Title: Outbreak of Fear
Chapter: 9
Author: squeezynz@free.net.nz
Universe: Land of the Giants
Rating: R (for some adult situations,nothing graphic), Adventure
Archive: let me know where, please
Feedback: craved and treasured
Disclaimer: thanks to IA and the actors who continue to inspire me

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Steve rolled over and stifled a groan. A soft, filtered light was giving the room a misty appearance, maintaining the illusion that he was sleeping in a normal bedroom, on a normal bed, in a normal house. Life was so unkind sometimes, Steve thought, as he closed his eyes and opened them again, expecting to see rock walls or the bars of a cage.

The room remained the same, still normal sized. The surface under his back felt soft and yielding, the pillows under his head plump and supportive. This had to be the most realistic dream he'd had in a while. Steve shut his eyes and shook his head, regretting it instantly as the movement jolted his shoulder and subsequently his plastered arm. The weight of the plaster jerked his memory back into place and he relaxed. Of course, the dolls house, Doctor Tiron, Karla.....breakfast.

On cue his stomach let go a mammoth rumble, reminding him just how long it had been since his last meal. He swung his legs slowly over the edge of the bed and reached for the sling to support his arm. Finding it too difficult to put on his boots, with only one hand, he padded barefoot to the door and opened it. Stepping out Steve looked down the corridor, wondering which door hid Dan and which would reveal the other two. The question was answered when the door next to his opened and the rumpled figure of his co-pilot stumbled out.

" Mornin' Steve, sleep well ?" asked Dan, rubbing his hands over his face in a dry wash.

" Like a baby, if you're in that room then Val and Mark ?" Steve pointed to the other door at the end of the hallway. Dan nodded.

" Okay, well I need some breakfast, let's check out the food downstairs," Steve started towards the stairs, but paused when Dan didn't follow him.

" I'd like to freshen up Steve, the bathroom is just next door, see you in five,"

" Sure, I'll try to remember to leave some for you," Steve replied, turning to go down the staircase. Dan grinned then turned and went into the bathroom.

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Mark opened one eye and squinted at the light coming through the lace curtains. He was lying on his stomach, one arm pushed under the pillow, while the other was draped over warm, breathing, skin. He lay there, savouring the sound and feel of the woman lying next to him in this impossibly comfortable bed. He turned his head and encountered a cloud of red hair which tickled his nose. The owner of the hair rolled over, away from him, presenting him with an expanse of creamy back just begging to be kissed. Mark had never been a laggard in taking advantage of any opportunity presented to him on a plate, and the next few minutes were spent pleasurably exploring the dips and valleys of that back.

Some time later, after they emerged flushed and rosy from their morning encounter, Mark and Valerie lay face to face, both wearing intensely self-satisfied smiles.

" That was a pleasant way to wake up," Valerie murmured, tracing the outline of Mark's lips as he smiled in response.

" I wouldn't object to waking up like that every morning," Mark replied, resting one hand on a deliciously curved hip. He could feel the heat rising from her flushed skin, a faint dew of sweat giving it a sheen. Valerie just smiled her enigmatic smile and brushed back the hair that had fallen over his brow.

" You can wake me up like that anytime, anywhere," she whispered, causing Mark to give her a toothy grin, his eye's crinkling up.

" I'll keep you to that,"

Valerie sighed, seeing the light getting stronger outside the curtained window. The night had been all too brief, the prospect of having to leave this delightful retreat putting a damper on her ebullient emotions. Mark noticed her sudden change of mood and queried it.

" What's the matter ?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Valerie gave him a reassuring smile, putting all the love she felt for him into her eyes and voice.

" Nothing, nothing at all...everything is just right,"

" But..??"

" But nothing, I just wish we had more time to enjoy this, it's been like magic," she answered. Mark pulled her close and cuddled her, breathing in her scent and stroking her hair. Valerie snuggled up, wrapping her arms around him, trying to meld their two bodies together.

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Much later they finally emerged, dressed and ready to face the day. Mark held out his hand for Valerie to take, which she did, lacing her fingers through his. Then together they made their way down the staircase.

They found Steve and Dan in the kitchen, talking over the previous days events. When Mark and Valerie appeared the two men took in their obvious happiness and smiled broadly at them.

" No need to ask if you two slept well," Steve drawled, winking at Dan.

" No need at all," Mark growled, squeezing Valerie's fingers.

