Day 4 | Part 1

Their new staging area was much less comfortable, and Ada frowned at the idea that they both had to sleep on the ground. But it wasn't a camping trip, and they probably were better off not getting comfortable, considering. Still, Ada must have felt that they could both do with a treat, so she was just straining off the coffee into their one spare cup. Neither of them had eaten much of anything, and they'd hardly had the time or the chance to sit down and stay hydrated.

Ghent shifted positions slightly. His body had finally gotten the rest it required. He uttered no complaints about sleeping on the ground, as it was hardly a new experience for him. Quickly, he ran a hand through his red hair to brush the debris he figured had settled in it during the night.

Ada glanced back at the movement, and then reached the cup around and pushed it into the ground next to him, so it would stay standing. "Morning, sweetheart." And then the small cooking pot was set aside, and she tore off a piece of hardened bread, offering that back to him, as well. She needed to do just about everything in twice as many steps with only one working arm.

?Morning.? He mumbled that a little sleepily. His dark eyes glanced at the cup as he accepted the bread. He wasted no time biting down on it. ?Do you need some help?? He knew she could manage, but he hated not to at least offer her some sort of aid.

"No, thank you." She tore a piece of bread off for herself, and then went about putting everything away, except the coffee, which she intended on drinking some of. "Did you sleep all right?"

?For the most part.? His period of deduction work wasn't mentioned yet. He was unsure if he should make mention of it at all, really. Ghent knew he shouldn't hide anything from her, though. His conflicted feelings are visible on his face.

Of course, Ada mistook the expression on his face for something else, and frowned. "Did you have a rock right in the small of your back, too? I swear, it was trying to follow me. It even dug into my ribs when I was on my side..." Her eyebrows drew together, like she was thinking about the worst thing in the world, and she reached down to rub at her side without even thinking about it.

He decided it was best not to hide his thoughts from her. Starting a precedent like that now seemed a mistake. He smiled a little at her as she talked about the discomfort of the rocks. He frowned quickly afterward, however. ?No, it's not that.?

His comment caused her to frown, and she looked around to make sure they were alone, before turning her full attention to Ghent. "What is it?" She imagined that if Ghent was worried about something, then it was probably something she should be worried about as well.

He looked into Ada's eyes for a long moment. It took him a moment to actually voice his thoughts. ?I think I know what Theron is after. It's the only thing that makes sense to me.?

She took a bite of the bread and munched at it thoughtfully, as she listened. And when he finished speaking, she waited a moment, before asking. "What is it?" Of course, whether Ghent gets a chance to answer or not, would depend on whether he seems Theron emerge out of the darkness of the woods. He would be visible to Ghent, but he was behind Ada, so she wouldn't see him unless she turned and really looked for him.

Ghent did see Theron. He'd have to answer quickly and not avert his gaze. He watched the large man with his peripheral and then answered Ada's question. ?He had us get the deed, so obviously he needs the manor sometime in the future.? It was the best he could do with such short notice.

"Mm." She nodded in response to him, and took another bite of bread. When her mouth was cleared, she took a sip of Ghent's coffee to wash it all down. "I was thinking about that, too. But he could have asked for the deeds we had in our time." Ada seemed to be mulling it over, completely unaware that Theron was looming nearby, his attention completely on Ghent. His eyes didn't shift to look at Ada once.

He didn't bother acting surprised. He figured Theron would see right through that. Ghent's dark eyes took on that rare dangerous glint. He stared at the man behind Ada before he spoke. ?We've a guest, Ada.?

Before she could even turn around to look, Theron had disappeared back into the shadows. So, when she looked, and didn't see anything, she pursed her lips some. She knew Ghent wouldn't have said anything if he wasn't certain, so she set everything aside and stood up. "Who was it? Theron?"

?Must have been. No one I recognized.? Ghent slowly began to turn around. The sudden disappearance had rattled him more than he was letting on. His right hand settled on the handle of his knife, rather than one of his firearms.

Ada didn't bother waiting around in her spot, and instead started combing the area around their camp sight, trying to catch a glimpse of Theron. "Where are you? We need more instructions. We have the deeds." But, he didn't seem to want to talk to her, because he once again showed himself to Ghent in a place where Ada wouldn't see him.

Ghent cursed mentally. The man was good. He couldn't keep track of his movements. His eyes stayed on Theron. ?Ada, I'm going to go look over this way, be careful.? He let his hand slide off the knife. It wouldn't do him any good if the other man had kept an eye on him the entire time as he suspected.

