A/N: Whew! Boy, it feels like forever since I've updated this story. I sure hope this chapter was worth the wait. I do plan to have one more chapter after this to finally tie things up in a neat little bow, so look forward to that. Once this is finished, I can finally shift all my focus to Ace Mommy and and my Christmas fic. the way it looks right now, I won't be finishing the Christmas until after Christmas, but I did get a bit of a late start.
Either way, I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
Another day had passed, and still they had seen no sign of rescue. Apollo had spent the day doing his best to make sure Athena's didn't grow any worse, but cough drops and baggies of snow could only do so much.
Currently, Athena was resting against him, using his shoulder as a pillow as he thought over their situation.
The rescue teams will only know where we are if they spoke to the witness that sent us this way. I'm sure Mr. Wright's been looking into the case himself and has been feeding some information to his friends on the force. But we're running out of granola bars and cold chocolate, Athena needs to see a doctor for her ankle and her cold, and according to Athena, we may only have a few more hours of light left from Widget. We need to get out of here soon.
As he sat there, thinking things over, something occurred to him. Since they'd been in the cave, they had no idea how deep they were buried under the snow. The avalanche that had trapped them had been sizable, but perhaps there was a chance they could dig their way out. Or, well, that he could. Athena was in no shape to be digging in the snow. She'd only end up making her cold worse. Moving carefully, so as not to awaken the girl, he slid away from her and stood before making his over to the wall of snow that separated them from the outside world. He immediately went to work, starting near the bottom so as to create a slope to keep digging higher and higher.
A half hour passed, and he felt he was making steady progress. No signs of light were poking through the snow yet, but the more he dug, the less the rescuers would have to and the sooner they'd be free. His fingers had long since gone numb from the icy sting of the snow. I knew I should have brought gloves.
Another hour passed and still no sign of freedom. Apollo took a moment to rest, sucking in deep breaths, but trying to make sure he didn't wake Athena. Damn, he thought, I need to start working out. Then again, when we get out of here, I'm certain my newfound girlfriend will be dragging me along on her morning runs. He flexed his fingers, trying to bring some feeling back to them, but with no luck. He trudged over to his backpack and pulled out on of the granola bars to regain some energy. After his snack, he quickly went back to work, digging his hands back into the snow. Only a few moments had passed when suddenly, a large lump of snow, along with a rock buried inside it, came loose just above his head.
Athena was awoken when Widget chirped out a low battery warning. "LOW BATTERY. EXPECTED REMAINING BATTERY LIFE: TWO HOURS."
Athena kept her eyes shut and sighed. "Maybe if you didn't give off that warning, that could be as long as three hours." She made a mental note to visit Aura and ask about upgrading the tiny robot's battery.
The woman then took notice that her companion was no longer seated next to her. Her eyes shot about and she began to scan the cave. "Apollo?" No answer. She was getting worried at this point. Then she noticed the wall of snow. It had been dug into, and intensely. A large pile of snow sat in front of the entrance of the cave. And just beyond that, she could just make out the black back of Apollo's waistcoat.
"Apollo!" She gasped, quickly trying to scramble to her feet before collapsing to the ground as pain shot through her ankle. But she refused to let her ankle get the better of her. Scooting to the right side of the cave and trying hard not to put too much weight on her ankle, she rose and began to use the cave wall to keep her balance, slowly making her way to Apollo, who, she could see now, was half buried in the snow, face down. Oh God, she thought, how long has he been like this?
She finally reached the opening in the snow wall and knelt down next to Apollo, immediately checking for a pulse. Luckily he was alive. Quickly looking over the scene, Athena noticed a sizable rock next to his head and came to the conclusion that it must have come loose while he was digging, knocking him unconscious.. Finding it difficult, but knowing that she couldn't leave him in the snow like this, she hoisted him up, draping his arm around her shoulder and snaking her arm around his waist, she moved and managed to walk back to their space in the back of the cave, using the left side of the cave for support.
Setting him down on the cave floor she gently placed a hand on his cheek. It was like touching ice. She also took notice of his now damp clothes.
Oh God, he must have been there for awhile, and I had no idea! She started to gently shake him by the shoulders. "Apollo. Apollo, wake up! Please wake up!"
