A/N: Just a quick note to thank you to those who have reviewed. I appreciate all comments. Also, this is also to let you know that this is the last chapter that will be rated T. The next chapter and all those after will be M because, well, there will be blood. It's just to be safe. Thank you.
Chapter 3
Nathan and Kristin exchanged glances, both unsure of exactly what to say.
"So what exactly do you propose?" Nathan finally asked. "Are you asking one of us to offer-"
Antonio shook his head. "No, no, of course not. What I meant was...well, this is a medical facility, isn't it? Certainly, you would have stores of human blood for...emergencies."
"This really isn't a life or death situation," Nathan said. "That blood is for hu-" He was going to say humans, but he stopped when he noticed the look Kristin was giving him. "That blood is for those who really need it."
"I understand that," Antonio countered. "And, you're right. Gabi won't die, but her suffering will be great. You do not understand how horribly painful it is if we can't get the blood we need. You said you would help us."
"I said I would rescue you," Nathan said, "I never agreed to-"
"Captain," Kristin broke in, "may I speak with you...privately?"
"Right," Nathan agreed, not particularly liking the expression on Kristin's face however.
"Excuse us for a moment," Kristin told Antonio apologetically.
Nathan and Kristin walked into a nearby, vacant office, and Kristin shut the door before she spoke. She took a deep breath and said, "Nathan, why can't we help them?"
Nathan sighed. "Kristin, I don't think we have the means to deal with their condition. I'm going to contact Admiral Noyce, and-"
"You will do no such thing," Kristin raised her voice, leaving Nathan taken aback. "If the UEO finds out about them, do you know what they'll do?"
"Kristin, GELF's have been around since the beginning of the century. The UEO will be able to help them."
"Yes, they have helped other GELF's, but these GELF's are different. These GELF's can't possibly function in normal society. When the UEO finds out they've managed to survive for six years while the others were destroyed, they would be treated like lab animals, vivisected, and quite possibly killed."
"So, what exactly are you suggesting, Doctor?" Nathan asked.
"I'm suggesting we let them stay, and we help them. You know as well as I that I can always order more blood reserves; it isn't an odd order."
Nathan nodded. "Yes, alright. Well, let's say we help them for a while...and then what? Where will we take them? Where will they go?"
Kristin thought for a moment. "I-I don't know."
"Well, that's reassuring," Nathan said sarcastically.
"Nathan, think of the children," Kristin urged. "They never asked for this to happen; neither of them did. They are victims of circumstance. What if it were Lucas? You wouldn't turn him away. Just give it some time, and we'll figure something out."
Nathan thought for a moment. He really was set against it, but Kristin was right. These beings would be destroyed, and they would most likely suffer before it happened. He didn't want to be responsible for that. "Alright," he said. "But, we're going to have to set some ground rules down."
Kristin gave him a grateful hug. "Oh, I'm so glad you decided to do the right thing," she said with a smile.
"If this doesn't work out, I'm holding you responsible," Nathan said. The comment was made jokingly, but he meant it. He really didn't feel completely comfortable having these beings on his boat.
Kristin laughed. "Everything will be fine," she assured him. "Let's go tell Antonio the good news."
Nathan followed her out of the room back to her office where Antonio was still waiting. "Is everything alright?" he asked worriedly.
Nathan and Kristin sat down. "Look, Antonio," Nathan stated, "we've decided to help you for now. But we're going to have to have a meeting and set some rules down. And, I don't want your true identity getting past the senior staff; I feel it may distract most of my crew."
"I completely understand, Sir. Thank you so much," Antonio said gratefully.
Nathan nodded. "Well, don't thank me; thank Dr. Westphalen. She's the one who advocated for you and your friends. I'm willing as lon as there are no problems."
"I understand, Sir." Antonio stood up and extended his hand to Kristin. "Thank you so much, Doctor."
"You're quite welcome," Kristin said with a smile.
A short time later, the senior staff was gathered in the ward room along with Antonio, Sonja, and Daniel. "...and I don't want the true reason for their presence here to leave this room," Nathan explained. "All anyone else needs to know is that we've rescued them from a bad situation, just like any other ordinary rescue."
"What are we going to do with them, Sir?" Ford asked. "I mean, after we've helped them, where will they go?"
"We haven't quite decided yet," Kristin broke in, "but, until then, we want them to have animosity for the most part."
Nathan nodded. "Is that understood?"
Everyone nodded.
Then Antonio said, "I want to thank all of you for helping us. I know how uncomfortable some of you may feel, but we do have self-control. We won't attack or intentionally harm anyone."
Most of the crew exchanged glances with one another as an uncomfortable silence fell upon them all.
Nathan finally broke the silence, "Well, I think I speak for everyone when I say we trust you." Then, he said, "As long as there are no more questions, I believe this meeting is adjourned. We have work to do."
Kristin brought Antonio and the children to medbay. She brought them into an examination room and ordered one of her nurses to bring her several pints of blood. While she was checking on Gabi, Nathan knocked on the door.
"Nathan, I thought you were headed to the bridge."
"I-I was," Nathan said, "I just wanted to make sure you were alright...alone...with them."
Kristin laughed lightly. "Nathan, don't be silly. You need to learn to trust them. They're not monsters; you need to stop treating them like they are."
Nathan placed his hands on her shoulders. "Kristin, I just want you to be careful. Just because they say they won't hurt anyone doesn't mean they're telling the truth. Just promise me you'll be on your guard."
Kristin sighed and nodded. "Alright," she said. "Just don't worry so much."
"I'll come check on you later." And, with that, Nathan headed to the bridge, hoping that Kristin was right to have so much faith in these creatures.
