Four

The size 12's of the reason for tonight's run came into her line of vision as she remained doubled over breathing hard. Inwardly she cringed. She was 19 nearing 20, wanting things she shouldn't. And he was still making it hard for her.

No noise. She smiled breathing deeply. They were so quiet for such large men.

"You pushed too hard." He passed her some water.

She took it and stood up moving away a little. Needing the space. She couldn't have him too close. His scent would reach her, and she'd struggle to not do or say something stupid. She had to keep reminding herself that he was way out of her league. Still treating her like the child she'd been, so careful, so guarded around her.

She knew of their slavery days. Of being bought and sold. Of being pushed into relationships they did not want. Programmed to do things they had no interest in doing. Being with people who took advantage of them and their situation.

Wasn't she doing that too?....

She took several deep breaths; between swallows, trying to shake the thoughts from her mind. She would not be doing that. Even if it killed her.

"Yeah, needed it." She bit off downing the water feeling better.

Not about to explain the reason for tonight's run, she stared into the glass for a while, then refilled it downing that too. They didn't do small talk, putting the glass down she turned away to head for the room she still shared with Jacqs, who now looked more like she had when they'd first arrived here. She was 9 going on 20 too.

"You're not nearly 15 anymore Helena." He told her his voice soft hitting her.

Turning her head back, she nodded.

Was he trying to tell her he understood her need?....

"I know that. It's been a hard 4 years."

"Nearly 5." He pointed out.

She nodded again, he was right, it was nearly 5 years. "I'm getting older and you, are just the same. My mother was married at 20. Had a life. Looked forward to delivering me and being a family." She nodded staring off. "If you're trying to tell me to find a man and settle down, that won't be happening any time soon. This is no longer that world."

"I'm not."

She stood there for a moment. The thought, ‘do you want me?' on the tip of her tongue but she bit it back leaving him going to her room. A man such as him couldn't possibly want her. She was a child compared to him, would always be a child to him. On a sigh, quietly opening the bedroom door, she kept going walking into the bathroom. Nothing stopped Jacqs from sleeping. She marvelled at how she could do that so easily after everything they'd been through.

Stripping she showered quickly, took a drying cycle and changed into casual sleepwear a soft T and pants. The soft knock as she came out unexpected. Opening the door quietly, he stood back. She came out and closed it behind her.

If he'd come to her like this, it was for a reason. He never disturbed her otherwise.

"We have a problem."

Following him without answering they entered the hub and she saw the images up on the screen.

Shit…..

They had new players. Another ship was landing, one she didn't recognise. It seemed word got out that this world was available and every now and then, more came. She felt sick knowing what it meant for her people that were captive. "We don't know this one, do we?" she asked him heart sick. He gave her a slight shake of the head. "Won't this ever be over?" she asked herself, her frustration and anger riding her. "Do we know who they are?"

"Never been here before. Reinforcements. Alliance. Here like the others for supplies is my guess."

They watched, as the new people came into the community. It wasn't pretty. How any of those women, some children were still living was a miracle. Tears hit her yes and she swallowed the bile in her throat. And blew.

It had been long enough!.....

"We need to stop this. How long is it going to take?!" She raged at him unable to look at it any longer.

"As long as it needs to to keep you safe." He bit back his hands clenching like he was holding himself back.

She'd had enough of that and rounded on him. "That's no answer! I've been hearing that for 5 years; I sick of hearing it. I'm no more worthy of being safe than they are! Give me something else!" She shouted at him.

He was all calm to her rage and that just pissed her off more.

"We are doing what we can Helena, you know this. We've moved a lot into the other tunnels, hit and run over and over again, keeping a low profile but every time we do something, or one of theirs goes missing, or some of yours, they start the search grid again. It puts everyone else at risk."

"Fuck!" She roared out, her body shaking unable to look at the screens and closed her eyes her anger riding her. "I want a God damn plan. I want those kids out at least. No more excuses! Get me one!"

"Without back up, this is the only plan we have. Guerrilla tactics, picking them off, saving what we can. We don't have the men for a full-frontal attack in all the places they are, you know this, it would only serve to get us all killed and the humans they hold." He growled at her.

"I do but I'm sick of hearing it! Earth Corp is gone. Or we think it is. What about revisiting the relay messaging thing again for help? Don't you have relay of some kind on your neuro nets. Can't you boost a signal using Aquarius? Build something? Do Fucking Something! If we could get a signal out, maybe in time, help would come, and this shit is over!"

