she wanted to cry. Everything was so messed up. She felt her eyes filling with tears. She had to get away, for she didn't want to show her weakness and fear. "I… I got to go get some things. I'll be right back. Will you be alright?" She reached to touch his face, her fingers caressing his cheek.
He smiled softly. "I will be fine. Just hurry back."
She nodded and stood, then vanished into the darkness.
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When she returned Skaara had pulled himself so he could lean against a nearby tree. "You okay?" She asked. His eyes fluttered open. They were astonishing. They were the eyes of hard-learned wisdom and fathomless beauty.
"Yes. Did you get what you were looking for?"
"Uh-huh." She dropped the contents of her hands on the ground and knelt next to him. "My people not only made potions of power. It's for medicine. Pain, healing. I hope I can remember how to do this." She gave a hopeful smile.
He watched her silently as she went about her work. She was a little nervous, but not because of that she was doing. She felt her body closing in on itself under his gaze. The effect he had on her was incredible. "Finished." She said after a while. "Now… to begin the mending process." She tried to be upbeat, but she was dying inside. "So… off with the shirt."
"Huh…" He was confused. Just surprised by her bluntness.
"I have to apply this." She waved the little dish with the new concoction in it. He nodded, with a small, almost amused smirk. She moved closer and settled beside him. Carefully she found the edge of the fabric and lifted it over his head. She tried not to have him strain too much.
Her hands were tender as she touched him, tentative and a little shy. "You're sure you're all right?"
"Yes. I am fine." His fingers curled around her hand. When she looked up his eyes were locked on hers.
Again. She thought. "I care about you." She said in almost a whisper. "A lot."
Without any warning or sign he slid his hand behind her head and pulled her closer, his lips locking passionately on hers. Once more he managed to shock her. Of all times, this was probably not the time one would be thinking of kissing someone. Not that she was complaining…
She leaned into it, not caring about gentleness or romance. All she felt was desire and the need to feel him. She brushed her tongue across his lips, skirting the entrance of his mouth. He responded immediately meeting her advance with his own. She realized she was only half right about his taste. He was sweet, but there were also undertones of spice. With every stroke, every delicious move of his mouth over hers she felt her control slipping away.
She wanted to let go. She wished everything would disappear; her past, her future. She wanted off this dreadful planet. She wanted Klorel gone. She just wanted to be with this young man, she wanted to be with Skaara. Forget her life and the consequences. She barely knew him, but every time he touched her, every time he kissed her she felt like nothing in the universe mattered. Nothing except being together. That wasn't normal. That wasn't coincidence. Laelia didn't believe in coincidence.
She leaned her head against his shoulder, her mind whirring a million thoughts a second. The main one overwhelmed her completely. I think I'm falling in love with you. I don't know how or why, but I know it's happening. "Don't leave me." She breathed, brushing her lips over his skin. "Just don't leave me alone."
She felt his arm wrap around her and pull her down beside him, carefully bringing her to rest against his side. "I'm not going anywhere." He joked lightly.
"I mean --"
"I know what you meant." He kissed her forehead. "I will not leave you. Just stay with me."
Forever.
It's not a required thing, but I would really prefer to have a couple reviews before posting anymore chapters. I'm almost finished. Two more chapters left. The next one and one after that, then this fanfic will be complete, but I don't see why I should continue if no one cares. I love this story, but I know how it ends already. I'm writing this so others can enjoy it. Review if you like. Even a Hey, was here, would be acceptable. But I can't tell if it's worth working on if no one reviews!
Oy. - - Muse.
Next Chapter: Laelia and Skaara make it back to the Tok'ra, Redemption close on their heels.