by Anne
Disclaimer: The Tomorrow People belong to Roger Damon Price, Thames/Tetra and ITV television. Stargate SG1 are owned by Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Products. Highlander is the property of Panzer/Davis, Rysher/Gaumount Television.
I promise to return the characters in one piece, more or less, when I'm finished, but hold no liability for any physical injury or psychological trauma sustained by them in my fiction.
Alex MacDonald belongs to me and shouldn't be used without permission.
Thanks to: Thanks to: The beta reading team – Linda, Misanagi and Ruth.
Dedication: For Linda. She knows why.
[ ] indicates telepathy
Sam liked to believe that she had gotten used to the sensation of teleporting, but she still felt herself tense beforehand. It was different to travelling through the Stargate. At least with that she knew what to expect at the other end. One step into the event horizon, having her molecules sent so many light years to reassemble at the other end. The final result was the same, just the mode of transportation was different. Adam had told her once that to a Tomorrow Person teleportation was as natural as breathing. Alex had blushed at that when she had discussed their powers with him and Kevin. "To most Tomorrow People," he had corrected. It had taken him months to gain control over them, although Sam suspected his problems had been psychological.
"Ready?" Adam asked her, offering his hand.
"Ready." Sam looked down, taking comfort in her hidden weaponry. General Hammond had not been difficult to convince when she had suggested that this mission required her to be well armed. The revolver had not been a problem but the zat had been another story. However, as she had pointed out, the security of the SGC was at risk, as well as the lives of the missing Tomorrow People. Working as her assistant, Kevin had high security clearance; his knowledge of the Stargate would be dangerous in the wrong hands.
"Close your eyes if you want," Adam said gently.
She looked at him suspiciously. Although he and his friends had assured her on more than one occasion that they didn't pry into other people's thoughts, comments they made were often a little too close for comfort.
Pushing that feeling away, she smiled at him and closed her eyes, steeling herself for the tingling sensation and dislocation.
"Major Carter, nice to see you again." Sam opened her eyes and stepped forward to shake Damon's hand.
"Likewise, sir," she replied.
"Coffee, Major?" Damon leaned back in his chair. He looked tired. But then, he had ever since they had met. His kids kept him busy and on edge, and his job was a stressful one even without the added extra of the responsibility of looking out for the Tomorrow People.
"Please." Sam took the cup Megabyte pushed into her hand, and the empty seat in front of Damon's desk. It had been several months since she had seen all of the Tomorrow People in one place. Almost all, she corrected. Kevin and Alex were conspicuous by their absence. "Thank you, Megabyte."
"You're welcome," he said, returning to the end of the couch. Jade reached out to squeeze his hand and he smiled at her.
Adam took a seat on the other arm of the same couch, pausing to give Lisa a quick kiss. A look passed between them, and Sam wondered if they were conversing telepathically.
"Thank you for offering to help," Ami said softly. She was leaning against the wall, her fingers playing with a bracelet on her wrist.
"It's the least I can do," Sam told her. They were her friends, not helping wasn't an issue. "As I've already told Adam, if Galt has something that affects you, you need me." She turned to Damon. "Any updates, sir?"
Damon shook his head. "Nothing." He took a sip of coffee, grimaced, and put the cup down. "Galt dropped off the radar about six months ago. Shortly before that he was seen in the company of a man since identified as an ex-Watcher."
"A Hunter?" Adam interrupted, his voice strained. He, in particular, was very familiar with the rogue faction of the Watchers organization.
"We don't know," Damon said. "Not all ex-Watchers are Hunters."
"And not all hunters are affiliated with those Protectors of Humanity idiots," Megabyte continued. "Yeah, we've heard that one before, Dad. Still don't believe it." He snorted. "Protectors of Humanity, my ass. I wish we knew more about them."
Sam frowned. "You still have no proof that they actually exist?"
