Disclaimer: I do not own Outlaw Star or any of its
characters. This story is intended for
non-profit use only. I wrote this story
after watching Gene's famous prison escape, and how he helped to revive Melfina
by finding the coordinates to the Galactic Leyline. If the story is a little off, I apologize; I've only seen a few
episodes.
Chicken Soup
Gene
walked down the main passage of the Outlaw Star. He approached one of the bedroom doors and knocked politely.
"Come
in," a familiar voice said softly. Gene
walked in and received a warm smile from the occupant.
"Hey
Mel," he greeted. Melfina's smile
widened as he approached her, and she pulled her sheet up around herself. Even though she was still wearing her
bodysuit, she felt a little self-conscious in front of Gene.
"Hi
Gene," she replied. He sat down in the
chair next to her bed.
"So,
how's my girl doing?" he asked not even comprehending what he'd just said. Melfina felt her blood pressure rise.
'I'm
his girl?' she thought silently. A cute
blush stained her pale cheeks.
"I'm…I'm
doing better, Gene, I should be able to resume my duties in another day or so,"
she stated trying not to sound nervous.
"Hey,
take your time, Mel, I'm not going to rush you, especially after what Wong put
you through. Don't worry about the
ship; it's fine by itself," Gene said with a slight grin. Melfina smiled shyly at him- his words
comforting her a little. She noticed
that he was carrying a bowl.
"Gene,
what's that?" she asked pointing to the small, plastic bowl.
"Oh
this…" he moved onto the edge of her bed and opened the lid, "…a little
get-well present. I didn't really know
my mom that well, but she taught me one thing that always helps when you're
feeling down."
"What's
that?" Melfina prodded as she looked at the contents.
"Homemade
chicken soup. I'll admit that it
probably doesn't taste as good as the stuff you make, but I tried to make it at
least edible," he said nervously. Melfina smiled as she noticed his cheeks turn a little red from
embarrassment.
"It
smells wonderful," she stated, and her stomach growled in agreement. Gene chuckled softly, and Mel cursed herself
for doing something so rude in front of him. "Sorry," she said shyly and turned her head away from him.
"Hey
now…" Gene sighed and cupped her chin in his hand. He gently turned her face around to see his, "…don't apologize,
Mel, you haven't eaten anything for awhile. It's natural for you to be hungry." He saw a look of relief fill her soft blue eyes; a look that told him
that she was glad he wasn't upset with her.
"Now,
are you going to try this, or am I going to have to feed you myself?" Gene
teased.
Mel's
mind screamed at her to let him try it, but she didn't dare say that out
loud. Her small hand clasped the bowl,
and Gene handed her a spoon. She
carefully raised the soup to her lips and took a small taste. It was actually quite good!
"Gene,
this is really good," she said happily. He gave her a genuine smile, and Melfina felt her heart flutter at the
warmth on his face.
"Thanks,
I'm glad you like it," he replied. She
went to take another spoonful when her nose suddenly wrinkled, and she sneezed
violently. The bowl of soup went flying
out of her hand and spilled on the opposite end of the sheet.
"Oh
no, Gene, I'm so sorry!" Melfina said with teary eyes. She broke down and buried her face in her
hands. How could she have done
that? He'd made that for her all by
himself, and now, she'd wasted it on a stupid sneeze!
Her
tears abruptly stopped when she found his arms wrapped around her. Gene pulled her into a gentle hug and gently
ran his fingers through her black hair.
"Shh,
it's okay, Melfina, don't worry about it," he said soothingly. His beautiful brown eyes held such
tenderness…such compassion.
"But
Gene, I ruined something that you made for me!" she gasped. His response was to gently brush the tears
from her eyes.
"Mel,
I said it's okay. Now, no more crying,
you look prettier without red eyes," he said with a slight grin. Melfina's eyes shot open; he'd never given
her such a personal compliment! She
allowed him to comfort her and leaned her head on his shoulder.
Gene
felt her relax and tightened his hold on her. He suddenly realized that he was holding onto Mel- not her clothes but
her! Apparently, she'd dropped the
sheet around herself, and his arm was now around her bare midriff. Gene had always wondered if her skin was
soft as it looked; now, he knew that looks weren't anything like the actual
thing.
"Melfina,
I didn't have a chance to tell you this earlier…" he trailed off.