Apollo slowly began to open his eyes. Looking at Athena, his breathing came out rough. "A-Athe-Athena."
She placed a hand on his cheek. "Yes, I'm here, Apollo. You were knocked out over there." She said, pointing to the opening he'd dug.
Apollo shivered and hugged his arms around his body. Athena's ears then began to pick up on something. His heartbeat. It was much faster than it should have been.
Increased heartrate, trouble speaking, shivering, rough breathing… Oh no!
She took his face in her hands and looked him in the eyes. "Apollo, listen to me. I think you're going through the first stages of hypothermia."
"What? N-no. No. I'm fine." Apollo stuttered out, barely managing to finish to speak these words.
"No you're not!" Athena cried, sliding Apollo's coat off her shoulders. "You're freezing to death. We need to get you warmed up, fast." She began to drape the coat around his shoulders.
Apollo shrugged the coat off and shoving back to her. "You… You're, you're sick.
"So are you! Apollo, please. If you don't warm yourself up, you'll…" Athena couldn't finish the sentence
Apollo stood up then, trying to walk back to the cave entrance. "Gotta… Gotta keep… digging."
"Apollo, come back!" Athena cried, attempting chase after him, but only falling back to the cave floor. Damn it! I have to get to him!
Suddenly, Apollo collapsed onto the ground, lying face down, having not even reached the pile of snow from where he'd been digging.
"Apollo!" Athena cried as she began to crawl over to him. She flipped him over onto his back and saw that his eyes were closed. He was unconscious again. She shook him by the shoulders. "Apollo, wake up!" She pleaded, but his eyes remained closed.
Tears began to sting her eyes as she looked down at the man.
What am I gonna do? We both need a doctor and there hasn't been a single sign of rescue. We're almost out of food and cocoa. Widget's about to die, and when he does we'll be in pitch blackness. In a cave, no less… I-I can't do this!
Athena began to hyperventilate, her speluncaphobia beginning to overtake her without Apollo to help. Widget began to flicker as panic set in. The tears began to fall. I'm too weak. I'm too weak to do anything. And if I don't do something soon, Apollo will-
"You're fine!"
Athena gasped at the sudden voice. She looked down at Apollo. His eyes were half open and his breathing was ragged.
"Apollo! You're awake!"
"You're fine." He repeated, shakily reaching a hand up to her face. His icy fingers wiped away a tear. "You're fine, Tiger." He said again. "You're fine."
"Apollo, I don't know what to do. We have to get out of here. If we don't, you'll… " Another tear fell from her face as she thought of the worst case scenario.
Apollo's hand began to fall from her face as his eyes slid shut again. "You're fine. You're fine. Y-you're… You're fine." His hand fell to the cave floor as he slipped back into unconsciousness.
"Apollo!" She cried. Then, almost involuntarily, she began to chant. "I'm Athena Cykes… And I'm fine." She muttered.
"I'm Athena Cykes and I'm fine." This time a little louder.
"I'm Athena Cykes and I'm fine." Louder still.
"I'M ATHENA CYKES AND I'M FINE." Her voice echoed off the walls.
"I'M ATHENA CYKES…." She trailed off as she gritted her teeth.
"AND I'M FINE!" She finally cried with everything in her. Her ears were ringing from the cave echoing back at her.
She looked back down at Apollo. I am NOT weak. I will NOT let you die in this cave.
Filled with newfound determination, Athena began to rack her brain.
First and foremost, I need to get Apollo warmed up. Sharing body heat and getting that coat on him will help, but… She looked down at her companion's suit. His clothes are soaked. My body heat won't do much if he's still in those. Which means…
Her cheeks turned bright red as she thought about what she had to do. Damnit, we haven't even gone on a date and now I have to undress him! Shaking her head to forget all the misinterpretations that could be made, she had to get to work. Apollo's life was at stake!
Sucking in a deep breath, she slowly began to unbutton his waistcoat. God, if he wakes up right now, I am going to die of embarrassment.
The process was slow, and Athena's face remained a shade of red that would make a tomato jealous the whole time, but finally, she work her way to his red boxers. Looking at the garment, she had only one thought. Not a snowball's chance in hell! This'll do!
