An Orville Fanfic

Part 2-Chapter 6

Ed, Kelly, and Dr. Nelson were discussing on what to plan from here on out.  Just one major bump, no one could get close enough to him to actually give him the injection as he was too strong.  But Ed figured he could if they could find a way for someone to distract Alex for Ed to be able to get close enough.  They kinda forgot about someone they could really use, Michelle.  She stood there.  "Um, I could help."

They all looked at her.  Quickly Ed moved towards her.  "Look, Michelle, I do not want you anywhere near this.  Alex's main goal is to get to you, so no, you are not going."

She rolled her eyes.  "That is why I should precisely be the one to go.  He will let his guard down with me.  That is when one of you can sneak in there and inject him with the syrum."

Ed quickly grabbed her hand and she turned to him.  "I do not want you in any danger."

She almost laughed as she said, almost amused, "I love you, but sometimes you are really stupid."  He looked a bit confused and offended.  She smiled at him and moved over to him.  "I won't be in any danger."  She cupped his cheek.  "I won't even be in the room."  She then moved her finger to her head and tapped on the upper side of it twice to remind him of what is in her head. 

Kelly quickly remembered, "She can project herself from a safe distance and can get him to let his guard down.  She would be the distraction and she also be safe.  It is actually genius."

Michelle just looked away.  As much as she wanted to think Kelly for the compliment, she was having a hard time looking at her or playing nice since she found out about Ed and Kelly.  She wasn't even angry that they once were married, no, more at the fact that Kelly cheated on Ed.  It bothered her that someone could do that to him, hurt him like that.

Ed looked at her as he now had an arm wrapped around her.  "I still do not like this."

She smiled at him as she moved her hand to the side of his head and ran her fingers through his hair.  "I promise, I will be okay."

Ed pressed his lips and he still didn't like it.  "Okay, fine, but if we do this, I want to have someone to keep watch over you.  You will be meditating and unable to protect yourself if something doesn't go according to plan."  She just smiled at this.  Then he looked at Kelly.  "Kel, can you keep an eye on her?  Dr. Nelson and I will be ready with Bortus and Talla to be in position for when Alex let's his guard down." 

Michelle's smile faded as she not thrilled with being alone with Kelly.   Kelly said, "Of course."

"You two go to my office and get everything ready.  Once you simulate yourself, meet me outside the mess hall.  Dr. Nelson and I will meet Bortus down in the medical bay to see is Talla is ready to fight again.  Hopefully Dr. Finn has her fixed up.  Right now we need a Xelayan on our side." 

The women nodded and started to part ways.  Before Michelle could leave the room, Ed stopped her.  "Michelle, wait."

Michelle stopped and turned to Ed as everyone else walked out.  Once they were alone, Ed walked up to her.  He placed his hands on her arms and said, sincerely, "Please, take care of yourself and stay out of harm's way, okay?"

She gave him a smile to reassure him.  "Ed, I will be fine. I am stronger in that state, remember.  And I also won't physically be there, so with that being said please remember that I am not really there if something happens.  So don't try to be some hero and try to save me, cause I will be fine."

Ed nodded.  "I know but understand you mean the world to me.  So please, listen to Kelly, if she says you need to leave, do it. Okay?"

"Okay."  Michelle breathed.

Ed moved an arm around her and pulled her to him.  "I love you."  He breathed.

She smiled at him.  "I love you too."

He leaned in and took her lips softly.  Once they parted, she said, "Come on, let's stop him from destroying your ship any farther."

They walked out to see the women waiting.  He walked over to Kelly.  "Hey."  He said.  "Look if there is any problems, get her out of there, no matter what happens.  Make her your priority."

Kelly rested a hand on his arm.  "Ed, I will look over her, I promise."  She reassured him.

She gave him a small smile and walked away as Michelle followed.  He watched them walk away and Dr. Nelson walked up to him.  "You ready?"

Ed breathed, "Yeah."

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Kelly and Michelle walked into Ed's office.  Kelly asked, "What do you need me to do?"

Michelle was slightly cold and distanced.  "Um, get this sofa cushions off the sofa and put them on the floor."

She went to getting herself prepared as well as locking up the office.  Kelly watched as moved the cushions.  Then she asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yep."  Michelle only said as she continued doing what she was.

Kelly knew she wasn't.  She stopped and then asked, "Okay, what is going on?  Why are you being so cold towards me?"

Michelle stopped and sighed.  She looked at Kelly.  "I know you two were once married."

"Yeah, and?"  Kelly was confused on why she was still being that way.  Then she asked, "Are you worried about Ed and me?  Cause you have nothing to be worried about.   That is long over."

"I don't care that you two were married.  That doesn't bother me."  She almost scoffed.

"Sounds like it might be."  Kelly pointed out.

Michelle just crossed her arms.  "But it doesn't."

"Then what is it if that is not it?"  Kelly grew frustrated.

"He also told me what ended it."  Michelle grew angry.  Not understanding how Kelly did such a thing.

Kelly seem to understand.  "Oh."

"What I don't get is how you could do something like that to him.  He is the sweetest, most kind guy I have ever met and to hear that someone he loved and trusted did something like that to him, just makes me angry."  Michelle said, angrily.

"There is more to it, then you know."  Kelly told her.

"Oh, I heard the part where Ed blamed himself for working so much.  But doesn't give you any right to do what you did.  Ed and I have been apart for two years, yet we never were with another soul during that time.  Cause we only wanted each other.  We didn't even have a relationship established and still couldn't.  That is what it means to stick it out.  To make things work."  Michelle grew louder.

Kelly put her hands up.  "Okay, I understand what you are coming from.  But Ed and I have moved forward from it.  We are friends now.  He has forgiven me.  Please don't let something that happened between Ed and I years ago affect us." 

Michelle sighed.  "Fine, let's just get this started."

Michelle moved over the cushions and sat down.  She got into her stance and started to meditate.  Ready for the fight ahead.

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Ed and Dr. Nelson walked into the medical bay over to the exam table where Talla was.  Ed asked. "How are you doing?"

Talla said as she moved her arm, "Much better."

"Good.  Able to fight?"  Ed asked.

"Yeah."  Talla jumped off the table.  "What do you need from me?"

"We have a plan and we will need as much help as possible."  Ed pulled out the syringe out of his pocket.  "Michelle is going to project herself and try to talk Lieutenant Stone down.  As she distracts him, we come in and try to restrain him long enough to stick him with this.  It will calm him down and we will be able to detain him."

"I'm in."  Talla quickly said.

Dr. Finn walked up and quickly said, "I would advice against that, Talla.  You need to preserve your strength.  You have taken quite a beating."

Ed quickly said, "We need her."

"Sir, I understand."  She quickly said.  "But Talla has endure a broken bone, she needs to rest."

Talla intervened, "I am okay."

Ed then said, "Good, cause we are going to need you our there."

Then a few more people came in, injured as others helped them.  Ed quickly rushed over.  "What happened?"

One crew member quickly said, "Sir, we are trying to detain the individual but he is too strong.  He takes down anybody with ease."

Ed turned to his people and said, "We have to stop this before more people get hurt."

Bortus, Talla, and Dr. Nelson nodded.  He headed out as they followed.  They rushed down to the mess hall where they meet Michelle outside of.  Ed knew it wasn't actually her and she was safe in his office.  Michelle was looking worried.  "Ed, he is doing some real damage, we have to stop him." 

They peeked inside to see him throwing chairs in anger and other crew member tried to stop him but he threw them like they were nothing.  Ed turned to them.  "You all know what to do?"  They all nodded.  Ed turned to Michelle.  "You ready."

"Yeah."  Michelle breathed as she nodded.

"Be careful."  He said, worried.

She gave him a small reassuring smile.  "Remember Ed, I'm not really here, I will be okay."

Ed nodded as it didn't really reassure him.  Michelle took a deep breath in and then released it as she stepped into the mess hall.  Alex didn't see her as he was still raging.  "Alex!"  Michelle yelled.  He stopped and looked at her.  "Please, stop what you are doing.  None of these people need to be hurt cause of me.  I am here now."

Alex breathed heavily.  "He lied to me."

"I know.  I know."  Michelle moved slowly towards him.  "He told us everything that he has done and said.  But I am here to hold up his end of the deal."

"So, you will go with me?"  He asked.

"Yes."  She nodded.  "Just stop what you are doing."

"What about your precious captain?"  He scoffed.

"It's over, I told you this."  She moved over to him and cupped his cheek.  "I want you."

"Why the sudden change of heart?"  Alex was skeptical, Michelle could see.

She smiled at him, seductively, and moved closer.  She moved a finger up his arm.  "The other day, when we kissed, I haven't stop thinking about it."

Alex now grinned at this.  He liked hearing this.  He moved his hands around her waist and pulled her to him.  She was surprised by it.  He was even strong for her simulation.  She was usually stronger in this form.  Then she noticed him move in and she cringed on the inside, but this was the distraction they needed to get close to him.  He took her lips and she kissed him back.

Ed stood off as he saw the kiss between the two, it affected him in a way he didn't expect.  He knew it was for show and it wasn't real and that even Michelle that was standing there, wasn't really real.  But it still felt like his heart got ripped out of his chest.  He was watching as it stung in a way.  Talla almost yelled whispered, "Captain!"

"Uh,"  Ed shook his head and said, "Uh, yeah."

"She gave us an in, we need to go now."  Talla told him.

He nodded and pulled the syring out.  "I will go.  Watch my back."

The women nodded.  He got up and stalked over as he went from spot to spot, to hid for a moment to make sure he wasn't seen.  He got closer and raised his arm to stick him, when Alex turned around and grabbed him by the neck.  "You are a persistent little bastard, aren't you."  Alex picked him up off the ground and said, angrily, "Get it through your head, I won, you lost." 

Then he threw Ed across the room.  Michelle yelled out, "Ed!"

He hit the ground and slide.  Talla and Bortus ran over to him to see he was okay and helped him up.  "I will take what is mine."  Alex said coldly to them, then turned to Michelle.  He grabbed her wrist and tried to pull her but noticed she wasn't moving.  She grinned at him.  "Where are you?!"  He yelled with such force.

"You think we were stupid enough to actually hand you what you wanted?"  She asked with a smile.  "Guess again."