"It's not logical or reliable and could be picked up by anyone. Including them." He nodded at the screen.

She stood back. She'd had it. She couldn't take it anymore.

"You know what? I don't care, you have Cyborg tech, make it only accessible by a Cyborg but get it done! We're dying here. Use whatever you need to to get a signal out!"

"If they find out, they'll know for sure we're here."

She pointed at the screens. "They know that anyway! Just do it! FUCK!" She shouted at him and stormed out. Her anger and fear riding her and got as far as the living space before being picked up and carried across the living space at a run and into the gym. Her fighting him all the way to be put down. Calling him all the names under the sun.

"Out!" He roared to his men.

Before carefully putting her down as she lashed out at him. "You want to fight?" He asked her. "Fight me. But going out there to get yourself killed is not happening."

She didn't want to fight him. She wanted to fight them. But took her stance anyway on the mats. They'd been training her for years. She could hold her own. Kind of. Kicking off his boots he joined her on the mat. And it was on.

He didn't give her an inch. Didn't make it easy. He put her down hard and told her to do better. Told her each time she slipped up, each time she missed her mark, each time she didn't hit him hard enough. And all the while, he barely touched her at all.

Until she called time and collapsed on the mat breathing hard feeling useless looking up at the ceiling. Her body killing her. Tears in her eyes. Her frustration complete.

Kneeling next to her he wasn't even out of breath, not that she expected him to be. And that just pissed her off more. She was barely a walk in the park to him. For a real workout he needed two of his men to go at him hard and that was a sight to see. She envied that a little.

"I need to be stronger." She told him her voice raw.

"I hate it when you cry." He told her brushing the hair from her face with his fingertips.

"I'm not crying, I'm angry."

He shrugged and gave a nod. "You do need to be stronger. You need to work on that. Turn over." She did without question. And he started to massage her muscles. "We'll start tomorrow. You're mature now and you'll be able to take it. We'll build you up slowly. We'll get them Helena. I promise you." Under his hands she held in her contentment and slowly drifted asleep, a pillow emerged from somewhere and was placed under her head and she pulled it in, laying half across it.

"I envy that pillow." His voice drifted to her, and she smiled. A blanket covering her, she knew he'd stand guard at the gym doors until she was ready, and she slept.

Waking hours later in her room. She felt instantly better, having slept through the rest of the night. Although she hated to admit it, his presence always calmed her.

****

Another 5 years and she was beginning to wonder if it would ever be over.

Jacqs 16th birthday coming up and they were still here, still fighting, still waiting. Jacqs now the spitting image of her when they'd first arrived here. But where she'd been a teenage puppy before they'd run, Jacqs was already toned. She'd been working out since they'd found them. Small amounts to start with then getting longer. She now joined her in her training every day although not as vigorous. Blad trained them hard and if he wasn't around Tane his number one or Conn his number two did.

They'd chosen names, things that held a memory of some kind. She wasn't sure and had never asked. It seemed too rude, too personal.

The muscle building programme doing its job, her strength had increased, and she'd packed on the muscle. She was lean and muscular. The training her friend.

And in her rage all those years ago, they'd found a way to send the signal she'd asked for. They'd had to do something technical with all the hub equipment and link in to the Community hub but get it done they did. Making a false trail to a disused village and an old antenna system in case it was ever found, they'd sent it and kept sending it but in all the years since, nothing. They didn't know for sure if it was breaking the surface of the planet and going out into space at all.

They had no way to check.

Blad had told her they'd need a craft to go into space to do that but the minute they stole one, they'd be on them with no way of keeping that quiet. Sanctuary didn't have people that could fly air craft. It would put a spotlight on them they didn't need.

There was no way to check it. Not now.

After everything, it seemed like it had failed.

The only joy on the horizon, their guerrilla tactics were playing havoc with the raiders. Moving from place to place at random, freeing people, they had no loyalty to any one place. The raiders still thought it was vengeful humans, and as no one knew who they were for sure, they couldn't hold others hostage against them to get them to come in.

But they made plenty of threats, hurt or killed people.

Hiding nearby after each raid, they heard it all before slipping back into the dark. And every time she did, she felt the pain of leaving those people behind.

