This is my first attempt; an "alternate universe" take on Battle of the Planets. It deals with angst and attempted suicide. I implore anyone not to read it if the subject matter offends. "Battle of the Planets" belongs to Sandy Frank, Inc. and "Gatchaman" to Tatsunoko Productions. Rating changed for content.
Intervention
The beautiful young woman continued her bedside vigil, sitting along side the handsome young man whose deep blue eyes remained nonexistent to his surroundings. He was lying in a state of unconsciousness, as he had been for the past few days at Center Neptune's medical facility. "This silence is deafening," thought the young woman pushing away a tassel of copper-colored hair off of her commanding officer's forehead. She observed the cannula seeping oxygen into the still figure's nostrils; heard the mild hum of the intravenous machine pumping life fluid into the young man's body to keep him hydrated. Doctor Baxter did say he could awaken at anytime. At least that was encouraging. Princess, the young woman, observed her CO's breathing pattern – even and unlabored. Mark was the young man whose side Princess hadn't left since he was stabilized.
Princess' sea green eyes took in his returning skin color, to its original sun kissed hue. She remembered the pasty blue pallor that had once occupied his appearance and she shivered. Her gaze took in his angular nose, full mouth, and square chin offset by a determined jaw. Despite the cause of Mark's current state, a small smile flitted about Princess' lips. With the tip of her index finger, she touched her own lips, and then placed the soft tip of her finger over Mark's mouth.
"Our first kiss," Princess said in a low throaty voice.
She then reached for Mark's hand and braided her fingers through his once firm, now limp, digits. Silently, Princess hoped her actions would awaken him from his deep sleep. Suddenly tears began to form in the young woman's eyes as she looked at him, starving for his arrival to the living world. The realization of what Mark had "attempted" to do hit – hard!
"How could you do this to yourself?" Princess cried as the dam finally burst, and the tears began to fall. She placed one hand over her tired eyes while the other hand remained intertwined with Mark's, refusing to relinquish her grasp. She was afraid to let go.
"After everything G-Force has been through, everything we're fighting for…," Princess sobbed. "How could you even think of suicide?" she almost choked on the words. The young woman then lowered her head, her jet black hair a silky curtain, now hiding a face etched in anguish.
Many minutes passed before her crying subsided. It suddenly dawned on her that she had no one to comfort her; remembering that particular job was her commander's. Releasing his hand, Princess reluctantly stood up and wiped at her tear stained face. She stared at the abundant sea life visible from Mark's hospital room via the thickened plexiglass. The view of the aquamarine water seemed to calm her and for another few minutes Princess allowed herself the luxury of being someplace else. "Any place," she thought, "except here."
Princess then sighed and turned her attention back to the young man. The young man, who unknowingly, had captured her heart. Once again a lock of chestnut colored hair fell roguishly over Mark's brow. For the second time Princess reached out to move the down-soft hair aside.
"I'm not giving up on you Mark, so don't you give up either," she implored as she returned to her reserved spot next to him on his hospital bed.
The figure, that had been lying in an unconscious state for the past few days, had heard the young woman's voice. The scent of lavender was drifting into his nostrils and for a moment Mark had believed he had taken his memories of Princess with him. No one else had the presence to penetrate his psyche the way she had. He then felt his body lying in a bed with crisp, cool sheets against his skin. Mark then realized that he hadn't succeeded in carrying out what he'd originally planned. Tears stung his eyes; he had been saved from darkness. Mark then took a deep breath, the fresh air he had tried to extinguish at one time, began to burn his lungs.
Princess flinched and immediately covered her mouth with her hands. Tears of relief had begun to fill her emerald-like eyes. Mark groaned and slowly began to lift his heavy eyelids open, taking in the room's bright light. His body felt unfamiliar to him and for several seconds he didn't believe he could move at all. Mark's neck then allowed him to turn toward the source of the lavender scent. There was Princess, sitting at his side, giving him a warm and grateful smile. She leaned over to kiss Mark's cheek, her petal-soft lips brushing the side of his mouth while cupping his face in her hands.
It was then Mark reached up to place his hands over hers, his ocean blue gaze never leaving Princess' beautiful face. He spoke softly but directly at her so there would be no misunderstanding.
"You should have let me die."
I realize this is darker than what was shown on TV, but I write on the dark side occasionally. Again I appreciate constructive criticism. I figure it's the only way I'm going to improve.