*Author's note: this Interlude chapter falls after Chapter Seven of Eye Of The Storm
Z'aale Zarkon was asleep, his face peaceful, a slight smile on his face. He was on his side. A soft female form cuddled close with her arm around his waist. In his subconscience Z'ale knew who she was. Still asleep, he rolled over on his back, slightly jostling her. She let out a soft moan of protest, but did not wake. Z'ale looped his arms around her waist and pulled her on top of him. The girl smiled faintly, her arms moving from his waist to his bare chest, and rested there caressing softly.
Z'aale, still asleep, enjoying the feel of her, sleepily murmured "Allura..." and nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck, smelling the scent of her.
The girl frowned slightly, as if distrubed by the name, then she relaxed and sighed, going deeper into sleep. Z'aale and she slept contentedly, undisturbed by the world outside.
Interlude Two: Allura:Safe Haven
Allura rolled over in her sleep, a slight smile on her features. She flung her arm around the waist of the man beside her who was holding her close, stroking her hair. She liked the sensation, a small sound of delight escaped her lips and unseen by her, the man beside her smiled. and tightened one of his arms around her waist. She lay on his chest, content and knowing she was safe. Then, as if she had a bad dream, a slight frown crossed her features. A soft moan of despair escaped from her lips and the man holding her, sensed her distress and tightened his hand around her waist.
She stirred again, murmuring the words that made the man holding her stiffen in anger. "....No...Z'aale..."
Then suddenly, she relaxed against him,fitting her body close to his. He looked at her still face in tenderness, kissed her softly and continued to hold her in silent bliss.
Keith Akira, for the first time in days woke up. Not fully but awake. His head felt as if someone had been drillling into it. .......Subject Akira is resisting probe.....Readminister neural stimulator, 410x..... ?????!!!! Owwww........ he felt stiff and couldn't move. Hey! I'm strapped in! he thought....
Suddenly, he got dizzy and thought that perhaps it was a good thing he was....he felt lethargic and tired. His thoughts flitted about like butterflies-not staying on one single blessed thing. Was there an explosion? Allura? Where the hell am I? A ship? Ugh...I dreamed Hagar touched me....ahhg...I am so tired! Got to find out what happened....maybe later..... and Keith Akira fell back into deep dreamless sleep.
Coran, Nanny and Baile Gorma sat at the small dining table in the rec area. It was late, and all were tired. But they stayed up to watch for the ship that would carry the ones they cared for back to them.
Baile stretched and said, "You guys want some coffee? We'll flip a coin to see who gets it!" This he said with a smile. "You want tails or Zarkon?" refering to the Doom issued Drule coin he fished out of his pocket.
"Baile, where the he- I mean, where did you get that?" Coran said, changing his words in consideration of Nanny, the only female present.
"Oh, I get around. So what's it gonna be, lady and gentleman - and I use the term "gentleman" loosely." Baile said, trying to get a rise out of Coran.
Coran, ignoring the jibe said, "I'll pick tails"
"How about you, lovely lady?" Baile turned, smiling at Nanny.
Nanny blushed slightly.
That man's got more charm- than he has a right to! She said, Mmmm..I 'll go with Coran-tails sorry!"Coran stretched and leaned back in the chair."Baile, flip please."
Baile grinned and said, "Okay, Nan, but you're gonna be the loser."
Nanny laughed at that, covering her mouth. Sometimes Coran can be pretty funny. she thought-not that we ever get the time to relax here. It's always one thing or the other. I wonder if Allura..oh my poor baby!.her thoughts turning as always to the girl she loved as a daughter as she tried not to cry.
Her thoughts were interupted by Baile saying, "Hey, Nan! You missed it! It was ol' Zarky himself! You and Cor get to go get the coffee."
Nanny thought to herself, Baile can be so -so- flippant sometimes. ah oh well. I'll let it go, it's not a big deal. Now if Allura was here-
Nanny got up and said, "Humph, Baile, I don't know what you're grinning about! I'm the one who gets the coffee anyway! Its my kitchen!"
As an afterthought, she said, "I'll be nice and bring some cake, too - although neither of you two deserve it!"
With that parting remark, Nanny left the room, leaving Baile and a now solemn Coran."Hey,Cory, you still worried?" The court physician's smile faded.
"Yeah, Baile, I am. Anything that's associated with Hagar and Zarkon I just don't trust. I pray that the witch was telling the truth about Allura and Keith coming back."Coran sighed and said, "I just want to see Allura and Keith, safe and sound!"
Baile Gorma turned towards the observation window and looked at the starry expanse of sky before him,and said solemnly, as if to himself, "Me too,Cory, me too.