Tari sighed with relief as Mike finally landed the visitor shuttlecraft they had used to escaped from the mother ship with. Her heart, which had started to pound so fiercely against her chest when they had seen the other visitor craft chasing and then shooting at them, finally began to slow down. She was thankful Sancho, who sat in the rear seat of the craft, had figured out how to use the weapons control and blown the other ship out of the sky.

Mike had done the same as they had come upon the mountain camp, finding the control button on the console before him, he had fired upon another craft as it attacked the camp. Hitting it and damaging it enough that it had left with out causing any more damage to the camp.

He had explained to Tari and the others only moments before that the camp was where the newly formed resistance was located and where they were headed. He had said it would be a safe haven so he had thought, until he had been surprised when they came in on an all out attack on the camp. Wondering aloud, angrily, how the visitors had found it.

The battle they had just endured had frightened Tari so much she felt cemented to her seat even though they were now safely on the ground, and the battle won by the Resistance, for the moment.

Robin Maxwell darted from the vehicle the moment the door opened in search of her family. While Mike was helping some men get the hurt Sancho on to a waiting stretcher. Tari stood slowly, gaining control of her quivering legs, and made her way out of the shuttle.

She stopped and stood quietly behind her brother as a young blond woman, looking to be about Tari's age, made her way over to them. Tari noticed the woman limped as she walked.

"Mr. Donovan," she greeted him coolly. "It's good to see you. You have a knack of knowing when to drop in."

Mike grinned shyly, glancing absently at the ground then back to the woman in front of him.

"Yeah, well your lucky Sancho there figured out how to use the firing button on this baby."

The woman ignored his comment and turned her attention to the girl standing just behind and to the side of Donovan.

"And who is this?" She asked in the same cool tone.

Mike glanced back at his sister and took her hand gently. He pulled her close to his side while squeezing her hand comfortingly.

"My sister, Tari." he introduced her.

"Ah," came the woman's acknowledgment. "I see the resemblance," she remarked, nodding toward the clothing they both wore.

Mike caught her underlying hint of sarcasm and looked down at his uniform and then at Tari's own red suit.

"OH, these," he said, giving the vest of his uniform a tug. "Long story, I'll tell you about it later."

"I look forward to hearing it," the woman said dryly. She then turned to Tari and gave her a small smile as she held out a friendly hand.

"I'm Julie Parish," she introduced herself with a much more friendly tone than she had shown with Mike.

Tari managed to force out a small smile of her own and shook Julie's hand.

As Mike began telling Julie what Martin had revealed to him aboard the mother ship, they slowly strolled away from Tari.

Tari realized that Mike was so caught up in the conversation he was having with Julie Parish that he hadn't realized he had left his sister standing alone. And as she stood watching them, barely able to hear the conversation, something about destroying as many mother ships as possible, Tari suddenly felt very alone and her mind drifted to Martin and the fear for him she felt.

Wanting to shake off the hurt and emptiness that flowed through her every time she thought of the Visitor she had fallen in love with, Tari started to walk, her face masked in uncertainty as she roamed the camp.

Her eyes absently looked around, soaking in all the destruction, all the loss of life that Martin's people had done here. Her heart felt lost and the confusion that had been building for the last few weeks intensified.

Tari stopped as she heard a quiet moan come from the small building she was next to. Though frightened, she found herself daring to investigate what it was as she slowly stepped around the corner.

"Don't move," A young man was speaking softly to another man lying on the ground. From where she stood Tari could see the man was seriously wounded, but she could not yet see either of their faces.

"I'll get help," The young man said and stood up, allowing Tari to see his face.

She stared at him unbelievingly, she recognized him as the young man who had worked at the aquarium with her.

"Jack?"

The man turned hearing his name spoken.

"Tari?" he asked astonished.

She nodded, then looked at the man on the ground whom she also recognized as her friend and co-worker.

"Randolph?" she gasped, her hand absently going to her mouth as she saw the blood that covered his midsection. "Oh my God!"

"Stay with him," Jack ordered, "I'll go for help."

