A/N: I've played through the Gauntlet before, both on male and female characters. Ironically, my other female character, Skye'ash elected to send Dorne to the bridge, so she didn't face the repercussions of Aric getting hurt. I've always wondered how a female trooper involved with Aric, would react to his injuries on the Gauntlet. I even asked Alaurin101 if she had written the scene yet. At that time she hadn't gotten to it yet.

I've been very unhappy with Bioware's depiction of a female trooper's reaction to his injuries. I get that during the mission she would have to hold it together and get her team to safety; afterwards she would be allowed to fall apart. Instead all we see are a cut scene of the escape where one of the response options to Numenn is a joke about partying and later we see Aric rolling around on a bed in the med bay in full armor. Really?! Full armor for someone who was just critically injured and stabilized on the Gauntlet. Don't think so.

I finally decided to explore it myself. Recently, it was K'agan's turn to run the Gauntlet. Sigh. Because it made the most sense mission wise, she decided to send Jorgan and 4X to get the data from the Bridge. This is her reaction to the end of the mission.

This has grown to monsterous proportions, 34 pages and counting. I decided to break it down into more manageable pieces. It's not quite down yet but I'm still working on it and hopefully it will be done soon. I thought I'd go ahead and post this first part.

Note: I divide the smut scene out into its own standalone story. This story will be smut free but you will be able to read the "outtakes" on the other thread.

Chapter 2 –The Gauntlet

"Captain, its Jorgan. Big trouble up on the bridge."

A feeling of cold dread filled my stomach when I heard those words.

"We got the data but Imperial reinforcements just showed up out of nowhere. A lot more than we can hold off."

The dread turned into a full-fledged knot in my stomach. While I was glad they got the data it wouldn't be worth losing one of them...losing Aric. No! Can't think that way! Especially not now!

"Are the bombs planted, can we pull out?"

Damn! He sounded almost panicked. Aric never panics. I can't lose him.

"We're done here. Dorne take Yuun and cover Jorgan and Fourex—we'll rendezvous aboard the ship."

"Right away Captain," Dorne replied. "Let's move out Sergeant!"

"We'll meet you back aboard the ship sir, Jorgan out."

'Gods, I hope so,' I prayed silently. I'm not sure what I do if I lost Aric. Since I took command of Havoc Squad, he's always been at my side. Even when he was angry and bitter, for justifiable reasons, he still taught and supported me. He's always had my back and our relationship has grown from co-workers, to friendship to something much more. I can't lose him!

Vik and I took off for the ship. We met some Imperial resistance along the way but we made short work of them and kept going. This operation was quickly disintegrating around us. We needed to get everyone aboard the Thunderclap and get out of here!

We were almost there! As we rounded the last corner, I looked up and saw something in the corridor. Fourex was just ahead…it looked like he was standing guard. We ran closer. Oh gods! This wasn't happening! No, no, no NO! Dorne and Yuun crouched over Aric lying on the floor. He was so still…too still! That's when I noticed the pool of blood that the pair was kneeling in…too much blood. It was all I could do to keep myself together. I wanted to run to his side and pull him into my arms, cry and fall apart but I couldn't! I had to be there for my crew and get them off this doomed ship!

"Captain! It's a great relief to see you well in spite of the extensive fighting." said Fourex as we approached.

I couldn't take my eyes off Aric. He was so still, it was scaring me. Was he alive? Please, let him be alive!?

"I'm afraid Jorgan sustained heavy injuries during our retreat from the bridge," Fourex informed me.

'Keep breathing,' I had to remind myself as Fourex spoke.

"Despite my efforts to absorb enemy fire, he refused to give up his portion of the fight," I didn't hear the rest of what Fourex said through the ringing in my ears.

Damn it Aric! That's what Fourex is for! We may all care about the droid but in the end he's expendable and you're not! Damn your pride!

"Full situation report," I managed to order around the lump in my throat, "What's Jorgan's status?"

