The Moment

By:  M. J. Cogburn and C. E. Krawiec

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It had only been a day since Siren had, for the most part, her own indiscretion in kissing Allen McAllister.  Lothos couldn't help but think that a kiss with another was nothing more than a wishful thought as to what he had seen Trevor Conroy accomplish twice with Madeline Tenney.

Even as his anger became hot once again, a hushed whisper floated down around Gillis' ears.  "Do it."

The man that had once been Nathaniel Lothoman, now Lothos, was not going to have some hormonal and needy man ever hurt his daughters in any manner.  Not what after Edward Grant had done, he would never let another man hurt either of his daughters.  He told Gillis where he could find Siren then watched as the man gave a respectful exit and headed toward Level 2 to approach his daughter.

PART ONE

It had been interesting to watch the blatant indiscretion of the man who had, he had been informed, professed his love for Lothos' eldest daughter.  From one perspective, Gillis Woods found the double trysts to be rather ordinary; such encounters happened all the time in all walks of life.  However, from the point of view from the 'eyes' of the super hybrid computer once a human being, the man-machine who owned not just the island but all whom inhabited it, Trevor Conroy had crossed a line few knowingly would have done.  In Lothos' realm where his word was not just final, but absolute law, Trevor Conroy had stepped over, if only for a few moments, into an area where only fools ventured.

"Fools in this place don't last long," Gillis Woods murmured to himself as he approached the elevator on the same level as Central Control then pressed the button to go up to the second level of the complex.  As the elevator ascended swiftly, Gillis let the scenario that had begun hatching in his thoughts while shortly ago in conference with Lothos, continue to evolve.  A small knowing and mirthless smirk played about his lips.  "No cake for you, Mr. Conroy," he murmured softly as the elevator slowed then stopped.  "Especially when Lothos' daughter is the cake."

The elevator doors slid open and Gillis Woods stepped out and moved quickly out of the way of people crowding forward to get into the car.  Scanning the bustling mall area, he listened to Lothos giving him specific directions to where Siren was busy with her companion.  "Of course, Lothos," he said softly then casually but with focused intent made his way in that direction.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Siren and Allen approached the entrance to one of the restaurants but came to an abrupt stop when a crowd of people stopped their progress.  The crowd wasn't murmuring, but watching and listening to the drama that was playing out before them.  Siren looked at Allen then tilted her head to where she could get a good look at who was ahead of the crowd. 

It was Tom Ingalls and Deborah Hendson that seemed to be holding up the entire group of people.  It wasn't hard to make out what they were saying.  The way that Deborah's voice carried in the hall as well as how quiet everyone was being, her voice seemed to echo.

"Tom, I know, all right? I know!"

Tom looked at her incredulously, his brow furrowing.  "What do you mean, you know?  Know what?" he asked trying to keep his voice down.  He obviously didn't want the whole complex to know his business with his girlfriend.

"You want me to spell it out for you?  Fine.  I know about Melani Casper," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a look that would have iced over fresh lava.

"What about Melani?" he asked a bit defensively.  "She's a good friend."

"She's more than a good friend, Tom, and you know it!  Want to explain the underwear and the bra and perfume that doesn't belong to me still being in not your but MY quarters?  What do you take me for, Tom?  A stupid bitch?"

Tom's mouth popped open as he blinked at her accusation of a tryst happening in her bedroom with another woman.  "What?" he asked.

"You heard me.  I won't have someone play me for a fool, Tom.  Go find someone else to play your little parlor tricks on.  I'm done."

As Deborah flounced off, the crowd began to thin.  Allen came up to Siren's side and pointed toward Tom.  "Give me a few minutes with him, ok?  I'll be right back."

Siren watched as Allen slowly went to Tom and began talking with him about what he had just witnessed, leaving Siren standing alone within the walkway.  Sighing, Siren closed her eyes, dropped her head forward, and immediately thought about Trevor.  She was in such a deep thought that she didn't feel the touch of a hand on her elbow then again on her shoulder. 

"What?" she asked as she turned to see a friend of her father's standing beside her.  "Mr. Woods, I'm sorry, what was it you were saying?"

The unexpected public row between the man and woman was, as far as Gillis was concerned, a tailor-made lead in for the plan he was about to set in motion.  During the most vocal and accusing moments, he moved unobtrusively amongst the crowd until he was within arm's reach of Siren and the man who was her companion.  The crowd began to dissipate, but he waited until luck sided with him and the man beside the attractive redhead left her to go to the unlucky Tom who was standing alone, a mixture of bewilderment, embarrassment and aggravation warring for dominance in his expression.