Being careful not to simply drag him across the cave floor, Athena pull Apollo and herself back to their spot at the back of the cave.
Alright, he's out of those clothes, so now I need to get the coat on him. But I also need to make sure I'm close enough to share my body heat with him.
Racking her brain for a solution, only one idea came to mind. And BOY was it going to look awkward when the rescue showed up.
You're gonna owe me a lot more than dinner after this, Justice.
She first removed her trademark yellow jacket and wrapped it around his legs so as to help retain his body heat. Next, she pulled Widget off her neck and set the tiny robot on the cave floor so as to keep the cave lit up. Putting the red coat on herself, she sat next to Apollo and pulled him close, as if hugging him. She then wrapped the open sides around Apollo and pulled the zipper up as far as it would go.
This is the best I can do. Please… Please be enough.
Pulling her arms inside the coat and wrapping them around Apollo, she nestled into the crook of his neck and finally let her tears fall again.
"Daddy, it's getting late." Trucy said, tightening her baby blue coat around herself.
Phoenix ran a hand through his spikey hair. "I know sweetie. I just can't leave yet. Not until I've looked everywhere."
Stepping close to her father, Trucy placed a hand on his shoulder. "What makes you so sure they're around here?"
Phoenix thumbed through the court record. "That Will Nest guy, he said he pointed them in this direction, and about a half hour later, the earthquake hit. That makes this the last place they were."
"But haven't the rescue crews already been here?"
Phoenix nodded silently. "They have. But I need to look for myself."
A cold wind blew then, causing Phoenix to shiver and toss his scarf over his shoulder. Trucy noticed this and produced a piping hot mug of hot chocolate from her magic panties and gave it to her father, who smiled before accepting it.
"I know we'll find them, Daddy." Trucy said as the two of them walked towards a nearby rock face jutting out of the snow.
"We have to. And soon. I'm sure the two of them have managed to keep warm by sharing body heat, but who knows if they even have any food or water?"
Trucy smiled devilishly at the mention of Polly and Athena having to share body heat as she watched her father walk towards the rock face to lean against it for a moment. Suddenly…
"WHOOOOOOOA!" Phoenix cried out as the snow under his feet gave way and he disappeared into the hole that opened up.
"Daddy!" Trucy cried, rushing to edge of the hole and looking down at her father. "Daddy, are you ok?"
Phoenix lifted himself up from the snow, his hot chocolate now spilled on his navy blue coat. Shaking the snow from his spikes, he replied. "Yeah, I'm fine, sweetie." He then began to look around. Just in front of him was the opening to a small cave. "Hey Trucy, toss the flashlight down here. It should be in your backpack."
Trucy pulled her backpack off and rummaged through the supplies they'd brought with them. Finally finding the flashlight, she slid it down into the hole where her father had fallen.
Picking the flashlight out of the snow and brushing the flakes off, Phoenix stepped into the cave and clicked on the light. What he saw made his heart jump.
"Athena! Apollo!" He cried out as he saw his two employees huddled together in the back of the cave.
Athena lifted her head from Apollo's shoulder for the first time since Widget had died, and her jaw dropped. "BOSS! Where did- How did-"
Phoenix rushed over and wrapped his arms around the two. "You have no idea how relieved I am to find you two!"
Trucy's voice rang out. "Daddy, what's going on?"
"I found them, sweetie! Apollo and Athena are down here!"
At the mention of Apollo's name, Athena's eyes widened and she put her arms through the sleeves of the coat and grabbed her boss by the arm. "Boss! Apollo's in bad shape! He's unconscious and he's in the early stages of hypothermia!"
Phoenix gasped and his eyes widened before he rushed back to the cave entrance. "Trucy! The bag! Toss it down here!"
Trucy quickly obliged. "Good job, sweetie. Now get to the village and call the rescue crews! Tell them where we are and let them know we found them."
"Right! I'll be back as soon as I can, Daddy!" With that, the young magician rushed off to the village at the base of the mountain.
Phoenix rushed back to his employees and knelt down, rummaging through the bag and pulling out several blankets. "Athena, get out of the coat. I'll wrap him up in these and we can both help keep him warm."