The downside on that was that they punished everyone.

And in response, her team tried to remove as many people as possible from harm, targeting the children where they could. But it was impossible to get everyone. Some had suffered far more than others. Blad told her they were traumatised and needed specialist help. Help they didn't have but Aquarius was able to pass on information to help them.

And day by day it was killing her.

She put the weapon down she'd been working on and rubbed her eyes, stretching her back. At 25, her life seemed to be one round of fighting after another with no clear sign of that changing. She went out with her troop and helped on the raids, particularly where a human female could help. The men would stay in the background doing clean up while she worked with the humans in close. Sometimes with the support of the council members of tunnel 2 helping.

She was the face of the revolution. And hated that. And when she wasn't out on mission, she spent the rest of her time in the tunnels working on getting rid of the raiders in any way she could or with Jacqs in medical or time out together trying to be normal, or outside with her when it was clear enough to enjoy the sun.

But it was getting to her. Try as they might, they didn't seem to be making much headway.

"Aquarius, give me a field update please." She sighed. She was getting more and more worried about that too.

"The Commander has secured the location, blown the ship and is on his way back with humans from tunnel 2 leading the evacuees. They will be dropped back to tunnel 2 before coming home."

She nodded relieved. "Any casualties?"

"The Cyborgs are carrying some injuries. The humans are reported as uninjured."

"More injuries….." She shook her head unsure how long this could continue. "Have medical prepped and on standby in tunnel 2 for the humans and here."

"Affirmative."

They'd opened up tunnels 2 and 3 shortly after she'd woken them. Both had their own facilities. Keeping her Cyborgs hidden was a priority. They used the first humans they'd freed to be the leaders of tunnel 2 and used their help with other raids. If she wasn't going, she'd give instruction on where to find her men and what they needed to do. They were the backup team, bringing the people in.

Once that got full, they'd opened tunnel 3 and with some instruction on using the mining equipment had started to mine out the interior making both twice their original size. Those leaders of tunnel 2 having liaison on missions, she gave leadership on tunnel 3 from their ranks. Both leaderships working together, helping with retrieval after a raid.

Her Cyborgs kept at a distance where possible. It was basic but working so far.

"How long until arrival?" She asked wearily focusing on what would be next.

The Autobots did so many things these days including helping the medics. Others had also been trained up, using what skills they already had.

They would be needed again.

"Approximately two hours Helena."

She felt tired and needed a clear head to remove bullets and heal lazer shots.

Maybe she could grab a couple of hours sleep…..

"I'm going to my room. Alert me when here."

She'd moved out of Jacqs room two years ago. Jacqs had wanted her own space and she couldn't deny her. And in all honestly, she'd been more than ready for some space of her own.

"Affirmative."

Getting to her room she crashed.

And was woken as requested by Aquarius telling her which tunnel entrance was being used.

Making her way there, she knew the door wouldn't be opened until Aquarius gave the all clear on the men not being followed in. Not that the Cyborgs couldn't tell that for themselves they could. They had mad skills. Could scent human's miles off, see humans and hear them miles off too and that was without the strong metal skeleton, computers in their brains, unbelievable data retrieval and crazy fighting skills.

And they were damn good lie detectors.

Cyborgs or not, she'd still seen them plenty injuried over the years. Each one making her angrier.

All recovered in time. What would kill a human just slowed them down. Their nanos in their blood healing them. Aquarius making more with their blood and science.

Standing there, she wasn't sure she could face any serious damage, not today. The door opened and they stepped through carrying their men. She clenched her fists. Hating seeing it. After the third one passed her, she lost it watching them go passed.

"Did you miss any of the fucking bullets!" She called out after them.

The Cyborgs chuckled. Used to her now.

Until she felt heat at her back and turned her head up to him. He was covered in blood too. "That had better not be yours." She snarled.

He smirked. "You gonna kiss my boo hoo's Helena." He'd become so human over the years with Jacqs and her. So had most of his men.

"No I'm going to dig them out and make it hurt!"

He laughed although in pain and slung an arm around her shoulder walking to medical with her. "You care." He told her as she put her arm around his waist and held him. It was a rare touch she welcomed.

"I'm pissed you idiot. You can't keep being injured like this."

"Cyborg. We can take a lot of damage, you know that."

"That doesn't mean I like it."

