Disclaimer: Sorry, didn't put up the disclaimer on Ch. 1. I don't own anybody. My birthday's coming up very soon, so if you were to sue me, I would just collapse. If you'd like to archive, just ask, ok?
Trance had not woken up. Harper wouldn't have even thought she was alive, except every so often her eyes moved under her pale purple eyelids. He wondered what she was dreaming about. Him, perhaps? He quickly banished the notion. But somewhere in the back of his mind, it nagged at him. Wouldn't it be nice, to inhabit her dreams. Even nicer to inhabit her reality.
Rev Bem appeared quietly behind Harper, but coughed slightly to announce his arrival. He didn't want to startle the boy. Harper hadn't left Trance's side since he had brought her to Medical. It was beginning to show. His eyes had dark circles under them, and his entire body drooped wearily.
"Harper," Rev began gruffly.
Harper turned to look at him. There was pleading in his eyes. It shook Rev. He had never seen Harper look like this-desperation filled his very being.
"Yes?" Harper whispered. His voice was ragged.
"Go get some rest." He saw Harper begin to protest and cut in-"That's a direct order from Captain Hunt. You're no good to yourself, the ship," he glanced at Trance and stifled the shiver that ran over his body "and especially not to her, not right now. Sleep. Please. I will tell you if she changes." Either way, thought Rev, but he decided against saying it aloud.
Harper finally nodded, and painfully brought himself to a standing position. He started to leave, determined not to look back at Trance-it was too painful, and if he looked, he knew he would never be able to leave her-, but stopped.
"Rev?" he asked. His voice cracked from disuse.
"Yes, Harper?" Rev answered.
"Thank you." He put his hands to his face and walked slowly out of Medical.
Rev looked down at Trance and sighed. He started to put his hand to her forehead, but stopped himself. It wasn't the time, and he swore that he would not give her last rites. She was not going to need them, not yet.
