Chapter Four
Sakura glanced toward Li's cabin entry before hurrying to the computer screen by the decontamination unit. She'd used a piece of bread to prop her panel open just a crack - enough to observe when he finally turned in for sleep cycle. Then she waited two long hours to be sure he was asleep. She also checked on Nathan Long as she slipped past his brig. He lay huddled on his bunk, his breathing deep and even.
At the computer, she turned and eyes Li's room door panel again. She was taking a great risk, but his actions in the gallery spurred her on. His unpredictable and volatile behavior had further heightened her distrust of him. She needed to know if they were really headed for Star Base Intrepid.
Hopefully basic ship data, such as navigational information, wasn't security coded. After all, Li was the only person acessing the system. Taking a dep breath, she touched the screen. Quickly, she punched the keypad and studied the directories that appeared. Not there. Ignoring the mounting tension tightening her chest and speeding up her heart, she touched another directory. No. Another directory, then another. Ah! There it was.
She located the navigation pod and accessed it. After persuing the options, she chose current destination status. As she suspected, it was read-only file, but it confirmed her nagging fears. At the top of the screen, followed by a listing a exact directional coordinates, flashed the staggering blow: DESTINATION : SARON.
Sakura starred at the incriminating words, mounting terror slithering through her body. She racked her brain, trying to recall if Saron had an Antek post on it. With her limited knowledge, she didn't even know if Saron was anywhere near Star Base Intrepid. She touched the screen to return to the directory and chose the option for specific ploting coordinates. She scrolled through the list: asteroids, moons, planets, then finally, star bases. More scrolling through the name bases : Alpha, Borean, Caldmar . . Galen . . Intrepid -
" What in blazing hells do you think you're doing? " Two hands clamped around her upper arms, jerking her back and spinning her around.
Li glarred down at her, rage etched upon hs face.
Sakura gaped at him, her heart pounding so fiercely that she thought it might burst through her chest. His lips pressed into a thin line and he shook her. His cold controlled voice alarmed her more than anything.
" N-nothing, " she stammered, grasping his arms to steady herself against the waves of adrenaline washing through her.
His eyes narrowed to amber slits. He shook her again.
" Liar. " he swung his head toward the screen and scanned it. " Well, well, Star Base Intrepid. Position coordinates. " he retured his damming gaze to her, his brows almost meeting.
" And what were you going to going to do with that information, pilgrim? Alter the ship's course? A futile attempt, I assure you. You'd never be able to access beyond read-only data. "
" I wasn't trying to do that. I-I wanted to . . I - " Sakura hesitated, realizing the futility of an explanation.
" Don't stop now, pilgrim. Tell me. Just what were you doing, sneaking into my computer system in the middle of sleep shift. "
She ignored the tremors rippling through her limbs.
" We're not heading for Intrepid. Twice you've given me your word you'll take me there. "
" I've told you I'd get you there in due time. " he snapped, all restraint apparently gone. " By the fires! You refuse to accept the fact that my word is good. I warned you what would happen if you gave me any trouble. "
Her tremors increased with the force of his anger. The brig. He'd promised thebrig if she crossed him.
" I only wanted to know where we were headed. I much reach Sono - I mean Zirak - soon. " Spasms in her limbs halted her. He said something, but the roar in her ears blocked his words.
A second later, she was sitting on the floor, Li pushing her head down between her knees.
" Breathe! " she heard him yell above the internal din. " Take deep, slow breaths. Breathe, damn it! "
She tried to obey, but she couldn't drag any air into her constricted lungs. Gasping, she clawed at the grey mist closing around her, flailing her arms against a hard immobile object. Then total darkness surrounded her.
Funny . . . she was lying on the floor. It was cold . . . and hard. Even her straw-stuffed mattress on Liron was more comfortable than this. But she'd leftLiron . . . Groggy, Sakura tried to sit up, but a strong hand against her chest forced her back down.
" Don't get up yet. Lie still a few minutes. "
She squinted at the form above her. It blurred, then came into focus. Li. She wondered if that scowl on his face ever went away. In sleep maybe . . . except she was beginning to doubt the young man above her ever slept. That thought required too much energy to contemplate. She sank back, taking a deep breath. In a moment, her mind cleared enough for her to realize she must have had another seizure. By the Spirit, they were coming more frequently now.