She then punched him across his face.  It dazed him as he staggered.  He looked at her bewildered as his lip was now bleeding.  "You stupid bitch!"  He yelled.

She stepped up and hit him again. The force made him stagger back a few feet.  She went to hit him again, but he grabbed her fist and she was stunned.  He stood straight as he grinned.  "We have done this for years now.  I know what you are going to do."

Then she kneed him and Ed yelled, "Michelle!"

She looked at him to see him throw the syringe.  She caught it and Alex composed himself.  He went at her with everything he had as he yelled out.  He grabbed her and he tackled her.  They fell to the ground as Michelle used all her might to stick him.  Then he looked down at her in shock.  "What..."  He looked at the syringe that was in his bicep.  He looked back at her as he felt himself weakened.  "What did you do to me?"

Then he collapsed in her.  She pushed him off her as she stood.  Ed, Talla, and Bortus rushed over.  Michelle looked down to see Alex unconscious but still breathing.  Dr. Nelson rushed over.  Michelle asked her, "Will he be okay?"

Dr. Nelson checked out his vitals.  She looked at Michelle.  "Yeah, but he probably be out for a bit and sore but he will be just fine."

Ed then asked Michelle, "Are you okay?"

She smiled at him.  "I'm fine, Ed.  Remember, not really me."  Ed just nodded.  "See you in a few, when it is really me."

"Yeah."  He breathed with a small smile.

Then just like that, she was gone.  Ed hit the communicator.  "Kelly, is Michelle okay?"

Kelly responded, "Yeah.  She is fine.  Seems a little tired but outside of that, she is good."

"Thank God."  Ed breathed.  "Tell her to stay put, I will come to her."

"Copy that."  Kelly responded.

He looked down at Alex.  "Talla, detain him.  Put him in a cell.  When we get to Earth, they will deal with him."

"Yes, sir."  Talla replied.

She went over with Bortus and they picked up an unconscious Alex and took him away.  Then Ed asked Dr. Nelson, "What will happen now?"

"Well, Lieutenant Stone and Dr. Miles will have to answer for their crimes."  Dr. Nelson told him.

He nodded and she walked off.  He looked around at the destruction in the mess hall and sighed.

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Michelle was now pacing in Ed's office as she hated that she had to wait for him.  Then Ed walked in.  Michelle and Kelly both looked at him and Michelle ran over to him.  She rushed into his arms.  "Oh my god, I am so glad you are here."  Then she pulled back and examined him body.  "Are you okay?  I mean he threw you pretty hard."

"I'm okay." He reassured her.  "A few bumps and bruises but nothing serious.  I'll live." 

Kelly walked over and said, sweetly, "I'm glad you are okay." 

Ed just gave her a small smile and a slight nod.  Michelle hugged him again, thankful it was all over.

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Ed and Michelle laid in his bed in his quarters.  It was their last night together before they got to Earth, then they would have to part ways again.  Ed held her after intense love making as she stayed close to him.  "You know."  Ed said.  "This is our last night like this.  Tomorrow we will be at Earth and we will have to say goodbye."

"I know."  Michelle said in a somber tone.  "I wish we had more time."

"Like forever?"  Ed asked.

She looked up at him and smiled.  "Exactly."

"Then why don't you stay, with me?" Ed asked hopefully.

Michelle looked away, sad.  "I wish I could.  But now they will need me more then ever since Alex is out of commission."

"I know."  Ed breathed.  Then he propped himself up as Michelle moved off of him and looked at him.  "Then how about this."  He took one of her hands and placed it on his chest, where his heart remained.  "That my heart will always be bound to you."

She smiled at this.  "And mine will always be bound to you."

Ed smiled.  "And with that, no matter where we are, we are bound to one another and I know then that will be together again."

"You think so?"  Michelle asked.

"I know so."  He grinned.  Then he cupped her chin.  "I love you, Michelle Langley."

"And I love you, Ed Mercer."  She breathed.

They moved in and gently kissed.

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Ed stood at the loading bay as they were getting Michelle and Dr. Nelson's shuttle together.  They watched as they put Alex and Dr. Miles onboard, cuffed.  Michelle sighed, "I can't believe I have to ride down with them."

Ed just moved a hand on her back as reassurance.  Then asked Dr. Nelson, "You think they will be put away for quite some time?"

"Oh, they will not get released no time soon, that is for sure."  She replied.  Then she looked at Michelle.  "I will see you onboard."

Michelle just nodded, then Dr. Nelson walked to the shuttle.  Michelle and Ed looked at each other.  "So, I guess this is goodbye."  She said, sadly.

Part 2-Chapter 5

Ed was in his office bright and early with Michelle, he called Kelly in and caught her up with everything. That Alex was behind it all. Kelly did noticed, a few times she looked at Michelle, who was standing behind Ed, she would almost scolded at her. Kelly didn't understand her change in demeanor.  After Kelly was caught up, they moved to the conference room and called Dr. Miles and Dr. Nelson in.  They came in and sat down across from Ed, Kelly, and Michelle.  Dr. Miles asked, "What is the problem, Captain?  Is there a delay on our course?"

"No, no.  Nothing like that."  Ed reassured them.  He folded his hands in front of him on the table.  "It seems though, we do have another problem."  Ed pressed his lips and looked at Kelly, then Michelle before he looked back at the researchers.  "It seems one of your soldiers seem to be causing a bit of havoc onboard my ship."

Dr. Miles looked at Michelle and asked, "Is Lieutenant Langley causing problems?" 

Michelle rolled her eyes as she knew they would pin it on her first as Alex was the ideal soldier and they saw no wrong doing when it came to him.  She told Ed as much.  "No, Lieutenant Langley hasn't been the issue."  Ed told the researchers.  "But Lieutenant Stone has been.  Seems he has been projecting a few simulations for his own gain."

"What?"  Dr. Miles quickly said.  "That cannot be true.  He is the perfect soldier."

"Yeah, well, I have been telling you for sometime he isn't that perfect."  Michelle scoffed.

Ed quickly jumped in, not wanting there to be problems.  "Well, we know this is not true.  I know he has been harassing Lieutenant Langley for quite some time now."

"What?  Did she tell you this?"  Dr. Miles grew angry as he pointed to Michelle.

"She didn't have to."  Ed remained calmed.  "I witnessed this first hand.  It's not even the words he say, I have witnessed him grab her."  Michelle looked away as she became uncomfortable.  "Now, if I am understanding this from you, Michelle has come to you about this and you have ignored her complaints.  Well, Dr. Miles, I will not stand for this on my ship.  Now, Michelle asked me not to speak to you about this."  Which she has as she felt ashamed in some way.  "But as Captain of this ship, I cannot ignore this.  Especially since he is taking it farther.  And I am sure the Union would be displeased with how you are allowing a Union soldier to treat his peer."  Dr. Miles was unhappy but also defeated.  He looked down as Ed continued, "Now, your soldier is taking things too far.  As of recent, he has been projecting different things, going as far as threatening me, a senior officer.  Let's included the time I tried to stop him from getting a little aggressive with Michelle and he grabbed me by the collar as if he was going to hurt me."

"He wouldn't."  Dr. Miles quickly said.

"Oh, but he did."  Michelle chimed in.  "I was a witness as was Lieutenant Malloy."

Dr. Miles quickly closed his mouth.  Dr. Nelson finally asked, "You said he projected a simulation.  What did he project?"

"A Krill soldier."  Ed told her.  "He grabbed me by the throat and threatened me."

"What did he say?"  She asked.

Ed pressed his lips as he looked briefly at Michelle and shook his head.  "It doesn't matter."

"Well, we will have to write this in our report when we reprimand him."  She pointed out.  "Where did this happen?"

Ed shifted as now he felt it was difficult to answer these questions cause it would give away his relationship with Michelle.  Dr. Miles smiled as he knew he was hiding something.  "Now, Captain, it seems you have something to hid."

Michelle quickly said, "He was in my quarters."  Everyone looked at Michelle.  Ed was shocked she just spilled the beans and the two researchers looked shocked at the revelation.  "As you two know, Ed and Commander Grayson as well as Lieutenant Bortus are the ones who rescued me from that Krill ship that put this thing into my head.  Before I was a Union soldier.  What you don't know is, while I was on this ship and wreaking havoc with the device, Ed and I..."  She reached over and took his hand as she looked at him, sweetly.  "Well, there was a spark between us.  It was undeniable.  We couldn't ignore it.  That is when our relationship began."  She looked back at the researchers.  "Then I left to help the Union to learn about the device.  It was a difficult decision but one I knew I had to make.  When I came back on this ship, we rekindled our relationship."

Dr. Miles almost snarled at this as Dr. Nelson just smiled, sweetly, at the pair.  "So, this is a motive of jealously."

"No."  Michelle answered for Ed.  "The only one who has been jealous is Alex when he realized what was going on between Ed and I.  Ed never had any reason to be jealous as he knows my heart belongs to him.  It has for the last couple years, since he rescued me from that ship."

Ed looked at Dr. Nelson.  "What was said when he grabbed me was if I do not stay away from her, I would die."

Michelle looked at him as he gave her the mild version before.  Before he made it sound like some ideal threat but this was much more serious.  Dr. Miles then asked, "And where was Lieutenant Langley when this all happened?"

"Well, asleep in the bedroom."  Ed simply told him.

"Then how do we know it wasn't her."  Dr. Miles asked.

"Cause I would never hurt him!"  Michelle slammed her fist down as she grew angry with Dr. Miles.

Ed moved his hand over hers. "It's okay."  He went to calm her.

Kelly then chimed in.  "It wasn't the only time that he projected as someone else."

Dr. Nelson asked for clarification, "What do you mean?"

Kelly looked over at Michelle as did Ed.  "Well," Michelle started to say, "He came to me as Ed.  He said things Ed wouldn't say and broke it off, me thinking Ed ended our relationship. Now, Ed did think for a moment that I might have projected the Krill soldier, unintentionally.  But when we talked later about the conversation I thought we had and realized that Ed didn't actually end our relationship, I put it together that Alex did it.  Then Ed too realized that the Krill soldier was Alex."

"What if he is trying to protect you?"  Dr. Miles asked.

