Chapter 13 an unseen Danger
Light raider:
Sarah frowned as the communication faded. What was Hollie Doing out of the medical bay? When had she come around?
"Hollie, I want to check..."the woman began.
"Sorry General I'm going to go shower and change my cloths." Ollie told her.
"Hollie, you had a serious head injury." Sarah reminded her.
"Sarah I'm ok, I just need to get moving." the red head shrugged that off. She felt perfectly fine, had since she and Ryan had… And what would they do about that? Had it just been a momentary thing?
"She's fine," Ryan put in helpfully and Sarah glanced at their leader. He looked serious and she knew that Ryan of all people wouldn't let her out of the
medical bay if she was not fine.
"Fine, but if there's any pain or backlash call."
"Will do." The red head saluted and headed out.
"I'm off too." Heath said heading for his quarters. Although He'd gotten some rest he still looked bushed. Sarah sighed and glanced at Devon.
"I suppose your all better too?"
"I am but you need food" The loner said in an unusual Gesture of thoughtfulness as he took her arm and led her from the Bridge.
Ryan wondered if they'd all gone a little mad. After all, their toughest nut was taking care of the nurse. Then again he'd lost it too. What was he doing?
With Hollie. She was his fellow ranger not some girl. Not that He just went after any girl but he'd not even had to think about it, kissing her out of the blue.
Ok, he needed a shower." Ryan thought to himself as he to left the bridge.
***
neoAquabase, Earth:
the med bay was silent as Carter sat beside the bed. His wife and twins were resting peacefully and Joel had taken over command for a while so he could be where he was needed.
Funny he mused, of all of the rangers Joel had always seemed the cockiest and most irresponsible but since he had gotten married to Angela all that had changed. It was like Dana; since they'd gotten married she'd stopped spending so much time working. so had he and they spent every spare minute together, even in the midst of the war?
Carter thought of his brother-in-law, would Ryan settle into married life when he and Hollie hooked up? That was another thing, since he himself had gotten settled he'd come to think that marriage might be just the ticket for the other man. It might do him some good to have a little wife sitting at home at the end of the day. But knowing Hollie she'd be sky diving instead of cooking. the thing was she was just perfect for him. She'd keep Ryan from getting too sedate.
His own wife was anything but, true Dana was a perfect lady but she could cut loose with the best of them. Carter's thoughts went to the last date they'd gone on. Instead of going to a movie and dinner or to a concert Dana had dragged him to a truck pull. It was one of those things he'd loved growing up. He'd only mentioned it to her once but she'd remembered. the really cute thing had been she'd acted like any one else there despite the fact that she'd been seven months pregnant and feeling about as attractive as a watermelon.
The truth that he'd nearly lost her today hit him again and he shifted forward in the seat so he could take her hand in his. God, he thought, it was so fragile, so dainty and yet so capable. He'd have died today if he'd lost her, she was his everything. Now as he gazed at her fingers he could remember the way they felt pressed against his cheek, the way they poured her morning tea and how they tickled to get whatever she wanted.
That last thought turned his mind to the memory of their first kiss, their first real moments of truth. Had it not even been a year ago? Had it only taken 18 hours for her nearly to die today?
"Captain Grayson that looks like a serious thought.' the voice said and his eyes went to her face, her blue eyes were open, heavy lidded but open.
"well Mrs. Grayson I was just thinking how close today was." He told her softly as he gently brushed some hair from her pretty face. "I nearly lost one of the only things that matter to me."
"you didn't, I'm right here.' She pointed out gently giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
"No I didn't." He agreed adding. "but if you ever scare me like that…"
"Carter, it wasn't' a burning building, I had our babies." She pointed out.
"Yes but Dana you almost didn't…"
"Carter, I love you and I will always be right...," he pointed to his heart. ""Here, no matter what happens."
"Promise?"
"Promise." She replied with a little smile then frowned. "Carter you should have gone to bed. that chair is not comfortable.'
"Dana after today do you think I'd honestly go anywhere?"
"No, but…"
"Just go back to sleep before…"
The sound of the babies crying had Dana smiling.
"Feeding time." She told him and Carter nodded rising to fetch his infants for what was only their second feeding.
***
Light raider:
Sarah sat in the galley watching Devon as he moved to the sinthitron. He'd been so ill only a short time ago but now he was moving as if nothing had happened. It was probably thanks to the power but it was good either way. She'd hate to think of him so ill after all else he'd obviously been through.
It was funny; the dark haired young woman had never seen the sadness beyond the ice of his distant gaze. Now though it was obvious that Devon must have Been hurt, very tortured by whatever had caused his nightmare. Sarah would wager it was some sort of abuse, as an Rn she'd seen her share of cases like that. Sarah wished she could ask him about it but she had a feeling he'd either evade or shut down.
That was why when he sat the plate of ham and sweet potatoes before her Sarah simply thanked him and began to eat.
"You know you should have asked for help sooner." Devon said when she'd made it half way through her meal.
"Hmm?" She glanced up at him and found his solemn eyes on her. For the second time she saw something more than boredom. There was a concern. Was that for her? He'd just been so...
"You take too much on yourself." He said then and she lifted a sable brow.
"I'm a trained nurse." She reminded him.
"Not just earlier. Sarah when you were training you never asked for help, even when you needed it." Devon explained and that surprised her, he'd noticed?
"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?" Sarah shot back then unsure how else t handle that.
"I can handle things." He shrugged.
"Like you handle those dreams?" She wanted to say but he was talking to her and that was good so she didn't say what she was thinking, instead shrugging.
"We do what has to be done."
"Yeah." Devon wondered what she was thinking, he could see there was much more on Sarah's mind but he didn't know just what. "So you going back to sleep or what?"