" How are you feeling? " Li knelt beside her, a medical monitor in his hand. A medicine hypochamber lay on the floor next to him. She starred at it dumbly.
" Sakura, I asked you how you were feeling."
She returned her emerald gaze to him. His scowl conveyed worry, she realized with sudden insight. Concern - about her. Amazed she searched his face, finding confirmation of her startling discovery in the soft amber of his eyes. No, she had to be wrong. Only Tori carred what happened to her.
" I'm ok. " she struggled onto her elbows. He set the monitor down and slipped an arm beneath her shoulders. He eased her into sitting position, keeping his arm firmly around her.
Except for her brother, Sakura had gone for seven seasons without anyone touching her. Yet now Li had crossed that unspoken barrier by placing his arm around her. She found his touch disconcerting. But at the same time, she savoured the strength his support loaned her trembling body. She'd always recovered from her seizures alone, pulling herself up and back on her feet with painstaking slowness.
" How does that feel sitting up? Are you dizzy? " he retreived the scanner and skimmed it over her.
" I'm fine. " she starred past him up at the computer, thinking about the consequences of her actions. He would put her in the brig now. Would he let her have Kero with her? Surely he wouldn't leave Kero to starve. She'd have to convince him to spare her pet.
Resolute, she started to push herself to her feet. Her still shaky limbs refused to cooperate. She swayed and almost fell.
" I told you to wait. Little fool! " Li rose with her, sweeping her into his arms before she could gain her footing.
She couldn't ever remember being held. The hardness of his chest amazed her, as the intense warmth he radiated. She tried to look up at him, but h had her closely gathered against him, and she could see no more than the underside of his stubborn chin.
He strode down the corridor. Sakura tensed, preparing to be tossed into the cubicle next to Nathan Long.
" I must keep Kero with me. Please. "
" I certainly don't want that creature. " his voice rumbled over her as he stoppd at her cabin. Surprise swept through her when he carried her inside and lowered her onto the bunk.
She grabbed the mat, trying to anchor her whirling thoughts.
" You brought me to my cabin. "
He stepped back, his brows arched questioningly.
" Would you prefer my cabin? "
His question confused her even more. Why would he suggest his cabin?
" The brig. " she blurted. " I thought - " she froze. Fool! Keep quiet.
Returning anger flarred in his eyes.
" Ah yes, the brig. That is where you belong, after blatantly violating orders. " he leaned over the mat, placing a hand on either side of her shoulders.
" That's where you should be. Rotting in the brig for disobeying the ship's captain. "
Sakura felt crowded, unnerved by his presence. Her breath caught in her throat.
" I didn't do anything wrong. "
His steely gaze held her immobile.
" I disagree. I told you to stay away from the computer, and you, ignored me. It would simplify my life considerably to put you in the brig and leave you there. But I've decided to give you another chance. I will have your word - again - that you'll not touch the computer without my consent. Understood? "
Sakura nodded slowly, sensing her seizure had somehow tempered his decision.
" Understood captain. "
" Good. " he rose and strode to the panel in two steps.
" Captain Showron. " she scrambled off the bunk, spurred by a strange need to express her gratitude. He turned as she stumbled toward him. Hos hand shot out, grabbing her elbow and styeadying her. The scowl returned to his face.
" Don't you have any good sense to stay put until the effects of the seizure and medicine wear off? "
Sakura started to deny any aftereffects, but he cut her off with an angry wave of his hand.
" I know, I know. There's nothing wrong with you. You just like to 'rest' in the middle of the corridor. "
His vehemence surprised her. Save Tori, no one had shown any concern for her welfare. Not her own people, her father, or even the woman who had given birth to her. But this man had. Hesitantly, she placed her hand on his arm. He tensed. Her hand looked small against the swell of his muscular forearm. She raised her gaze to unfathomable amber eyes.
" Thank you. " she whispered, her throat strangely tight.
She wasn't sure exactly what she was thanking him for - rescuing her from a strandard ship, treatingher seizures, sparring Kero, providing food, or not imprisoning her. She only knew he'd done more for her in one day than family and friends had in a life time.
" Thank you, Captain Showron. " her emerald eyes held some hint of warmth for him.
Myriad emotions swept through his eyes.
