Thanks as always for the reviews. :) I've been writing fanfic for over ten years and you guys have made writing fun for me again. Much appreciated. :)
Title: Best laid plans
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Marta/Aaron
The alarm on Aaron's watch dragged him out of a restless sleep. He'd set the alarm so he could give Marta the Tylenol at the correct time and check her temperature. Yawning Aaron reset his alarm and rose to his feet. He rolled his shoulders trying to get the kinks out. The chair was two sizes too small for him but it was better than the floor. Ten minutes later Cross had completed his task. Plus he'd changed the ice bags and put clean towels underneath them. Marta's temperature was down to one hundred. Lower but not low enough to ease Aaron's worry. She'd also developed a red rash on her arms and stomach. Another trait of the disease.
The bright spot of the early morning was that Marta had been less dazed when he woke her. She hadn't said more than his name before drifting back off to sleep but it was an improvement. Her eyes were less glassy and the way she looked at him this time was different. Almost as if the brain cells that had been captured by the fever were breaking free and starting to work on their own again. Either way Aaron took it as a good sign. A quiet knock on the door caused Aaron to turn. He walked towards it and opened it finding Carlos.
"Papa has food for you."The teen explained. "I will sit; you go."
Fresh air if only for a little while was a tempting change. Still Aaron hesitated as he looked back at Marta's sleeping form. It wasn't that he didn't trust Carlos but he felt an obligation to stay. Marta hadn't seemed to recognize Mario the first time they woke her. Aaron didn't want her to be scared if she woke up and there was only Carlos.
"Go."Carlos insisted as he came and stood by the chair.
Finally the growling of Aaron's stomach convinced him to take the teen up on his offer. He'd be no help to Marta if he didn't take care of himself. With a nod he placed a hand on the young man's right shoulder.
"I'll be back in half an hour. Thanks."Cross stated as he left the small room and headed topside.
The predawn was cool for southeast Asia standards. They sky was clear and the tinges of pink and orange starting to appear on the horizon promised for a beautiful sunny day. For a moment Aaron simply leaned against the railing of the junk looking out at the ocean; enjoying the warm breeze. After a few minutes Aaron turned away from the view and continued on his way to the kitchen.
The kitchen was housed in a hut on the bow of the ship. Inside the small area was a thatch table with two matching chairs, a iron cooking stove and a cabinet to the right of the stove that served as both a counter and storage. Waiting for him on the table was a large bowl of rice and vegetables with some form of broth, a cup of coffee and to Aaron's surprise a newspaper. Mario was turned away from him oragnizing something in the shelves above the stove.
"Good morning."Cross called gaining the elder fisherman's attention.
Mario smiled and nodded gesturing to the bowl on the table. "Eat."
"Thank you."Aaron acknowledged as he moved to the table and picked up the paper.
The paper was the New York Times, in English, dated a week ago. With a questioning expression Aaron held up the paper to Mario.
The fisherman's smile widened. "Rich client of an amigo. Trade for fresher fish."
Cross nodded at the explanation and sat down. He left the paper folded for a few moments while he ate. Part of him didn't want to know what was going on with the Blackbriar investigation. The other part knew that all the intel they had would keep them ahead of Byer. Finally when he was almost done with his meal Aaron reluctantly opened the newspaper. Cross kept his expression and body language neutral so as to not alarm his host. As he feared the FBI investigation into Blackbriar and Tredstone were still grabbing headlines. Along with a smaller sub article on the continued manhunt for Jason Bourne. The reporter had nothing new on Bourne so Aaron opened the paper to the first page.
Cross shouldn't have been surprised but he was. There was a black and white picture of him under the headline of FBI seeking information on fugitive. Quickly Aaron skimmed the article and was relieved to note that Marta was still presumed dead in the house explosion. They were only after him. Or at least only acknowledging publicly that they were looking for him. Aaron refolded the paper and set it aside. He rubbed a hand over his face and closed his eyes briefly. It would be just like Byer to leak it to the press in hopes of drawing them out. To make them travel by air. Since this article was dated over a week ago and they hadn't been confronted by anyone Aaron relaxed a bit. They were safe here for a little while longer. Which was good because Marta was in no shape to travel.
Forcing himself to finish the meal. He needed to keep up his strength. A plan was formulating in Aaron's mind as he ate. As much as he hated to uproot Marta especially with how sick she was they were going to have to leave the fishing boat. Probably in a week's time. That was all he could allow Marta for recovery. Looking down at the bowl Aaron saw it was empty. He downed the coffee and took the dishes to the counter. Mario smiled at him and handed over a steaming bowl filled with rice and chicken broth.
"For Marta."The fisherman stated.
"Thank you."Cross responded as he took the food and headed back down to the lower deck.
Aaron thanked Carlos for staying with Marta. The teen reported that there was no change and she hadn't waken. Once the younger man left Aaron settled in the chair and watched his sleeping friend. He hoped the next time she woke Marta would be able to have a conversation. He didn't want to worry her but he needed to talk things over with her.
Their future was once more on the line.
