Now, they had to decide whether to give that up and once again play a role. “So go away and think, talk to your loved ones, decide where you want to be. No one will think badly of you if you go to Australia. If this all goes to shit, then I’d like to think that some of us will survive. That one day, we can have that world with no more lies.”
She plonked herself down on the chair behind her.
“You did good,” Kane murmured.
Jake and Christa came to stand in front of her. “Yes, you did. You said exactly what they needed to hear.”
“I think the two of you should go to Australia,” Kaitlin said.
“You do, huh?”
“Yes. And make lots of little Jakes and Christas to repopulate the world.”
“We might have made a start with that,” Christa said with a grin. “The populating the world part. I’m two months pregnant.”
Kaitlin’s gaze dropped to Christa’s stomach, then back to her face. “Oh my God. Why didn’t you say anything before?”
“I didn’t know until this morning. I believed we couldn’t, so I never even thought about it. And I’m not the most organized of people and...” She gave a shrug. “I just worked it out.”
“Are you happy?”
“Ask me on the 1stof March.”
“Really, you should think about Australia. Sadie says it’s beautiful.”
“Maybe. It’s up to Jake. I doubt he’ll go, and I won’t leave him. Anyway, I want to save the world as much as the rest of you and I might be of some use. And I have faith. We’ll come through this.”
Kaitlin stood up and gave her a hug. “I’m glad Jake found you. I suppose if I couldn’t have him—and clearly that wasn’t going to happen, however much I wanted it to,” she added, just because she couldn’t totally stop winding Kane up, “then you’re the next best thing.” She released her hold, then went over and hugged Jake. “Congratulations. You’ll make a great father.”
Suddenly she felt drained, emotionally and physically. But it seemed the drama wasn’t over yet.
Leila stood up and stalked over to stand in front of Kane. Her dark blue eyes flashed with anger. “Have you forgotten your promise to Jonas? That you would see the mission completed?”
Kaitlin could sense the tension rising in him.
“Things change, Leila. Would you ignore everything we’ve learned?”
“Yes,” she hissed. “Would you ignore everything you promised?”
“We haven’t decided anything yet.”
Leila snorted. “You will follow your new people. You have thrown aside your past allegiances.” Then she turned and stalked away.
Beside her Kane slumped down. “I have to go and talk to her and Brandon,” he said. “I doubt I can make them see a new way, but I have to try.”
“Will they fight us?” Jake asked.
Kane shrugged. “I hope not.” He leaned across and kissed her lightly. “Why don’t you get some sleep. I’ll find you when I’ve talked to Leila and Brandon.”
“I might. But I think I need to go for a walk first. Clear my mind.”
“Okay but take Kpo. He’ll warn you if there’s any danger close by.”
“I will.”
Kaitlin left the others still talking in the meeting room. Kane had already vanished, presumably to the cave. That would be where Leila had gone, no doubt to check on the time machine.
She glanced around and then headed off in the opposite direction. As she walked away from the house, she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. The great black leopard had been sleeping under a tree. He stood as Kaitlin passed, shaking himself, before falling in beside her.