Quietly Gillis moved over to Siren, reaching a hand to touch her elbow. When that didn't gain her attention, he placed his hand gently on her shoulder. He didn't react when she started, turning to face him.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, smiling lightly at her. "I didn't mean to intrude."

"Oh no, that's okay," Siren hurried to reassure Gillis Woods. "I was just..." She half turned, her gaze seeking and finding Allen and Tom several yards away, standing by a bench along one of the walls and talking intently.  Sighing, she turned back to the older man. Seeing his patient gaze, she shook her head lightly and gave him a genuine smile.  "How have you been, Mr. Woods?"  She knew it sounded lame but at the moment, she didn't want to air her feelings publicly about the scene played out a few moments earlier.

Gillis eyed the young woman for a fraction of a second already seeing what she was doing.  "I'm quite well, thank you, Siren.  I hope that you are doing the same."  Seeing her bob her head up and down with a smile, Gillis returned the smile.  Looking over to where Allen and Tom stood, he asked, "And your date?  It is a date, isn't it?" he asked with a teasing grin.  "I couldn't see anyone letting you get away, Siren."

He knew that just that little simple line would work its magic on her -- as it did every other woman in the complex.

Siren immediately began to shake her head.  "It's not a date, Mr. Woods.  It's more of a friendship.  I have a gentleman caller of a sort; he's just not at the complex at the time."

Gillis' eyebrows arched inquisitively at the quaint description Siren used to describe her relationship with the absent Trevor Conroy. "A gentleman caller?" he repeated lightly, his eyes twinkling.  Seeing a soft blush come up in her face, he kept the banter going. Deliberately looking over to Allen and the hapless Tom still talking and oblivious to anyone else, Gillis turned back to Siren. "That was an unpleasant business."

Siren smiled ruefully up at her father's friend.  "I couldn't agree more." She shook her head as her gaze again traveled to Allen.  "It's such a shame.  Tom's a really nice guy. He and Deb have been seeing each other for almost a year." A thoughtful look came into her eyes. "He's all she talks about."

Gillis took the opening presented to him with care. He kept his voice low, a touch of considering in his tone as he met her gaze. "I may be old-fashioned about such things, but if Tom honestly cared about the lady, he wouldn't have been...he wouldn't have allowed himself to be distracted."  The sight of Siren nodding her agreement was all he needed to continue baiting the trap.  "But apparently he doesn't care all that much for her.  I mean its one thing to see another woman while dating another, but to have the gall to sleep with her in his girlfriend's own bed?"  He shook his head definitely, crossing his arms firmly over his chest.  "That's unforgivable."

Siren nodded her agreement to the older man's words.  "It is."  Slowly though, a small smile appeared on her face as she looked down and away from him.  Hearing Mr. Woods calling her name softly, Siren lifted her head and met his eyes once more. 

"What are you grinning about, Ms. Siren?"  he asked carefully.

"Your thoughts... merged with mine for a moment and all that I could think about was how lucky I am that Trevor loves me."  Licking her lips, she decided to divulge a bit of her relationship with him.  "He calls me... 'My own.'  I just know that he won't ever hurt me like that."

Allowing his expression to soften a little, a smile spread across Gillis' face.  "Judging by the look in your eyes, he must be someone very special."  The blush deepening even as the young woman's smile broadened into a beam told him more than she realized.  This was going to be easier than he had first imagined.

"You said he's away from the island?" She nodded and he asked, "Did you meet him on holiday?"

Siren laughed aloud, completely diverted and totally unaware of how she was being led.  "Nothing like that," she told him, grinning.  "We, or rather he, Trevor, ran into me in the cafeteria one morning."  She chuckled, adding, "Actually, it was more of a collision. I had a full tray and it went all over me."

Gillis matched her mood, letting her talk. "And from that to now, with him calling you 'My Own'?"  He shook his head. "With my luck, if I'd done something like that, the lady would've likely handed me my head.  And then never let me forget it, or get near her again!"

Siren laughed at his words.  "I didn't let him forget either," she answered as she reached out and touch his arm.  "But, Mr. Woods, I'm honestly a lucky woman to have someone like Trevor Conroy.  I never have to worry about anything like what happened here with him."

A small frown crossed over Gillis' features before he asked, "Where is he?"