They walked in silence. Neither one seeming to want to let the other go. And entered medical. Six of his men were being treated. Two medics were moving from man to man, Autobots helping, Jacqs right there with them. She was taking medical training. Good at it too. In time, she'd make a fine doctor. She listened as Jacqs read the riot act to Tane. She'd had to dig out a deep bullet. He'd been hurt and Jacqs didn't like it.

She could sympathise.

Depositing him on a bed. He lay on his side. "How many?"

"Altogether 11, got most out."

She closed her eyes. Eleven. So many. "Can't you push out the rest?" she asked. Eleven was a lot of damage. Holding that in, she knew pushing them out was the easiest way but if they were in too deep, buried in tissue, sometimes his system started to heal over them, and she'd have to dig them out.

She hated that and opened her eyes.

"Did most but have three in deep. You'll have to cut."

She threw her arms in the air. "I'm so fucking sick of doing this. Get better at avoiding those bullets or I'm benching you Blad."

"That goes for all of you!" Jacqs cut in wiping her forehead with her arm, her gloved hands now covered in blood, Tane not saying a word.

Wise man.

"Pulling rank Helena?" He asked her sweetly. "You know how I like you ordering me around." He winked with that heated look in his eyes.

He knew she hated doing that too. Narrowing her eyes at him, he smirked.

God he was beautiful….

Closing her eyes again, she centered herself cranking her neck.

"Get a room already!" Jacqs called out across the room. Opening her eyes, she glared at her sister to several of the Cyborg's smirking.

And held her hand out to the Autobot. "Knife." It gave it to her. "Front or back?" She asked him as he stared at her, even injured with that heat in his eyes looking at her, her heart pounded. He was doing that more and more now. She wasn't stupid she had eyes.

She kept getting lost in those pools…..

"Front or back?" She cleared her throat asking again. She couldn't afford to let it overtake her.

"Back. Get it done female."

She gave a nod. "Scanner." The Autobot held the scanner over his back so she could see where they were lodged. And got to work, trying not to hurt him more than she had to.

It had taken longer than she'd liked. One had been in real deep. Cutting minimal amounts, not nicking any arteries or organs took time, it couldn't be rushed. Finally done, she cleaned down his back, strapped it and stepped back at last removing her gloves, going to wash her hands. And gave a nod to Jacqs and the medics, letting them know he was done. Cleaned up, turning to look at him as she wiped her hands, he'd gone into a healing sleep.

All the more seriously injured had and she walked back to his side and touched his shoulder squeezing it.

He was going to kill himself trying to get this done….

It sat heavily on her.

Feeling she was no longer alone, she turned her head and found Jacqs and Tane standing there.

"He'll be fine Hels." Jacqs told her.

She nodded knowing they'd be out for a few hours then they needed a group pep talk. With a hug around Jacqs shoulders, thanking her and a nod to Tane, she led Jacqs out going back to their rooms and with a kiss, left her with Tane and walked on to the end of the corridor.

Neither of them in the mood to talk.

An emotional mess. The distance offered some measure of privacy for both of them. Walking into her room stripping off, hitting the shower she let her emotions go. Silently crying, the water drowning out the noise.

Emotionally drained she made quick work of the shower she'd desperately needed, before throwing on a top and panties climbing into bed, finally crashing, sleeping her concern and emotional storm off.

She woke to the bed moving, confused she turned her head to see a shadow she recognised climbing in. "Wrong room," she told him sleepily.

"Right room. Jacqs said to get a room. I like this one."

She turned back away smiling. His heat at her back. "You're being an ass. How's your injuries?"

His arm snaked around her middle and pulled her into him. It was the first time he'd touched her so intimately or shared her bed. But she didn't fear him. He'd never harm her. His face now next to hers. "Better. Thank you for doctoring me."

She sighed. "We need to talk about the injuries, they can't go on."

His lips touched her cheek. "Tomorrow. Sleep." She did.

The artificial lights coming on told her it was daytime. Stretching she knew him to be gone and wondered for a moment if she'd imagined it, that it was another of her dreams. But her sheets smelt of his scent.

Her body heated at the memory of him holding her, his lips on her skin. Her body was doing that more and more when she thought of him. They were colleagues, nothing more she reminded herself. Anything more out of the question. It would put everything at risk, and she couldn't allow that. She'd embarrassed herself before with her pouting and stupidity not dealing with her emotions properly.

