Hello again! Bit of a short chapter here, but hopefully still interesting! This one is a bit of an odd one-developed from a random idea but hopefully it fits in okay, it's a little more angsty than ive done previously so consider yourselves warned!

Let me know what you think!

Chapter 2

As they approached the Med Lab unease that had trickled into his system at Lexa's first mention of the place began to gnaw at Caleb's insides, growing with every step to out and out intimidation. A long forgotten feeling rose in his gut, there was something bad here his instincts told him. Something to be afraid of.

He summoned his courage, stepping forward, Verity held tight and ready against him. Whatever was in there would have a blaster to deal with. Lexa needed fixing and he was going to make sure she got to do just that.

Motioning her to get behind him he gritted his teeth and opened the door.

A wave of scent, the buildup of decade's worth of chemicals washed over them both, Caleb's chest tightened as his fear increased ten-fold. This was crazy! What was there to be afraid of here? The room proved far too small to fit a droid! So what was the matter with him? With an effort he swallowed down his panic enough to get rational thought back online,

"Looks clear to me," he commented, trying to keep his voice even.

"Yeah, clear and dusty!" Lexa dived past him, satisfied with the security and immediately started searching out the store cupboards, sifting through packs and jars with lightening efficiency.

Caleb, meanwhile, hung back, keen eyes sharp and focused trying to source the cause of his worry. "Does anything in here feel weird to you Lexa?" he ventured.

"What?" She barely looked up, digging enthusiastically in a jar box.

"Just something odd about this room? Do you feel it too?" Even to him it sounded daft, but he just couldn't shake it.

Her drive to find meds for them, in date, useful, actual meds was drowning out all other distractions, she hardly heard a word he said. "No, it's fine, probably just… Aha!"

She cried out in triumph forgetting completely what Caleb had been saying.

"What is it?" He was instantly drawn to her as she beamed victoriously at him.

"I found it, exactly what we need for bumps bruises scrapes and Roboid aches!" She held up a Metallic tube.

"Arnalon?" Caleb read out, non-plussed, "What's that?"

"Only the best all purpose patch up cream in existence-I'd of never gotten past my 10th birthday without it. Mends most things, cuts, burns, battle wounds, you name it! It's a mix of antiseptic, coagulant, restorative and sealant. It's brilliant! And," she held it up for him to see, "it's unopened-it's more than safe for us to use!" She grinned broadly, pulling herself up onto the only bed in the room. She quickly began to struggle out of her battle vest, tugging her now loose fitting dress up and over one shoulder unscrewing the cap happily.

Caleb, too stunned to react could only look on as Lexa began what looked like a tried and test patch-up procedure.

She was remarkably unselfconscious as she undid her jumpsuit, carefully raising up part of her thin vest to get at her bruised ribs with an air of easy practicality. It must be a trait from her army-like upbringing. Thought Caleb who was distinctly less relaxed in the presence of this process, he watched her, transfixed, as she gently salved the deep purple mottling that marred her pale skin. The notion that he had to do the same, in front of her, was terrifying.

Well, at least she didn't know how much he ached; he might be able to get away with it. She hadn't any idea of how damaged he was under his clothes and it was going to stay that way. She didn't need to see any more of him that wasn't already on show. Ever.

All too soon she was zipping up her jumpsuit again and smoothing the soothing balm over her burnt arms.

"Caleb," she was looking at him intently. Oh no.

"Do you want some of this?" She asked, offering the tube to him, her arms already looking much better.

"No, I'm fine really," He lied, "just glad you can get all mended." His smile, unreaching of his wide eyes, was one of thinly veiled fear.

"But what about your neck? I can see the finger marks from here!" Her voice rose in concern.

Dammit! He'd forgotten them!

He must be in more pain than she thought if this was his reaction, just trying to put on a brave face for her? Well she'd soon see about that! He was just as broken as she had been and for once there was someone else to fix him. It was probably just an alien concept for him. He'd soon get used to it. Everyone who got damaged needed mending. That's what you deserved, that's what humans did for each other.

