What If:

Lewis Had Held Sloan for More Than A Few Hours?

Part 2

Tom could feel his anger when he answered the door. "Why, Tom, why? Why does she need a pregnancy test?"

Tom leans heavily against the counter in the kitchen. "I need to confirm what I already suspect."

Ed glances into the bedroom. Sloan is asleep again. "How long have you suspected this? When you took her from Lewis? Do you think Sloan is pregnant by Lewis?"

"It doesn't matter. If she is, she is. If the child is mine, than it's mine. We can do a DNA test after it's born if she is pregnant. Sloan is more important now. More important than you or me; and certainly more important than my pride. I would be very proud to have Sloan bear my child, but that does not enter into it."

"What does enter into it, Tom? Sloan deserves a choice. What if she doesn't want to have a child now? By you or Lewis?"

"Ed, she can't decide. She can't decide what she wants for breakfast. I'll stay with her regardless of what the outcome is. If she can't get better, I'll care for them both."

"Tom, you could make the decision for her, if you wished."

"Then I'd be no better than Lewis."

Tom cocks his head towards the bedroom and puts on the teakettle. Sloan will be awake in a short time. Before Sloan can start to move, Tom leaves and helps her out of the bed. He helps her to put on the silk robe Ed had gotten for her last week. Tom had asked for one that was green. Now Ed knows why, the green accents her eyes and lets her hair glow. She is more beautiful than he has ever seen her, even with her eyes heavy from sleep.

Ed notices that Tom has become very attuned to Sloan. He was always attentive, now he is much more. It's like Sloan is part of him; he will do his best to take care of her whatever may happen.

Sloan looks at Tom and then at Ed. When Tom nods at her she says, "Hello, Ed. It's good to see you."

Ed holds out his hand and sees if she will take it. They have done this every day he has come. He never could get her to take his hand. Today she lets her fingers brush his. Tom smiles at her and gives her a hug. She did it without being told. She is rewarded.

Tom takes her over to the table and pours her some water for her tea. She sits there watching it brew. "Sloan, Ed's going to take some blood for a blood test. You've had blood tests before. It won't hurt much. I'll be right here."

Sloan's eyes grow wide as Ed prepares to take her blood. Tom talks her through the process and she does it without drawing back from him. "How long before it's finished, Ed?"

"No more than ten minutes. How do you want to run this? Tell her now or later?"

"Later. When we're alone. Maybe even in a few days. I'll feel her out about it before I tell her. Sloan, the blood test is important. I'll tell you about it when you're ready. There are some things I need to get you to talk about before then."

She nods and sips her tea. She does some things without being told now. Very few, but some. "Sloan, do you want to shower?" She looks at him, but says nothing. "Let's go, today you can take a shower by yourself. I'll put out some clothes for you."

Tom takes her and prepares her for her shower. The process of release is painfully slow. Some days she is better some she is worse. The hardest part right now is to get her to talk to him. Lewis likes his pets silent. He comes back to the living room and Ed shows him the test vial. "Positive. She's pregnant, Tom. Now what?"

"Now, I need your help. I don't know what the protocol is about pregnancy in humans. I know she needs an obstetrician. But we need one that is discrete and trustworthy. Could you be her doctor for the first few months of the pregnancy? And we need some place for her to deliver. Someplace with high security. I don't want to risk her life because Lewis or someone else decides to take her again."

"I'll ask around the university. Don't worry, I can be discrete, I don't want to risk her life. Have you thought about her regular doctor? She's been going to Dr. Jamison for years. I know, because I take her down for her annual Pap's. She hates them and is too nervous to drive. You can sense her and sound her out. I think she has privileges at the university hospital, too."

"OK, Ed, you look around the university and I'll make an appointment with her doctor. How can I be sure to be let in with her? She may panic if I don't go with her."

"I'll go with you. She knows me, and she may listen. If she doesn't, we leave and that's it. Are you going to tell Dr. Jamison that you are the father? That the baby may have the differential? She's going to know that Sloan was in on the discovery."