"The files I hacked were encrypted," Megabyte said. "Even with my powers, I couldn't move fast enough. The information vanished, disappeared into cyberspace. That name was the only thing I got. We think they are connected with the Hunters, or rather Joe does." The idea of those who hunted Immortals joining forces with what was left of Masters' faction was a disturbing one. "He's heard things, whispers that no one is willing to confirm." Megabyte moved closer to Jade. "Ami doesn't think Trent is dead." Trent had been rumoured to have taken over from Masters after his death.
"I've always trusted her feelings with this kind of stuff."
"Feelings?" Sam asked. Ami had precognition abilities. Far too often her instincts had been proven right; her warnings had saved both her friends and SG1.
Ami gave her a wan smile, her voice lacking her usual fire. Something had shaken her, and Sam had the feeling that it wasn't just whatever echo she had felt from Kevin and Alex since they had disappeared.
"Ami?" Adam left his wife's side and went to stand in front of Ami. "If you know something you need to share."
"No, Adam. I don't." Ami grimaced and studied her bracelet again. It was gold, and covered with triangles made of tiny stones.
"You were dreaming," Jade said suddenly. Megabyte looked at her and frowned. Jade glared at him. "No, I wasn't eavesdropping," she protested. "You know I don't do that anymore er…I don't do that. I just had a feeling, that's all." Sam knew that Jade had the ability to insert herself into other people's dreamscapes but had never had the chance to talk to her about it properly, much to her regret.
"Ami?" Megabyte added his question to Adam's. "C'mon, I know there's something. We need all the info we can." His voice softened. "Hey, if it's something not too great we can deal. We'll have to deal. Better to know so we can avoid it, yeah?"
"I suppose." Ami didn't sound convinced. She kept looking at her bracelet.
"They're right," Sam said. "It's dangerous to undertake a mission missing a piece of vital information. We need to get in and out with minimum risk both to ourselves and the boys."
"It's not information," Ami argued. "It's just a dream. It might not be real." She shuddered. "I hope like hell it will never be real."
"Some of us already know that being a Tomorrow Person isn't all roses," Lisa interjected. She had a knack for being practical, often at the expense of tact. Adam gave her a warning look. She shrugged. "We know we're hunted, Adam. We need to deal with it if we're going to survive. We have Will to think of and if that means having to think about whatever Ami has seen, well we'll just have to do it."
"Spill it, Ami," Damon said. "You have this ability for a reason. We have to use whatever advantages we have, and those aren't too damn many at the moment."
"You always did have a knack of spreading joy and light," Megabyte muttered.
"Can it, Megabyte," Damon glared at his son.
Ami cleared her throat. "It was a nightmare really, not a dream. The Hunters were after us, killing us like we were animals, not human. It was horrible." She bit down on her lip. "I didn't see much, I woke up screaming after they…" Adam put his arms around her, offering comfort.
"After they what, Ami?" he asked gently.
"I saw Kevin and Alex die, Adam." Ami shook her head. "There was blood everywhere. They just kept hacking the bodies, even after they were dead. And then," she choked. "And then Galt bent down and pulled something off Alex's neck and smiled. It was a set of dog tags and they were dripping with blood." Adam rubbed her back and pulled her close. She managed a shaky smile. "But see, it can't be true. Alex doesn't have dog tags. He was never in the army. It isn't true."
"Are you sure it was dog tags?" Megabyte was frowning. "I know Kev wears a cross sometimes, but it was Alex wearing them, right? Maybe you got it wrong."
"Dreams can be symbolic," Jade said thoughtfully. "Often what you think you see actually means something else. Kevin works for the SGC. Could it be something like that?"
"I know what I saw." Ami refused to back down. "It wasn't real so this can't be real."
"Kevin used to wear a cross," Sam remembered. "He told me once that his mother gave it to him before he left." Kevin had stood there fingering the cross when he had admitted to her that he was in love with Alex and wasn't sure whether he should pursue those feelings. It was of the few things he had left of his family and he used it to remind himself that he wasn't alone, that once they had love and accepted him.
