Scared
She had been scared. She had thought she had lost him forever. Thought she'd never get a chance to be honest with him, and with herself. She'd wanted to grieve, wanted to scream and cry and beg him not to leave her.
But she didn't have to. He had been spared. Her knight in shining red armor had survived the battle. Thank whatever merciful god who had watched over him earlier that day. Thank whatever merciful god that allowed him to return safe to her arms, where he belonged.
And then when he'd fainted, drooping even deeper into her arms…she had been worried again, terrified that he'd used the last of his precious strength in running over to her. But he was alright. Everyone was. They'd pulled through yet again, as she knew in her heart they always would. It didn't stop her heart from racing every time one of her teammates was injured in battle, though.
Especially him. He had become everything to her in such a short space of time. She wasn't being practical. He was always going to be in some sort of danger, even away from being a ranger. He was brave, and despite that, his career choice put his life in jeopardy. He was a good leader, with a courageous heart, and he always did whatever it took to accomplish the task at hand. Even if it meant sacrificing his own safety.
He was the only one there in the room with her, the others having opted to go to an early evening movie. He wasn't talking, hadn't said a word since he came into the Aquabase's rec room. All he had done was sit down and stare off into space, giving her opportunity to watch him closely, trying to read his thoughts. He didn't seem shaken at all, but then he was their leader. He was only allowed to be afraid when he was by himself. He was business-only.
"Are you OK, Day?"
She hadn't been expecting him to talk at all, let alone ask after her and her mental health. He had almost been killed only a few hours before and he was concerned about her. But that was what made him Carter, she supposed.
"I'm fine, Carter. Honest."
Blue eyes were boring into her. "You're lying to me, Dana," he calmly said.
And that forced her to look at him, locking azure gazes. "Of course I'm lying," she said, not able to raise her voice above a whisper. "I almost lost you today, Carter. And I don't want that, not now, not ever."
Without thinking, without being his business-only self, Carter pulled his pink ranger into his arms, cradling her. "I will never leave you, Dana. I promise you that."
Tears had come to Dana's eyes without her realizing it. "I just don't know what I would do without you anymore, Carter. I…you're my best friend, you know that right?"
Despite the fact that there was a beautiful woman in his arms, Carter felt his heart sink. "You're mine, too, Day."