Tom cocks his head and leaves. Sloan needs him. He checks on her in the shower. She needs to get out. "Sloan, come out. Come on, now. Turn off the water and come out." She comes out and he helps her to dry. He can feel her desire rising. He won't deny her what she wants but he will try to dissuade her. "Sloan, we have company right now. Can you wait? Ed will be gone soon." He nuzzles against her.

"Tom, I want you." She did it. She asked. She asked for so little. He knew he would give her what she wanted.

"Ed, we'll be out in a little bit. I'll explain later."

He takes her to the bed and satisfies her desire, quickly and completely. He knows what she wants now and he gives it to her. Bending himself to her desire instead of her to his. In the warm afterglow, he kisses her gently. "Are you better, now?" He knows she is. "Is it all right if I go and talk to Ed, now? Can you shower again and clean up? Do you need help?" She doesn't want him to leave her, he knows. He picks her up and takes her to the shower and cleans them both. He needs to finish his conversation with Ed. He helps her to get dressed and he puts on some jeans. He feels Ed in the living room. He is upset. Tom doesn't blame him.

Her tea was cold. Tom put the teakettle on again. He left her sitting at the table and drew Ed aside. "Ed, when she asks, I give. I don't make her do something for the things she wants. It will help break the control. She will know she can have what she wants. I'm sorry you are upset, but it was necessary."

Tom sees a questioning look on his face. "Tom, how come she can ask for sex but not anything else?"

Tom shrugs. "It's what she was taught to provide. My people can sense feelings. When he sensed desire in Sloan he fed it. He encouraged her to ask. When she did she was rewarded. But every time she got what she asked for she had to give up a little bit of herself. Now I have to give it back. She can ask and I give her whatever she wants. I don't ask her for anything, especially something she doesn't want to give." He returns to her and pours the water for her tea.

"Ed, we were talking about the doctor. I've been thinking. Where is the doctor's office? I've had a hard time getting her out of the apartment. I can get her to go to the street but I can't get her to walk down the block. Is it possible the doctor can come here?"

"I don't know, Tom. Her insurance won't cover house calls and I don't know if I could convince her to come. It would cost a fortune. If you want, I can try, but that's up to you."

"I can get the money. Don't worry about that. I think you should at least try to convince her. Do you want me to call and then you can back me up? I've never been to a human doctor and I don't really know how the system works."

Ed chuckled. "The way the system works is if you're well, you give them money and if you're sick, you give them money. I was in that rat race and did not like it, thank you very much. I much prefer my patients in cages. "

"Tom, we've got another problem. Attwood wants to see her. Ray does, too. Neither one of them is going to like what they see. They're going to see you as taking advantage of the situation. I know she's better. I saw what she was like when you brought her home. He wants to come over tonight. Will that be all right?"

Tom knew that Ed was right. Both the older men would see it that way. He was thankful that Ed hadn't seen the worst, but he needed to know. "Ed, you might as well let them come over. You come, too. At least you can back me up. Ed, you didn't see the worst. That first night she was back she acted just like one of his pets. Sitting on the floor as if she was to sit at my feet. Lewis likes his pets at his feet. The ones I've seen in my time are usually kept nude. Not all pets are for sex, Ed. By keeping them that way they are kept subservient. Some pets are kept as rewards. Given to others. That's what Sloan was supposed to be. If I returned, I could have her. I told him I would kill her rather than let her stay in his hands. Ed, I would have. If he had kept her, when he tired of her she would either be abandoned or given away, neither prospect is for a long or pleasant survival."

Ed looks at Sloan sipping her tea at the table. "Tom, I wish you hadn't told me that. I see why you had to though." He swallowed the bile that had risen in his throat. "Tom, you said you would disappear with her if you had to. Would you still do that knowing she's pregnant?"

"Even faster, I don't want her locked up and studied. I don't know if her child will have the differential or not. I don't know what happens when my people breed with humans. Look at it this way Ed, would you want your child used as a subject of study? As far as I'm concerned that is my child, I will act as if that is true. It is inconsequential what a DNA test may show later!" Tom's voice had risen slightly at the last statement and Sloan turned to look at them.