"Used to?" Megabyte raised an eyebrow. "And Kev's cross is gold and small. No way it could be mistaken for dog tags."
Sam nodded slowly. "When he and Alex bonded he took it off. He's never worn it since."
Alex watched from the driver's seat as Galt threaded the chain through the handle above the passenger door and then refastened the handcuffs around Kevin's wrists. It was becoming more difficult to ignore the urge to touch Kevin. Alex knew that he shouldn't aggravate Galt any more than they had already but his hormones were refusing to listen. He remembered how driven he had felt when he and Kevin had first bonded. This was far worse, and if what had happened to Adam and Megabyte was any indication, this symptom was only the beginning. Biting down a groan, he settled for fingering the dog tags hidden under his shirt.
Meeting Kevin's gaze for a moment, he tried to reassure his lover that he was okay. Kevin glared at Galt, anger and hatred showing in his eyes. "If you harm either of them," Kevin said softly, "I will hunt you down and kill you."
"So much for young Damon's insistence that your kind can't kill," Galt snorted. "I never believed that act anyway." Alex opened his mouth to tell Galt that Megabyte was right, that they couldn't kill, that Kevin's threat was only words, but closed it again. They had little advantage as it was. Maybe if Galt believed Kevin, it might buy them some time. Galt pulled on Kevin's cuffs, testing to make sure they were tight. He then glanced at Rob who was sitting in the backseat, and smiled. The smile sent a shiver through Alex. It was bad enough that Galt had captured him and Kevin, but Rob didn't deserve any of this. He wasn't a Tomorrow Person. It wasn't his fight.
Kevin glared at Galt again, but said nothing. His fists clenched, and he pulled on the cuffs. Kevin didn't lose his temper often, but when he did it was scary. If he was losing his self-control and usual calmness they were in big trouble.
"You know how to drive, don't you?" Galt asked Alex as he waved his gun at Kevin. Alex fought the urge to tell him to put it the fuck away. Galt chuckled. "I guess it's something you teleporters don't have much need for." He shook his head. "Can't be late. Places to be, people to see."
"Yes, I know how to drive." Alex bit down on his lip again to try to calm himself. Glancing down at his hands firmly grasping the steering wheel, he noticed his knuckles were white. "I am not an idiot." He looked over at Kevin again. God, he needed to touch him so badly. Instead of the familiar presence of his lover in his mind, all Alex could feel was a nothingness that terrified him. The longer they were apart, the more it spread, consuming his thoughts, threatening to overwhelm him, not matter how firmly he told himself not to give into the fear and panic he could see echoed in Kevin's eyes. Kevin pulled on the cuffs again and Galt pushed the gun into the side of his neck.
Alex froze.
"There's no point in struggling," Galt told Kevin, his tone smug and self-assured. "There is no escape." He turned his attention to Alex. "I suggest you do exactly what I tell you, or I'll make a nice hole in him." If Galt didn't stop smiling, Alex was going to wipe it off his face. "Do you know the way to the lighthouse at the end of the coast road?"
Nodding slowly, Alex saw Kevin wince. His eyes were half-closed and beginning to water. Alex recognised the expression; Kevin was concentrating, trying to reach out telepathically even though the pain must be excruciating. Alex wanted to shake his head, to warn Kevin not to, but there was no way of doing so without Galt noticing and that would put Kevin in even more danger.
Alex put the car into gear and turned the key in the ignition. Twisting his head around – he had never got the hang of using the rear vision mirror for backing – he moved the car out slowly. Kevin was in pain because of him. He needed to protect him from Galt and he couldn't.
The car stalled. Alex cursed under his breath and restarted it. It jumped, and he realised it was still in gear. He had to pull himself together. He wasn't going to be a liability in this situation. Breathe, stay calm, damn it. Shoving the clutch in, he restarted the car a third time. Why were his hands shaking so badly? He had been scared like this before, and they hadn't then. Could it be the bond?
