Disclaimer: I own nothing, I make nothing, I write this for the sheer enjoyment of it :D
More Than Friends?
Chapter 1
Trance was working on Med-deck, while Beka and Dylan were on a mission contacting the newest planet to show an interest in the New Commonwealth. Trance knew even the most benign mission could suddenly turn into a Med-deck influx at any given moment and was determined that she would have it ready in case it did. Trance moved about in the Med-deck stocking the Nano-syringes for every contingency. Broken bones, tissue damage, antidotes for poisons of chemical or biological design, she prepped for them all because the future had changed enough at this point that she couldn't easily see what was to come anymore. They had made it through alot of the dangers that she knew had lain ahead and now there were others cropping up that she had not encountered before. And challenges to face which had seemed hopeless before, that now seemed possible. They had come a long way but still had a long way to go. She began to hum as she worked.
Soon enough though, her wandering mind was reeled back in by the sound of footsteps entering Med-deck. Harper wandered in with a rag wrapped around his hand and a pained expression on his face. "Um, I sort of miss-judged a little while doing a bit of welding. Got something there for burned skin?" He asked sheepishly as he walked over to where she was.
"Yeah," she smiled, "I think I can manage something, to patch you up." She turned and got a jar of blue gel out of the cabinet behind her as he unwrapped his hand. Trance turned back to Harper and saw the nasty welder burn on the outside edge of his palm, the skin red and blistered. "Oh! Harper…" he quickly cut her off, "Yeah, yeah, I've got to be more careful. I know, It'll be on my tombstone 'He should've been more careful.' Honest I just had a little disagreement with a welder, and well, the welder won," Harper said grimacing in pain.
"Harper," Trance scolded, "You have to start being more careful. One of these days your gonna injure yourself beyond repair."
Harper smiled, "Only if I get round the clock nursing," wiggling his eyebrows for full effect.
It worked and Trance giggled, "Harper you are out of control!" She dressed his wound with some neon blue gel from the jar she was holding.
Harper sighed, "I really don't do it on purpose you know." He gave a small smile, "Thanks for caring though." He looked down at his hand as he tried testing its range of motion. Then Harper began to perk up, "Hmm…Nice work Doc," he grinned and winked at Trance.
Trance just smiled back, "Same 'old Harper," she giggled as she mussed his hair for him. "Hey!" Harper and Trance laughed together as he ducked her hand.
As she went to turn her vision became blurry and the room began to buck and swim.
"Hey Trance! You OK? Your color just dimmed several shades." Harper's voice seemed distant, like she was hearing him over a great distance, then her eyes rolled up and she could feel herself falling. "Hey woe!" Harper yelled as he jumped off the table and caught her on her way to the floor. "Rommie! Quick I need help! Trance just passed out on me here!" Harper picked her up in his arms and gently laid her on the table he'd just been sitting on.
Rommie's hollow image popped up, "Good, now elevate her feet and cover her with a blanket." Harper grabbed two blankets; "I know the drill!" He rolled his eyes in annoyance and covered Trance gently with the first blanket. "What I need to know is what's wrong with her? Is she OK? What are your sensors picking up?" He carefully placed the second blanket beneath her feet.
Rommie looked puzzled, "Her loss of consciousness seems to be being caused by something strange happening to her system. The blood flow has increased by three times its normal flow to the center of her body while diminishing the flow to her extremities and head. I don't think it will cause any serious harm but it won't be easy for her to stay awake if the blood pressure to her brain stays this low."
Harper stared up at Rommie's image, "Stays this low? Do you mean it's getting worse? Better? What?" Harper's eyes shifted back to Trance's face as he rested his palm gently on her forehead, "Come on Trance, wake up and say 'just kidding' or something. Please." Then he held her hand with both of his, praying silently for his friend. In truth, she had become more than just a friend, over time he had really become attached to Trance, gold or purple, and now he realized just how attached. "Please Trance, please be OK." He squeezed her hand gently in his.
Rommie just whispered, "I can't tell."