Ed puts his hand out to calm him. Tom glances over at Sloan feeling her distress. "Sloan have you finished your tea?" She nods at him. "Why don't you put your cup in the sink? You can go into the bedroom and look out the window. Ed and I will be finished in a minute."

"Tom, why is she so quiet. She says almost nothing. Let me guess. That's the way Lewis wanted her."

Tom nods his head and watches her as she moves about. His eyes don't leave her until she goes into the bedroom. "Ed, I wish I knew what love was. She means so much to me and now she may never return. Her brilliant mind is still there, locked up. I'm trying to find the key. I think most of her will return. I see flashes of her. Some times her eyes have that glow. I hope the stress of the pregnancy doesn't do any more harm. I hope the knowledge she is going to have a child will help her to return. I know that humans will do almost anything for their children. I wish I knew more about my people."

Ed looks at him. Instead of the calm passive face he usually saw, even the past weeks, he saw a face filled with anguish and pain. He knew the depth of feeling Tom had for Sloan was almost unlimited. That his people were not supposed to have feelings was bunk, Ed knew that now. It was probably what he had been trained in as a chameleon, with no idea of his past; it made a kind of sense.

"Tom, go to her. I'll call before I bring them over. I'll tell them about not touching her. Do you want me to tell them what happened to her, as much as I understand? I'll back you to the hilt. As much as it hurts, you're good for her. She needs you. Love her, and your child."

"You better. I'll prepare her as much as I can. This is probably going to cause her to relapse some, but we'll get through it. Tomorrow will be worse when I tell her she's pregnant, but it's got to be done. Morning sickness will probably start soon. Internet access is a wonderful thing; I did some research when I suspected.

"Lock up after me. Talk to Attwood about more security. You're going to need it. When do you want to tell Attwood about her pregnancy?"

"When it's more secure. I read that many pregnancies miscarry in the first trimester. I'll wait until after that."

Tom locks the door after him and goes to see what is bothering Sloan. He sits and calms her. "Sloan, we're going to have visitors tonight. Dr. Attwood and Ray will be coming over. You do remember who they are, don't you?" She nods as she leans against him. "You will have to try to talk to them. Sloan, listen to me. They will try to take you away because they won't think I'm helping you. I am helping you, aren't I?"

"Yes, Tom. You let me do things. You do things for me. He hurt me. You don't hurt me. You give me anything. Pleasure, your touch, you talk to me, you hold me. Anything I want you give to me."

"I'm proud of you, Sloan. That is the most you have said in days. I want no repeat of what happened when Ed was here. Ed understands. Dr. Attwood and Ray will not. If you ask for sex while they are here they may want to take you away. Do you understand me? I don't want to command you. Can you remember that?" He turns her and looks into her eyes. He wants to see the flame that there once was, but he only sees flickers.

He stands behind her, stroking her hair. Waiting for the phone call, the call that may change both their lives again.

He gets the phone call. They will be here in an hour. He helps Sloan get ready, makes sure she is properly dressed and talks to her about the meeting. Before this he had said little, depending upon his acts to let her know how he feels. Now he talks to her all the time. He wishes he had said something when she was still herself. He doesn't know how much she'll remember. He remembered everything that had happened to him, but she was human. It may be different.

He sits her in the over stuffed chair. He brought one of the chairs from the dining table to the living room so everyone will have a seat, everyone but himself. He knows the advantage of staying standing when everyone else is sitting.

He opens the door before Ed knocked. Ed scowled at him but then grinned. He caught on at what Tom was doing. He put everyone in a chair and he stood by Sloan. The chair she sat in dwarfed her. She looks up at Tom; he glances at her and knows what she wants. He puts his hand down and she holds it. She is scared, there are too many people. He leans down and whispers to her reminding her who they are and that they are her friends. He smoothes her hair and holds her hand.

Dr. Attwood looks at the way Tom stands. He is not a large man, but he projects an imposing strength. Tom will not be swayed by anything. Dr. Attwood clears his throat and speaks "Tom, how is Sloan doing? Can she speak to us?"