"Look, Doc, I know you don't want to believe your ideal soldier is capable of these things but he is.  He has harassed me since I have known him.  It has been getting more aggressive lately.  He has openly vocalized that he does not like my relationship with Ed.  And we have witnesses to this.  Ed has been threatened by him.  Open your eyes, Doc.  He is trouble."  Michelle bluntly said.

Dr. Nelson then intervened, "We can for sure find out if he is doing it."

"How?"  Ed asked.

"Well, the devices we implanted, they can show us what someone has projected.  It was something we added to make sure our soldiers were not misusing them.  I can look at Lieutenant Stone's device and see if he has projected what you have said he has."  She informed then.

Michelle didn't know that they could do this but she smiled as they would know the truth.  Ed quickly asked, "When can you have the data for this?"

"It will take me a couple hours but I should have it ready by eleven hundred hours."  Dr. Nelson informed him.

Ed looked at Michelle, who seemed to be relieved to hear this.  Ed moved his hand to hers and held it for a moment as he gave her a small smile.  Then looked back at the researcher.  "Meet back here then?"

Dr. Nelson nodded as did Dr. Miles, relcuently.  They all stood moved out as Ed stayed close to Michelle.  "We will have our proof soon."  Ed reassured her.

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Dr. Miles rushed into Alex's quarters to find Alex on the sofa.  "You idiot!"  Dr. Miles was angry with him.  "They know it was you."

"What?"  Alex was confused.

"You projecting that Krill soldier and the captain, the captain, his first lieutenant, and Michelle knows it was you.  How could you be so stupid?"  Dr. Miles moved over and picked up a few of Alex's things.

Alex rolled his eyes.  "They have no proof."

"They will.  Dr. Nelson is looking through the data of your implant as we speak."  Dr. Miles snarled.

"What?  How can she do that?"  He asked.

"It was a fail safe.  To make sure you guys wouldn't use it outside of training or battle.  And once they find out, they will turn off the device."  Dr. Miles informed him.  "If they know it is you, I am sure they will look further at you and find what our side project has been and I will be ruined."

"What are we going to do?"  Alex asked as he stood.

"We have to get you off this ship.  We both have to.  If they knew the other experiments I have been running on you, I will be court marshalled.  Possibly locked up."

"No!"  Alex grew angry.  He stomped over to Dr. Miles.  "You promised me, Michelle.  You promised me that she would be mine."

"You should have thought about that before you became so stupid and tried to take her on your own.  I told you to lay low and in due time she would be yours but you messed that up."  Dr. Miles grew angry.  "Now, get your shit together so we have to get the hell out of here."

Alex wasn't having it.  He grabbed Dr. Miles by the throat and said, menacing, "You lied, you were never going to give me her.  But I will not go without my prize."  Dr. Miles tried to pry Alex's hand off his throat as he gasped for air.  "These roids are something else, Doc.  I mean, I feel stronger then ever.  Mixing Xelayan DNA with it, quite genius, Doc."  He felt a surge go through his body that made him feel stronger.  He dropped Dr. Miles as he breathed in, gasping for air.  Alex's veins bulged out of his forearm as he breathed in and out loudly.  He welcomed the strength.  "God, these Xelayan's must feel like Gods compared to us humans.  Their strength is intoxicating."  He looked at Dr. Miles as he gave him a menacing smile.  "I like to thank you, Doc.  I know I was just an experiment for you but you have done more for me then you know."

Dr. Miles looked at him frightened.  "Dear god, what have I done?"

Alex smiled as he grabbed him by his shirt and lifted him.  "You made the perfect soldier."

Then he threw Dr. Miles towards the walls and he hit it hard.  He was rendered unconscious.  Alex walked over to him and looked down at him to make sure he was unconscious.  Then without another thought, walked out of his quarters.

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Kelly, Ed, Michelle, and Dr. Nelson sat in the conference room as they waited for Dr. Miles.  Ed grew impatient.  "Should we wait for Dr. Miles?  He is already fifteen minutes late."

"No."  Dr. Nelson said, "We have waited long enough."  Then she pulled her tablet up.  "I have looked through the data and I found indeed Alex has been using the device outside of training.  When I went further into the data, I saw he did indeed simulate to project a Krill soldier and even simulated you."

"Son of a bitch."  Ed breathed angrily.  Then he asked, "What should we do?"

Dr. Nelson quickly reassured him, "I have already shut down his implant."

"You can do that?"  Kelly asked.  Dr. Nelson nodded.  "How?"

"With this."  She pointed to her tablet.  "We knew we would need to shut it down just in case something like this happens or if a soldier couldn't control what they project.  We took all precautions."

Ed breathed a sigh of relief.  "What will you do with Lieutenant Stone?"

"He will be reprimanded.  See when he projected a simulation of you, he broke a major law that he signed when he signed up for this project."  Dr. Nelson explained.

Ed looked confused and Michelle quickly filled him in.  "One of the laws that comes with this project is that we are not allowed to project another officer.  It just as bad as impersonating a soldier.  For this, we can be punished as such.  It was all in black and white when we signed it."

"Wait," Ed was catching on.  "Are you telling me he can be punished as such?  He can be court marshalled?"

"Yes.  And Lieutenant Stone knew of the consequences when he signed up for this."  Dr. Nelson told him.

"Wow."  Ed sat back a little stunned on how severe they took this matter.  More stunned that they seem to have thought of everything.  He wouldn't lie, he thought the project was a bad idea but now that he was here that there was consequence for misusing it, it made him feel better about it all.  They have really thought of everything.  "Okay, so shall we arrest him?"

Dr. Nelson nodded.  "I think that would be wise."

Just then, Ed's communicator went off as Talla said over it, "Sir, we have a situation in the mess hall."

Ed then said, "What is it?"

"Um, well, it seems Lieutenant Stone has gone off the deep end.  He is destroying the mess hall as he demands to see Lieutenant Langley."  She informed him .

Ed then ordered, "Detain him.  He is to be arrest."

"Sir, it's not that easy.  I have tried.  He broke my arm, I am on my way to the medical bay."  She said back.

"That's not possible."  Then he looked at Dr. Nelson and demanded to know what was going on.  "How is this possible, I thought you turned his device off."

Dr. Nelson was frantically going through her tablet.  "I did."  She kept going through it then looked at him.  "It's not active."

"How is that possible?  He is a human, my chief of security is a Xelayan.  She should have taken him down with no problem.  There is no way he should have been able to break her arm."  He informed her.

She seemed at a lost.  "I don't know how this is possible.  But the device is not going."

Dr. Nelson thought about it for a moment.  "While we were working on this project, Dr. Miles was working on a side project, wanting to introduce Xelayan blood into humans.  He said with some work, he could make it happen, would make our soldiers stronger.  It was quickly shut down as it was deemed unethical."

"I remember that.  He approached me asking me if I was willing to participate in a trial run.  It didn't sit right with me, I turned him down.  I thought it was over after that.  But it looks like he found a Guinea pig."  Michelle informed them.  "He said something about mixing it with steroids.  I mean, it makes sense.  I did say that Alex was more aggressive then usual.  I should have known."

"Michelle, do not blame yourself."  Ed quickly reassured her.  "You had no idea that Dr. Miles was using Alex as a science experiment."  Then he pressed his communicator, "Bortus, I need you to locate Dr. Miles."

A brief moment later, they heard Bortus voice.  "He is in Lieutenant Stone's quarters."

Ed stood up and said, "Come on."

All the women rushed out behind him.  They got to Alex's quarters and quickly allowed themselves in.  Ed looked around and didn't see Dr. Miles.  "Ed."  He heard Michelle say as she was on the other side of the sofa, knelt down. 

He rushed over to see Michelle trying to prop Dr. Miles up and he slowly opened his eyes.  Ed moved over to him.  "Dr. Miles, are you okay?"

He started to help the doctor up as he groaned and grabbed the back of his head.  He winced in pain as Michelle and Ed helped him up and moved him to the sofa.  Once they sat him down, Ed asked, "What happened?"

"Lieutenant Stone, he went ballistic when I told him you all knew what he did.  He threw me against the wall."  Dr. Miles told him.

"Is he on something?  Like does he have anything in his system that is making him strong without projecting himself?"  Ed asked.

Dr. Miles looked at him for a brief moment, then looked away ashamed.  "Tell me.  He is going ape shit on my ship and he put my chief of security into medical bay which should be impossible for a human to do as she is a Xelayan."  Ed demanded.

Dr. Miles looked back at him.  "Yes.  I found a way to synergize Xelayan DNA and enhance them with steroids.  I knew it would make the perfect soldier, strong, indestructible.  It was perfect."

"But the Union shut down your project."  Kelly quickly said.

"Yes."  Dr. Miles answered.  "They deemed it as unethical.  They said that if it was in the wrong hands, it could make for some problems." 

"They weren't wrong."  Ed got angry.  "Your soldier is smashing up my ship.  Demanding to see Michelle.  Why does he want her?"

Dr. Miles seemed now more hesitant as he became more ashamed.  "Seemed as if it also bring out the animal side of us.  I didn't know.  But the more we continued, the more I noticed his want of Lieutenant Langley.  He was drawn by her, like the animal in him needed her.  I...I made him a deal if he kept himself at bay."

"And what deal is that?"  Ed hissed as he knew he wouldn't like the answer.

Dr. Miles became worried and more ashamed as he couldn't look at them.  "I promised him Lieutenant Langley if he continued with the experiments without succumbing to his animal behavior."

"You what?"  Ed went at him angrily and Kelly quickly got inbetween the men to stop Ed.

Michelle then yelled out, "I am not some possession that you can just give away!"

"I know."  Dr. Miles put his hands up.  "I know."   He slowly put them down.  "I was never going to go through with it.  I just thought if I made him that deal, he would cooperate.  But once he realized I wasn't going to hold up my end of the deal, he threw me into the wall."

"Serves you right!"  Michelle yelled at him.

"How do we stop him?"  Dr. Nelson now chimed in.

Dr. Miles stood slowly as he hissed in pain.  "There is one way."  He walked over to his nap sack that dropped when he was thrown.  He picked it up and opened it.  He put his hand inside to reveal a syringe.   "If you can get close enough and inject him with this, it will counter act with the roids and stop the aggression.  He will lose his strength and even be weakened for a moment."