" Li. " he growled after what seemed an interminable silence.
" Nani? "
" My first name is Li. I don't expect formality during off-duty hours. When we're in the cockpit, during work shifts, I'm Captain Showron. But at meals and off duty, call me
Li. "
She seemed drawn into him, and stepped inexplicably close to him.
" All right . . Li. "
He inhaled sharply, his arm stiffening again beneath her hand. She felt the tension increasingly, although she couldn't imagine what she'd done to anger him now. But hs eyes weren't cold when they starred down at her. They were molten, like melted amber.
He released her elbow, his hand sliding up her arm and over her shoulder. The breath froze in Sakura's lungs as he captured an unruly lock of her honey/brown hair near her chin and toyed with it. Strange sensations skittered through her body.
He stopped abruptly, clenching his hand into a fist by his side. She stepped back, her heart palpitating an uncomfortable rhythm. All at once, the small cabin seemed much too crowded, much too warm.
She backed into the bunk. Her knees collapsed, and she sank down. Li spun toward the entry. Her muddled senses cleared as he opened the panel, jarred to alert by what she had seen on the computer screen.
" Captain Showron - Li, wait. "
He pivoted around, his expression fierce.
" What? "
She knotted her hands in her lap.
" Why did the computer say we're heading for Saron? "
His eyes glinted coldly.
" Becuase we are. "
The distance between them slammed back into place. Nothing had been resolved. Just the exchange of more meaningless words.
" But what about Intrepid. You said - "
" I said you'd reach Intrepid in due time, pilgrim. " he interrupted. " That means by my time schedule - when I decide. No one questions my decisions on this ship. " his fridgid gaze warned her not to challenge him.
Sakura heeded the warning. At least for then.
* * *
Morning shift came and went, and still the pilgrim didn't emerge from her cabin. He preferrd it that way, Li told himself. The troublesome waif would only be underfoot. After the way his unruly body had responded to her mere touch last night, the best solution would be for her to stay inher cabin the remainder of the trip.
His physical reaction to Sakura bothered him. He could probably attribute it to the fact he'd been a long timw without a woman. But he shouldn't be reacting to an obvious innocent like Sakura, ezpecially since she was vulnerable right now. He needed to distance himself from her and her problem.
Yet he kept remembering how pale she'd been after that blasted seizure, how shaky and fragile. Guilt assailed him. He possessed a fair amount of knowledge about her particualr seizure disorder to know that he shouldn't have shaken her and yelled at her when he caught her at the computer. He knew enough to formulate a compound that would reduce the frequency of it's occurrences . . .
He shook his head, shaking away the thought before it reached completion. By the Spirit, he would never again search in a medical laboratory again.
But Sakura couldn't afford to suffer many more episodes. She was already wound tighter than a black hole, and much too thin. She needed to eat more. He hadn't returned her supplies. He had more than enough food to share, and she would need her own on the trip from Inrepid to Zirak. The bread and cheese she'd sneaked from her plate when she thought he hadn't been looking wouldn't last long, especially if she sharred it with that worthless lanrax.
Li clicked on Sakura's cabin monitor, though leaving the visuals disengaged. Everyone deserved privacy in their own quarters, with the exception of criminals. He heard her moving around the room and talking to the creature, so he knew she was all right. He should leave her slone, but concern for her welfare gnawed at him. He punched the com pad.
" Sakura. Can you hear me? "
First a muffled sound then, " Yes. "
He waited for her to speak further, but got only silence.
" Daijoubu ka? "
" Hai. " more silence.
He'd never have to worry about her chattering driving him to distraction. Li thought wryly. She was the quietest female he'd ever encountered.
" Good. Then you can join me for themidday meal in five minutes.
" I'd prefer to stay in my cabin. If you eill give me my supplies, I'll eat from them. "
Li slapped his hand on the console and spun his chair around. He'd fought this battle once. He didn't intend to fight it the entire trip. Striding to her cabin panel, he sounded the tone once, then twice. No answer. Her pounded on the panel.
" Sakura I'm coming in. " he opened the panel and entered.
She stood in the center of her room. Her eyes widened with surprise, but she said nothing as he halted millimeters away.
" Why didn't you answer the tone? "
Confusion replaced surprise in her eyes.
