Never Underestimate Destiny

Part 28

(Saturday, November 18th)

Zan awoke slowly, wrapped around Liz, her soft body pressed the length of him, and he was filled with a feeling of complete contentment.

He couldn't imagine anything more perfect than making love with Liz, sleeping with her in his arms and then waking up with her. It was exactly what he wanted from the moment he saw her. He never wanted for it to end, but he was sure reality would intrude into their perfect world all too soon.

The Skins were coming, and Lonnie and Rath were out there somewhere wanting them dead, and no matter what Zan had to keep Liz safe.

He still couldn't believe he failed her before. Lonnie had been so close to killing them and he'd been so deeply asleep that he didn't even know she was there. He hadn't even known Lonnie could make suggestions to someone while they were asleep, and wondered if she'd done it to him before when they lived together, tested it on him.

An icicle of fear shot down his spine as he thought about it.

And he'd been clueless about how much Lonnie and Rath hated him. He'd known she and Rath wanted to go home, but he never considered what they might be capable of to get there. He would never think they would hurt him. They were family, but obviously that didn't matter to them. He just wondered when it all went so wrong.

Maybe somehow in the cloning process Lonnie and Rath got the majority of the bad traits and Michael and Isabel got the majority of the good ones.

Michael and Isabel didn't always agree with Max, but they were so close and were always there for each other.

Zan had sort of a strange feeling as his stomach dipped. It felt like when he'd gone on a roller coaster one time, and the world dropped out from below him. For a moment his eyes went blurry and he had a sense of unreality, like he wasn't him.

The knowledge came to him in an instant, that in their other life the original Vilondra and Rath would have never betrayed him. They'd been loyal to the end.

And then it was gone. He was himself again.

He knew he'd had a flash of his past, his first one ever, and he wasn't sure what to think about it. He hadn't seen anyone or anything, he just knew he was someone and somewhere else, and he knew how that other Zan had felt about his sister and his second in command.

It was exciting but frightening at the same time and he thought about what Max had said last night, how he was afraid he wouldn't love Liz if he remembered his past. Zan didn't think it was possible for either of them to stop loving Liz, no matter what they remembered, but it didn't stop him from beginning to wonder what might change.

Would he still be himself?

Looking down at Liz next to him in bed, his let his eyes travel over her. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was and he was amazed how much she loved him. He was so lucky. With a gentle touch, he caressed her hair, and she moved slightly, making a small noise.

He was determined that he wouldn't let himself change. He would make sure he was still the same man Liz fell in love with.

Turning toward him, she opened her eyes, smiling sleepily when she saw him.

"Good morning baby," he whispered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Isabel stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom, her eyes closed as she stood under the hot spray of the shower. She felt exhausted after staying awake for hours last night unsuccessfully trying to discover Lonnie and Rath's location.