Ed moved over to him and the doctor placed the syringe in Ed's hand.  Ed lifted it up to eye level and looked at him, then at Dr. Miles.  "And this should work?"

"Yes."  Dr. Miles quickly answered.

Part 2-Chapter 4

Michelle was now in the mess hall, at the bar, drinking her sorrows away.  She dreading the next couple days originally as they would arrive Earth and she would have to part from Ed again.  But after she found out that she was just fun for him, she couldn't wait to get as far away from him as possible.  She never thought Ed would be that guy but at the end, he was.  But it still didn't make sense to her.  His feelings seemed genuine for her.  But they were false.  She downed another shot when she heard an unwanted voice, "Didn't know you were much of a drinker?"

She looked over to see Alex standing next to her.  She rolled her eyes.  "I am not in mood for any of your crap now, Alex."

Alex sat next to her.  "I am just surprised.  Usually you are attached to Ed since we have been onboard."  She looked down at the counter, sadly, and fought back the tears that threatened to surface just from hearing his name.  Alex took noticed.  "Did something happened between you two?"

Michelle was fighting her emotions but was losing, a tear slipped.  "We, uh, broke up."

"Shit, Michelle.  I am sorry to hear that."  Alex said.

She scoffed and looked at him.  "You hated us together."

"Yeah, well, but I hate seeing you like this more."  He told her.

She couldn't help but think that was sweet and looked away.  "Thanks, I think."

Alex then perked up as he slapped the counter.  "Come on, let us go back to my quarters, we can drink the sorrows away and this way you won't be doing it alone.  Can't be much fun drinking alone."

She shook her head.  "Yeah, I am not going for that.  I don't trust myself alone with you."

He grinned.  "Afraid you would let your sorrows land you in my bed."

She sighed.  "No, I don't trust you."

He pressed his lips and sat up.  "Look, I just thought you might want a friend, right now.  My intentions are genuine.  I don't plan on trying anything.  I was just trying to be a friend."

He stood up and went to walk away.  "Wait, Alex."  Michelle called out. 

Alex grinned to himself as he knew she would stop him.  He turned to her as he removed the grin from his face. "Yeah?"

She sighed again and looked at him.  "I really could use a friend right now."

Alex smiled at her.

They were in Alex's quarters, Michelle sat on the sofa as Alex got them a couple of drinks.  Once they were ready, he moved over to them with the drinks and handed one to Michelle. "Thanks."  She said, softly.

He sat down next to her and took a drink.  Then he looked at her.  "So, what happened between you two?"

She sighed and looked at her drink.  "I have no clue.  Seemed like things were great between us.  But out of the blue, he came to my quarters and ended it.  No real explanation.  Just told me that it was fun."  Then she looked at him and got more angry.  "Can you believe that?  He said it was fun.  He basically used me."  She looked back down at her drink as tears formed in her eyes and one fell.  "I thought he was different from those guys.  He wasn't suppose to be one of those guys."

"Hey."  Alex elbowed her softly.  She looked up at him.  "The guy is an idiot if he didn't see what he had.  I would have never let someone like you go.  You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever met and quite the badass."

She chuckled at this and looked away for a moment.  When she looked back at him, something overcame her.  Maybe cause he was being sweet and actually nice.  He wasn't acting like some muscle head at that moment.  He was acting human.  She moved her hand to his and held it.  He looked down at it for a moment then back at her, a little taken back.  Then he saw something in her eyes and moved in.  She moved in as well and their lips touched.  The kiss was at first soft and gently but it quickly build up.  Alex broke the kiss for moment as he grabbed her glass from her hand and placed both of the glasses on the table.  Then his lips were back on hers.  His hands moved down her body as they kissed to her thighs right below buttocks.  He picked her up and sat back on the sofa as he moved her on top of her so her legs were straddling him.  He broke the kiss and moved his lips down her body as he kissed it.  She was breathing heavily as she closed her eyes.  Alex pulled back as he grabbed the hem of her shirt and he pulled it over her head.  She was in her bra and Alex looked up at her in amazement.  "God, I have wanted this for so long."

He moved his lips to her neck and something snapped inside of her.  She pushed him away and quickly moved off his lap.  "I can't do this.  I'm sorry.  I just can't."

She grabbed her shirt as she moved away.  She quickly put it on as she headed to the door.  "Wait, Michelle.  You don't have to go."  Alex called after her.

But she was out the door without another thought.

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Ed was outside Michelle's quarters and hit the button.  It chimed but nothing.  He tried it again after another moment and again nothing.  He was confused on where she could be.  He went to move away and walked down the hall around the corner, when he literally ran into someone.  When he looked, he saw it was Michelle.  "There you are.  I was looking for you."

Michelle didn't want to deal with him at that moment.  Just what she needed on top of everything.  "I have nothing to say to you."

She pushed past him and walked towards her quarters and Ed was confused at what just had happened.  He quickly followed her.  "Wait, what the hell is going on?"

She ignored him and he grabbed her wrist.  "Michelle, just stop!"

She turned to him.  "What!  Did you come to remind me how I was just fun?  Or did you want to rub it in after breaking up with me?  You think you could make me feel any lower then I already do, trust me, I have you topped.  I almost slept with Alex."

"You what?!"  Ed was bewildered.

She pulled her wrist from his hand.  "No, you are not even allowed to be angry with me.  We are no longer together, remember.  You made sure of that."

"What the hell are you talking about?"  Ed was confused and angry all at once at what was happening.

"Oh, do not give me that shit, Ed.  You said I was fun, remember?  You made it loud and clear what I really was when you broke up with me."  She was angry.

Ed was so confused.  "Why do you keep saying that?  I never broke up with you.  I literally just got off work."

"What?"  Now Michelle was confused.  "But you came to my quarters earlier and told me it wasn't going to work and that I was just fun."

Ed crossed his arms.  "Okay, now I know that isn't me.  That is something I would never say."

Michelle was now more confused.  "But it was you.  I mean, it looked just like you.  You even touched me.  I don't know how it is poss..."  Then something dawn on her and she became angry.  "Oh, I am going to kill him."

She walked by Ed and he quickly grabbed her wrist again as he turned to stop her.  "Whoa, kill who?  What is going on?"

She sighed as she turned to him.  "I think I know who is behind this."

Now, they were in Michelle's quarters as she was sitting on the sofa and Ed was pacing angrily as he was caught up.  "Calm down, Ed."

"I am going to kill him!"  Ed almost yelled.  "The stupid son of a bitch projected me to break us up and then tried to sleep with you." 

"I know."  Michelle breathed.

"And you almost did!"  Ed turned and yelled at her.

"But I stopped it!"  She yelled back.  "And I thought you broke up with me!"  She then got quiet as she looked away.  "I was hurting and not thinking straight.  It tore me up that you broke up with me."

Tears fell as she thought about it.  Ed noticed and quickly moved over to her as he sat next to her.  "Hey, hey, hey.  Don't do that.  It wasn't me, okay.  I am here now.  I am not going anywhere."

She moved into him as he wrapped his arms around her.  "I'm so sorry, Ed.  The pain was just unbearable and I saw comfort in the first person who showed me attention.  I was an idiot.  You just don't understand how unbearable it was when I thought it was over."

Ed rubbed her back.  "I do, more then you know."

She looked up at him and asked, "Do you forgive me?"

Ed smiled at her.  "Yeah, I do."

She couldn't help it but smile.  He moved in and took her lips softly.  They kissed for a moment then pulled away.  Michelle moved her head to his chest and stayed that way as he sat back in the sofa and just held her.  Then he asked, "So, I have to ask, why did you stop it?"

"Cause it didn't feel right."  She said, softly.  Then pulled back some and looked up at him.  "Not like it does when I am with you."  She moved a hand to the side of his head and ran her fingers through his hair.  "Truth is Ed, I am in love with you.  I have been for a long." 

Ed smiled when he heard this.  "I love you too, Michelle."

Then he moved in and took her lips deeply.  He knew he felt for her in this way for some time and was happy to finally say it out loud.  He knew she was the only one for him.

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Michelle and Ed laid in bed as they were tangled up with each other.  Michelle's head was on his chest as he had an arm wrapped around her.  "What are we going to do about Alex?"

"I don't know."  Ed breathed out.  "Probably talk to Dr. Miles about what Alex is doing.  He is causing projections, intentionally, to try to tear us apart."

Michelle lifted her head and looked at Ed confused.  "Projections?  He has only done this once."

"No, he hasn't."  Ed sighed.  Michelle looked at him confused.  Ed became worried now.  "Look, please do not get mad with what I am going to tell you.  But you remember the other night, when I was in the living area."  Michelle nodded.  "Well, the reason I was out there was cause I heard a noise and went to go investigate, when I went out there, there was nothing there.  When I went to go back to bed, a Krill soldier was standing there and grabbed my neck.  I couldn't breath or get him to let me go.  He told me to stay away from you.  Then I fell to the ground, gasping for air and when I looked around, he was gone but you were there."

"Why didn't you tell me?"  Michelle asked.  Ed looked away, ashamed, and Michelle quickly caught on.  "You thought it was me."

She moved away from him and laid on her back on the other side of the bed.  Ed quickly rolled to his side and propped himself up to look at her.  "Michelle, I swear, I thought you were doing it, unintentionally.  I didn't think you would try to hurt me on purpose.  But now we know, it was Alex.  It just more frightening to think he is doing it, intentionally."

"You should have just asked me."  Michelle was a little hurt by what he thought.

"I know."  Ed breathed.  He moved an arm around her waist and laid next to her as he pressed his nose to her check.  "I just didn't want to think that way about you.  Not with the woman I love.  I kept trying to think of any other explanation before I confronted you about it.  I just wished I remembered Alex has the same thing in his head that you have in yours.  I mean, the man has been very vocal about wanting to be with you.  It just never registered.  I am just glad it wasn't you.  Deep down I knew you couldn't do this."

She sighed as she knew she couldn't stay mad at him.  She turned to him and moved a hand on his chest.  "Ed, I would never hurt you in any way possible."

"I know that."  He breathed.  "That is why I struggled with it.  Cause deep down I knew it couldn't be you.  I just knew."

She gave him a small smile then her face went somber.  "Who hurt you like that for you to be so guarded?  To doubt the person you are with."