Ada glanced back at Ghent, nodding, before turning back in the direction she was heading. For a moment, she considered that splitting up would be folly, but then she didn't think they would be splitting up. So, she just talks to the trees, around the staging area. "Come on, Pate, where are you?" He, of course, wasn't there. Instead, he was waiting for Ghent, and leading him far enough away to talk.

He, of course, made no hostile actions. He simply followed the man. Did he know that Ghent had figured out his objective? It seemed unlikely to him, unless Theron could read his mind. Either way, he stayed silent and continued forward.

Theron was a very large man, and he certainly had a shadow to him. Not just a shadow, but a caste that made him stand out. He was obviously fast, strong, and agile, like a super-solider with magic. So, when he stops, it moves them very smoothly into his deep voice and growl-like tone. "You understand now, but you don't know why." It was a rhetorical question. Theron made no moves at all, so that he would seem as nonthreatening as possible.

?The why doesn't matter at this point. You have us in a corner. Do you know who the father of that child is?? Ghent certainly didn't sound like a lad of seventeen. He was calculating and intelligent. The army had served those qualities well. He knew he could do nothing currently. Taking this man head on seemed a quick way to die.

"I know that you are, and I am here to tell you why." Theron moved these words like they were obviously facts, but in a way that seemed like he was reporting to a superior. "I have traveled back through time to obtain this child. It is a societal imperative that your daughter is saved at this point in time."

Ghent wasn't too sure what to make of Theron's tone. He did his best to avoid looking confused. ?I'm curious as to why it is imperative, but I'm not sure this is something I'm meant to know. Do you plan to explain?? Ghent relaxed his guard, but only a little. He still had an idea in case things got sour, anyhow.

"Yes." It was a simple answer, but Theron managed to put force behind it. "I have been sent here, by my superiors, to protect both Ada, and your daughter until this point. I have always done so. There are very specific variables that need to be in place for everything to happen properly." For a moment, there was a hint of a sort of desperation in Theron's voice, but it stopped rather quickly.

?It would have been easier if you had approached me with this, you know. But I imagine there was never really an opportunity.? Ghent let out a frustrated breath. Had he been making the wrong assumptions all along? ?What do I need to do??

"You need to bring me the child. According to my calculations, this you, specifically from five years and three months ago, is the most likely person to convince the Adalia from now to give her child away. Failure is not an option." The looming figure seemed to stiffen up as he said these things, like he was a soldier repeating orders.

?You're asking me to give up my firstborn. Are you aware of how much this will hurt Ada?? His words were sharp, like daggers dangerously swaying from a hand. ?If she figures out I helped you with this, what will she think of me? You're going to have to give me a better explanation.?

"It will not matter for long. Your Ada cannot know, and the present Ada will not know for long. Failure is not an option -- without this child, there will be no future." Theron tried to be very clear on this point.

?What do you mean there will be no future?? Ghent stepped closer to Theron. He couldn't commit himself, not until he understood. His head lifted to look at the larger man.

"Time will cease. The universal will tear. I have been to the future, and I have seen the end." Theron reached an arm out and placed it on Ghent's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Major, but we need her."

He didn't shift away from the touch. It appeared he had indeed made a mistake. He couldn't deny Theron could shift through time, either. He had no choice but to accept it as truth. Ghent looked down at the ground and sighed quietly. ?I understand. We'll get the child.?

Theron nodded, and removed his hand from Ghent's shoulder. "It must be you, and it must be soon. Her and the child will be alone now, if you make haste."

?Can you occupy Ada for a little while?? It pained him to think about this, but, what else could he do? He lifted his gaze back up. His features soon hardened with resolve.

"Yes. I will take care of her." Theron gave one nod and then took a step back from Ghent. He didn't salute or anything, but he still stood up like he was at attention, waiting for Ghent to leave.

?Right.? He nodded and then started heading for the guest house. He moved in his natural rhythm, without haste and with a rigid posture. He didn't understand completely, but it seemed the future rested on their child. His and Ada's. He hated to do this.

Theron, immediately moved away from their meeting spot. But, he didn't go to meet with Ada. And, speaking of Ada, she was packing her things, and getting ready to go searching for Ghent. She didn't know where he went, but she was getting worried.

Ghent made it down to the guest house and went inside as though nothing was amiss. It was the best approach. If the future Ada was sleeping, it was all the better. He looked around for a moment after he entered from the back door.

