**Sorry this one is so short, major writer's block -Danielle
When Lexi was upset, she ran, ran until her legs could no longer carry her, until she could hardly breathe.
The news had been all over the ARC by the time they'd arrived. Jackson McKay had sacrificed himself to stop a creature. The ARC was somber, one of the girls on the day shift she'd heard, had had a near breakdown.
Lexi didn't know McKay well, but she remembered him from training. That was what was bugging her now, what had her running down the trails behind the ARC as fast as her legs would carry her, the fact that this job was already starting to pick them off, one by one.
Annie had lost her brother, Jackson was now gone…as much as she hated to admit it, it scared her.
"Lexi!" a voice called from behind her.
She stopped and turned, breathing heavily, to see Jason Mattison running towards her.
"Hey Jason," she said, crouching to catch her breath.
"I don't meet many girls who can outrun me," he gasped.
Lexi smirked, "If it makes you feel better, I didn't know you were there."
"I'm surprised, most women are very aware of my presence."
"Full of yourself aren't you?" she countered.
"Maybe a little," he replied.
"So did you flag me down for small talk or di…" she was cut off by the sound of the anomaly alert blaring in the distance, "Race you back," she grinned, taking off.
Jason chased after her, laughing, "Not fair, you had a head start!" he called.
"Who said anything about playing fair?" she taunted.
They skidded into the Ops Room, Jason just behind Lexi and almost running into her back. The rest of the group, along with Becker, Matt, Caspar and Abby were already there and turned to look at the noisy latecomers.
"Sorry, we were out running," Lexi mumbled.
"Anomaly, about five nautical miles out from the docks," Becker told them.
"Wait-wait, it's underwater?" Jason asked incredulously.
"Yes, now let's go," he said, ushering them to the armory to get their gear.
When they arrived at the anomaly site, Becker immediately started shouting orders.
"Smith, Chase, you're strong swimmers, you're in the water with me and Matt. Abby and Caspar, lookout from the front end, Mattison and Carsons back end."
Lexi followed Jason to the back end of the boat, staring over the railing. They heard the distinct splashes as the four team members jumped overboard and Lexi sighed. Staring over the railing until the creature was spotted, fun.
"When's your next day off?" Jason asked as they stared at the water.
She tilted her head in thought, " Tuesday, why?"
"I thought it was you who wasn't on the schedule too. Would you like to go for drinks with me?" he offered
Lexi was quiet for a moment, and just as she was about to answer, something jarred the boat, throwing her off balance. She stumbled backwards, only managing to stay on her feet when Jason grabbed her waist to steady her.
"We have something down here!" she yelled through her coms.
"What is it?" Caspar replied, and she could tell he was already moving towards them.
"I don't know, I think it's under the boat, it's big though," she said, going to stare back over the railing.
As she watched, the four team members who'd gone to find the anomaly surfaced.
"Did you see it?" Jason called.
"See what?" Maria asked confused.
Lexi cursed under her breath, "The creature, it's under the boat!" she yelled, watching the other four members go on alert.
"Make your way back to the boat as quickly as possible, no sudden movements," Becker commanded.
Lexi and Jason helped Matt back on board, then Maria, they'd just reached down to take Becker's equipment, when Alexis' ear piercing scream reached their ears.
"It has my foot!" she cried, thrashing wildly.
Becker dove in and swam towards her without a second thought. The group watched in horror as both disappeared under the water. Lexi stepped up onto the railing, trying to get a better view.
"Come on, come on, where are you?" she whispered.
"Anything?" Matt asked.
Lexi shook her head, "No, nothing, I can't see anything."
They waited, all holding their breath.
"Wait, there," she said, pointing as something darted across the water, just under the surface.
Then there was red lacing the water, blood, someone was hurt, or worse… They waited, for some sign of who it was, for someone to surface. Finally they did, one of the figures supporting the other.
As they got closer they could tell the person being supported was Alexis. Jason and Matt helped to get her on the boat, and Becker passed off his equipment to Lexi as he clambered on.
"A harpoon gun, nice," she commented, "So I take it the blood was the creatures?"
"Yes, it's dead. Alexis should be fine, her ankle's pretty torn up, but Joseph should have her back on her feet in no time."
Joseph Noir, was the ARC's head medic, he was very quiet, had an obsession with chocolate, but was excellent at his job.
"Matt, I need you to come with me, we're going to have to get that creature back through," Becker said.
They put their diving gear back on and Matt grabbed the sealer and put it in it's waterproof enclosure, before diving back after Becker. Ten minutes later they resurfaced and they headed back to the ARC. They'd managed to secure Alexis' ankle as best as possible, and Matt and Becker carried her straight to the medical bay when they arrived.
Lexi paused as they reached the locker room, turning to Jason.
"Yes, I'll have drinks with you," she said before going inside.