He sighed as he never talked about any of his past relationships with her.  "Where do I start?  Well, the most recent before you was Janal.  We developed a relationship while she was on the ship.  She looked human.  I thought she was.  But later found out she was a Krill trying to capture a captain.  She choose me as we had a run in, in the past.  And not a good one.  She basically swore vengeance on me.  She almost got it."

"A Krill looked like us?"  She asked.  He nodded.  "God, that is a frightening thought."  She breathed.

"You have no idea.  The most frightening was the fact I shared a bed with her a few times.  I mean, she could have killed in my sleep if she really wanted to.  I felt like an idiot."  Ed breathed.

Michelle reached up and cupped his cheek.  "No, not an idiot, Ed.  Just a hopeless romantic."  She moved her figure tips over his skin till she got to his lips and gently moved her fingers over them.  "But I have a feeling she wasn't the only one that you felt like betrayed you."

He shook his head.  "I mean, what Kelly did when we were married messed me up a bit too."

Michelle was taken back as she had no clue that Ed and Kelly were married at some point.  She propped herself up and looked at him in shock.  "Wait, you and Commander Grayson were married?"  Ed nodded.  "And you didn't think to ever tell me?"

"It never crossed my mind.  I mean, we moved past it.  We work well together, just found we weren't the right match as a couple."  Ed explained.

She sighed then asked, "So, what happened between the two of you?  I mean, why did the marriage end?"

Ed sighed and turned to lay on his back.  "I, uh, caught her in bed with another man.  A Retepsian at that."

"Wait, isn't that the blue looking ones?"  She asked.

He looked at her for a moment.  "Yeah."  He then looked back at the ceiling.  "Apparently, I pushed her into his arms.  I worked a lot, but it was for us.  Or I lead myself to think I was.  I guess we both messed our marriage up in some form or another."

Michelle quickly moved to him and laid her head on his chest.  "That doesn't matter.  I mean, we spent two years apart and I have never been with anyone."

"Yeah, well, you almost did tonight."  Ed pointed out.

She lifted her head and said, defensively, "I thought we were broken up.  I was heart broken.  But even after everything I thought, I couldn't go through with it."  Then she laid her head on his chest.  "Not when it didn't feel as right as this does.  Regardless if we were over or not, I couldn't do it.  Cause I know the only man I want, is you."

Ed smiled at this.  He loved to hear that, no matter what their relationship status was, she only had eyes for him.  He kissed the top of her head.  "Well, makes you feel any better.  The last two years, I couldn't be with anyone else either.  You are the only woman I have wanted and ever will want."

Part 2-Chapter 3

Michelle was in the simulation room.  The simulation was that of a work out room.  Alex was there as well as Dr. Nelson, Dr. Miles, and Claire.  The doctors were talking amongst themselves about what the training they were going to go through.  Ed walked in with Gordon.  Gordon have been openly protesting Alex and Michelle being there, especially Michelle.  He had been voicing it to Ed quite often.  Ed thought the only way to show Gordon that it was safe to have them there, was to show him a demonstration first hand, which Ed was invited to.  Once inside, Gordon looked around, uneasy.  "You sure this is safe, man."

Ed chuckled and placed a hand on his shoulder.  "I promise, it is fine."

Ed moved his eyes around to find his woman, when he saw her.  She was stretching and he thought she was absolutely radiate.  He watched as she standing, bent over, grabbing her ankle, and her other leg went into the air.  Ed breathed, "Jesus."  As he saw her flexibility.  She never stopped surprising him.

She put her leg back down and looked over to see Ed was there.  She smiled at him as he smiled back.  Gordon took noticed.  "Oh, man."  Gordon groaned.  "You two were back at it, aren't you?"

"I have no clue what you are talking about."  Ed quickly said to cover it up.

"Dude, I have known you for a long time.  I can tell by now when something is going on between you and some woman.  You have that look in your eye.  You are totally seeing her again."  Gordon was a little louder now.

"Shhh."  Ed quickly said.  Gordon gave him a knowing look.  Ed sighed, "Fine, yes, Michelle came to my quarters last night and you can say we rekindled what we had before."

Gordon smirked at him.  "You dog."

Ed laughed.  "Come on."

They moved over to the doctors as Alex and Michelle moved to each side of the room.  They sat down in their meditating stance and started to meditate.  In no time, they projected themselves to the center of the room.  They were in position and started to fight.  They did as everyone else watched on.  After it was over, Michelle and Alex got out of the stance and joined the group.  After Gordon saw how they had control, he did feel better about them being on board.  Once it was over, Ed and Gordon walked over to Michelle.  Gordon was impressed.  "Wow, Michelle, I have to say, that was awweesome!"

Ed slightly chuckled as Michelle laughed.  "Well, I am glad if it makes you feel better about me being onboard the ship.  Look, what happened last, I didn't even know the device was in my head, so I couldn't control what I projected.  But I have learned how to discipline my mind and body so now I can control what I project.  I continued to keep it in my brain to help the Union.  To understand how to control the device and how it works.  We have, now we can fight back the Krill."

"Yeah, sorry for how I reacted when I first initially saw you.  Just after what happened last time, I was a bit worried."  Gordon said, sincerely.

Michelle smiled.  "No hard feelings, Gor.  I completely understand."

Gordon smiled widely.  Just then Alex yelled out as he moved to the three.  "I have to say, for a woman, you keep impressing me.  You actually had the upper hand for a moment."  He was now in front of Michelle, ignoring the two other men there.  "Was actually hot."  He moved his strong arm around her small waist and pulled her to him.  She instantly tried to pull out of his arms.  He licked his lips.  "How about we go back to my quarters and I let you manhandle me anyway you want."

"Ewww."  Michelle was disgusted and kept trying to get his arm off him without causing a ruckus with Dr. Miles nearby.  She didn't want him to think there was an issue between the two soldiers.  "Seriously, get your hands off me."

She looked around to see the doctors had left.  Gordon and Ed didn't like the fact this soldier was getting a little too handsy.  Gordon stepped up and moved a hand on Alex's arm.  "Dude, let the girl go. There is plenty of prime babes on this ship, why just fixate on the one."

Alex glared at him.  "Mind your busy."

Michelle was able to wiggle out of his grip and tried to move away but he caught her wrist and clung onto her.  "Where do you think you are going?"

Ed was getting pissed.  He stepped up.  "Get your damn hands off of her, that is an order!"

Alex laughed at him.  "You think cause you are some captain, I'm going to listen to you."

He grabbed Ed by his collar with his other hand and pulled him to him, so there were face to face.  On the inside, Ed was terrified what this man could do to him, but on the outside he remained strong and fierce.  Michelle yelled, "Alex, leave him alone!  If you touch him, you can get in serious trouble as he is a senior officer."  Alex looked at Michelle as she continued.  "And this sweet gig you have, you can kiss it goodbye.  Is that what you want?"

Alex snarled then looked at Ed before he let go of his collar and let go of Michelle's wrist.  He gave Ed one more menacing look before he stomped off.  Without another thought, Michelle was in his arms, not caring if other people could see them.  Ed felt her trembling in her arms.  "You're shaking."  He pulled away.  "Are you okay?"

She looked down and shook her head.  "He has always been a pig and said nasty things, but he has never touched me like that before.  It scared the shit out of me.  More so when he grabbed you.  I was afraid what he would do."

He quickly went to ease her mind.  He smirked, "I am okay though and you showed no fear."

"Well,"  She licked her lips.  "When you have been captured by the Krill, he seems like a maggot by comparsion."  Then she looked at him.  "But you were mighty brave yourself.  He could have crushed you, yet you remained strong."

Ed just chuckled.  "Like you said, once you have been captured by the Krill, guys like that fail in comparison."

Michelle looked shocked.  "Wait, you...you have been captured by the Krill before?"

Ed nodded and Gordon chimed in.  "Oh, yeah, Ed has seen it all.  A guy like that doesn't scare him."

"Hey, I wouldn't say that."  Ed quickly said.  "That guy scares the crap out of me.  But I learned how to remain calm under those types of situations."

Gordon slapped Ed's arm playfully.  "Come on, don't be humble.  You have seen some stuff in your time."

Ed just smiled and shook his head.  Then he looked at Michelle.  "How about I escort you back to your quarters?"

Michelle smiled and pressed her hand to his chest as she moved close to him.  "I would love that."

Ed smiled as he loved she wanted to be close to him and didn't care who saw.

Ed walked Michelle back to her quarters.  Once they got there, they stopped in front of her door.  She looked at him and smiled.  "So, gotta get back to work?"

"Yeah, a captain's job never ends."  He smiled at her.

"Will I see you later?"  She asked, hopeful.

He moved an arm around her.  "How about right after I get off, I come over and we can get something to eat.  Then see where the night might lead."

She moved her hands up his chest to his shoulders.  "I would love that."

He just smiled at her and moved in.  He took her lips softly.  "Tonight then."  He moved away and went to the bridge.

That night, Michelle's door chimed.  She quickly answered as she was excited to see him.  She opened the door to see Ed smiling.  His jacket was open so his tee showed.  She found him more attractive.  "Hey there."  He chimed.

She moved to the side to let him in.  "How was work?"  She asked as he walked in.

He just smiled.  "Let's just say I am so glad to be here with you."

He leaned in and gave her a small kiss.  When they pulled away, something caught his eye.  He moved away towards the coffee table in the main room and picked up the Kermit he gave her years ago.  He turned to her, in shock.  "You still have this?"

She couldn't help but smile.  "Of course."  She moved over to him and took the stuffed Kermit from his hand.  "I kept it as it made me think of you.  Like the day I learned what they planned on getting volunteers for this project, I looked at it and thought what would you do.  I knew you would do the right thing.  So that is when I decided to volunteer for the project.  Since then, when I made any important decision, I would hold this and think what would Ed do in my position."  She turned to him with a smile and said, "Like you, this stuffed frog has given me guidance all these years cause I felt like I was still connect to you in a way."

Ed couldn't help it but smile.  "I love that this has done that for you.  It actually means the world to me."

He moved in and kissed her deeply.  They kissed for a moment and pulled away.  "Are you hungry?"

"Starved."  Ed almost moaned.