((This is adapted and edited from the play of January 10th, 2008, with permission. For more information, please PM Adalia Dodd))

Day 4 | Part 3

Theron had been there when the gun was pointed, but he had the upper hand to time travel, and before anyone could tell for sure that he wasn't there, he had appeared behind the future version of Ada, who had finally made it to the top of the hill. He put an enormous arm around her to secure her limbs, and then put the other hand over her mouth. "I do not explain. This is my price." His voice was much more menacing this time around.

Both Ghents had the exact same reaction. Their guns were lifted at Theron. ?Let her go!? They both exclaimed in unison. Some reactions were easy to predict. However, present Ghent shook his head. He started edging his way toward Theron. There was no point in resisting this, he figured.

"Give me the child, and I will let you all live." He roared with the words and leaned his head close to the captive Ada's head. He whispered quietly to her, while watching the two Ghents. "You knew this was coming -- I warned you. And now, payment it due." But Ada just struggled and shook her head as best as she could under his grip.

The present Ada was trying to plead with her Ghent to keep him from handing over the baby. "He's a liar, Ghent! He knows exactly what to say -- you can't trust him now!"

Future Ghent was getting ready to protest. But he recalled something. His eyes narrowed. He pointed his gun at Ghent. ?Let Hannah go, don't do this!?

The present Ghent looked at his Ada for a moment. He gave her a sad look and dropped his Jericho to the ground. As he got to Theron, he spoke. ?I'm unarmed now, as you see. Let Ada go first and I will pay you your price.?

Theron would have nothing of it. He continued his grip on Ada and kept his head down, doing what he could to use her as a human shield. "Give her the child and back away. This is my price!" He roars it at Ghent, tightening his grip around the future Ada, before letting her one arm free.

The future Ghent grinned, for no apparent reason.

?The first rule of a favor system is completing your end of a bargain, Theron.? A knife came toward Theron's back with great speed. Jad's eyes were steeled in determination. He owed Ghent this, at the very least.

The knife in his back caused Theron to suddenly tense and growl with the pain Jad was inflicting. There were some very obvious cracks, and then Theron was gone, and the future version of Ada dropped stiffly to the ground.

Meanwhile, the present Ada cried out in shock and started towards where Jad, her future self, the present Ghent, and little Hannah were. She didn't make it past the future version of Ghent, though, because she stopped to look at him. "H-how did you know?"

?A promise made between old enemies long ago.? The future Ghent lifted his eyes toward Jad and smiled. Jad smirked at Ghent, but said nothing.

The Ghent of the present time was helping future Ada to her feet. After he had, he offered Hannah over and spoke softly. ?Forgive me.?

The future Ada took Hannah into the crook of her left arm, tears running down her cheeks. Despite everything she still managed to be fairly calm. She knew the wrist on her most abused arm was probably broken, so she didn't reach out to touch the apologizing Ghent. But she did tilt Hannah so he could see. She really wanted him to get a good look at his very obvious daughter.

The present Ada was just amazed to see Jad. "Theron didn't do his job? He--you're...? And then--" She was very confused, but she was trying her best to understand.

Jad smirked a little at Ada. He never had seen her before in the current time, yet, but he definitely knew who she was now. ?He offered me a deal to stay alive, Adalia. When Ghent and I happened upon each other again, we actually talked. He offered to help me, if I would do something for him on this day, at this time. He couldn't remember what."

Present Ghent was looking at Hannah. She really did look like him. What had he done? Or nearly done? It was stupid to think that one child would be the difference. He'd been played. Ghent's hand reached out toward Hannah. He brushed her little cheek.

"This doesn't make any sense." She shook her head and glanced over at the other Ghent and Ada. Little Hannah was exhausted and sleeping already, while the future version of Ada just sat and watched the younger Ghent's reactions to the child. "Theron is a clever, dangerous, ruthless man. He would not have looked something like this over. And, and even if he does, then he can always come back and change things." It just didn't seem to click right for her.

Ghent felt the same way, although he said nothing. He fully intended to put a bullet in Theron's brain if he appeared again. ?Maybe his power has limitations. If he can travel through time, why didn't he just come take the baby? Why did he want us to do it.? He gave the future Ada another apologetic look. He felt terrible.

"I don't think this is over..." The younger Ada moved over to her Ghent and glanced down at the little girl for the first time. She didn't say anything, but just waited for someone else to comment. The future version of Ada got to her feet, though, highly adept with working without her right arm. She, in turn, moved over to her husband and stood close by with their child.

?Jad, I hate to ask, but can you keep an eye on the house tonight?? The future Ghent glanced over to the other man.