Knowing urgency was of the utmost importance he hurried of to find help.

Tari rushed to Randolph's side. Falling to her knees next to him, she carefully lifted his head into her lap trying to make him more comfortable. He moved his eyes to look at her. A smile crossed his bleeding lips.

"Tari," His voice was weak, yet the unmistakable joy at seeing her apparent. "You're safe."

"Yes," Tari nodded tears forming in her eyes and beginning to fall down her cheeks. She knew Randolph's condition was grave.

"I wor..ried--tri--tried to find you," Randolph forced the words out, every breath becoming harder as he tried to speak. "Wan--want--ed to--."

"Shh," Tari soothed. "We'll have plenty of time to catch up later, you have to save your strength now."

"No!" Randolph forced out knowing his time was near. He had things he wanted to say, things he had kept pent up inside him for years, feelings for her he had kept hidden. He would never get another chance and he knew it.

"Ha--have to tell you," he coughed and blood trickled down the corner of his mouth.

Franticly Tari scanned the area for help.

"Jack!" she called out.

Randolph gathered up all the strength he could and reached up a weak arm up toward Tari's face. He cupped her cheek in his hand, gazing into her tear-filled eyes.

"It's o-k, Tari. No--tears," he managed with a weak smile.

"Randolph?" Tari began to sob as the realization that her friend was dying hit her. She gently ran her hand over his forehead, smoothing back the hair that had fallen.

"Be--safe," Randolph spoke, his last breath becoming more faint. "I lo-love y--you."

Tari felt Randolph's body go limp and his hand began to slip down her cheek. She reached up and grasped it tightly. Sobbing she murmured, "No."

Frantic, she looked up screaming between sobs.

"Help me! Somebody! Please help me!"

From around the corner Jack came running with Mike on his heels. Julie Parish was not far behind.

Julie immediately went to Randolph's side and felt for a pulse. When she could feel none she looked up at Mike and Jack and sadly shook her head, silently telling them the man was dead.

Tari broke down, she clutched Randolph to her, sobbing uncontrollably as her whole body trembled. Mike crouched behind her and comfortingly put his hands on her shoulders. "He's gone baby," He said sadly, "c'mon."

He tried to help her to stand but Tari was hesitant.

"C'mon," Mike urged again, sympathetically. "There's nothing more you can do."

"Go on Tari," Jack insisted, wiping away a tear from his eye. "I'll take care of him."

Reluctantly Tari carefully lowered Randolph to the ground and Mike helped her to stand. As she stood up she abruptly turned and buried her head in her brother's chest, sobbing. Mike held her close and hugged her for a long moment, then slowly led her away.

With in hours the vehicles were loaded and the remaining resistance fighters made ready to relocate. A make shift cemetery had been sanctioned off and graves were dug to bury the dead.

Tari stood with her arms hugging her middle, as if her stomach were in pain. She was in pain, but it was her heart that hurt so dreadfully and she had no way to ease it.

As the priest spoke comforting words and said a small prayer, Tari stood quietly. Her tears had stopped falling and she stared blankly at the grave of her fallen friend. The emptiness and pain that engulfed her made her numb.

She and Randolph had worked so closely together from the time she had come to the Los Angeles Aquarium. They had been close friends, but she had never had any idea that he felt anything more toward her than friendship. She had mistaken his protective nature toward her as a fatherly gesture, given the age difference between them. Now she understood his animosity toward Martin when he had come to visit her at the aquarium.

What hurt the most now, was the argument they'd had on the phone just before Randolph had dropped out of sight. He had called her and begged her to come with him, where to he wouldn't say, only that it would be some place safe. Tari had flatly refused and thought nothing more of it until now. Now she regretted it.

The people who'd gathered for the simple funeral began to disperse. Mike who'd been standing beside Tari, gently put his hand on her back, urging her toward the waiting vehicle they would take them away from this place.

The feel of her brother's touch pulled Tari from her thoughts and she turned to go with him. Stopping she glanced back at the newly dug grave of her friend and silently spoke, as if he could hear her thoughts, "I'll never forget you Randolph."