She couldn't do that again.

Ignoring everything she was feeling, she threw back the cover and got her day on.

Did her training with Jacqs, ate and went to the meeting on injuries. Reading them the riot act herself, they all knew she wasn't wrong. The raiders had upped their game. They now expected them at every turn.

"We need to do something different." She said after the debrief.

"What do you suggest?" One of the men called out.

"Not getting your ass blow off for starters!"

Smirks went around the room. And she let her grin out. They were so different now to when she'd first woken them. They were more human now than machine.

They'd been cold back then, detached, took orders, hardly conversed. Both she and Jacqs had struggled with it. It bothered them but slowly over time, those hard edges seemed to soften, they engaged more, behaved more human than machine. Now she could hardly tell the difference. "We've been on the defensive taking pot shots all this time maybe it's time we went on the attack at last."

"We don't have the men for that." Blad reminded her.

"Look, I can't be the only one here that's seen the change. It's getting more and more difficult to pull off a raid. They seem to know our every move. We all know that can only be by one way. We have a leak and need to find it." They knew it to be true. "Maybe we should also train more humans like you trained us. Have a bigger army. Those we rescued want this world back too, it's time we all fought for it, made the army you need and plug that leak at the same time."

She could see them mulling it over. Glazed eyes around the room. "Okay, we'll ask the tunnels about creating an army. See what they say." Blad agreed.

"Good, I'm happy to go to the other tunnels and lay it all out. It's been a while since I paid a visit." She looked around the room. Full of her Cyborgs that fought for them and asked for nothing in return. The men she cared for. "I want who is betraying us. Their time is up." `

More determined than ever to have this done, she worked through the rest of her day, had dinner with Jacqs, and now sat in the hub ready to go, her weapons on her, looking at the vid screens of the entrances of the other tunnels. The humans in those tunnels unaware of the cameras, their hubs not connected, only linked communications still worked and all of it ran by Aquarius in theirs. It was as safe as they could make it.

Nothing was moving unexpectedly. Nothing out of the ordinary. They looked secure enough. But she wasn't sure. The doubts they'd been having about the raiders knowing where they'd be, were taking their toll.

She now doubted everything.

And kept coming back to that one reason. Someone was betraying them.

Not surprised at all when Blad came in. He seemed to sense when she was in turmoil and would come to her. Never letting her go anywhere without him staying guard. Keep watch over her.

Today was no different.

Standing with his arms across his chest he watched the screens with her. Not that he needed to. Since she'd given permission all those years ago, they were all plugged into the system and Aquarius. Aquarius had told that he could pull up all the data and visuals on his optic, he didn't need a screen, his optic was it.

He did this to act more human for her. And she smiled knowing it.

He was such a force of nature that never ceased to amaze her. "How many do you think are in league with the raiders?" She asked distracting herself from all that goodness.

He shrugged. "A dozen maybe. Could be more, up to a third. They wouldn't put all their eggs in one basket. They could all be feeding them information. You going there is risky Helena, if they are giving out intel, they'll know about you, could set up a trap. I don't like it."

She shrugged. "No riskier than you all going, and we both know you can't." She looked at the bank of cameras leaning back. "Can you see anything out of place?"

He studied the images for a while. "No. Looks clear."

"But if someone is working with the raiders, they'll know about the exits and cameras at the tunnels, right?"

"Yes."

"Shit." No safe way in or out then. She took a breath not liking the idea of any of them getting hurt again. "Maybe you're right, we shouldn't go. Have Aquarius joint feed the three tunnels, or maybe one then the other in conference with us. Get it all out there. I could tell them we've changed direction having gained intel about some of the people working with the raiders in the other tunnel and are being more cautious. That they are giving up neighbours and friends while keeping their own asses safe." She shook her head. "I still cannot get my head around that happening but it might shock them into acting. Maybe we could give them some false information. Try and shake them out. Say a fake plan to do something, each different to the other and see what comes at us. At the same time, insisting they work with us, train for raids but no details. What do you think? It's important we keep what you are under wraps for as long as possible and there are already rumours of fighting men."

He gave a nod. "Could work. I'd rather you stayed here so if that makes that happen, I'm okay with it."

Her gaze all on those cameras. "You getting soft on me Commander?"