She chuckled as she put the stuffed Kermit back on the table.  Then she took his hand and lead him away.  "Come on, let me feed you."

Later, they were sleeping in each other arms.  A noise radiated from the other room, like someone was there.  Ed shifted in his sleep and opened his eyes.  He heard the noise as it happened again and sat up.  He looked over at Michelle as she slept soundly.  He didn't want to disturb her, so he quietly moved out of the bed.  He walked out of his bedroom and down to the living area.  He moved to the living area and looked around, he didn't see a thing.  He thought he was hearing things.  He shrugged to himself and went to turn to head back to bed.  As he did, he was face to face with a Krill soldier.  Without a word, the Krill soldier grabbed his neck.  In a panic, he grabbed the arm of the Krill soldier that had his neck, trying to grasped for air.  The more he tried to pull him off, the harder the grip got.   Then the Krill soldier moved in and almost whispered, harshly, "If you continue to see her, you will die."

Then just he fell to the floor.  He gasped for air as he coughed as well.  He looked around to see the Krill soldier was gone.  Just then he heard Michelle's voice, "Ed, what are you doing out of bed?"

Ed looked over at her as she now stood in the living area, in confusion.  It was a coincidence that she was now awake as the soldier disappeared.  He couldn't help but to think she had something to do with it, but she reassured him before that she could now control it, but it was all too weird.  What if she did it, involuntarily, or worse voluntarily.  Ed didn't know how to wrap his mind around what just happened.

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Ed moved to the bridge, tired as he couldn't go back to sleep after what happened, especially with Michelle asleep.  He couldn't help but to think she had something to do with this.  He didn't tell anyone about what happened, let alone talk to Michelle about what happened.  He didn't know how to.  First his crew might be unhappy as they were finally coming around to the idea of them being on board, but also how Michelle might act.  He felt conflicted.  He knew as a captain, he should warn his crew of the potential risk but he felt like he needed more to go on.

Kelly looked over and noticed Ed deep in thought.  "Are you okay?"

"Huh?"  Ed looked over at her as he shook himself out of his thoughts.  "Uh, yeah.  I didn't get much sleep."

She just smiled at him.  "Uh huh, especially with Michelle onboard, I bet you haven't.  You two are right back where you left off, huh?"

"I have no clue what you are talking about."  Ed only said as he looked ahead.

"Uh huh."  She looked ahead as she smiled.  "That is why you can't even look me in the eye when you say that."  Then she looked at him.  "Look, it's okay you that you two started this up again.  You are allowed to be happy, you know."

She looked back straight ahead as Ed looked over to her.  He pressed his lips as he wanted to tell her what happened the night before but he worried, without knowing everything himself, he knew she would be quick to want to get Michelle off the ship. 

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Once their shift was over, Kelly moved off the bridge and Ed quickly caught up with her.  He said, quickly, "Kelly, wait."

She stopped and turned to him.  "Yeah?"

"I need to talk to you for a moment about something, privately.  Can we go into my office?"  He asked, a little uneased.

"Um, yeah."  She wondered what he wanted to talk about.

They walked to his office and inside.  Once the door closed, Kelly looked at him and asked, "What's up?"

Ed started to pace a moment and fidget with his hands.  "I don't know how to tell you this and I don't want it to go beyond us unless we know it is true."

"What is it?"  Kelly was now worried.

"I think Michelle is still causing projections, unintentionally."  Ed said, worried how Kelly might react.

She looked shocked.  "Wait, what?  Are you sure?"

"No, not entirely."  Ed told her, truthfully.

Kelly then pressed her lips and looked a bit annoyed.  "Okay, why do you think she is?"

"Okay so, yes, Michelle and I have been seeing each other again."  Kelly grinned at this.  "With that said, last night, something strange happened while I was staying the night."  He started to explain.  Kelly looked at him, waiting for him to fully explain.  "I was in bed with Michelle when I was woken up by a noise in the living area.  I went to investigate and when I got there, there was nothing there.  I thought maybe I was hearing things, but when I went to turn around, there was a Krill soldier standing there. He grabbed me by the neck and squeezed the hell out of me as he picked me up.  He told me to stay away from Michelle.  Then dropped me.  When I looked up, he was gone but only for Michelle to be standing in the room asking me what I was doing up.  It was just so weird how it disappeared and she was there.  Also was weird how I was the only one who heard anything.  I don't want to believe she did it but I have no other explanation for what happened."

Kelly nodded as she understood then asked, "Did you ask her?"

Ed shook his head.  "I didn't know how."

"Well, I think you should."  Kelly quickly said.

Ed sighed as he moved to his chair behind his desk and sat down.  "I am not looking forward to that conversation."

Kelly moved towards the desk and felt sorry for him.  "I know, Ed.  But she has never lied to you before.  In the past she was scared at first but she did tell you the truth.  If she is going to tell anyone anything, it will be you.  She trust you."

Ed looked down at his desk as he sighed.  "Maybe you are right."  Then he looked at Kelly.  "Thanks." She just gave him a nod as she smiled.  She went to walk out but Ed stopped her.  "Hey, Kel."  She stopped and turned to him.  "Please do not tell anyone about this.  I finally got the crew comfort with her being here, if they knew what was going on, the whole ship might be up in arms.  I want to know a hundred percent what we are dealing with before I tell anyone of our suspensions."

"I won't."  She reassured him.

She walked out and Ed sat back in his seat as he sighed, trying to figure a way to talk to Michelle about this.

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A chime was at Michelle's door and she eagerly rushed to it as she knew it was Ed.  She answered it to see Ed standing there.  She smiled but it quickly disappeared when she noticed his demeanor.  "What's wrong?"

Ed seemed shifty.  "Can we talk?"

"Um yeah."  She moved to the side and let him in.  He walked in and the door closed.  "What is it?"  She asked, worried now.

Ed turned to her and sighed.  "Look, I don't know how to say this."

"Then say it."  She almost blurted, couldn't wait any longer for what he had to say.

"I really care about you, a lot.  But I don't think this is going to work between us."  He said with a somber look on his face.

"What?"  She was shocked by this.  "I don't understand.  I thought you felt the same way I did."

Ed sighed again then moved to her.  He put his hands on her arms.  "Look it was fun while it lasted but in all reality, I don't think this will work."

She shrugged her body away from him and said very hurt, "I was just fun?"

Ed sighed again as he looked away.  "Look, I'm sorry you mistook my feelings for you.  I didn't mean to lead you on."

Tears started to stream down her cheeks.  "Go."  She said in a low, angry tone.  Ed didn't move.  Then she yelled as she pointed to the door, "I said get out!"

Ed nodded and moved to the door.  He opened the door and turned to her.  "I am sorry, Michelle."

She didn't even look at him or respond.  He just walked out without another word.  As soon as the door closed, Michelle began to sob.

Part 2-Chapter 2

Now they were on The Orville with Michelle, Alex, Dr. Miles, and the other doctor who came along.  Dr. Aubrey Nelson.  Claire quickly offered to show the doctors her lab.  Ed quickly went to show Alex and Michelle their quarters.  They walked when they got to the quarters Alex would reside for the next few days.  They stopped in front of the door.  Ed turned to Alex.  "This is where you be staying, Lieutenant Stone."

"Great."  Alex slapped Ed's shoulder.  It actually hurt him.  As Alex turned towards Michelle, Ed rubbed his shoulder.  Alex smirked at Michelle.  "Well, now you know where I will be, I mean, if you get lonely at night."  He winked at Michelle.

She rolled her eyes.  "You're a pig, Alex."

"What?"  Alex smiled.  "I am just offering company if you get lonely.  But if you have something else in mind, I am sure we can make something else happen."

Michelle was disgusted by this.  She moved past him, till she got next to Ed and hooked her arm in his.  "If I need some company, I am sure Ed wouldn't mind keeping me company."

She looked at Ed as he looked at her, smiling.  "I wouldn't mind at all."  Ed said back.

Michelle smiled at him.  Alex looked at the two, angrily, and scoffed, "Whatever, then.  Your loss."  Then he went into his quarters without another word.

Ed and Michelle turned and began to walk, with her arm still hooked in his.  "So, not a bad guy, huh?"  Ed asked her as he looked at her.

She sighed.  "Yeah, about that."  She looked at him.  "I lied.  Doctor Miles was there and I didn't want to ruffle feathers.  Alex is the idea soldier.  But I honestly think he is a complete tool."

Ed chuckled as he looked forward.  "Glad to know I am not the only one that thinks that."  Then he asked, a little worried, "So you two never..."

She stopped which caused Ed to stop.  He looked at her.  "Seriously, you think I would go for a guy like that, Ed.  I think you would know me better then that."

He sighed as he looked away, "I'm sorry, it's just he is tall, buff, and as a man, I cannot deny, handsome."

She smiled at him and they started walked again.  "Yeah, he is all those things."  Ed quickly looked at her as she looked at him and chuckled.  "Come on, I am not blind."  She just shook her head.  "He is all those things.  But he isn't charming and he is a pig.  After I meet the sweetest man I could have ever have known, guys like that are not even on my radar.  Hell, he is no knight in shining armor."  Then she looked at the walkway as they continued to walk.  "I already met my knight in shining armor."  She looked at him as he looked at her.  "And no other man compares."

This made Ed smiled.  "So you still see me as your knight in shining armor?"

"You saved me, Ed.  From that hellhole.  So, yeah, I do."  She only said.

Ed then asked, "I could show you your quarters or we could go to the mess hall and get something to eat.  I mean, it be nice to catch up."

She smiled widely and he got his answer.

They got to the mess hall and sat down at a table after they got some food.  As they sat there and ate, they talked.  Laughed and reconnected.  Then Ed looked at her as something been bothering him.  "Why did you decide to have the device put back into your head?"

She sighed as she worried this would come up.  She knew Ed would not understand.  "I know this isn't what you wanted for me.  But after everything I have been through, I felt like I had to do something, to be apart of this to do something bigger.  What I have learned and how to control myself has been something else."  Then she smiled as she looked at him.  "You do not understand to be able to learn that kind of control is impowering.  I never felt so much stronger and focused.  I love doing this, Ed.  And I am helping the Union in the process."

"But do you really think this is a good idea?  I mean, do you really agree with what they are doing?"  Ed asked.

