A Warrior's Mind, a Lover's Heart
Chapter 21: Feigned control
Melina leaned back against the kitchenette counter, her arms crossing in front of her. Tipping her head a sneaky smile spread acrossed her cheeks.
"I can't believe we have a chef." The woman cackled.
"Mess Sergeant…. Miss." The man grumbled.
"Chef…" Melina cackled again.
"Mess…. Sergeant…" He grumbled once more.
Melina moved herself away from the counter and turned her back from the grumpy Mess Sergeant. She had learned during her time in the military to not let anyone push you around and joking was perfectly healthy. Turning herself back to the Mess Sergeant, her cloudy hues gazed up at his form.
"I know Mess Sergeant. In all technicality ever since you decided to take on further serving on this ship, you are no longer serving in the Alliance. Or any military. Unless well you want to count the Prothean Empire." She reached up and touched her chin.
The man's face finally softened. He knew exactly what she was doing.
"Prothean Empire."
Tipping her head, she smiled even more.
"Alright. In all honesty though, thank you for deciding to stay on board. This is a big help to everyone…. Including our very hungry Krogan." Melina laughed.
The man leaned back against the counter, a hand reaching up and covering his face.
"Great…." he sighed.
Melina laughed. Turning herself back away, she slowly made her way down the hallway. The floors were lined with small lights. It had allowed the woman to be able to make her way around the ship without needing the overhead lights to be turned on brightly. Javik had managed to secure himself a recently retired Alliance frigate. Due to his ties to Commander Shepard, he was granted a ship and crew to carry out his mission. Of course the small frigate hadn't been filled up with staff, but the base skeleton crew had been more then honored to serve under a Prothean's command. It was the least the Alliance could do after leaving them stranded on Omega. Continuing to follow the small rows of light along the floor, Melina made her way down the hallway, making a right and a left. Going up several small flights of stairs before she had been met with a large door. Reaching up, the woman pressed her hand upon the access panel, signaling the door to open. Her cloudy hues immediately met with the gaze of several standing around the command room. Raising her brows she slowly made her way inside, sneaking back along side the wall. She had walked in in the middle of a small meeting. Javik was standing on the command post, his arms crossed in front of him. The Elder Prothean's lip pulled back a hint.
"I would like to express my gratitude to those who have decided to come along on my mission. Each and every one of you will be compensated for your time. To serve under the Prothean Empire is a great honor. One you should hold high. That is all…" The Elder Prothean backed himself off the command post and dropped his arms. Those golden hues met up with Melina's gaze as everyone was leaving the room.
"Melina."
"Javik." The woman returned. Tipping her head, she slowly made her way over to Javik's side of the command room. Giving him enough room to move around if he wanted. "Hell of a ship you managed to grab."
"I am thankful for the opportunity the Human Alliance has granted me. I was beginning to think that they had turned their backs." The Prothean almost hissed.
"Well, they pretty much did when they dumped us on Omega." Melina sighed.
"That is now in the past." Javik turned his gaze away from the woman, his golden hues gazing out on the small galaxy map in the center of the command room.
Melina didn't respond. Keeping her gaze focused on the Elder Prothean, she could tell there was a lot floating around in his head. Still though that resolve never left. She could see that it was stronger. He looked more sure now. Securing a proper frigate helped. Giving Javik a brief nod, she turned herself away from his form and began to make her way back towards the doorway before immediately smacking right into Teyshan.
"Oh! Sorry!" She immediately called out, her arms raised up a little.
"Melina, it is ok." Teyshan gave the woman a soft smile.
Melina immediately returned the smile. Her cloudy hues searching his own golden eyes. Reaching up she ran her hand down his cheek briefly.
"I'll meet you in our bunk." Melina gave a curt nod and slowly backed away. Leaving Teyshan to have the time he needed with Javik.
#
The frigate may have been small but it didn't lack in the number of cabins. The skeleton crew was able to have their own communal cabin, Javik had his own, as well as Melina and Teyshan. Balvorn decided to make his home in the shuttle bay near the bottom of the ship with Dean. Diane made herself right at home in the med-bay. Having an extra doctor around proved to make things easier aboard the ship.
Melina sat at the edge of the bed, her cloudy hues closed. Naturally the room was dark. Slowly standing up to her feet. The woman dragged herself over to the desk next to the far wall. Her fingers outstretching to help guide herself in where she needed to go. Sinking down on the chair. She opened her hues and shook her head a bit. Even after all of this time, her lack of vision had bothered her. Her hands reached out over the desk, fingers wrapping around the data pad. Flicking it on, the light caused the woman to briefly flinch until her hues adjusted. Sighing softly, Melina scrolled through the news reports. Nothing was proving to be very interesting. She liked to keep an eye on current events. They very well could give small clues into where the other Prothean had disappeared at or struck next. So far it had been quiet with him. Which wasn't good. He was a unpredictable variable. Melina set the data pad back down on the table, cascading a small bit of light into the dark room. Her fingers drummed on the table as her mind slipped into a deep thought.
Teyshan laid motionless on the floor, blood seeping out of his wounds. Melina couldn't focus. Her head pounding, her throat burning. He wasn't getting up, he wasn't breathing. Melina dragged herself over to his side, screaming his name. Hoping he would wake up. Hoping he would open his eyes.