He pulled her chair away from the desk and cameras she was watching. Caging her in on the arms of her chair. "I think we both know I've been soft on you for several years now Helena." His voice soft. Coaxing. "Do you think I don't know why you run in the night? Why you wake restless and aching? Why your body heats?"

"That's personal." She whispered.

"It is. Personal to me and you. I've been scenting it around you for a long time. You have it for no other. It whispers on the air. The slightest notes that tell me how you're feeling. So have the others hence, Jacqs statement when patching me up yesterday."

She had no experience of men. None. It was way out of her comfort zone and he'd know that. She'd grown up into an adult around him. "You're not aging. None of you are."

"We don't age."

She gave a slight nod. She knew that. "But I do. I'll age and die, and you will still look like you do now."

"I'm a lot older than you will ever be." He moved in closer and breathed in, his lips going to her neck. "You make my mouth water Helena. Why is that?"

"I don't know." She whispered honestly.

He pulled back gazing at her, the heat and intensity pulling her in. "This is a first for both of us. Me wanting a female by choice and you a male. We should find out why don't you think?"

She frowned. "I didn't think any of you went with the women."

"We don't. But that doesn't mean that we don't remember being bought and sold, being programmed to service, or our initial training of being with men and women. We do."

She stared at him hating hearing that. "I won't be associated with that Blad. It was wrong. You know how I feel about that and you're all a little different now to when I found you. You are not programmed anymore."

"No. It doesn't control us like it once did. We think the fact that Earth Corp failed to adhere to the conditions in which we worked for them, that that somehow broke when you told us we were free, we needed to evolve on this world to carry on and survive, we have. The programming started to deteriorate soon after you woke us and in turn, we became more."

She nodded not sure what to do with that information and stuck to what she did know.

"We should try the conferencing instead. I'm done taking chances." She told him trying not to dwell on the fact that he was so close she could feel him. He held there for a while like he knew she'd evaded his question.

Not challenging it, he stood back up and she was grateful for the space. "One then the other yes?" he asked. She nodded. "Aquarius, connect us with tunnel 2. When ended tunnel 3."

"Connecting."

He gave her a nod. "It's all yours Captain."

It was late by the time she'd finished. Captain. The rank given to her by him soon after they'd surfaced from those crates. Cyborgs had worked with rank, so he'd given her one.

Having gone through the fake messages with tunnel 2 and 3 she sat back. She'd given need to know information to the leaders in each group in each tunnel. Telling them they had a security issue. Addressing the council in each, who referred to her on all decisions before moving forward. Both confirmed there were plenty of men and women who wanted to fight. Who wanted to know how to fight.

She still wasn't sure that would work but they had to try something.

They couldn't have their own people turning them in. If she was honest, she was ashamed to even think that her people could be like that. This wasn't who they'd been, but it seemed, that's who they were now.

How could anyone consider working with them?....

But there had to be a reason the raiders knew so much. And the only other people that knew what they were doing apart from her Cyborgs and Jacqs, were the humans in the other tunnels who were told to act or to expect new arrivals.

"Did you read any of them as lying?" He shook his head, but they'd only spoken with the leaders. "Then maybe we can strike those off the list at least. Are the other tunnels scanned for electronic devices?"

"Yes, they're good."

Someone or several someone's, were keeping the raiders appraised of their movements somehow, looking for intel and sending it back.

"How are they getting the intel out then?" she asked herself more than him.

They'd constantly interviewed the newcomers. Asking questions of what was happening in the homesteads and communities from any new people being brought in. They were constantly looking for targets. Securing resources and food. Looking for enemies within their own.

Cyborgs could read emotions, scent them in the air, read body language. If you were lying, they could tell. Generally. But it had its limits. If you believed in what you were saying or they hadn't done anything yet, there wasn't any lie to show. But they could deal with that with a specific kind of question.

Those that were still captive were still farming and working. Beaten down, hungry, abused but the raiders still wanted to eat.

She could think of plenty of reasons why they'd give up their own. Hating it all the more. Her world had changed so much. No longer neighbour helping neighbour but everyone for their own. Just as the old world had been.

Sanctuary was now anything but.

"Communications likely hidden somewhere outside. Accessing them when they have to." He told her drawing her attention away from her thoughts.

"If they're hiding communication devices outside of those tunnels, we need to scan for them. They can't be far."