She just smiled as she moved closer.  "Trust me, Ed.  I am the first person this happened to.  I remember what I have done aboard this ship.   So, when they approached me of there plans, I was skeptical and completely against it.  But as time progressed and they taught me how to control it, I started to see how this could benefit the Union.  Especially now that we know the Krill is using it.  We have to be able to defend ourselves, Ed."  Then she sat back in her seat.  "But unlike myself, these people are willing participates.  With my and Alex's help, they too will know how to control it.  They assured me that everyone that goes through this program will know what will happen to them."  She noticed Ed still was skeptical and moved forward in her seat as she took his hand.  "Listen to me, Ed.  The Union always have done things on the up and up and never gave us a reason to second guess them.  Now have they?"

Ed smiled at her.  "You are right about that."

Just then, some of the crew walked into the mess hall.  Gordon noticed Ed.  "Hey, Ed."  He called out.  They walked over to him and he asked, "What are you doing here?  You usually have dinner in your quarters."

"Oh, I was catching up with an old friend."  Ed smiled at him.

Gordon looked over to see Michelle and his eyes widened.  Last time he saw her, her dreams caused havoc on the ship and he fell out of a non-existing tree.  Michelle stood up.  "I know the last time you saw me, well, it was a mess.  But I promise, it isn't like that anymore."

"What?"  Gordon crossed his arms.  "Did you get it taken out or something?"

Michelle opened her mouth.  "Actually, no.  But I promise you, I have learned to control it.  So, I am safe to be around."  Gordon narrowed his eyes at her.  "Look, I know I caused you to break your leg but that was before.  Before I put myself through the discipline to learn to control it.  The Union would not allow me to be on the ship if they didn't think so and they definitely would not be putting this into others if there wasn't a means to control it."

"What the hell do you mean put it into others?"  Then he looked at Ed.  "What the hell is she talking about?"

Ed quickly stood to calm him down.  "Gordon, I know you are not a fan of this, which is understandable, but that is why Kelly and I felt it was best not to say anything to you all.  We knew you would have objects, especially after what happened the last time Michelle was onboard, but I promise you, this time it is different."

"This is insane, Ed."  Gordon quickly said, almost bewildered.

Ed quickly put his hands up in front of him to calm Gordon down.  "We can talk about this later, Gordon."  Then he moved a hand to Michelle's back.  "But now I need to show Michelle to her quarters."

Just then Michelle noticed Alex had walked in.  Michelle quickly looked at Ed.  "Yes, let's do that, like now."  She really didn't want to talk to Alex.

Truth was, he had been hitting on her since the moment they started to work together.  She had to make nice, no matter how disgusting he was, in front of Doctor Miles.  "No."  Gordon quickly intervened, "You do not get to drop a bomb like this and just walk away."

"Really, Gordon.  I am tired and would like to relax a bit before I go to bed."  She tried to get away.

But it was too late, Alex walked up to the group and moved to Michelle.  He put his arm around her shoulder.  "Are you going to introduce me to your friends?"  He gave a smirk.

She rolled her eyes as she didn't want him even touching her.  She pushed his arm off of her.  "Alex,"  She mumbled.  "This is Gordon, Bortus, John, and Tella.  Guys this is Lieutenant Ass...I mean, Alex Stone."  She smirked.

Ed couldn't help it but smile as well.  Just then Alex looked at her.  "How about you and I get a bite to eat?"  He took her hand.

She pulled her hand away so he wasn't touching her.  "I am good."  Then she looked at Ed.  "Ed and I already got a bite to eat."  Then turned back to him.  "Now, he was going to show me to my quarters."

He then moved his arm around her and pulled her to him in a possessive manner.  "Well, how about I stop by them later."

She pushed him away, hard.  "Ew, do not touch me."  Michelle was disgusted by Alex's actions.  "Only in your dreams..."  Then she thought about it for a moment.  "No, not even then."   Then she turned to Ed as she moved to him and hooked his arm.  "Why don't you show me to my quarters?"

"Sure."  Ed said then they walked off.

Gordon looked at Alex.  "Dude, seriously, you cannot get in between them, they have history." 

Without another word, they moved away from him.  He looked on to where Ed and Michelle left and narrowed his eyes.  "But I will not give up that easily."

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Ed was relaxing in bed, reading, when he heard his door chimed.  He looked confused as he didn't expect company.  He walked out of his room to the main room in his quarters to his door.  He opened it and saw Michelle there.  He couldn't help it but smile.  "What are you doing here?"

She shifted from one foot to another.  "I, uh, couldn't sleep.  I hope I didn't wake you."

"No, not at all."  Ed quickly said, he was more then happy to see her.  He moved to the side.  "Come on in."

She walked in and Ed closed the door behind her.  She turned to him.  "You sure I am not intruding?"

Ed smiled at her.  "No, not at all."  Then he put a hand on her lower back.  "Let's sit."

They moved over to the couch and she sat down.  "You want anything?   Something to drink?"

"I wouldn't mind a whiskey on rocks."  She smiled.

He went to the food simulator and got two of the same drink.  He grabbed them once they appeared and moved over to her.  He handed her a glass as she quickly thanked him and sat down.  "So, why the late night call?"

She took a drink and smiled.  "Like I said, I couldn't sleep.  I was hoping for some company.  And you said you wouldn't mind keeping me company if I needed it."

He smiled.  "Glad you decided to come to me."  Then he took a drink as he was a bit nervous.  He didn't know what to say.  Her being back on his ship did something to him, brought back old feelings but he didn't know she felt the same way still so he didn't want to press it.  "So, how are you liking your quarters?  Are you comfortable?"

She chuckled and shook her head.  "My quarters are just fine, Ed."  Then she moved her glass to the table and turned in her seat to look at him more.  "But are you really wanting to know if I am comfortable in my quarters?"

He chuckled as he looked at his glass as he was nervous.  Then looked at her with a smile.  "I guess not."

She smiled at him and moved a hand to his that held his glass.  She took it from him as she moved to the table.  Ed looked at her confused, trying to figure out what she was up to.  She moved back into her seat and took his hand.  "Truth is, I really have missed you, Ed.  I have thought about you everyday since I left you."  Then she moved a hand up his arm as she looked at it as his breathing hitched.  He licked his lips and watched her, unable to even move.  She looked up at him.  "But now we are here, together."  Her hand moved up to the back of his neck.  "I don't want waste another moment with you."

Ed looked at her.  "What are you saying, Michelle?"

She smiled at him.  She moved in as she pulled him to her.  His lips moved to hers and they touched.  Ed instancely felt the spark that he hadn't felt in so long.  He moved his hands to her back and pulled her to him as he deeped the kiss.  Their lips parted as he rested his forehead on hers.  "I have missed you so much."

"Show me."  She whispered.

That he did.   He moved back in and kissed her, deeply.

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Michelle was in a deep sleep as Ed was curled up behind her, holding her close, sleeping as well.  They were unaware of the figure that gazed down on them.  Alex looked down at the couple as he could see they have been with each other, intimately.  This infuriated him as he longed for Michelle.  He always have noticed how beautiful she was and wanted to make her his.  But now he saw what Gordon was saying was true, she had feelings for Ed.  All the ships that had to escort them back to Earth, it had to be the one where Michelle's long lost love had to be the Captain of.  

Part 2-Chapter 1

(If The Kaylon never attacked so The Krill and the Union never signed the peace treating, causing them to still be at war.)

Admiral Tucker was on the screen.  "Do you remember when you rescued Michelle Langley from that Krill ship, only to find she was implanted with a device, a simulator that projects her dreams?" 

Ed averted his eyes down as he heard Michelle's name.  It had been two years since he saw her.  He missed her every day since.  Kelly looked at Ed waiting for him to respond.  Then she kicked his leg.  This pulled Ed from his thoughts.  He looked up at the Admiral. "Uh, yes, sir."

"Well, it seems our fears have happened.  A small Union ship was attacked.  Somehow the Krill got onto the ship without a shuttle.  There was a fight, and the ones that survived said when it ended, they just disappeared.  It seemed as if they were testing the effectiveness of the device.  But we have a plan, that is where you come in."  She told them.

"How so, sir?"  Ed asked as he was confused what they could do.

Admiral Tucker leaned forward in his seat.  "We need you to go to Epsilon two.  They have been testing the device themselves.  We have pretty much perfected it.  We want you to pick up a couple people so we can get started training some of our people to be prepared for another attack."

"Are you thinking about putting this device into our own people?"  Ed now seemed dumbfounded.

Admiral Tucker nodded.  "This is all a volunteer bases.  Everyone that will go through this has volunteered for it and understand everything it intels.  These people know what we plan on doing and agreed to participate.  They also have been through vigorous test to make sure they can handle such a thing.  Trust me when I say we are doing this all by the book.  I know this isn't idea but we have no other way of fighting back."  Ed just sighed as he didn't like it.  "Will this be a problem?"

Ed shook his head.  "No, sir."

Admiral Tucker sat back as he said, sternly, "Good, cause we are depending on you and your crew to get these people here safely.  They are very important."

"I understand, sir."  Ed only said.

"I will be expecting you in a few days, Captain."  The Admiral said before hanging up.

Ed sat back and Kelly looked at him.  "Are you okay with this?"

"It doesn't matter if I am okay with this or not.  We have our orders.  So, I guess, let's get on it."  Ed only said to her then stood.

They both walked to the bridge and Ed ordered as they sat down.  "Set a course to Epsilon two."

"Yes, Captain."  Gordon only said.  

"What is at Epsilon two?"  Talla asked.

Ed sighed.  "Seems we are to pick up a couple individuals and escort them to Earth.  It is vital we get them there safely, according to the Admiral Tucker."

Then Gordon turned to him and asked, "Why are they so important?"

Ed looked at him and then at Kelly.  She then asked, "Do you remember a couple years ago when Michelle Langley was on board."

"Yeah, how could I forget.  She caused me to break my leg."  Gordon mumbled.

Talla looked at him.  "How the hell did she cause you break your leg?"

"It's a long story."  Gordon informed her.

"Yeah, well, you know that was not her fault.  It was what the Krill put in her head."  Ed quickly chimed in.