Dan almost choked on his cup of water but recovered after Steve thumped him vigorously on the back several times. Steve had noticed their change of clothes and queried where they had got them. Valerie explained and they made a plan to go back up there to get new threads for Steve and Dan as well.

Mark and Valerie sat down at the table and Steve passed what remained of the food over to them, plus two cups and a jug of water. The four friends sat round the table, talking about the plan for the rest of the day, hoping that the Doctor wouldn't forget his promise to return them to the camp. More than one person, however, silently wished that Doctor Tiron would be too busy to take them back, to give them another day in the dolls house. It was a faint hope, as they soon heard the sound of footsteps on the wooden floor of the attic and they all hurried to the front door to see who had arrived. It was Doctor Tiron, holding a box similar to the one Jubel had carried them in.

" Hello my friends, I hope your night in the house was pleasant ?"

Mark and Valerie exchanged a glance which Steve did his best to ignore.

" Thank you Doctor Tiron, we all had an excellent night," Steve informed him.

" Some more than others," Dan muttered, causing Steve to swallow hard to stop a laugh from bubbling up. Mark and Valerie fairly glowed and it was hard not to feel envy that, despite the circumstances, they had not only found love but also enjoyed one hell of a night together. Steve turned his attention back to the matter at hand.

" When do you think you'll be able to take us back to the farm ?"

" I was hoping you'd be ready to go, right now. The storm has passed and I will be able to get there and back before my first patients turn up for surgery,"

" Okay, we'll just gather our stuff and be out here in a short while," Steve turned and waved the other back into the house. Once inside Steve talked quickly to the others.

" Alright, Dan and I'll go back upstairs, gather our stuff, including your pack and clothes. Mark, you and Valerie clear the kitchen, we might as well take the rest of the water and food, just in case," Mark nodded and, grasping Valerie's hand, they made off for the back of the ground floor, Steve and Dan jogged up the stairs and proceeded to collect their scattered belongings. They straightened the beds, finding that Mark and Valerie had already left their room straight, much to Steve's relief. Steve found the discarded clothes and stuffed them into one of the packs, then he and Dan riffled through the wardrobe, finding some items that would suit them, plus a couple of items that Steve thought would bring a smile to Betty and Barry's faces. They quickly left the rooms, shutting the doors behind them, then cleared the bathroom, taking the towels to give to Doctor Tiron to dry out. They met Mark and Valerie at the bottom of the stairs and forced the packets of food and water bottles into the already stuffed backpacks. Finally they went to the front door, shutting it behind them and walked over to where Tiron waited with the box, ready for them to climb in.

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Tiron didn't hang about. He carried them down the stairs and out the front door, arriving at his car where he placed them on the front seat. Getting in the Doctor started his car and backed out of the driveway. Inside the box they could only listen to the noise of the engine and feel the vibration. They must have travelled for only a few minutes before they felt the car bump over some potholes and they guessed he'd arrived at the farm, the car jolting down the rough driveway. Not long afterwards the car stopped and Tiron opened his door and got out. The passenger door opened and the box was lifted up. Steve had told Tiron about the horse trough and this was where they found themselves when Tiron took the lid off the box. They squinted for a minute in the strong sunlight then the body of the Doctor blocked out the sun as he squatted down to speak to them.

" I hope this is the right place, I can see the barn you described, so I'll just go over and see if Jubel is there. I'll return in a while."

" We'll be here," Steve assured him. Doctor Tiron rose up and left to investigate the barn. They watched his leave then climbed out of the box. They stood in the shade of the horse trough, discussing what to do next.

" We should wait for the Doctor, to thank him properly," Valerie suggested, albeit reluctantly, as she really wanted just to get back to the Windsifter and share her joy with Betty.

" Well you three don't have to stay here, go back to the ship and let the others know we're all safe, then I'll come along after I say farewell to the Doctor," Steve stated.

" Are you sure, Steve," Mark asked, looking dubiously at his arm in the sling.

" I'm sure, I'll be back in no time....go on," he waved them away. Mark and Valerie turned immediately and started walking towards the haystack concealing the camp. Dan stayed back for a minute to reassure himself that Steve would be okay on his own.

" Stop fussing Dan, I'll be along in a while," Steve told him, shooing him away. Dan turned, reluctantly, but started walking after Mark and Valerie. Steve watched them as they disappeared from sight around the back of the haystack, then he hunkered down, cradling his arm and waited for the Doctor to return.