"Right." Athena responded and quickly unzipped the coat.
Phoenix's shook his head. "Uh, what, uh, happened to his clothes?"
Athena glared at him. "Is that really important right now!? His clothes were wet so I had to take them off! Now hand me the blankets!"
Flinching at Athena's sudden outburst, Phoenix did what he was told and handed the blankets to Athena who quickly wrapped Apollo in them.
Phoenix knelt down and felt Apollo's face. It was still fairly cold, but Athena's quick thinking earlier had most likely saved his life. "How long has he been like this?" He asked as he took a seat next to Apollo and held another blanket out to Athena.
Pulling her jacket back on and grabbing hold of the blanket Phoenix offered her, Athena scooted close to Apollo again covering the three of them with the blanket. "A few hours. I found him collapsed in the snow where you fell through. I guess he dug that cavity out."
"Lucky he did, or I might not have found you two." Phoenix said, rummaging through his bag before pulling out a thermos and pouring a steaming cup of liquid and handing it to Athena. "Here, drink this. Trucy's special recipe."
Athena took the cup from his hand and took a sip before sighing. "Trucy always made the best hot chocolate."
Phoenix chuckled, looking down at his stained coat. "That she does." He then turned to Athena with a serious look on his face. "What happened to you two?"
Setting the cup down and looking at the cave floor, Athena began to recount the tail of how they'd been trapped in the cave by the avalanche and how they'd managed to survive. She chose, however, to omit the part where they'd confessed their feelings for each other.
Phoenix listened silently as Athena explained their ordeal. Finally, when Athena was finished, she looked at her boss. "What about the trial? What happened to Jacques?"
Phoenix smiled. "You don't have to worry. I managed to convince the judge to allow a change of attorney in your absence and the trial has been postponed another day while we looked for you two."
Athena let out a sigh. "Thank goodness."
Just then, Trucy's voice rang out again "Daddy! The choppers on the way! It should be here in a few minutes!"
"Great job, sweetie!" Phoenix cried out before looking back to Athena. "You two will be outta here in no time."
Athena smiled. "I'm so glad. Apollo needs medical attention immediately."
Phoenix crossed his arms sternly. "From the sound of it, you do too. Don't think I just glanced over your mention of a sprained ankle and a cold. You two won't be back at work for a few days at least."
Athena sighed. "Damn, thought I'd slipped it past you."
Finally, the sound of a chopper was heard outside of the cave.
"Sounds like the cavalry's here." Phoenix said.
A few minutes later, a rope was lowered into the cavern and a large man in a trench coat slid down.
"Pal! I'm glad ya found 'em! There was already talk of calling off the search down at the precinct."
Phoenix stood up. "Good to know the force was putting their all into it." He then put on stern face. "Down to business. Apollo's in bad shape. We need to get him to a hospital ASAP."
"Right!" The man said before kneel down in front of Apollo and Athena. "Uh, hey, pal. I need to take your boyfriend from ya for a bit."
Athena's face turned bright red as Phoenix chuckled, no doubt because he was unaware of what had transpired/ "Uh, y-yeah. Just be careful with him."
The man tilted his head in confusion. "Uh, have we met before? You seem familiar, pal?"
Athena thought for a moment before it came to her. "Gumshoe? Is your name Dick Gumshoe!?"
The man chuckled as he began to pick Apollo up. "That's me, pal! How'd ya know?"
A giant grin played on Athena's face as she suddenly lunged forward and hugged the man. "It's you! I thought I'd never get to see you again!"
"Uh, it's uh, good to see you to, pal. But uh, not sure who ya are."
Athena pulled back, giggling. "It's not important right now. I'll tell you later, just get Apollo out of here."
"Right! You can count on me, pal!" Gumshoe then rushed to rope at the cave entrance. Tying the rope around himself, he tugged on it once it was secure and called out. "I got one of 'em! Hoist me up, pal!"
Once the two were out of sight, Phoenix walked over and helped Athena to her feet, allowing her to use him as a crutch. "Athena, how do you know Gumshoe?"
Athena giggled. "It's a long story boss. But I'll gladly tell you once we're in a nice warm hospital."