"NO!" He could feel the hard wind, he could smell the smoke. It was suffocating. "Get out of there Lucas!"
His comrade was lost.
He tried firing back at the enemies, adrenaline coursing through his veins. His engine revving.
Then the enemy had trained their guns onto him.
Skipper's eyes went wide as he tried flying back but it was no use. The gunshots cut through the air. He screamed as he felt the bullets go through him.
I… I… He began to spin out of control as he began to fall. He could see the bodies in the water, in the air still falling.
The water engulfed him, deafening the sounds of battle above.
He couldn't breathe. The water stung everything, like salt in his wounds.
Help me… Someone…
"Skipper!"
Please…
"SKIPPER!"
oooooo
In the waking world, Sparky had a grip on his friend's shoulders, listening to him cry out and scream in his sleep.
"SKIPPER, C'MON WAKE UP!" He called again, shaking him a little. Finally, with a gasp, the veteran's eyes snapped open. He looked around as he took in his surroundings, panting.
"Easy… Easy. You're okay. It's okay." the younger man said, lowering his tone, helping him sit up.
Skipper was silent, looking ahead of him. In his mind's eyes still seeing that fateful battle from years ago. "Skipper, look at me."
He looked up. Sparky squeezed his shoulder. "It was just a bad dream."
"No. I… I was…"
"Shh… It's over. You're safe."
This is the sixth nightmare this week. Poor Skip. Wish I could make this easier on him. Just doing my best. Sparky thought as he continued to comfort his friend until he was able to relax.
"There we go."
"Sparky…?" Skipper asked as he laid back down, trying to get comfortable. The medic raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah?"
"... Thanks."
He smiled a little. "Hey, you're my friend. I won't let ya go through it alone."
Not long after, Skipper was asleep once more. Sparky felt the smile slip away as he sighed.
No one deserves to go through this. Especially him. He's still so haunted by it. He wished he could go back and somehow warn the lost squadron of what their fates had wound up being but he knew that was a pipe dream. What happened couldn't be changed.
But that didn't mean he was going to just give up on his friend.
There's gotta be a way to cheer him up. I know he likes something-
He smiled as something crossed his mind. Easily done.
The next morning, Sparky made his way quietly out of the hangar. He was on his usual route for picking up stuff for his medicine kit but had one other stop to make.
He poked his head into Dottie's workshop. "Dottie? You busy?" he asked.
Dottie looked up from a book she was reading at her desk. "Not currently. Need something?"
"You have a bunch of music, right?"
"Uh… yeah. Why?"
"I… need a favor. Skipper's been having the worst time resting and I was hoping to cheer him up. He really loves classical music and well… I don't have any lying around our hangar. I was hoping maybe you would have something. I don't care what it is, just something that could possibly help."
Dottie got up, making her way over to a shelf with records, cassettes and CDs.
"Let's see… Classical… Soothing… Hm…" She pulled out one of the CDs.
"I'm a bit short on classical but I do have plenty of piano music. These are a personal favorite."
She handed the CD over to him. Sparky looked at the cover and the artists.
"The Piano Guys?"
"Yep, they take songs and make piano covers along with some cello covers. They got some stuff that should help. Also, there's another CD in there that has Celtic music."
"Thanks Dottie. I really appreciate it." He smiled. "I'm sure he'll like it."
"Just glad to be of some help. Enjoy." She said, going over to her desk. "Need anything else?"
"Nope, just needed some music. Thanks!" He waved before heading out, going back to the hangar.
He made sure to look in first before heading in. He wouldn't admit it but the veteran had a habit of taking Sparky by surprise when he saw the chance. Not getting me with that old trick again.
"Skipper?" He looked into his friend's quarters, the door was open. Skipper was in his wheelchair, looking out the window.
"Where'd you run off to?"
I would make the worst ninja.
"Just had to get some supplies. My kit was running low." Sparky replied as he put his bag away, taking the CD case out. "Also, got you something."
Skipper turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "What?"
Sparky grinned, hiding the CD case behind his back. "Close your eyes."
"... That grin always says trouble."
"Just trust me."
Skipper shook his head but did as asked. If it's a hula skirt I'm gonna get him for it.
Sparky made sure he wasn't trying to sneak a peek before placing one of the CDs in the player and pressing play.
Within a few seconds, music began to fill the room. "Just listen." Sparky said, before going quiet.
Skipper listened trying to hide his surprise. He recognized the music.
Canon in D. How'd he get ahold of that one?
It began to pick up, the tempo faster and more upbeat than he remembered. But it was nice.
Cello in there too. Nice touch.
Sparky watched as Skipper slowly relaxed.
There we go.
Skipper focused on the music around him, a smile slowly forming on his features. He listened until the end of the song before opening his eyes. "Nice choice."
"Did you like it?"
"It was just what I needed. You always seem to know how to cheer me up."
Sparky grinned.
"I'm your medic, that's my job… and I'm also your friend. I hate seeing you suffer."
"Thank you."
Later that night, Sparky was up late reading. He usually was up later then Skipper in case he had issues in the night.
This time he listened intently as he heard the sounds of the Celtic music. He got up and cracked the door open a little and smiled.
Skipper was fast asleep, completely calm, smiling in his sleep.
Rest well Skip.
