Author: JadeblueAfterglow17
Title: By Her Side
Summary: An away mission goes terribly wrong.
Disclaimers: Blah Blah Blah...don't sue me...Paramount...genius...Blah...Blah.
Beverly P.O.V.
It was supposed to be a simple mission. A diplomatic and research mission to study the dynamic miracle plant species growing on Galos V and its medical benefits to the colonists. The Class M planet with its azure sky and warm temperatures was a veil hiding a hideous dark secret unbeknownst to even the best scanners on the Enterprise. He assured me the five of us would be back on the Enterprise long before dinner. I would have love to have heard him say "I told you so"...but that wouldn't happen this time.
A small glimmer of light shone through the rubble of ancient cinders, duranium, steel, dirt and stone. I glanced slowly to my right, at the struggling body. I want to beg him not to move but I know his efforts are more for my benefit than for his own. I can move no further, I am pinned on my back, with the weight of the Earth above me crushing my chest. I can still hear him breathing groaning with pain.
Another motionless body lays beside me, his head now covered with dried blood where it once had been bleeding profusely, my hand beneath the rubble clutching his cold, still, hand our goodbye long past hours ago.
A strangled cough emerged from my throat as I tried again to call out to him, gasping at what little air remained in our tomb. I heard the rocks move near me as a painful yelp exploded beside me. I knew that voice, I'd known and loved it all my life. It killed me to hear such pain escape those lips. He finally freed himself. He placed a heavy trembling hand on my shoulder. He pulled the largest piece from my chest and arm as the air was forced back into my throat. The remains of his energy spent, he collapsed beside me. I know from the agony of his earlier screams that his leg is badly broken, his wheezing tells me his lungs are punctured from shattered ribs and as he inched towards me he is not seeking comfort, he is seeking permission. Permission that I can't give him, won't give him. I feel his fingers move on my arm. My heart aches, I am so happy and yet so devastated he is by my side at this moment.
The air is getting thinner, more stale as the ash settles and the darkness seems to close in on us as I start to feel lightheaded. I look and stare at his face. His eyes are closed, cringed tightly with pain as I reach to squeeze his hand. There's not much time left. I want to say so much, but there are no words. I can't help the tears that spring to my eyes over the loss I feel. He opens his eyes, and they are calm and accepting.
"I love you. It'll be ok." he gasps.
In a moment of sheer clarity I study his face and eyes and I whisper that I love him too, and I realize what he means. He's struggling, fighting, waiting for me, he doesn't want to leave me alone.
As the life drains from him and we both struggle to pull in the last dregs of air he suddenly exhales as his eyes flutter shut.
I feel the instant terror of his death, I want to somehow save him, but I know its futile. As I clutch tightly to their hands, thankful but wishing they weren't by my side, I take one last struggling breath in this universe and pray that the next life is kinder to me and the two men I love most dear. I see their faces in my mind, Jean Luc, and then Wesley...and I know I can let go. I exhale.
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