" I didn't know what that sound was. What's the tone for? "
" You ring the tone when you wish to enter someone's cabin. Then you wait until you tell them to come in. "
" Oh. " she starred past him to the panel, as if she could see how it worked.
He looked her over, notingher paleness.
" What have you been doing in here all morning? "
" Not much. " her gaze slid to the plexishield case, where Kero held a piece of bread in it's hind paw.
It paused long enough to hiss at Li, then took another bite, glarring at him malevolently. Li looked around the room realising how bare the room really was. There were no holygraphic games, no computer monitor so there were no reading disks. Sakura had been in here all morning without anything to do, and without a single complaint. But then, she wasn't one to complain. He glanced back at her, noticing the wariness in her emerald eyes.
Hell. She was afriad of him. After last night, who could blame her? But he preffered it that way, he reminded himself. He didn't know anything about the unwelcome guest. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, even for a minute. Still, he couldn't expect her to stay in th dull, boring and cramped cabin for five more days
Sighing in resignation, he gestured toward the panel.
" Come on. Let's get someting to eat. "
" But my supplies - "
" Either you eat with me or you don't eat at all. " he interrupted firmly. " And if you'll cooperate pilgrim, I'll do something for you. " he stepped behind her, urging her forward towards the panel.
" Nani? " she stumbled slightly, then regained her balance. He noticed her limp appeared more pronounced today.
" I've decide to let you use the computer. But - " Li held up his hand as she gasped and whirled around, pleased amazement shining on her face transforming her emerald eyes into shinning crystals.
Li paused for a breath of a moment and then continued trying to ignore her eyes and their colour.
" But only for reading and games, to keep you occupied for the rest of the trip. Nothing else. "
" Oh. " she breathed, her eyes glowing with excitement.
" Will I be able to link to the Information Access Retrieval files? "
Her childlike joy cemented his decision.
" I don't mind if you want to delve into IAR. Maybe you could do research for me. "
" I would! Oh, I would. Can I use the computer right now? "
" Meal first. " he grasped her shoulders, turning her and walking them both through the panel.
A few minutes later, watching her eager expression as she nibbled at her more, more guilt nagged him. He had the knowledge to make her life easier. She didn't need to suffer seizures. Within very short time, he could research her disorder and compound the appropriate preventative.
Panic raced through him. Spirit, anything but the lab. Until now, he'd successfully avoided it and, for the most part, the memories it dredged up. Unitl Sakura had boarded the ship. Until her seizures had forced him into the lab, once again to face his failures.
Stop it! he told himself sharply. Drawing a deep breath, he reeled in his emotions. Three seasons lay between him and the demons, three empty seasons. . . . He should be able to control his reactions now.
Formulating a medication didn't require any great skill. H e could do it easily. Besides, if he halted Sakura's seizures, then he wouldn't have to enter the lab again. He would do it, immediately after the meal. Decided, Li sat back in his chair. Oblivious to his inner turmoil or his covert observation, Sakura slipped the rest of her bread into her pocket.
Shaking his head, Li repressed a smile. Odd, but he suddenly felt more lighthearted than he had in three seasons.
To be Continued. . . .
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
BW2 Plz review! I having a lot of difficulties with my floppy drive on my precious computer at the moment, and much to my disdain, frustration and mortification, I think it is sadly passing on into computer heaven. sob And you have no idea how hard it is to get it up and running so I can save these precious stories for you. And as it is looking at the moment, this might be my last story [ possibly last chapter ] for a long, long time . . . so please make it worth all my while and make me happy on this sad occasion. . .
Sakura glanced toward Li's cabin entry before hurrying to the computer screen by the decontamination unit. She'd used a piece of bread to prop her panel open just a crack - enough to observe when he finally turned in for sleep cycle. Then she waited two long hours to be sure he was asleep. She also checked on Nathan Long as she slipped past his brig. He lay huddled on his bunk, his breathing deep and even.
At the computer, she turned and eyes Li's room door panel again. She was taking a great risk, but his actions in the gallery spurred her on. His unpredictable and volatile behavior had further heightened her distrust of him. She needed to know if they were really headed for Star Base Intrepid.