"I thought I told you no funny business." Galt glanced between Alex and Kevin. The man was not only an idiot but paranoid to boot. In the back seat, Rob edged further into the corner, trying to put some distance between himself and the scientist. He looked scared and confused.
Kevin gave Galt another glare. Alex could see the pain in Kevin's eyes, the soft smile his lover gave him, trying to reassure him. "Please, Kevin," he choked out, not wanting Kevin to suffer anymore because of him. It wasn't worth it. He wasn't worth it. Seeing Kevin in pain scared him more than the gun Galt held. He crunched the gears into reverse and began moving the car out of the parking lot. "Just put the gun down," he snapped at Galt. "You've got him cuffed to the fucking seat and the machine is on. We're not going anywhere."
"Stop the car!" Galt waited until Alex had obeyed and then grabbed his hair, jerking him back until his head connected with a thud with the back of the seat. "Please, Kevin? What are you doing, Kevin?" Alex felt cold steel against his jaw. He closed his eyes. Oh god. The gun traced a pattern on his skin. He held his breath, not daring to move. "Whatever it is, I suggest you stop it." Galt's breath was hot against his cheek. Alex felt sick, the bile rising in his throat. "You're upsetting your," Galt spat the word out in disgust, "boyfriend."
"Let. Him. Go." Kevin's voice was calm. "I've stopped. Now get your fucking hands off him." Alex opened his eyes to meet Kevin's. They were still full of pain, but soft with love also. "I'm sorry, love," Kevin told him.
"So you admit you were doing something?" Galt frowned. Alex winced when Galt pulled on his hair again. Galt smiled. "Firstly, you will tell me what you were doing. Exactly." He looked at his briefcase and frowned, then brightened. "Secondly, if you do it again, I will hurt him. Not so badly that he can not do what I wish, but enough to cause him pain." His next words were spoken almost conversationally. "Your manners need improving," he said before turning his attention to Rob. "Just what are you teaching our young people these days?"
Rob shook his head, but didn't speak.
"I was trying to touch him telepathically." Kevin still sounded calm, but there was no mistaking the angry undertone. "I can't do it," he added bitterly. "The fucking machine works." Kevin kept looking at Alex; it was the only way they had left to communicate their need for each other. "I said I've stopped. Unlike you I do what I say. Now let go of him."
"I don't believe you," Galt snorted. "The machine is designed to cause you pain if you try to use your powers. Your boyfriend tried before you arrived." His next words made Alex go cold. "Unless his tolerance for pain is less than yours? That might be worth investigating."
No! Being experimented on once had been enough. Alex still had nightmares about his experiences at the hands of the Hunters. He couldn't go through that again. He couldn't.
Galt continued talking. He seemed almost gleeful as he expounded on his theories. "I hadn't thought of that. Obviously there are differences within the species."
"I love you," Kevin said softly.
"Love you more," Alex whispered back, replying with the words that were special between them. He hated Galt using him against Kevin. Reaching to touch the dog tags through his shirt, he could feel his heart pounding. "Please," he said to Galt. "I'll do anything you say." Alex knew that he was begging but he was beyond caring. All that mattered was keeping Kevin safe. "Don't hurt him. Let go of me and I'll drive. I know where the coast road is. Please."
Kevin mouthed the word 'most' and looked away towards the gearbox which separated them. After a moment he spoke to Galt. "We said we would cooperate. Now. Let. Him. Go."
"Just remember that you promised," Galt warned. "Both of you." He let go of Alex's head without warning. It took all of Alex's self-control not to cry out as it hit the headrest of his seat. "Drive. Make sure you keep within the speed limit. I don't want to have to explain myself to the police. If I do, I will have no compunction in using this gun on them. This experiment is far more important. It's for the good of mankind, for the continued survival of my species." He smiled again. Alex hated that smile. "It is such a shame that will mean the end of yours."
