Being Different

A New Vision

A/N: Nulandia's lush green landscape - full of vitality and eco-systems that replenish the atmosphere with clean, fresh, breathable air... artist's rendering -

Dante POV

I paced back and forth, anxiously waiting for Zack to administer the antidote. I beheld my lover's prone figure upon the bed, still deep in sleep.

"Zack, how's his pulse?" Prion enquired, while checking on Gaia's progress with the antidote, taken from KAVNAR-8, the once-elusive plant which took us through a black hole for, bringing us back to our home planet, Nulandia.

"It's steady, sir. He's breathing easily," Zack added.

"It is ready, Prion. My Lord, we can administer the serum at any time," Gaia looked to me for confirmation.

"Let's do this," I spoke, as I caressed the skin of my beloved's hand, not letting go.

Gaia administered the serum intravenously into the catheter which, in turn, fed the solution into my beloved Damien's arm. It seemed to be working, as he stirred gently upon the bed, eyelids fluttering from his deep slumber.

Soon, Damien's eyes were fully opened as his gaze fell upon me, his tantalizing lips curling into a faint smile. He wanted to sit up immediately, but I nodded 'no', wishing for him to fully regain his strength before doing so. But he was insistent, so both Zack and I fluffed up the pillows behind him, before assisting him into a sitting position in bed.

"Where am I?" His eyes darted around the room, which didn't look like anything we had back at the compound's facilities on Earth.

"We're on my home planet, beloved. We made it. Is something wrong?" I observed his startled expression, embracing him gently.

"No, I'm feeling like I just awoke from a very deep sleep" He stretched, rubbing his scratchy beard, suddenly realizing, "Oh My God! My face! I have a...beard?" He stared at me enquiringly.

"Umm...yeah...You've been asleep for a while...We should be calling you 'Rip Van Winkle'" Zack joked.

I could not help but laugh at Zack's silly joke, but it made Damien smile, nonetheless. For that, I was extremely grateful, although wanting to downplay the seriousness of the situation of why we were here in the first place.

"I remember the beam falling...I couldn't breathe..." He commented, rubbing his chest lightly as he recalled the moment.

"You were pinned underneath for quite a while. You regained consciousness very briefly, and then, lost consciousness. There were broken vials in that underground lab. You had inhaled some of the vapors from those vials" I tried to break it down slowly for him to absorb.

"I see..." He acknowledged, before allowing his eyes to adjust to the new surroundings.

"Welcome to Nulandia" I said, as I helped him into a wheelchair. I did not wish for him to suddenly fall flat on his face should he try to stand. After all, he was still feeling weak from his ordeal.

"It's so beautiful, and green! It's all I imagined it would be!" He exclaimed, drinking in the scenery, as he basked in the warmth of our twin suns. "The skies, so much like Earth and yet, somehow, different..." He observed.

"I'm glad you're not disappointed," I mentioned.

"Why should I be? I am honored to set foot in your home...that is, once I've regained my strength back" Damien smiled, holding onto my hand, as I wheeled him around.

"Sure, my love. Of course, you will. Your grip has already returned, I see" I teased him.

"We should get online. Your father and Bron, and the others have been worried," I added.

Damien agreed, as Miro and Zack set up the communications link to Earth. Shouts of joy greeted us from the other side, as beloved faces of fathers, siblings and friends came into view.

"I've never prayed before, but it seems to have worked! I thank God you're alright, my son!" Darius' face broke into a smile, trying hard to stifle tears of gratitude as Bry hugged him from behind, the big blond Scandinavian finding it difficult to hide his own tears.

"Hey, bro! Man, are we glad to see you!" Bron yelled over the commlink while the others continued to 'whoop' in delight.

"How are his vitals, Zack?" Sam enquired.

"All good, Sam, information is coming to you now..." Zack hit the button, sending Damien's stats over. Sam grinned ear to ear, as Walid lifted her, spinning her around out of happiness, which made her giggle.

Doctors Garrett and Narayan perused the information that Sam handed over to them, while Nurses Sylvia, Carina and Diana clapped for joy at seeing Damien's return to us.

"Kelly! Good to see you, man! How are you doing? All good?" Damien's eyes brightened up to see the young agent.

"All good! It's great to see you too looking really well, Damien" He grinned, flashing a thumbs-up sign.

"Dante, what's wrong, beloved?" Damien looked up into my eyes, which started to tear.

"Nothing, my love. I just realized we should go home...not here...I mean, Earth...Earth has always been home for you, and even for me. As much as this is so damn awesome and all, and I am so grateful that you're awake, and alive to see this and experience this with me, we belong back there, where there are also people who love us and miss us. I will always return here to Nulandia, just to make sure that my people are well taken care of, but first thing's first. I want to marry you on Earth soil, as soon as possible, before we eventually take our respective positions as commanders of the space station, if that's alright with your father" I spoke breathlessly, then, taking my time, I brushed my lips against his. It's been too long since I got to taste these lips...lips that I've desired and missed so much.

"Heard that loud and clear!" Darius grinned, with a twinkle in his eye.

"Will you both be alright if we do this back on Earth?" I looked for approval from my parents.

"Of course, we are. My son, you are leader of your people. We will follow with whatever you decide" My parents beamed.

"Prion, Gaia, can I trust you and Kryon to get everyone settled, and everything in order until our return?" I turned to my two trusted counsellors.

"Of course, my lord. We will serve with pride and honour" They bowed, smiling as the others looked on.

Gaia and Prion embraced us both, a move which took me quite by surprise, but I acknowledged their kindness with equal fervour.

"I suggest we wait for two weeks until Damien has fully gained his strength" Sam interjected.

"Roger that. You heard the doctor" Zack grinned cheekily.

"Oh, I have no problem with that," I answered, rubbing my beloved's shoulders. There was so much of my home planet I still wanted to explore, and with Damien by my side, our future was infinite...