Hopefully basic ship data, such as navigational information, wasn't security coded. After all, Li was the only person acessing the system. Taking a dep breath, she touched the screen. Quickly, she punched the keypad and studied the directories that appeared. Not there. Ignoring the mounting tension tightening her chest and speeding up her heart, she touched another directory. No. Another directory, then another. Ah! There it was.
She located the navigation pod and accessed it. After persuing the options, she chose current destination status. As she suspected, it was read-only file, but it confirmed her nagging fears. At the top of the screen, followed by a listing a exact directional coordinates, flashed the staggering blow: DESTINATION : SARON.
Sakura starred at the incriminating words, mounting terror slithering through her body. She racked her brain, trying to recall if Saron had an Antek post on it. With her limited knowledge, she didn't even know if Saron was anywhere near Star Base Intrepid. She touched the screen to return to the directory and chose the option for specific ploting coordinates. She scrolled through the list: asteroids, moons, planets, then finally, star bases. More scrolling through the name bases : Alpha, Borean, Caldmar . . Galen . . Intrepid -
" What in blazing hells do you think you're doing? " Two hands clamped around her upper arms, jerking her back and spinning her around.
Li glarred down at her, rage etched upon hs face.
Sakura gaped at him, her heart pounding so fiercely that she thought it might burst through her chest. His lips pressed into a thin line and he shook her. His cold controlled voice alarmed her more than anything.
" N-nothing, " she stammered, grasping his arms to steady herself against the waves of adrenaline washing through her.
His eyes narrowed to amber slits. He shook her again.
" Liar. " he swung his head toward the screen and scanned it. " Well, well, Star Base Intrepid. Position coordinates. " he retured his damming gaze to her, his brows almost meeting.
" And what were you going to going to do with that information, pilgrim? Alter the ship's course? A futile attempt, I assure you. You'd never be able to access beyond read-only data. "
" I wasn't trying to do that. I-I wanted to . . I - " Sakura hesitated, realizing the futility of an explanation.
" Don't stop now, pilgrim. Tell me. Just what were you doing, sneaking into my computer system in the middle of sleep shift. "
She ignored the tremors rippling through her limbs.
" We're not heading for Intrepid. Twice you've given me your word you'll take me there. "
" I've told you I'd get you there in due time. " he snapped, all restraint apparently gone. " By the fires! You refuse to accept the fact that my word is good. I warned you what would happen if you gave me any trouble. "
Her tremors increased with the force of his anger. The brig. He'd promised thebrig if she crossed him.
" I only wanted to know where we were headed. I much reach Sono - I mean Zirak - soon. " Spasms in her limbs halted her. He said something, but the roar in her ears blocked his words.
A second later, she was sitting on the floor, Li pushing her head down between her knees.
" Breathe! " she heard him yell above the internal din. " Take deep, slow breaths. Breathe, damn it! "
She tried to obey, but she couldn't drag any air into her constricted lungs. Gasping, she clawed at the grey mist closing around her, flailing her arms against a hard immobile object. Then total darkness surrounded her.
Funny . . . she was lying on the floor. It was cold . . . and hard. Even her straw-stuffed mattress on Liron was more comfortable than this. But she'd leftLiron . . . Groggy, Sakura tried to sit up, but a strong hand against her chest forced her back down.
" Don't get up yet. Lie still a few minutes. "
She squinted at the form above her. It blurred, then came into focus. Li. She wondered if that scowl on his face ever went away. In sleep maybe . . . except she was beginning to doubt the young man above her ever slept. That thought required too much energy to contemplate. She sank back, taking a deep breath. In a moment, her mind cleared enough for her to realize she must have had another seizure. By the Spirit, they were coming more frequently now.
" How are you feeling? " Li knelt beside her, a medical monitor in his hand. A medicine hypochamber lay on the floor next to him. She starred at it dumbly.
" Sakura, I asked you how you were feeling."
She returned her emerald gaze to him. His scowl conveyed worry, she realized with sudden insight. Concern - about her. Amazed she searched his face, finding confirmation of her startling discovery in the soft amber of his eyes. No, she had to be wrong. Only Tori carred what happened to her.
" I'm ok. " she struggled onto her elbows. He set the monitor down and slipped an arm beneath her shoulders. He eased her into sitting position, keeping his arm firmly around her.