The scene played over and over in Melina's mind. That was some time ago now. The other had attacked so quickly. A blade tucked so perfectly into his armor. Hayshek was able to calculate where to tear away Teyshan's armor and stab him for optimal damage. The other was able to get away from them, to get away from Javik. He was unpredictable. Dangerous. This thought scared Melina to her core.
The first attempt on Teyshan's life had forced Melina into a near deep depressive state. The second forced the woman to focus on the bigger picture. Tracking this other Prothean down so he could be dealt with. Melina hated to admit this. She hated to admit that she didn't feel like she was in control for once. She hated to admit how scared she was. The woman hid all of this deep inside the darkest parts of her mind. It bothered her. She didn't want to stress Teyshan out anymore then he already was with the mission. They were all in this together but Melina almost felt personally responsible. She was going to protect her husband, her bond mate with all of her life.
The door slid open, breaking Melina out of her thought. Turning the chair, her cloudy hues focused on the strong form blocking out the light from the hallway. It was Teyshan.
"Hey.." Melina called out.
Teyshan walked in, not responding to her greeting. The Prothean breathed in softly, taking a gentle step over towards Melina's side. He kneeled down, becoming eye level with her soft gaze.
"I wish to talk with you Melina." Teyshan's voice was stern. His sub harmonics tight. Immediately the woman's heart dropped.
Lowering her head, she ran her hands over her face and cleared her throat before her gaze met back up with his.
"About?" Melina's brows raised.
"You."
"Ok." Melina could feel herself growing nervous.
Teyshan leaned a bit closer, adjusting his weight a bit on his feet. Reaching out, the Prothean took one of Melina's hands, holding it between his own. His golden hues focused on their small embrace. Melina could hear Teyshan hesitate for a minute, his breath hitched several times.
"No matter how much you wish to hide from me. I can still read you Melina. I can tell you hold pain inside of your mind. I do not read what you touch to find this out. I can tell from the light missing from behind your eyes. You have not been the same lately. Even with our bonding ceremony you seemed distant. You used to be present. What is on your mind. Please tell me." Teyshan's voice was soft but his sub harmonics strained. He almost seemed…scared.
Melina reached out with her left hand, placing it over the both of his that cradled her other. Biting at the bottom of her lip, the woman took a brief moment to gather her thoughts before speaking.
"Teyshan I really am happy. I'm happy we had our ceremony, that we are finally able to live our lives without having to worry about being separated by any silly reason. But… ever since I almost lost you.. I've been more determined then ever to find Hayshek and stop this…nightmare." Melina sighed. She almost sounded like herself all that time ago after the first attempt on Teyshan's life.
Teyshan knew why she got like this. He know understood. She never lost anyone under her command, except her own husband. It was like she was scared of going through it all over again. Teyshan gently let go of Melina's hands. It explained why she grew so sad after sharing memories together earlier before their bonding ceremony. She wanted this all to be over, to be back home where they were safe and happy.
Teyshan reached up and cupped Melina's face gently. His golden hues gazing deep into her cloudy eyes. They narrowed a bit.
"Do not forget Melina, we are in this together. Not just you an I. We have help. You are not going to lose me. You are not going to lose anyone in your life ever again. Promise me that you will hold on to this belief and continue to fight." Teyshan's voice was softer, more gentle.
Melina nodded, biting at the back of her lip, she knew to not give up. The woman never gave up. She knew this would give her more reason to keep fighting, it was reassuring to know Teyshan still had her back and didn't doubt her.
"Thank you. I promise." Melina smiled softly.
Teyshan leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the woman's forehead. Her worry seemed to melt away off of her face. Even the strongest warriors from time to time needed to be reassured that things were all ok and they would continue to be ok.
Suddenly the silent moment was broken. Ship alarms sounded through out the frigate. Melina and Teyshan both knew what this meant. The woman had rose up to her feet with Teyshan's assistance. They both immediately left the room and made their way up to the command room. Making sure to not waste any time in getting briefed. Standing alongside one of the walls. Melina's hues darted around the room, watching as it filled up with the crew from the ship. Javik made his way up to the command post, those golden hues filled with a hint of anger.
"Everyone, I have received reports of the near by Batarian colony being attacked by an unknown group. I believe this to be who we are looking for. We are close enough to provide assistance." The Prothean paused a bit. Turning his head, his gaze flew over to where Melina and Teyshan were standing.
"Melina, Teyshan. You two are to meet with Dean down stairs in the shuttle bay. I will be down to assist you all with this. The rest of you, carry out with your duties. Stay sharp and keep the ship safe." Javik turned himself. His sub harmonics tight as he spoke. He stepped off the command post and disappeared in the small crowd of their crew mates. Melina turned herself towards Teyshan. Her cloudy hues gazing up at him. Her brows raising.
"It's been awhile since I've seen some action… you ready?" She asked.
"Yes, more so then ever." Teyshan gave a nod.
"Lets do this." Melina smiled.
Authors Note:
So sorry for the absence I have been incredibly busy! But we finally have some action! Hope you all have enjoyed this chapter. Happy Reading!