She was red-faced and out of breath when she returned to the cave with the box and a bulky canvas handbag. He was still slumped against the wall of the cave, held more or less upright by his backpack. His eyes were closed again.

You're not asleep are you, Jon?'

Ah. No.' He just couldn't open his eyes.

So there's a first aid kit in the box?'

Yeah.' No kitchen sink, just a non-mobile first aid kit.

Okay. So your ship's called Enterprise.' She popped the box and began extracting its contents. There were several water bottles and food packages. Tucker hadn't been sure what to pack for. There were thermal blankets, a phase pistol, and the first aid kit. Sterile water, pads and bandages, splints, a small respirator, and a packet of dried up black things that looked rather disgusting.

She's my ship.' There was something about the possessive way he said that that made her turn back to him. His eyes were open.

Your ship? Are you the captain?'

Yeah.'

They must be looking for you.'

They're a good crew. The best.' He closed his eyes again. He didn't look good, his face had turned grey, though he was pallid and white about the lips.

You're not gonna throw up are you?'

It was about the worst thing you could do in a spacesuit, even with the helmet off. I hope not.'

Jon I need to have a look at where you've hurt yourself.'

The leg's bad.'

We've gotta get your suit off.' It wasn't going to be easy. The yoke was held on by a web of straps, she started undoing the belly, groin and under-arm buckles. This is just someone's bondage fantasy,' she grumbled. The groin straps were awkward. She'd got them undone but now he was sitting on them. You're gonna have to lie down, Jon, so I can get this thing right off you.' She pressed him down so that he was lying on his right side.

The yoke and backpack and tangle of straps moved past his face. He could see red splashes against the yoke and backpack, and a dark smudge that must have been a burn. The signature of some weapon discharge.

Y'gonna be okay.' She was back to that again. Things must look pretty bad. I'll have you outa here in a minute.' She zipped him all the way down. Too bad she wasn't all that pretty. Patch you up in no time.' She had nice eyes though. You'll be as good as new.' And a wicked smile.

She'd taken his boots off and bunched the top half of his space suit down at waist level and now he could feel the cold press of stone under his heels. Under his right heel, anyway. For some reason he couldn't feel his left foot at all.

Okay, Jon, I'm gonna need your help with this.'

He was there. Really. Happy to help. Whatever she needed. He just couldn't answer her. Or open his eyes.

C'mon Jon. I can't do this alone.' She grabbed him by the neck of his tee shirt and put her knuckles against his breastbone. Sudden pain shot through his chest.

Oww! What?'

Nice to have you back. Okay, I'm gonna count to three. Stay with me. When I hit three, you lift your backside off the ground while I get the space suit off. Ready?'

Ready.' He braced his upper arms and feet against the ground.

Let's hope your drawers stay put, huh? One, two, three...'

The suit came off with a wet, sucking sound and he retched at the hot metal smell of his blood.

She rolled him onto his right side and stared at the blood bubbling up like a little fountain from his thigh.