"What
is it?" she asked and lifted her head. His strong hand cupped her left cheek.
"I'm
glad you're back," he replied simply. Mel's face flushed bright crimson, and she felt her body heat
skyrocketing.
"I'm
glad to be back," she retorted firmly. Gene gave her his typical grin- the one that always melted her heart.
"I
missed you, while I was gone," he fired back.
"You
did?" she gasped.
"Yup,
it's no fun without you," he teased. Melfina knew that tone like the back of her hand; he was trying to make
her laugh at her own expense.
"I'm
sure that everything went smoothly; you can take care of yourself, Gene," she
said with a proud smile.
"I
know, Mel, but I'm not the only one who missed you. You're important to everyone on board the Outlaw Star," he said
firmly.
"Thank
you," she replied happily. Gene pulled
her closer to him and propped his feet up on her bed. Melfina let her head fall on his chest and sighed when she felt
him stroking her hair.
Gene
looked down at the young woman in his arms. She was so many things to him that he couldn't even think of them
all. Melfina was more than just a mere
bio-android or a piece of equipment use to pilot the Outlaw Star. She was a living, breathing being; she could
laugh, cry, shout, and do all the things that a human could do. To Gene, Melfina had become of part of him
over time; she'd become of part of who he was and what he was to become in the
future. He laid a single kiss on top of
her hair.
"You
know, Melfina, I was really worried about you," he said softly. A pair of surprised blue eyes snapped up to
meet his gaze.
"You
were?" she said almost ecstatically. Gene cupped her cheek one again, but this time, Mel nuzzled his palm
slightly.
"Yes,
I couldn't leave you bedridden; you're too big a part of who I am. I would have done anything to get you back;
I hope you know that, Mel," he said firmly. Melfina felt her heart leaping for joy.
"Oh
Gene…" she sighed as her eyes watered again, but this time, they were tears of
joy. Gene brushed her soft cheek with
his thumb as he gazed into the most beautiful pair of baby blues that he'd ever
seen. He felt Mel shutter slightly, and
Gene noticed that her bottom lip was quivering slightly. His gaze settled upon those soft, red lips;
lips that he longed to kiss from the moment that he'd lay eyes on her.
"Melfina…"
The word came out almost desperately as Gene lowered his lips onto hers. Mel's heart nearly exploded with pure
joy. His mouth felt so wonderful on
hers. The kiss was gentle and tender
yet at the same time demanding and almost possessive, sending a silent message
that she was now his.
Gene
explored her mouth passionately but cautiously; he didn't want to scare
her. Her lips were warm, soft, and
sweet- everything he'd ever thought they'd be and more. Slowly, he let her mouth leave his, and
Mel's eyes fluttered open. Their eyes
locked, and a thousand unsaid words were conveyed between them.
"Melfina…I
need to tell you something…" Gene stuttered. He knew that he had to say it before he lost his nerve.
"I
love you, Melfina." "I love you, Gene." They both said the same phrase at the exactly the same time. At first, pleasant surprise flashed through
both their eyes, and then, bright smiles appeared on their faces.
"Mel,
you're so precious to me," Gene said softly as he cradled her face in his
hands.
"As
you are to me," she replied. Their lips
joined in a passionate union, and Gene's arms lifted her into his lap. Melfina wrapped her arms around his neck and
pulled his head closer. When their
tongues met, a revelation seemed to flow through them both, telling them that
this was meant to be.
Gene
broke away from her completely breathless and nuzzled her neck gently. Melfina buried herself in his strong arms
and listened to his heartbeat. The
steady thumping was putting her to sleep, and Gene felt her body drifting in a
state of relaxation. He lifted her up
once again and tucked her back under her covers.
Melfina
opened her eyes to find Gene gazing at her adoringly. She cracked a small smile and yawned softly.
"Shh…"
he said when she tried to speak, "…get some rest, Mel, we can continue this
some other time." Her eyes lit up when
he mentioned 'some other time', and Melfina licked her lips in anticipation.
"Goodnight
Gene," she said warmly. He smiled and
squeezed her soft hand.
"Goodnight,
my sweet Mel," he replied lovingly. He
ran his fingers over her eyelids, and Melfina closed her eyes.
Gene
cleaned up the contents of the bowl that spilled earlier then turned out the
light and let Melfina have her much deserved sleep.