" Ft. Hildren .  He's training."

A knowing look appeared on Gillis face.  "I see," he answered a bit too knowingly, reached out, and gently patted her arm.  "It's okay, Siren.  Things will improve when he comes back."

This time it was Siren's turn to frown.  "What do you mean, improve?  You... did my father already spread the news?  I'm pregnant with Trevor's twin babies," she announced happily. 

It was in that moment, of knowing of her pregnancy that Gillis Woods, interim observer at the moment realized exactly how Lothos felt about the man at Ft. Hildren .  He had not known of Siren's pregnancy, but he knew how he'd feel if he was the father of this lovely young lady.

"I won't upset you, Siren, especially in your condition."  He moved up to her and kissed her cheek then said as he stepped back, "Please excuse me."

Siren's frown at his quick exit away from her only spurred her to quickly chase after him and stop him.  "Mr. Woods... what is it?  If you know something that I need to know, then please, tell me.  Regardless of my condition, with child or not, I think that I deserve to know."  Seeing him shake his head, Siren reached out and gently took hold of his hand.  "Please, Mr. Woods.  Tell me."

As he looked into her steadfast gaze and smiling gently at Lothos' older daughter, Gillis was more than pleased with how flawlessly and easily she had taken the bait.  All that remained was to set the tiniest of hooks in her mind and let things go as they would.

Pressing his other hand over hers that held his hand, Gillis smiled genially at Siren.  "I only meant that, I know how hard it is to be separated from the one you care for.  But if you keep yourself occupied and busy, and don't dwell on the temporary separation, the time will fly by, and before you know it, you'll turn around one day and there he'll be."  Seeing the vague concern melt from her countenance was his reward.  Lifting his hand, he touched her gently under the chin and smiled warmly at her.  "And that's where the improvement comes in.  All your faithfulness will have paid off when you're in his arms again."

Siren's heart did a little flip of relief upon hearing what her father's friend had meant.  "Thank you, Mr. Gillis."

Gillis' smile widened a bit more then a movement nearby caught his eye and he focused on it.  The sight of Siren's companion now taking leave of the hapless Tom spurred the interim observer to take his cue from the pair.

"It looks like your friend was successful with his friend," Gillis said softly.  Giving her hand a gentle pat he started to turn away, but Siren tightening her hold on him prevented his escape.

"Oh, please, don't go yet, Mr. Woods," Siren said lightly, glancing around to see Allen quickly approaching.  "I'd like you to meet my friend."  Keeping hold of Gillis' hand, Siren turned slightly and remained so until Allen reached them.  Grabbing one of his hands, she drew him to her side and presented him to the other man.  "Mr. Woods, I'd like you to meet my friend and co-worker, Allen McAllister.  Allen, this is Mr. Gillis Woods, he's a friend of my father's."  As the two men shook hands and exchanged polite comments, she couldn't help asking softly, "How's Tom?"

Allen, the introductions finished, looked at Siren and blew a soft breath out before answering. "Well, not to go into the sordid details, but Debbie had him dead to rights."

"What?!" Siren gasped.  She heard Allen's hasty explanation about the 'problem' coming up because of a separation due to Deborah being away from the island on a business meeting at one of Lothos' other complexes.  She was thankful that Allen kept to the barest minimum of details.  "I...I just can't believe it," she murmured softly.  "How could he do that?" she questioned, looking into her friend's clear steady gaze. "I *know* he loves her."

It was like the gods had deigned to give him an extra reward for a job well done, and Gillis Woods was not one to be ungrateful.

"Sad to say," Gillis chose his words carefully, uttering them even more so. "But sometimes 'the moment' you come face to face with makes you forget.  Sometimes," he turned a certain look on Lothos' daughter. "Too many times, people forget about the one they love, choosing to love the one they're with at that moment."  It was just a fleeting glimpse of something in Siren Lothoman's blue eyes that told Gillis he was finished.

"Well," he said lightly, smiling at Siren and Allen McAllister in turn. "If you'll excuse me, I've a matter to attend to that can't be avoided."  Fixing his gaze on Siren's eyes, he said warmly, "It was nice to see you again, Siren.  Please give your father my best regards."  Turning his head to look at Allen, he nodded, and with a few polite words, departed their company.

As he returned from the direction he'd come, inside Gillis preened as he heard the voice of his master saying, "Well done, Mr. Woods.  Well done, indeed."