"I need to clean my glasses first," Alex mumbled. The machine induced headache was growing. He closed his eyes and winced, trying to breathe through the pain. "I can't see."
"Fine." Galt rolled his eyes. "Just keep your movements slow and careful." He seemed amused. "Obviously your kind isn't as superior as you'd like to believe."
Alex pulled the edge of his shirt out of his trousers and used it to clean his glasses. His hands were still shaking. He ignored them. He was scared, that had to be it.
"He is far superior to you," Kevin growled. "He would be even if he wasn't a Tomorrow Person."
Putting on his glasses, Alex used the movement to hide giving Kevin a smile. He brushed his fingers against the dog tags, knowing Kevin would realise what he was doing and take some comfort in the fact. Galt shifted his gun so that it was again trained on Kevin. Alex followed it with his eyes, allowing himself one last look at Kevin before he would have to concentrate on the road.
Kevin's leg was twitching.
Alex swallowed. No. Please, God. No. This couldn't be happening already. It was too soon. They were supposed to have more time.
"Awww," Galt said. "How sweet. They do say love is blind." He was watching Alex very carefully. Alex started the car and drove carefully out onto the street, taking care to indicate first. Galt nodded his approval. "At least we won't have to worry about the two of you breeding. Not that that's going to be an issue anyway, but still…" He shook his head. "I'd feel almost sorry for you, but then I'm not much of an animal lover. I prefer to put my energies into the good of the human race."
"Are you okay, Rob?" Kevin cut across Galt's speech, his voice calm and soothing, and sounding more like his usual self.
Rob nodded and cleared his throat. "Yes," he replied quietly.
It would not be a wise move to play into the mind games Galt was trying to use on them. They needed to stay in control, it was their only chance of getting out of this alive. Alex had always told Kevin that they were together until 'death do us part'. Even though he had known that there was always a very real chance of it becoming a reality, especially once they had bonded, he did not regret anything they had done. They had had a year together as lovers, longer as friends.
Blinking tears out of his eyes, Alex focused on the road and his driving. It was fortunate that he knew the area, the last few minutes he had been functioning on autopilot. They passed a familiar landmark on the left side of the road and Alex shook his head at the irony. This was where he and Kevin had first met. If they died…
Instinctively he reached out for Kevin telepathically. The car veered as a sharp pain went through his head. He slammed on the brakes without thinking, but didn't manage to miss the large pothole in the middle of the road. His vision blurred. He could feel Kevin for a split second, tried to grab for him telepathically but it was too late. He bent over the steering wheel, his breathing coming in ragged gasps.
"Riverpark," Kevin rasped hoarsely and Alex knew he'd felt it too. Snatched thoughts, Kevin's fear, anger, all gone too soon. Kevin had always called the local forest park by that name; it didn't matter how many times Alex corrected him. Kevin had also never seen the park entrance from this road, having always teleported there directly into the heart of it. Alex had grown up here; he had known this road since childhood.
"Oh, God." Alex tried to reach Kevin telepathically again, but there was only pain and emptiness. He shifted in his seat; the fleeting contact had only served to taunt him, to remind him how great his need was for his partner, how desperately he wanted Kevin, to hold him, to touch him, to bond. Kevin had been the only one of them who's emotions he could feel as his own; the bond had given him that. They had shared more than just their love for each other, but also memories, thoughts, and an awareness that had been ripped away.
"What the hell was that," Galt snapped. "What did you do?" He placed the gun against Kevin's temple. "Answer me or I'll kill him."
Alex looked at Kevin for guidance. Kevin's leg was still twitching; it appeared to be getting worse, aggravated by whatever the hell had just happened. Alex gripped the steering wheel, trying to hide his own symptoms from his lover. Kevin met his gaze, looked towards the road and back again.
"That was a pothole," Kevin said haughtily. "Most people are familiar with them. They are quite a problem here in New Zealand." He lowered his voice. "It's because of the sheep."