"She can speak if she wishes. It is hard to get her to speak. She is better, some days much better; some days only a little. Dr. Attwood, I can help her. I want to help her, but it will take time. Has Ed told you what happened to her?" The tension in the room has become too intense. Sloan slides to the floor to sit at Tom's feet. Tom reaches down, picks her up and puts her in the chair. She starts to slide again. Tom looks at her and commands. "Stay in the chair." Sloan looks at him and does as she is told.

Tom touches her hair to let her know she is not in trouble. She will not be punished. He glances at Dr. Attwood and Ray. "I'm sorry you had to see that. I will not have her sitting at my feet like a pet. That is why I didn't want you here. She has been conditioned. The teaching is hard to break. Dr. Attwood, Ray, this is something I was trained in. Let me help her get better."

"Tom, don't you think you should leave it to one of the experts. There are people at the university that are experts in psychological damage." Dr. Attwood says.

"Dr. Attwood, I am an expert. I have done this to others. I know how to break it. Ed, did you tell them what she had been taught to do, taught to be?"

Ed looks at his feet. "No, Tom, I couldn't get the words out. She's my best friend. I can barely stand to see her this way. I'm sorry."

"Ed, take her into the bedroom. I want her shielded as much as possible from the conversation in this room. There is a book on the dresser; I've been reading it to her. Why don't you read to her out of it?"

Tom gently takes Sloan's hand. "Sloan, I want you to go with Ed. He'll read to you. Is that OK? Go on, now." He puts Sloan's hand in Ed's, she pulls away. He replaces her hand. She lets Ed guide her, looking back at Tom.

Ed gently leads her into the bedroom and shuts the door. He sits her on the bench at the foot of the bed and goes to the dresser to get the book. When he turns around Sloan is unbuttoning her dress and is preparing to take it off. "Tom, you better get in here. NOW." He shouts.

Tom leaves the two men stunned in the living room. As soon as he opens the door he sees what the problem is. He had felt no distress from Sloan only resignation. He thought it was because he had sent her with Ed. He motions Ed to leave. Tom stops her from disrobing. "Sloan, what are you doing? Speak to me."

"You sent me to the bedroom with Ed. I thought that was what you wanted." He holds her close. She took initiative, not the right initiative, but it was a breakthrough.

"Sloan, why don't you go to bed. I only wanted Ed to read to you. If Ed sits on the bench and reads to you, will you lie down?" He helps her out of her clothes and into a nightgown he lays her in the bed and covers her up. "Sloan, do you understand? He is going to read to you. You can lie here and fall asleep, if you wish." He kisses her gently but she captures his lips. He waits until she is finished. He examines her emotional state looking for passion but only finding confusion. He will try to help her with that tomorrow.

He comes out of the bedroom and shuts the door. "Ed, do you still have the book? I explained it to her again. Sit at the bench at the end of the bed and read to her. She should fall asleep. In a strange way I'm glad it happened. Ed, it was a breakthrough. She took initiative. It wasn’t correct but she tried. That's what's important. Go read to her while I explain what happened to her."

He can feel the tension and worry roll off of Attwood and Peterson. He glances back at the bedroom and feels Sloan start to relax and prepare for sleep. She had done well. "Dr. Attwood, Ray, please sit." He waits for them to sit and starts to tell them what had been done to her.

"Sloan was taken to hurt me. To make me come back to them, to him. Lewis was turning her into one of his pets. In this case, a sexual play toy. To give him whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it. Lewis can flay you alive with his eyes and cut you to ribbons with his voice. Sloan undoubtedly received that treatment more than once. She was very responsive to his touch. I'm breaking his hold on her, letting her decide what to do and think. This takes time, more than once I've said the wrong thing and she cowers. I wasn't there, so I don't know the triggers he put in place. Dr. Attwood, if I push her too fast she will shatter and never be what she once was. As it is, she will be different, how different I can't tell. I hope in a few months she can go back to the lab; maybe not to work but at least to observe."

"Tom what happened in there? Why did Ed call on you?" Says Dr. Attwood.