Except for her brother, Sakura had gone for seven seasons without anyone touching her. Yet now Li had crossed that unspoken barrier by placing his arm around her. She found his touch disconcerting. But at the same time, she savoured the strength his support loaned her trembling body. She'd always recovered from her seizures alone, pulling herself up and back on her feet with painstaking slowness.
" How does that feel sitting up? Are you dizzy? " he retreived the scanner and skimmed it over her.
" I'm fine. " she starred past him up at the computer, thinking about the consequences of her actions. He would put her in the brig now. Would he let her have Kero with her? Surely he wouldn't leave Kero to starve. She'd have to convince him to spare her pet.
Resolute, she started to push herself to her feet. Her still shaky limbs refused to cooperate. She swayed and almost fell.
" I told you to wait. Little fool! " Li rose with her, sweeping her into his arms before she could gain her footing.
She couldn't ever remember being held. The hardness of his chest amazed her, as the intense warmth he radiated. She tried to look up at him, but h had her closely gathered against him, and she could see no more than the underside of his stubborn chin.
He strode down the corridor. Sakura tensed, preparing to be tossed into the cubicle next to Nathan Long.
" I must keep Kero with me. Please. "
" I certainly don't want that creature. " his voice rumbled over her as he stoppd at her cabin. Surprise swept through her when he carried her inside and lowered her onto the bunk.
She grabbed the mat, trying to anchor her whirling thoughts.
" You brought me to my cabin. "
He stepped back, his brows arched questioningly.
" Would you prefer my cabin? "
His question confused her even more. Why would he suggest his cabin?
" The brig. " she blurted. " I thought - " she froze. Fool! Keep quiet.
Returning anger flarred in his eyes.
" Ah yes, the brig. That is where you belong, after blatantly violating orders. " he leaned over the mat, placing a hand on either side of her shoulders.
" That's where you should be. Rotting in the brig for disobeying the ship's captain. "
Sakura felt crowded, unnerved by his presence. Her breath caught in her throat.
" I didn't do anything wrong. "
His steely gaze held her immobile.
" I disagree. I told you to stay away from the computer, and you, ignored me. It would simplify my life considerably to put you in the brig and leave you there. But I've decided to give you another chance. I will have your word - again - that you'll not touch the computer without my consent. Understood? "
Sakura nodded slowly, sensing her seizure had somehow tempered his decision.
" Understood captain. "
" Good. " he rose and strode to the panel in two steps.
" Captain Showron. " she scrambled off the bunk, spurred by a strange need to express her gratitude. He turned as she stumbled toward him. Hos hand shot out, grabbing her elbow and styeadying her. The scowl returned to his face.
" Don't you have any good sense to stay put until the effects of the seizure and medicine wear off? "
Sakura started to deny any aftereffects, but he cut her off with an angry wave of his hand.
" I know, I know. There's nothing wrong with you. You just like to 'rest' in the middle of the corridor. "
His vehemence surprised her. Save Tori, no one had shown any concern for her welfare. Not her own people, her father, or even the woman who had given birth to her. But this man had. Hesitantly, she placed her hand on his arm. He tensed. Her hand looked small against the swell of his muscular forearm. She raised her gaze to unfathomable amber eyes.
" Thank you. " she whispered, her throat strangely tight.
She wasn't sure exactly what she was thanking him for - rescuing her from a strandard ship, treatingher seizures, sparring Kero, providing food, or not imprisoning her. She only knew he'd done more for her in one day than family and friends had in a life time.
" Thank you, Captain Showron. " her emerald eyes held some hint of warmth for him.
Myriad emotions swept through his eyes.
" Li. " he growled after what seemed an interminable silence.
" Nani? "
" My first name is Li. I don't expect formality during off-duty hours. When we're in the cockpit, during work shifts, I'm Captain Showron. But at meals and off duty, call me
Li. "
She seemed drawn into him, and stepped inexplicably close to him.
" All right . . Li. "
He inhaled sharply, his arm stiffening again beneath her hand. She felt the tension increasingly, although she couldn't imagine what she'd done to anger him now. But hs eyes weren't cold when they starred down at her. They were molten, like melted amber.
He released her elbow, his hand sliding up her arm and over her shoulder. The breath froze in Sakura's lungs as he captured an unruly lock of her honey/brown hair near her chin and toyed with it. Strange sensations skittered through her body.