"Sheep droppings are acidic." Alex followed Kevin's lead. He paused, desperately trying to stay in control, couldn't stop the choked laughter, and covered it up with a coughing fit. This was a conversation they had often, a running joke they told people when they discovered that Alex came from New Zealand. "They wreck havoc on the tar sealing, especially on these back roads."
Galt looked between them. He snorted. "Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"Yes, I do actually," Kevin said. "However, that does not change the fact that the roads are damaged because of the sheep. If you had taken the time to research this area, you would know."
In the back seat, Rob whimpered softly.
"Kevin is a scientist," Alex told Galt, reaching for the dog tags to steady himself and to stop his hands shaking. "He knows about these things. Put the gun down, please." He told himself that he wasn't going to beg again, but he knew that if he would if he had to for Kevin. "My vision blurred for a moment. I have a headache from your machine. I didn't see the pothole. I'll be more careful. I promise."
"A scientist?" Galt shook his head. "You people sicken me." He lowered the gun and glanced at his watch. "Yes, you will be more careful. Just remember that although I'd prefer you alive, a bullet or two won't limit my ability to experiment on you." Galt wasn't just an idiot but a sick sadist. "I believe I already mentioned pain." He looked at Alex and smiled again. Alex strengthened his grip on the dog tags, the metal around his neck cool against his skin. He had always had problems controlling his temper. Kevin's presence helped him to stay in control. He couldn't feel Kevin; the dog tags were his link to him, Kevin had given them to him the night they had first bonded. "We had a couple of you in our custody nearly three years ago. I wasn't fortunate enough to meet them but I believe that the experiments that were done then were rather inconclusive. I do so hope you will be more cooperative than they were."
Alex felt a cold chill creep through him. Galt couldn't have known that was him and Adam. Galt hadn't been there, couldn't have recognised him. How the hell did he know about it? Forcing himself to calm, Alex started the car again.
"What's that under your shirt?" Galt leaned forward, curious. He watched Alex for a moment. Alex tried not to squirm and fought his instincts to pull away. There was no way in hell he was giving Galt any more of an advantage or aggravating him further. If he didn't react, Galt wouldn't realise how important they were to him, to both him and Kevin. "I've noticed you touching it. You'd better not be trying anything."
Kevin started to say something. Stopped.
Alex met his gaze, saw the pain and longing in his eyes, before answering Galt in a shaky voice. "Nothing." He changed gear as they approached a corner, turning his attention back to Galt once they were on a straight piece of road again. Galt was still looking at him, waiting for an answer different to the one he'd given. "Just," Alex mumbled, knowing that if he lied, Galt would know. He had never been any good at lying. "Dog tags. I'm wearing dog tags."
"They let one of your sort into the military?" Galt raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, I don't believe you." He held out his hand. "Take them off. I want to see them."
"No!" Alex's reaction was instinctive, his earlier intentions forgotten in his panic. "You can't…" He gripped them between his fingers. "I won't." He tried to keep the desperation out of his voice. They were his only link to Kevin. While he could still feel them, there was hope that he could feel Kevin.
Struggling against his cuffs and twisting in his seat, Kevin tried to reach Alex. "They're his," he hissed at Galt. "You can't have them! I gave them to him."
"So they're yours." Galt seemed thoughtful. "You're the one with the military. That's even more interesting. So what are you a scientist of….exactly?" His eyes hardened. "If they mean so much to him, answer a few questions and I might let him keep them."
"They were my grandfather's." Kevin glared at Galt. "I'm not in the military." He was forcing himself to stay calm. "What do you want to know?"
"You gave them to him?" Galt seemed pleased by the information. "Interesting. He means a lot to you then." He glanced at the road ahead. There was a farmer herding a flock of sheep across. "Can't we go around them?"
Alex shook his head. "This is the only road," he explained, not liking the tone in Galt's voice. If Galt thought to use one of them against the other, he had another thing coming. Alex tried to catch Kevin's eye without looking obvious. He needed to touch his lover, and his headache was getting worse. It wasn't only his hands shaking now but his leg as well. What the hell was Galt's machine doing to them? The physical affects of the bond breaking weren't supposed to get this severe this fast.