Turning, Tari left her memories there at the grave of her friend, concentrating now only on the present. It was a different time now. A time she had never believed she would ever see. She had no way of knowing what her place would be in this new time. Right now she could not think. She just climbed in the Chevy pickup truck next to Jack, who sat on the driver's side, as Mike climbed in next to her. The drive to the new home of the resistance was a long and quiet one.

Martin returned to his quarters. He had only moments ago saw Donovan steer the stolen shuttle out of the mother ship, followed within minutes by a shock trooper that had spotted him. Martin prayed they had made it to safety but had no way of knowing.

Spying the discarded clothing Tari had left on his bunk he walked over and picked it up, lingering a moment as he ran his fingers over the soft fabric. He thought of the girl that had worn them. Sorrow flowed through him as he realized she was gone. Walking over to the incinerator vent in his quarters he shoved the clothing into it. No evidence remained now that Tari had ever been in his quarters.

Unable to stand the hurt and worry about whether or not she and her brother had escaped unscathed Martin left his quarters to see if he could find out any information.

His fears were soothed as he heard that the trooper that had followed Donovan's stolen shuttle had not returned. But Diana had. The stolen shuttle had fired upon her shuttle, and she had been slightly wounded as the pseudo skin on one side of her face had been peeled away. Martin hid his amusement at the news. He rejoiced quietly at the realization that Donovan, Tari and the others had escaped to safety.

He had made a promise to Donovan to help in anyway that he could. It was time now to keep that promise, to get with the other fifth columnist and make necessary plans. The first being, finding a way to find Donovan again so that he could meet with him when necessary to exchange information.

After the resistance made it back to the tunnels below the old water waste systems where they had made their head quarters, trucks were unloaded and people settled in.

Julie had offered Tari some clean clothing and showed her where she could shower and clean up. Tari had been sullen but thankful. Right now a hot shower and a place to rest was all she wanted. That and to know Mike was near.

After a few days the resistance held another meeting, discussing possible safe houses and other people they might be able to talk into joining their effort.

Tari had asked Mike if he would go with her to retrieve clothing and some things she would need from her apartment. She knew she would not be returning there any time soon and at least wanted her clothes. Mike had insisted she stay at headquarters while he went alone. It was safer if she stayed here, he argued. Reluctantly Tari had agreed.

Now Tari had found a secluded spot on the staircase leading up and out of the tunnel the resistance now called home. It was hard to find a place to be alone here, so many people gathered in one spot.

Tari found herself sharing a room with Julie Parish and four other women in the group. Everyone had to bunk with each other, for lack of sleeping room. This arrangement was particularly uncomfortable for Tari, as she was use to living alone.

Her nights had been plagued by nightmares. Memories of the time she had spent on the mother ship mixing with images of what had happened before Martin had rescued her, tortured her mind. Had she really seen what the images told her?

Martin had never wanted to talk about it or answer her questions, he simply told her that her memories would return in time. Something inside her kept knawing at her, as if trying to tell her there were things she did not want to remember. The Pictures that flashed threw her mind showed her things she did not want to see. Her mind blocking them out in a blur, Still, she fought to pull the images into view.

Randolph's death had not helped Tari's fragile state of mind either. The vision of him dying in her arms haunted her. The last words he had spoken to her, revealing his true feelings for her bothered her even more.

"Tari?" a familar voice brought her from her thoughts and she looked up to see Jack standing before her.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

Tari nodded that she was, but her eyes told a different story.

"Mind if I join you?" Jack asked.

Tari shrugged and Jack sat on the step below her. He sat quietly for a few moments, fumbling with something in his hands, then he held it out to Tari.

"Randolph wanted you to have this," He said finally.

Tari looked down at the small box Jack was holding out to her, then looked back to her young friend, a hint of surprised and confusion written on her face.

"He had this specially made for you," Jack said sadly, as Tari slowly reached out and took the box from him.

"He just never had the guts to give it to you. He really loved you Tari."