Thank goodness for my full face helmet. It hid the tears streaking down my cheeks, though nothing could hide the worry from my voice.

"I've stabilized him for now sir," Elara told me.

I almost shook with relief. Aric was alive!

"But the wounds would certainly have been fatal if Fourex had not gotten him to me so quickly," she continued. "Jorgan is lucky to be alive."

Now to keep him that way!

"Stay with him and keep me updated on his status," I told Elara.

"Of course Captain," she answered.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. We weren't out of the wood yet but Elara would do all she could for Aric.

"Can we talk about this later?" Vik interrupted.

The Weequay could be a pain in my ass.

"I need to set those charges off and we shouldn't be sitting in the hanger bay when I do."

But sometimes he's right!

"Let's get moving! Double time it!"

We need to get off this ship! Dorne and Yuun carefully pick up an unconscious Aric in a fireman's carry and take him down the corridor and into the airlock to the ship. Looking at the puddle of blood, I'm nearly sick. I have to remind myself that Elara did her job and my XO is still alive. Taking a deep breath, I center myself and reach down, picking up Aric's assault cannon, which had been left behind. I leave his ruined, bloodstained armor lying on the deck. With the large blaster holes in the chest piece, it isn't salvageable. I sigh and manage to hold the tears back. Without a word Vik follows in at my side and we head for the ship.

"Yuun will see that the ship is prepared for launch. Once we are clear of the Gauntlet we can contact Admiral Helik with a situation report," Yuun reported over comms.

We were aboard and I headed for the bridge. My worry was nearly overwhelming but I didn't have time to stop by med bay and check on Aric. We needed to get everyone out of here.

"Attack group, this is Havoc. Objective complete. All ship evacuate to minimum safe distance," I ordered.

I piloted the ship away from the Gauntlet as Vik set off the explosives.

"Boom."

As we fly away on the Thunderclap the other ship exploded around us.

"Target destroyed. Repeat, the Gauntlet is destroyed!" reported Admiral Numenn."All ships disengage and proceed to the rendezvous four-seven for refueling. Havoc, return to General Garza on Coruscant for debrief."

I couldn't help but wonder if the cost of success would be too high for me personally.

"I'll proceed to Coruscant immediately Admiral," I responded.

The need to head in, almost went without saying, I needed to get Aric to a full medical center stat!

"The Empire's greatest weapon has been destroyed. Congratulations Havoc! Numenn out."

I entered the coordinates for Coruscant into the nav-computer and we made the jump to hyperspace. I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes and tried to relax. It wasn't working. Though, my crew had done the impossible and now we were headed in for debrief, the worst was still in front me…Aric. I wouldn't relax until my XO was out of danger and on the mend.

Standing, I turned and head for the exit, stopping in the archway. Looking at Vik, I said, "Great job. Now go relax."

Nodding his head, he said, "You to boss."

I quickly made my way down the stairs and into my cabin. Shutting the door behind me, I threw mine and Aric's weapons into a corner. I'd take them to the armory later. He'd forgive me for it eventually but with the mission complete and the rest of the crew safe, he came first. I quickly stripped off my armor and threw it into the locker, leaving me standing in a long sleeved shirt and pants that I always wore under my armor. Grimacing, I pulled the sweat soaked clothes off and tossed them into the nearby hamper and glanced towards the 'fresher. I'd dearly love a quick shower but my need to see Aric was weighing heavily on me.

In the end I decided I needed to be clean before heading to the med-bay, I jumped and washed off, scrubbing the grime from my body and washing the sweat from my hair. I toweled off and got dress in a clean, dove grey short sleeved shirt and matching light pants. I was glad my long hair in corn rows I didn't need to take the time to do it. Sitting on my bed, I pulled a thick pair of socks on; the metal decks were cold, before heading for the door. I pulled it open and started towards the med-bay on the other side of the room.

As I passed the holo-terminal I heard Dorne say, "We're losing him!"