"I thought I'd go work this off." She said indicating the nearly empty plate before her.
"Got a better idea." Devon said and Sarah wondered what he was up to.
"Should I be worried?" She asked deadpan and Devon, the king loner of all loners actually cracked a smile.
"Oh my gosh it can happen!" She jumped up doing a little dance and Devon was laughing.
"You do know your nuts right?" He asked also unsmiling.
"Hey I always get what I want." She smirked.
"So doing the victory dance or painting your nails?" The sapphire starspeed ranger called from the doorway and Sarah abruptly stopped, blushing as she returned to her seat.
"I was just stretching." Sarah mumbled seriously.
Devon wondered if the raven haired woman was at all what she seemed. When he'd come out of his illness she'd been sweet and gentle. He'd expected her to be brisk and efficient. He'd not expected to find her holding his hand at one point when she thought he'd been sleeping.
"Yes, we have some things to do." Devon replied seriously and as Sarah was finished with her meal he got up and took care of both of their dishes.
"You do." Heath wanted to smile something had definitely changed between those 2 and for the better if he was correct. Man he hoped so, it would make things much easier for them all. Now for Hollie and Ryan.
***
astro megaship mark 2:
Kendrix was working hard with the other scientists to get the new Weapons ready and Leo was worried but as Andros said Kendrix could handle herself in that area. After all she'd gone to school for it hadn't she? She would have finished school to if the SAR and Somets hadn't decided to attack then.
Still now as he worked on updating the log aboard ship the red galaxy ranger sighed and ran a hand through his thick dark hair. How had everything gone so wrong? They'd been preparing for Maya's coming birthing and then pop they'd had the alien warriors attacking just as the sting Wingers had. It had been like a nightmare, going under the cover of darkness to once more pull out their quasar sabers. He'd hated the knowledge that his very pregnant wife had to fight along side of them, as did Maya. After all they only could use the saber's powers.
"Hey little brother how's the log going?" Mike asked and Leo glanced up at him. The last few months had taken their toll on him too. The magna-defender looked worn out, his dark eyes looking shadowed and almost defeated, his hair messy. Gone were the days of perfect big brother. But then Leo knew losing his wife had added ten fold to everything else.
"Going. Where's Karone?" Leo asked glancing around. Since the attack Mike and the Karovian and their friends wife had become Mike's shadow. But then both had lost their spouses and so now seemed to be drawing strength from one another.
"With Kendrix and the others working on the weapons." Mike replied pulling up a chair.
"Good we have to do this, have to end it before we lose anyone else." Leo said wearily.
"Hey we got some good news." Mike told his brother as he then got up again to go get some coffee from the pot in the corner.
"What's that?" The crimson clad young man asked as his brother poured a second steaming mug of the brew.
"Dana had the baby."
"She did? That's great, what was it?" Leo asked as the other man retook his seat again.
"Twins actually." Mike smiled taking a sip of the bitter black coffee. "A boy, William Ethan and Lillian."
"Well at least something good came out of this hell." Leo muttered frowning as he thought of the time that had passed in the time they'd been there. "So how are the repairs going?"
"Alright we should be ready when the fleet is." Mike admitted and Leo nodded.
"Good."
***
Light raider:
Hollie was towel drying her long red curls, her green eyes unfocused as she thought about earlier. Had she and Ryan really done that? Had they truly kissed? Had they spent that much time together?
Gees what was going on with them? Since they'd left earth things had been so nuts. And it was not just proximity. She'd realized it when he'd told her about Dr. Grayson's dreams and the solution. To think Ryan was her nightlight. It was crazy... When the knock sounded on her door. Frowning she turned calling.
"Who is it?"
"Ryan!" the familiar deep voice called. Deep
"I'm a little um..." She looked down at her robe. "In the middle of getting dressed!"
"Well..." The ship was rocked and Hollie was running for the door even as it opened and Ryan was there.
"What's happening?" Ryan called and Della seemed to take a moment before replying.
"sar fighters!" The voice of Devon came over the com.
"go code gold!" The ruby starspeed ranger shouted and Hollie was right behind him as they raced for the lift and the bridge. They didn't take the lift though instead he teleported the both of them.
"How bad?" Hollie asked Sarah who was monitoring the current situation.
"air to surface missiles." the opal starspeed ranger replied even as Devon hit the control to launch them.
"Damages?"
"None, we must be lucky today." Devon called and then he was preparing to take evasive maneuvers.
"Wait, Dana, send a t-bomb to the beach on the other side of the planet."
"right. " The opal starspeed ranger was hitting her buttons even as Hollie armed herself to the teeth.
"Hollie?" Devon asked glancing at the gold ranger.
"Don't send the bomb, I'm taking the jammer." Hollie moved from behind her usual station.
"What?" Ryan asked confused.
"Apparently they've got an energy reading on us, so if I can divert a few of those puppies."
"It's too dangerous." Ryan strode to her catching her arm in a firm grip.
"It's my job." She said glancing back at him. "I'll meet you after their destroyed."
"I'm with you." Heath said coming around his control panel even as Hollie shook her.
"you guys need at least four to run the ship." Hollie reasoned.
"Della can." Ryan reminded her firmly. He knew she could do this but it was dangerous and… God what was he thinking? She was one of them a ranger. what happened didn't change that. Her plan was even sound, there would have been a time he would have done it himself.
"Damn it Ryan I can do this just…" His hot mouth crushed hers in a fast hard kiss.
"Come back safe." He ordered gruffly and she shot him a cocky grin.
"Always." She called over her shoulder before teleporting out.
TBC
***
And there you have it the next installment of my little endeavor. What did you think? Did it explain the time for the last chapter?
Either way I'd love reviews. They really do let me know if I'm on the right track. Also as always I'm open for suggestions.