Tari looked at him, her blue eyes glistening as they began to water. The confusion and hurt also evident in her tone as she asked.

"Why didn't he tell me?"

Jack shrugged, "Scared I guess, the age difference bothered him."

"You knew? All this time?" Tari asked.

Jack nodded, "Rae and I suspected for a long time. Just figured it wasn't any of our business."

Tari's mind flashed back to a few months ago, remembering how Randolph had acted the day Martin had come to visit at the aquarium. Randolph had been strangely on edge and testy at Tari's being late that day. Tari had asked Rae what was wrong with him. A pang of hurt stung her as she remembered her conversation with Rae . . .

Tari hung her head, now understanding what Rae had meant.

"What happened to Rae?" she asked, her head still hung in sadness and a felt a touch of shame.

"Don't know," Jack answered simply, "One day she just disappeared."

Tari let a hurtful sigh escape. She ran her fingers gently over the box she now held in her hand.

"Why didn't either of you tell me?" she asked him looking up from the object in her hand. Feeling a touch of betrayal as well as shame.

Jack looked her squarely in the eye and answered coolly with a question of his own, "Would it have made a difference?"

Tari closed her eyes, squeezing back the tears, but one escaped and ran down her cheek. It was a question she could not answer.

Realizing he had hurt her feelings, Jack thought it best he go before he said anything else hurtful. He really hadn't meant to add to her pain. He stood to leave then laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I cared about him too."

With those words he turned and left.

Finally, summoning the courage to open the box Tari lifted the top of it, inside was a gold locket attached to a gold chain. Tari took the locket from the box. On the front was inlayed with two silver dolphins looking as if they made a circle with their bodies. Tari opened it, on each side was a small picture, one was Cindy the other Sally, her treasured dolphins. They had been more to her than merely study animals, they had been her pets and Randolph knew this.

Tari closed her hand around the necklace and held it close to her heart as tears streamed down her face. Something else was inside the box. A note folded at the bottom. Tari picked it up unfolded it and began to read.

My Dearest Tari,

I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you. I never had the courage to tell you, after all your only 27 and here I am 43, quit a jump. What would you ever want with an older man like me?

Tari wiped away the tears as they clouded her vision. When her sight cleared she continued to read.

Remember that night a year ago, I escorted you to your mothers fancy soiree? I have never been as proud as I was that night, walking into that party with you on my arm. I wish it could have lasted forever.

Tari held the letter against her chest as she sobbed. She felt so guilty for never realizing how Randolph had felt, for not being able to return the feelings and The thought of him going through the pain alone was almost more than she could stand.

She knew all to well the hurt love could bring. There was the man she had been engaged to when she was younger. His death had devastated her. Now she felt the hurt with Martin. Tari sobbed uncontrollably as she sat alone on the stairway until she could cry no more.

Mike had gathered as much of Tari's personal belongings, the ones he had found in her closet, and he stuffed them into a duffel bag.

He looked things over once more before he left, making sure he'd left nothing behind that she could not replace. Satisfied he hadn't missed anything Mike finally slipped out into the night.

But before he went back to the secret resistance HQ he had one more stop to make. His mothers. Maybe if she knew the whole story she would help. Eleanor was in a position that could help the resistance immensely. 'If' she would. And he had to try.

Now as he stood in the home of his mother Mike couldn't believe she refused to help even after what he had told her about the visitors and what was truly behind their invasion of earth. Even after he had also revealed what had happened to Tari aboard the mother ship, Eleanor Duprea was unmoved.

Disgustedly Mike left, barely being able to grab Tari's duffel bag he had hidden across the street as he was spotted by visitor troopers and fired upon.

After loosing his assailants, Mike made his way back to the tunnels. He and Tari were on their own now. But hadn't they been on their own all their lives? Their mother was to busy nurturing her prestige. As for Arthur, he tried, but he had a plant to run and Eleanor constantly pushed him to further his career and move up in management. But they'd always had each other, and now they had the resistance and something to fight for. Freedom.