Jad nodded a little. ?I'll handle it, just do what you need to.?

Both Ghents put their arms around their respective Adas. The present one had little else to say at the moment.

The present Ada was still trying to stay on task. "This works out, obviously. So, what do we do?" She wasn't sure about anything when it came to time-travel, and she wasn't sure how to handle things alone. But she wasn't willing to let it go, yet. Ada looked up at her Ghent, then over at the future version, waiting for one of them to respond. "Do we stay? Do we go?"

?I think if we know where to find Theron, we should attack. Check where he stays in this time. If his power is limited and he's injured I bet he'll go somewhere familiar... we should strike while we can.? These words came from the present Ghent.

The future one grinned at his younger self. ?Somehow, I knew you would say that.?

She looked as if she was going to protest, but she didn't. Instead, she gave her Ghent a nuzzle and then stepped back. "You should stay here and get that wound dressed. And you two should stay, as well. With Jad." Ada had directed that last part to her future self and the baby. Once again, her gaze shifted to the future version of Ghent. "We'll go."

?I don't wa?? Ghent stopped talking for a moment and thought about it. He'd likely just be a liability with his movement impaired as it was.

The future Ghent glanced at the younger. ?Don't worry, leave it to us. You?ll get a nice scar from that, by the way. Sorry for having to shoot you.? He gestured toward the other Ghent's leg. Then he looked to the present Ada. ?Let's hurry, then.?

She nodded, and didn't bother to look back at the others. Instead, she pushed a hand through her hair and started towards the woods. "I think I know where he'll be." In fact, she was very certain she knew where Theron had went. Hell, Ghent would probably know too, since he had been around for so long.

?Make sure not to get close to him unless absolutely necessary. Here.? He stepped up near her and handed over the Jericho. It was a little more worn than the one current Ghent had. He also gave her a spare clip. After that, he pulled the Smith and Wesson from his side. Of course, he hadn't stopped walking to do any of this.

Before they continued on, she stood there and wedged the extra clip between the gun and her chest. She wasn't so worried about that, obviously, but she had questions and wasn't answers before either of them might be killed. "How do I help him to forgive himself? He's going to be devastated..." She was hoping the older, likely wiser Ghent would be able to help. "He didn't know Theron was ruthless."

?Once he realizes he isn't perfect and that you cannot account for every situation, he'll be okay. It might take a little time.? Five years was a decent span of time. While now in his earlier 20's, this Ghent did appear to have even further wisdom than the younger one. ?Some people you can't out-think.?

She nodded and continued towards the mausoleum where her mother was laid to rest. Theron would be there -- if he was hurt, and considering the end, he would be there. "Are you happy now?"

?Are you worried that you didn't make me happy?? He even smiled at that. It wasn't a strange question that she had asked. ?If so, don't be. Our lives have always been happy, even with experiences like this one thrown in the mix.?

Ada seemed very relieved by the thought and thought about it for quite some time. She had never considered that things could be so different, and yet so similar at the core. "Is there anything I can do better? Anything that should be changed?"

?Really now, that'd be cheating. You just be yourself and it will fall into place as it should. Oh, I should warn you. I'm sure once all of this has passed, the version of me that you know will get a little braver with his affection. I learned a lesson from this ordeal.? He shrugged a little.

It seemed like such an out of place statement that she laughed. "And what's that?" But she didn't expect and answer, as she caught a glimpse of Theron through the trees. He was crouched in front of the building, and what seemed to be a very bright light.

Ghent lifted a finger to his lips, although he knew he didn't need to. He crouched lower and began to make his approach toward Theron's figure in front of the grave.

As Ghent would make his approach, the light would get brighter, and it would soon become obvious that Theron was using some sort of magical energy, although it wasn't completely clear what for. He seemed to be muttering to himself, and either didn't care that Ghent was there, or didn't know. Ada, meanwhile, was slowly advancing with the gun still pressed against her chest.

He didn't intend to see what Theron was planning. Once he deemed himself in close enough proximity, he lifted the revolver with both hands. It was hard to get the man's head in his sights, so he settled for the upper body. The gun was extraordinarily loud when it fired.

Theron tensed once again, and then fell forward. There was a whimpering noise that was quickly followed by a flash of magical energy that was easily strong enough to knock both Ghent and Ada off of their feet.

It seemed as if the whole ordeal was over. Sadly, no one was conscious to see Theron disappear back through time.

((This is adapted and edited from the play of January 10th, 2008, with permission. For more information, please PM Adalia Dodd))