Kelly then continued, "Seems they have figured out the device and these people are to come to Earth to give their findings."  Kelly wasn't going to tell them what else they decided to do as it might make the same crew, who had unfortunate events happen to them cause of Michelle.  They might not be too happy if they found out there will be more Union soldiers with the device in their head.  "We are to pick them up and make sure they arrive to Earth safely."

"Oh, goody."  Gordon turned to them.  "We get to basically be babysitters."

"This is important, Gordon."  Ed informed him.  "Might not seem like it, but apparently these people are important to the Union.  It is our job to get them where they need to go, safely."

Gordon then said, "Understand, sir."

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"Sir, we are here."  Gordon informed Ed.

Ed stood up as he looked on.  "I really do not miss this place."  He sighed then.  "Talla, Kelly, you are with me.  Bortus take control and informed Dr. Finn to meet us at the loading bay."

Bortus stood up.  "Yes, sir."

Ed, Kelly, and Talla moved off the bridge and to the loading bay.  Claire was already there.  They got into the shuttle and drove out.  They drove down to the planet and landed out of the research facility.  They walked off the ship when they were meet by a man.  He smiled at them as Ed walked to him.  The man quickly held his hand out and said, happily, "Captain Mercer, I am so happy you made it.  I am Dr. Marcus Miles.  I am one of the individuals you will be taken with you."

Ed shook his hand.  "How many of you will we be taking?"

"Four.  Two of our soldiers and another researcher."  Marcus informed him.

Ed looked around.  "Where are they?"

"Inside.  Come with me."  Marcus only said.

He turned and walked towards the building as Kelly looked at Ed confused and he shrugged.  They began to follow him.  They walked inside and Claire asked, "I do have to ask.  This device, have you figured how to remove the device."  Claire was filled in what was going on as a scientist, she would have a different view on it and be unobjected to it.

"Oh, yes."  Marcus smiled.  "We figured out that out in a matter of weeks."

This eased Ed as that meant that Michelle was free from the device and probably back on Earth, happy on her farm that she told him about.  "But we also found the device very fascinating.  A simulation embedded into the brain to project dreams into reality.  It is something we have never seen.  But this does change things.  Our soldiers going into battle without being harm.  It is something we could only dream of."  Then he stopped and turned to them.  He said, happily, "Now it is a reality.  This is a huge scientific breakthrough."

Then he turned back around as Ed rolled his eyes.  He hated the idea of it all.  "Yeah, but only cause the Krill thought of it first and use it as a weapon."

"That is why this is so important.  We did not move forward with this unless we knew the Krill was using it.  The Union has been prepping soldiers back on Earth for training incase it came to this.  But it was very important we did not go through with actually putting the device into anyone, expect for the participates we have here, unless it was necessary.  Now that we know the Krill is using it, the Union deems as necessary."  Marcus told them.

They stopped walking as Marcus turned to a window.  "Wait, participates.  Are you saying, there are people who have this device in them already?"

"Yes."  Marcus looked at him.  "How else could we study it?  The two Union soldiers who are coming with us are the participates."

"Whoa.  No one told us that people coming onboard our ship, was going to have this thing in there head."  Ed wasn't happy to hear this.  "Last time we did, our crew were hurt and almost killed."

"I assure you, Captain, your crew will be safe.  Our participates have learned how to control it, to control what they project."  He turned to the window as did Ed and the rest of the crew did to see a man sitting with his legs crossed and his eyes closed.  He was hooked up to a monitor and completely still.  He looked to be meditating.  "We found that with meditation, our soldiers can project it and control it, they no longer just have to be asleep to do so.  They also trained their minds to not dream so they do not project anything unwanted.  These soldiers are completely trained."

Ed watched.  "Is he doing it now?"

"Lieutenant Alex Stone is indeed doing so."  Then Marcus looked at Ed with a smile.  "Would you like to see what he is simulating."

Claire quickly chimed in.  "I would."

Marcus looked at her and smiled.  "Over here."

They walked over to the next window and looked in to see the same guy up against another person, a woman.   They couldn't see her face.  But the man was tall and built.  Handsome at that.  He was smiling at the woman as he said, "You little girl are in for a world of hurt."

"See,"  Marcus started and Ed listened as he watched the two start fighting, karate style.  "Not only are they not in harms way, but it seems what they project is much stronger then them.  And they do not go down easily."  They Alex was behind the woman and she grabbed his arm.  She pulled him over and he landed hard on the ground.  "Unless they are against another simulation.  Seems the only way they can be taken down."

Claire then asked, "Tell me, doctor, how do you exactly implant this device."

Marcus began to drone on but Ed didn't pay attention.  Instead he kept looking at the two in the window.  Something felt familiar about the woman.  Her built and height.  Her hair color and stance.  Ed felt like he knew her but still could not see her face.  She helped the man up and turned as she looked to be smiling and talking.  As she turned, she pushed her hair behind her ear and Ed saw her face.  His eyes widened.  He rushed over to the next window as the crew looked at him, confused by his sudden demeanor.  Claire and Marcus even stopped talking as they noticed.  "What is it, Ed?"

Ed looked in at the next window as he saw the same woman fighting with the man.  He knew he wasn't seeing things as he looked in to see her sitting in the same position as the man was in the first room, meditating as well.  "It's Michelle."  Ed pressed a hand on the window as he looked at the woman who left him those years ago.  

Kelly wasn't sure if she heard him right, instead she turned to the window that had the projects of the individuals to see it was indeed Michelle.  She looked towards the Captain. "Ed?"

He said as he kept pressing his hand on the window, still in shock to see her.  "I want to speak with her."

Marcus walked over to him as he said, "Once the simulation is over, I will introduce to you Lieutenant  Langley and Lieutenant Stone."

"No, now.  I want to see her now."  Ed demanded.

Marcus explained.  "They are still in training.  We need to let them finish."

"I said now!"  Ed was now turned to him as he got upset.

Marcus just nodded.  He walked to the second window as Kelly and the crew walked over to Ed.  Marcus pushed a button and he said, "Lieutenant Langley, Lieutenant Stone, that will be all."

"We were just getting started."  They heard Michelle complain.

"I understand."  Marcus told them.  "But we have people who are very eager to meet you."

Then a few seconds later, Ed looked through the window to see Michelle open her eyes.  She seemed frustrated as she took off a few patches from her body that were measuring her vitals.  She walked out the door as Marcus walked past the crew.  Michelle walked up to him, extremely annoyed.  "What the hell, Doc?  I was kicking ass in there.  What was the reasoning for pulling us from it?"

"You thought you were kicking ass.  Try as you might, Michelle, but it will never happen." They heard the man's voice from behind them and they turned around to see Alex walking towards them.

Ed turned back to Michelle as she was looking past him at the man.  "Okay, Alex.  But who's ass just got handed to him."  She was smiling widely.

Then her eyes moved and hit Ed.  Her smile disappeared, quickly.  She looked stunned.  "Ed?"  She breathed, almost questioning that he was really there.

Ed smiled at her.  "It's good to see you, Michelle."

"It's...it's really you."  Then a smile beamed from her lips as she rushed to him.  She almost jumped into his arms as they hugged.  Ed held her tightly as he moved his face into her neck.  They pulled away and Ed took her hands as he smiled widely.  "I can't believe you are here."

"Well, I am."  Ed said, happily.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you."  She couldn't stop smiling.

Ed chuckled.  "I think I can."

Michelle looked over and noticed the rest of the crew.  She saw Kelly.  She moved away from Ed as she let go of his hands and hugged Kelly as she said, "Oh, my god.  Kelly.  It's so amazing you are here."

When they pulled away, Kelly smiled at her.  "You look good, Michelle.  It's so good to see you."

Then Michelle saw Claire.  "Oh, my favorite doctor."  She hugged Claire.

"Hey, now.  I thought I was your favorite doctor."  Marcus said.

As Claire and Michelle pulled away, Michelle yelled over her shoulder, "No, you're my pain in the ass."

Claire laughed and smiled at Michelle.  "You look amazing, Michelle.  But I am surprised."  At this point Ed and Marcus moved over to them as Claire continued, "To see you still have the device inside you."

"I did get it removed."  Michelle told her.  "They figured out how to duplicate it and they told me how they wanted to find volunteers to implant the device in them so they could study them as they learned to control it.  I quickly volunteered.  They wanted Union soldiers.  But as I already have had it inside me once before, they made an exception."

"And you became a Union officer."  Kelly pointed out.

"Again, she was a very special case.  The Union made many exceptions for her."  Marcus told them.

Then Alex walked up to them, seemingly unhappy.  Marcus took noticed.  "Oh, and this is our other volunteer, Lieutenant Alex Stone."

Ed held out his hand and said, "Captain Ed Mercer.  My crew and I will be escorting you back to Earth."  Alex just looked at his hand then back at Ed as he just narrowed his eyes at him.  Ed shifted, awkwardly, as he pulled his hand away as he realized Alex wasn't going to shake his hand.  "We are to make sure you are to get back safely."

Alex stepped up to Ed where they were now face to face.  He was taller then Ed and much bigger but body mass.  He chuckled.  "Look at me, Captain.  Do you really think I need your protection?"

"Not what I am saying."  Ed quickly pointed out.  "But we were giving orders..."

Alex interrupted, "No offense, Captain, but you can take those orders and shove them up your ass."

Without another word, he walked off.  "Well, isn't he a bucket of fun."  Ed said, sarcastically.

Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over.  Michelle was standing there, smiling.  "Alex is a bit rough around the edges, but he is a good guy."

Ed just smiled at her.  He was happy to see her again and to be so close to her.  Marcus then walked up to them as he said, "Come on, Michelle.  Let's get you packed and ready to go."

"Okay, Doc."  She only said.

Then she looked at Ed again as she smiled before she walked off.  Ed couldn't help it but smile.  He dreamed of seeing her again.  Of having her again.  But just cause they would be flying together for the next few days, didn't mean she still wanted him.  Just then Kelly interrupted his thoughts as she moved next to him.  "Thought you would never see her again, huh?"

"Huh?"  Ed shook himself out of his fault and looked at her.  Then he quickly said, "It's not like that."

She just smirked.  "I know you, Ed.  I know what it means when you look at a woman like that.  It's okay, you know.  You are allowed to be happy to see her again.  I know how hard it was for you when she left.  It's good to see you smiling like that."