Chapter 11: Gone

Date: 17 November 2552
Location: Forward Unto Dawn, Space

I took some measured breaths to control my nerves as I traveled toward the mess hall. To say that I was on edge would be a complete understatement. I kept my head up and surveyed the area in anticipation of some inevitable confrontation, but most looks sent my way were ones of curiosity, not abject hatred.

In the mess hall, I scanned the food lines and tables for that familiar green suit. After coming up short-handed, I got in queue and escaped to an empty table with my bounty: non-rationed breakfast. The eggs, sausage, and grits looked utterly dull but smelled mouth-wateringly vivid.

After savoring the first mouthful, I opened my eyes to see a man in unmarked fatigues observing me from across the table. He stood there in silence, causing my discomfiture to sky rocket as I quickly chewed and swallowed that first bite.

"May I help you?" I asked politely, just barely succeeding at masking the worry in my tone as I glanced at the nearest exits. My gaze returned to his face, skimming over pale scars and faint freckles, only to settle on a striking pair of blue eyes.

His mouth quirked just before he replied, "You were supposed to wait for me."

I stood with a gasp at the sound of that deep voice no longer altered by a helmet.

"Sir!"

"Jayne," he greeted, a small smile now definitely curving his lips.

"Please sit," I requested, gesturing toward the seat across the table while I slunk back down into my own. In that moment everything became too much to endure. I closed my eyes in an attempt to block out the crowd, the noise, the smells, the flavors, Master Chief in the flesh, my feelings of attachment, embarrassment, and fear.

"Jayne?" he repeated, voice quiet. "Breathe."

I obeyed, counting the seconds as I inhaled and then exhaled. When I opened my eyes again my heart betrayed me with a hard thump. Chief was leaning in, hand stretched across the table toward me, concern clearly written on his features.

"Sorry," I exhaled. "Thank you." I took another bite, hoping he would as well so that I wouldn't have to explain.

"You're blushing," he pointed out matter-of-factly.

My hand froze as it carried another fork-full of food toward my mouth. I met his eyes in panic, blushing more as I met his unwavering regard.

"I'm embarrassed," I said quickly, lifting my right shoulder with a small shrug and cringing when food fell onto the table. His eyebrows rose slightly in amusement but he kept silent.

"I can't believe I somehow expected you to be in your armor... In the mess hall!" I blurted out and then shook my head. I smiled at the huff of laughter I heard across the table and then relaxed when the Spartan began to eat.

The companionable silence was interrupted when Saffron appeared on my holopad, reminding me that one of my many appointments was scheduled soon. With a sigh, I stood and took my tray over to disposal, Chief in tow.

"I'll escort you," he stated firmly.

"You're still tall," I stated simply after following him through the corridors for a while. "I thought for sure a good chunk of your height could be attributed to the MJOLNIR armor but nope."

I grinned when the Spartan looked down and appeared slightly startled by my direct scrutiny.

"What are you, a foot and a half taller than I?" I asked rhetorically. "One of these days, I'm going to pull a muscle attempting to maintain eye contact."

It did not escape my notice that the Master Chief had to duck under the doorway in order to enter the med bay. I pursed my lips, unamused, when he looked at me to gauge my reaction. I grinned and followed him in when I saw that damnable quirk of his lips at my dissatisfaction.

"I'll be here waiting if I'm out before you," he said. "If not... wait for me."

"Wait for me!" I called ahead to the Master Chief, sporting his new Mark V armor which already displayed signs of wear and tear.

He stopped at my request but didn't address me. The Spartan didn't even turn his head to look at me when I finally reached his side.

"What's wrong?" I asked, voice sounding small in the large, empty room. I swallowed at the gut-wrenching feeling rolling off of him in waves.

"They're all gone." The last word was barely audible and broke my heart.

I reached for his hand as I walked around to face him. He pulled away and gripped the nearby railing; it groaned and warped under the pressure. My eyes stung and my heart keened for the man standing beside me. He had already been through so much, more than anyone should ever have to endure physically or emotionally. And now..? The Fall of Reach...

I moved in closer still, until my side brushed against his, and placed my hand over his deliberately. Sierra 117 loosened his vice-like grip on the rail and I felt more than saw his demeanor soften.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered.

Together we stood, staring out at the vastness of space until a voice interrupted.

"Master Chief."

"Master Chief, we're ready for you."

"Yes ma'am." I gave him a brief smile and nod of encouragement when he hesitated to leave. Only when he was completely out of sight did I allow my tears to slip freely.

*My life just had several major patches: job draining the life out of me, got new job, quit old job, bought a new house, Thanksgiving, moved halfway across state, started the new job, family hospitalized, home improvement, Christmas, Birthday, New Years.

Thank you, return-readers, for sticking around and welcome new readers! By the way, the next chapter is titled 'John'. :)