"Sloan misinterpreted what I wanted her to do. She thought I had given her to Ed. She was disrobing in preparation to pleasure him. I rather doubt Lewis shared her but he impressed upon her that he would. Right now I am her control as Lewis was. If you take her, she will be without anything to depend upon and she might never recover."

Attwood shakes his head. "Tom, I still think she should see an expert."

"No, Dr. Attwood, Tom's right about this. I spent a little time in the military and I met some of the people who came back from 'Nam. I met some of the men who came back and were shattered by what happened to them. Tom didn't go to the trouble of finding her to hurt her."

Tom looks at him. He didn't expect any support from Ray. Ray, who had helped him for days looking. Ray, who hated and feared him and his people. He examines him carefully. Ray respects him, a grudging respect, certainly, but respect is there.

Attwood looks at both Tom and Ray. "It looks like I'm overruled. If Ed agrees with you I'll let it lie. Is there any thing else you need?"

"Yes, I need better security here. I want a motion detector for the front room and I want to install a security system around all the windows. Eventually I want all the windows replaced with safety glass, or bulletproof glass. The doors I want replaced with steel core doors and the frames reinforced. I want a security system at the front door so all people who enter the building can be monitored. Actually this should be done for everybody who is involved in the project. Sloan may not be back for months but she is probably still considered a threat. I can install the security system around the windows. There are several commercial ones that are good. I'll leave it to you to do the rest. When workmen come to install the door and security system, I want at least 2 days notice and a time of arrival. Sloan is too fragile to be under much stress. And I don't want your boss to know what happened to her. I don't want her to be used as a subject of study."

"On that you're lucky, she's very much out of favor. She had several people killed and lost both Lisa and Lewis. Right now I'm in charge and you'll get everything you need. You're right. After Lewis took Sloan I thought about putting security systems in place, we have a new one at the lab. I can keep her on the payroll in a non-paying status. Are you going to be OK money-wise?"

"Money is the least of my problems, on that I have no concern."

Tom turns to see Ed come out of the bedroom. "Tom, I think she's asleep, is she?" Tom feels her for a moment and says, "Yes, she's sleeping soundly."

"Ed, why did you ask Tom if she was asleep?" Asked Attwood.

Ed looks at him as he goes into the kitchen to get himself a cup of coffee. "Because Tom knows. He knows when she's happy or sad or just about anything. Tom, what happened there? I know that if she had felt passion or desire you would have caught it."

"I felt resignation, tolerance. I missed what it meant. I thought she didn't want to leave my side when she thought I had given her to you. I didn't mean for that to happen."

"Tom, the blood test, I took the remains to the lab and checked her DNA. Remember Kelly, Sloan's test came out normal, human baseline. I thought you should know."

"Kelly, wasn't she one of the girls Lynch had? I remember you saying something about treating her, but I don't think you said what was wrong."

"I probably didn't. No need to cause you more distress. She died. I found a tick in her body that was secreting a chemical that was changing her DNA. She was 1.3 when she died. That's why I did the test on Sloan. I'm sorry, Tom, but I wanted to be sure. Helping you and Sloan helped me after she died. I felt useful after not being able to save her life."

"Ed," Dr. Attwood says. "I need to know what you think. I think we need to call in an expert. Ray thinks Tom can help her. What do you think?"

"Dr. Attwood, I've seen the change in Sloan in the past two weeks. I go along with anything Tom wants including walking off the roof of a 20-story building. If he says it will help her, it will and I'll do it."

Dr. Attwood throws his hands up into the air. "OK, folks I'm overruled. Tom, please keep me informed of her condition. How often can we visit and see how she is doing?"

"No more than once a week and no more than 15 minutes at a time. Today was almost too much for her. Preferably only one person at a time. When she gets better that will change, but I want her to get better first."

"It's time for everybody to go. Sloan is asleep and I need some rest too. I can go a very long time without rest but I still need it."

Tom shoos everyone out of the apartment. Ed stops to ask, "Tom, will you need my help tomorrow? I'll come by if you want me to."

Tom locks up, cleans up and slips in bed with her. Tomorrow was going to be a very long day.