Author's Note: Written for the "Just a few words" challenge at LJ's stargateland (Prompt "Pain") back in 2010. It's my very first story for this pairing. :D
Disclaimer: I own neither the show nor the characters. I don't earn any money with this piece. I just do it for fun.

Chloe tries crawling closer to the console that might provide at least a little bit warmth but her damaged leg puts a stop to that plan right away.

Her head spins from the blinding pain and she presses her cheek to Destiny's floor, listens to the quiet humming of the ship's engine and counts the intermittent engine cutoff to distract herself from the pain.

But it doesn't stop and she finally loses the fight. She's about to slip into darkness, her eyes sliding shut, as the door suddenly opens and she senses someone skittering to a halt right next to her broken form.

"Chloe! Chloe!" Hands try to turn her over and a strangled moan escapes her bloodless lips. "Oh, bloody hell, sorry, sorry, shhh, it's okay."

Fingers stroke her hair away from her face. "It's going to be okay, Chloe." She struggles to open her eyes, her vision blurred and darkness creeping around the corners, but she manages and when her does, she can't help but trying to smile as she makes out the face of her rescuer.

She opens her mouth but a finger pressed against them prevents her from speaking. "Shh, later. Let's get you out of here first."

Rush turns away, to whomever is standing behind him, and Chloe closes her eyes again, knowing she is safe now. She drifts away, barely feels as they tend to her leg and when he lifts her up, placing one arm carefully under the make-shift brace, the other supporting her back, she is already unconscious.

He traces Chloe's pale face with narrowed eyes and is about to leave the room when Lieutenant Scott blocks his way.

"I'll tak-"

"No, I've got her."

Without sparing Scott another glance, Rush steps around him and walks down the corridor, Chloe safely tucked against his chest, leaving a dumbfound group of scientists and soldiers behind.

His face is set in stone and doesn't betray any of the fear that eats at his soul. She is so cold, he can feel it through the layer of clothes and once he has turned the first corner, his pace quickens.

Others cross his path but as soon as they see them, they flatten themselves against bulkheads and walls, clearing the way for Rush and his precious cargo.

He is at the last intersection when Eli and Young join him and together they step through the doors of their current sort-of-sickbay. The sight that greets them literally kills any spark of hope Rush has left and he grips Chloe's body tighter.

There's shouting, crying, the sound of equipment breaking, but Rush doesn't hear it at all. He has only one thought, one that runs through his mind again and again.

She is going to die.

- END -