"This is not a four wheel drive," Kevin told Galt. "Do you want do get stuck in a ditch?"
"Kevin," Alex whispered, trying to keep the fear out of his voice.
Kevin stopped, and pulled on his cuffs. The skin around his wrists was raw and irritated. Alex swallowed, knowing he was responsible. "Yes?"
Although he knew that Kevin must be aware of what was happening, Alex still felt the need to tell him, just in case. They had never kept secrets; just because they couldn't feel each other, that hadn't changed. He clung to their reality, not wanting to let it go, not wanting to let Kevin go. They couldn't talk telepathically so this would have to do. Alex kept remembering how Adam and Megabyte had been when they had been found – almost comatose and being kept alive by machines, the broken bond with Lisa and Jade having…. No, that wasn’t going to happen to them. This had to be because of Galt's machine, not the bond. Alex reached out and touched the dog tags again, using them to reassure himself. "I don't feel right."
Kevin wrapped his hands around the chain to get a better grip and pulled on it again. There was blood running down his arm. Alex's vision blurred and for a moment he could feel Kevin again, really feel him before, like the last time, it was gone. "It's okay, Alex." Kevin's voice was hoarse, broken like their bond.
It was getting harder to focus his thoughts. "No, it's not." It was very hot. He wondered what Galt would do if he tried to open a window. Alex frowned. "You're bleeding."
Both of Kevin's legs were now twitching. "Alex, love." He yanked at the handcuffs. "It was bound to happen."
"Oh, God." Alex knew he was losing his fight to stay calm. Kevin knew this was because of the bond too. Unless they could turn off that fucking machine they were both going to die. He should have left the room while he still could. Why oh why had he thought he would be okay? Alex reached out his hand, desperate to touch Kevin somehow, even though he knew he wouldn't be able to feel him.
"It appears as though my machine is working wonderfully well," Galt smirked. "Don't worry, gentlemen, we're almost there." He directed his next comment at Kevin. "If your boyfriend is too worried, I can always give him something to calm him." Alex shook his head, his fingers touching the scar on his hip. It was a physical reminder of the time he had spent in the custody of the Hunters. Janet had told him that he would have it for life, but that the mental and emotional scars would fade with time. He had been naïve enough to believe her at the time.
Galt frowned. "You're hiding your symptoms rather well," he said to Rob. "Or do you all react differently?"
"Symptoms?" Rob sounded confused. Alex lowered his hand, resting it on his leg, not wanting to risk Galt seeing it.
"Interesting." Galt was watching the sheep which were now nearly clear of the road. "As soon as the last one is clear, start driving. Then, perhaps you'd like to tell your friend how you are feeling. It might jog his own memory so he can stop playing dumb." He paused. "Or perhaps Kevin would like to describe how you are feeling. I can see him watching you. It's so sweet that he's so very overprotective." Galt rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder just how far he'd go to protect you. I must add that to my do list."
"Please don't hurt them," Rob whispered. "I feel fine." He swallowed, trying to sink back against the cushions of the seat. "Scared, but fine. Please."
"Leave Rob out of this, you sick bastard," Kevin hissed. "He has nothing to do with this." Alex reached out his hand again; Kevin arched up, his leg brushing Alex's hand. Alex shivered; they were both breathing heavily, the touch increasing their need one hundred fold.
"Kevin," Alex whimpered, unable to stop himself crying out.
"No touching!" Galt snapped. "I don't want one of you teleporting." He petted the briefcase next to him, almost lovingly. "There's no point in tempting fate." Galt checked the road ahead. "Right, the road is clear." He raised his gun. "Drive. Now. We have a helicopter to meet. Can't keep them waiting now, can we?"