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Betty was sitting at the table, disconsolately stirring a cup of luke warm coffee, her chin resting in her hand. Fitzhugh was sitting opposite her and suddenly gave a shout, making Betty jump out of her skin. Fitzhugh had jumped up and was now running towards the outskirts of the camp. Betty looked round and her eye's widened as she saw first Mark and Valerie, then Dan round the corner and walk into the camp. She stood up and started to run towards them. Valerie met her halfway and the two women embraced wholeheartedly. Mark was slapping Fitzhugh on the back as Fitzhugh shook Dan's hand vigorously. A shout behind them alerted them to Barry's precipitous arrival, along with Chipper barking at his heels, and the hugs were repeated with Barry in the centre of them. Betty was looking beyond the new arrivals, looking for the missing member of the group.

" Steve is just waiting to say goodbye to Doctor Tiron, he'll be along in a minute," Dan told her. Betty chewed her lip then made the decision. She took off, jogging back the way they'd come, leaving her friends staring after her.

" Oh boy, there goes another one," Dan muttered, causing Mark to laugh and punch him lightly on the arm in rebuke. Dan smiled broadly and feinted an air punch back. They all walked back to the centre of the camp, happy to be home, finding Marna there to welcome them back as well.

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Steve saw Doctor Tiron approach, his head bowed and his gait slow. Steve stood up and away from the horse-trough, making himself easier to see. Tiron halted by the trough, a hand absently rubbing his chin.

" Was Jubel there ?" Steve asked, craning his neck to see the Doctors face. Tiron came back from his musing and hunkered down to get closer to where Steve stood.

" No, it would appear our friend has left. It looked like he'd packed in a hurry and gone. The door was unlocked and hanging open," Tiron explained.

" I'm sorry, at least he didn't get caught by those men," said Steve.

Tiron nodded, then looked down at where Steve stood alone.

" Your friends gone already ?"

" They were anxious to get to the camp, they send their thanks for all your help, as I do,"

" That's quite alright, I was happy to make your acquaintance. It has been a very interesting experience. I hope that young lady and her man are happy together," Tiron remarked.

" I'm sure they will, they're very much in love," Steve replied.

Tiron nodded, then rose and turned to go to his car.

" Take care of that arm, you'll be able to take the cast off in a month or so,"

" Thank you again, Doctor Tiron, we owe you everything,"

" You're most welcome, but I must go now if I want to get back in time for Mrs. Parteon's bunion," Tiron waved to Steve then climbed into his car and started to back around, the tires crunching over the broken flag stones. With a final wave he drove off, the exhaust fumes lingering in the air long after the car had disappeared down the track.

Steve heard a sound behind him and swung round to see Betty jogging towards him, a wide smile on her pretty face. She stopped a couple of feet from him and stood there, her eye's roaming over his face as if expecting him to disappear at any moment. Steve, likewise, stood as if carved from stone, his eye's skimming over her familiar features, much like a starving man at a banquet. Then, as if in slow motion, they both moved at the same time and ended up locked in a passionate embrace, Steve's good arm locked around Betty's shoulders as her arms clasped him behind his neck, each of them shaking with the intensity of that first kiss. Betty came up for air first, drawing back slightly, her eyes glowing with passion. Steve wasn't far behind, his hazel eyes bright with desire.

" Oh my.." Betty breathed, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.

" Oh yes," Steve replied and dipped his head to capture her lips again.

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Valerie was setting out some plates for a belated lunch when Steve and Betty finally arrived back at camp. Valerie raised an eyebrow at their rumpled state and smirked to herself, muttering under her breath that there must be something in the water. Fitzhugh was already seated and jumped up when Steve and Betty appeared, Steve's good arm firmly attached to Betty's waist.

" Captain Burton, we've been so worried about you," Fitzhugh gushed, his gaze taking in the sling and arm in a cast. Steve ignored his statement, content to swim in the bright blue depths of Betty's eyes.

" I hope your arm isn't causing you any pain ?" Fitzhugh persisted.

" Arm ?" Steve asked, his mind rather taken up with the revelation that someone he'd never considered in a romantic light was suddenly the only women he could see himself with. Betty giggled in delight at his preoccupation and poked Steve in the ribs to bring him back to earth to answer Fitzhugh's question. Steve blinked and turned to regard Fitzhugh, trying to bring to mind the mans question, something about his arm.

" Oh....the arm, its fine, should be good as new in a month or so,"

Fitzhugh took in the man's bemused state and clucked under his tongue, glad that Betty had finally made good on her feelings, and found them returned in full by the object of her affections. Fitzhugh clapped his hands together and turned back to the table, well pleased with the days events so far.

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