Suddenly feeling defeated she rubbed her face. Then got up to leave. And got as far as the door before he grabbed her hand and stopped her. Caging her in against the wall. His front to her back her face turned towards him. "Do not lose it now Helena." He whispered above her. He was so damn tall. So big, he swallowed her up.

"I'm tired Blad."

"I know you are. You just need a reminder why we keep living."

"Jacqs reminds me."

"No she's your life, always was. You'd give anything to save her. But it's not why you live. You believe in this world. Want to save it. But it's wearing you down. The humanity you face day after day is not your friend. You were not brought up in a world where you had to survive. Had to fight your way from birth. Claw your way through to the next day." He gently brushed her hair from her face and held it towards him breathing it in.

"You didn't have to live through harsh lessons, beatings, death your next move. See your brothers beaten and broken, killed. Your soul removed, your pain receptors and emotions turned off to live with what was around you to survive. You were kindness. Honesty. You cared. Treated us as men, not machines. Your soul untarnished and pure. You taught us that humans could be more than orders and pain. But now, you are the one in pain, your soul is hurting, bleeding, it needs healing. A reason to go on beyond all that."

"You make it sound so easy." She whispered feeling his lips on her head. His elbows collapsing bringing him closer to her back. His heat seeping into her.

"It can be if you let it. To let it all go for a while. Experience some joy, some pleasure. Remind yourself you are alive. Share yourself with me Helena. Give us tomorrow."

"We are not married." She whispered, a little shocked he'd asked. "My people take, took, intimacy seriously. Within wedlock."

"You do not need to be married to share pleasure. Give us this. If you need to be married, I offer it willingly. I want no other."

"And how would you do that?"

"Aquarius. Please record a marriage. I take Helena to wife. Do you Helena take me to husband?"

He was marrying her?.... Just like that?....

"Is this real?"

"It's real to me. I will honour it. Take no other. Will care and protect you and make you happy."

She took a moment. Could she marry him?.... He didn't lie… none of them did…

"Unless you find it distasteful to be with me."

That woke her up.

Did he think even after all this time, that she felt less for him?....

"You know that's not true." She whispered.

"Then answer the question." He asked her softly. His forehead touching the side of her face.

Could she do this?.... Did she want him like a husband?....

She took a breath.

She couldn't deny it, she had looked on him as more than a colleague all these years. As a man who tempted her. He was right about that. Her running, her waking in the night had initially been her fear of being asleep and vulnerable, and laser her restless wanting. But with him that one night, she'd slept like a baby. His presence had comforted her when she'd needed it. Allowing her to sleep knowing she was safe with him.

"I'll age and die." She told him honestly.

"We all die."

She thought about that. With him for however long it was, was better than without him. "I Helena, take you Blad, to husband." She whispered.

"So recorded." Aquarius told them.

Blad picked her up bridal style and carried her to her room. Kicking the door closed behind him he gently put her down. Not sure what to do, she wrung her hands looking around. He stepped towards her, and she took one back.

"Do you fear me Helena? After all these years? You fear me now?"

She shook her head. She didn't. That was her own fears of what came next.

"No. Just…. you know… I don't know what to do here."

He cupped her face and brushed her lips lightly. "The most beautiful words I've ever heard." She huffed disbelievingly. "Don't mock." He told her. "I've never had something, someone, who was mine and mine alone and I want you." She took a breath. Cyborg didn't lie. He meant it. "Something so precious. Do you want me, Helena? Married or not, I'll not take you without you truly wanting me."

Her heart pounded. Her body lighting up. Somewhere deep in the pit of her stomach something was burning. Her heat rising. He groaned. "I can scent that,

Helena. Your desire. Is it for me?"

She grimaced. "You know that's embarrassing right?"

"It's beautiful." Walking back, he pulled her with him to the bed and sat down holding her hands in his. Him still looking down on her. "Take my clothes off Helena, look on your husband."

She smiled. "You won't scare me with that. I've seen it way too often. Bullet ridden."

"Well I had to get your attention somehow."

That sounded awful. She moved between his legs and held him. "Tell me you didn't really do that?"

His arms going around her he lifted her turning them both onto the bed laying down side by side. "War is war beautiful. Sleep for a while little wife. And when you are ready, ask your husband to take you. I can wait. It will be sweet torture."

She sighed smiling. "Thank you."

He kissed her cheek holding her tight. "We have a lifetime."