It was important. He'd soon learn.

She smiled encouragingly at him.

"Well, I…" He began another attempt to fend her off.

"You want me to stick some of this on them? Won't take a minute-this stuff sorts out everything quick-green gold we used to call it, well," she grinned, "it was as close to gold as green herby paste gets anyway!"

In the time it'd taken her to talk she'd come within a hair's breath of him, soft fingertips outstretched for his collar. "No, really it's alright." He semi pleaded, inching back from her. She couldn't see him, she couldn't!

"Caleb," She began in her best 'mess-not-with-me-pal' voice "don't be rusted, plus I might as well-I'm covered in it already, save you having to get it off your glove later on."

He winced.

" Come on," she urged seeing his obvious pain," won't take a sec," she smiled her warm sunny smile…

His jacket and hoodie were off and around his elbows before he knew what was happening. "Lexa…"

He shuddered as the cool cream made contact with his tenderized skin.

"Nearly done!" Not entirely true, he really was horribly bruised, but it was the best thing she could think of to ease him. He really wasn't used to someone taking care of him.

Her emerald eyes were focused solely on smearing the healing ointment over his battered skin missing the look of horror on his face.

She was entirely too close to him.

The wince hadn't been the pain she assumed it to be, rather his own mortification at her casual reference to his abnormality. His glove, his stupid cybernetic arm and Frankenstein like head gear. He could feel the soft track of her fingers soothe over his aches, knowing he couldn't do the same for her, as least not as carefully.

His chest felt like fire as anger at the unfairness of it all began to rise.

"Sorted." She stated simply, finished in her task. She pulled back to grin at him, catching the look of torment in his eyes.

"Caleb, what's the matter? I didn't hurt you did I?" Worry raising her voice.

Concern flooded her face, her perfect organic face. Part of him knew this was stupid, that Lexa really didn't care that he was a cyborg but, but…

He did.

She was human, organic and perfect. And he was, well…

She reached out a hand to his face, intent on comforting him. It was more than he could stand. He'd never felt so, so polluted in his life.

And he wanted her nowhere near it.

Reigning his face in under control, he quelled his inner troubles and cracked a smile ducking lightly out of her reach, "Thanks," he started, determined to get out of this accursed lab as soon as he could. "Feels much better!" He shrugged himself back into his hoodie and jacket pulling them tightly around him

Between the screaming instincts to run from the threatening lab and the almost over powering urge to hide his cybernetics Caleb felt almost as horrible as when Neuros had been trying to bend his will to hers. He shuddered. Not good. He didn't think feelings like that could be repeated. Evidently he was wrong.

Time to go. Time to leave. Right Now.

"You ready enough to get cracking? He began bouncing in eagerness to escape, "We've got some Roboidz to sort!" He flashed her the regular dashing Caleb grin.

"You bet I am! Equaled Lexa, re-buckling her battle vest. "Ready to start on top deck?"

Caleb nodded keenly, "Let's go!" He cried bolting from the room, leaving a confused friend in his wake.

Lexa wasn't stupid, she knew something was bothering her friend, exactly what she wasn't sure though she had a horrible feeling it was to do with her. In hindsight it was probably not a clever thing to have sat opposite and fix herself, but, well, she was so used to not having an audience, plus it was only some nasty bruising on her lower ribs. But maybe she'd freaked him out by being too pushy with the meds? Oh well, it was for their own good. If something's broken you fix it. First law of mechanics and people.

She followed his tail, keeping up with his rapid pace more easily now she was pleased to note. Best to let him bounce it out of his system first-then talk to him. She knew now if she pressed something he might shut down again.

Focus on the now, get all mumbley and apologetic later...

A.N;

Hmm…more plot points afoot you say?

Should hopefully have the next chapter up for Christmas if all the plans go swimmingly!

(Hope you liked this one Loki! )