Kevin leaned towards Alex, ignoring Galt's order, only to be stopped by the cuffs. He let out a half strangled cry of frustration. Alex bit down on his lip again, this time tasting blood. "Kevin," he murmured, wanting to take his lover into his arms, kiss him. God, he wanted him naked now. He glanced down, realised he was hard, and blushed. Shifting in his seat, he tried to ignore his hormones and failed. He couldn't fight this. He didn't want to fight this. "Need. Want. I can't…"
"Can't what, boy?" Galt repeated his question when he got no response. "Drive or I'll kill your boyfriend."
Alex closed his eyes. All he could think about was Kevin and how much he needed him. He groaned, shaking. It hurt; the need was so strong that it hurt.
"I told you to drive," Galt snapped. He slapped Alex across the face. Alex jerked away, the pain forcing him back to reality. "This is getting tiresome. Maybe I should deal with you sooner, rather than later."
"Please," Rob begged. "Don't hurt him. He's scared. Please. He's just a kid."
"Don't touch him!" Kevin yelled. "Don't you fucking touch him!" He tried to swivel in his seat, kicking and squirming to get free. One leg thrust out and knocked the car into gear. It lurched forward with a jump.
Alex brushed Kevin's leg with his hand, the touch sending jolts of pleasure through him like an electrical shock. "Kevin, it's okay. Please." Galt was watching Kevin. Alex went cold. "Please don't hurt him," he begged Galt, not caring how desperate he sounded. He had to keep Kevin safe, whatever it took. "I'll drive. I promise. Please."
"Everyone has a weakness," Galt smirked. "It's just a case of finding it." He leaned forward and spoke to Alex. "Drive. We're almost there."
Nodding and not trusting himself to speak, Alex forced himself to start the car moving along the road. He could feel Kevin's leg against his hand and hoped like hell that Galt didn't notice. The physical touch wasn't enough, he needed to feel Kevin telepathically, but there was only an empty void that hurt, one he couldn't fill without Kevin's presence. Beside him, Kevin closed his eyes, his brow dripping with perspiration. Even without the psychic connection, Alex knew that his lover was in pain, trying in vain to reconnect with him telepathically. Kevin had never let pain get in his way if he was desperate enough.
Keeping his hand on the gear stick, Alex risked glancing at Galt through the rear-vision mirror. The scientist appeared to be thinking. Alex did not want to know the details. He knew, with a lurch of his stomach, that they would find out soon enough. Shifting his hand for an instant he squeezed Kevin's leg, and then replaced his hand on the gear stick, stifling a moan, fighting all his instincts to keep touching Kevin, to take him, to…
Kevin opened his eyes.
I love you, Alex mouthed. I'm sorry.
More, Kevin replied. Need you. He turned his head away, but not before Alex saw the raw longing and need in his eyes.
"Don't worry," Galt said, sounding pleased. "We're almost there." The lighthouse stood on the hill ahead of them, a beacon for travellers to lead them to safety. This road would lead to their death. "Drive onto that gravel road. We're heading for that old shack." He glanced at his watch. "I hope you boys enjoy flying. We have a nice helicopter ride for you. The lab isn’t far from here."
"No," Alex whispered, his glasses fogging up as he turned the car onto the side road. His eyes were wet; he blinked back his tears. He couldn't let Galt hurt Kevin. There had to be a way out.
A flash of frustration, pain, but it was gone in an instant.
Alex gripped the steering wheel. What the hell? He had felt Kevin, he knew he had.
"Ah, here we are," Galt placed his hand on Alex's shoulder. Alex pulled away, shuddering. "Pull in just here. The road is rough and the car isn't a four wheel drive. We can walk the rest of the way." He took a moment to think, his tone as though he was discussing a Sunday walk in the park. "We'll keep your boyfriend in handcuffs, and you can walk nice and close to me." Alex shook his head. The very thought of being close to Galt was making him feel sick. "I know," Galt said brightly, not appearing to notice Alex's reaction. "You can carry my briefcase for me."
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