He stopped abruptly, clenching his hand into a fist by his side. She stepped back, her heart palpitating an uncomfortable rhythm. All at once, the small cabin seemed much too crowded, much too warm.
She backed into the bunk. Her knees collapsed, and she sank down. Li spun toward the entry. Her muddled senses cleared as he opened the panel, jarred to alert by what she had seen on the computer screen.
" Captain Showron - Li, wait. "
He pivoted around, his expression fierce.
" What? "
She knotted her hands in her lap.
" Why did the computer say we're heading for Saron? "
His eyes glinted coldly.
" Becuase we are. "
The distance between them slammed back into place. Nothing had been resolved. Just the exchange of more meaningless words.
" But what about Intrepid. You said - "
" I said you'd reach Intrepid in due time, pilgrim. " he interrupted. " That means by my time schedule - when I decide. No one questions my decisions on this ship. " his fridgid gaze warned her not to challenge him.
Sakura heeded the warning. At least for then.
* * *
Morning shift came and went, and still the pilgrim didn't emerge from her cabin. He preferrd it that way, Li told himself. The troublesome waif would only be underfoot. After the way his unruly body had responded to her mere touch last night, the best solution would be for her to stay inher cabin the remainder of the trip.
His physical reaction to Sakura bothered him. He could probably attribute it to the fact he'd been a long timw without a woman. But he shouldn't be reacting to an obvious innocent like Sakura, ezpecially since she was vulnerable right now. He needed to distance himself from her and her problem.
Yet he kept remembering how pale she'd been after that blasted seizure, how shaky and fragile. Guilt assailed him. He possessed a fair amount of knowledge about her particualr seizure disorder to know that he shouldn't have shaken her and yelled at her when he caught her at the computer. He knew enough to formulate a compound that would reduce the frequency of it's occurrences . . .
He shook his head, shaking away the thought before it reached completion. By the Spirit, he would never again search in a medical laboratory again.
But Sakura couldn't afford to suffer many more episodes. She was already wound tighter than a black hole, and much too thin. She needed to eat more. He hadn't returned her supplies. He had more than enough food to share, and she would need her own on the trip from Inrepid to Zirak. The bread and cheese she'd sneaked from her plate when she thought he hadn't been looking wouldn't last long, especially if she sharred it with that worthless lanrax.
Li clicked on Sakura's cabin monitor, though leaving the visuals disengaged. Everyone deserved privacy in their own quarters, with the exception of criminals. He heard her moving around the room and talking to the creature, so he knew she was all right. He should leave her slone, but concern for her welfare gnawed at him. He punched the com pad.
" Sakura. Can you hear me? "
First a muffled sound then, " Yes. "
He waited for her to speak further, but got only silence.
" Daijoubu ka? "
" Hai. " more silence.
He'd never have to worry about her chattering driving him to distraction. Li thought wryly. She was the quietest female he'd ever encountered.
" Good. Then you can join me for themidday meal in five minutes.
" I'd prefer to stay in my cabin. If you eill give me my supplies, I'll eat from them. "
Li slapped his hand on the console and spun his chair around. He'd fought this battle once. He didn't intend to fight it the entire trip. Striding to her cabin panel, he sounded the tone once, then twice. No answer. Her pounded on the panel.
" Sakura I'm coming in. " he opened the panel and entered.
She stood in the center of her room. Her eyes widened with surprise, but she said nothing as he halted millimeters away.
" Why didn't you answer the tone? "
Confusion replaced surprise in her eyes.
" I didn't know what that sound was. What's the tone for? "
" You ring the tone when you wish to enter someone's cabin. Then you wait until you tell them to come in. "
" Oh. " she starred past him to the panel, as if she could see how it worked.
He looked her over, notingher paleness.
" What have you been doing in here all morning? "
" Not much. " her gaze slid to the plexishield case, where Kero held a piece of bread in it's hind paw.
It paused long enough to hiss at Li, then took another bite, glarring at him malevolently. Li looked around the room realising how bare the room really was. There were no holygraphic games, no computer monitor so there were no reading disks. Sakura had been in here all morning without anything to do, and without a single complaint. But then, she wasn't one to complain. He glanced back at her, noticing the wariness in her emerald eyes.
Hell. She was afriad of him. After last night, who could blame her? But he preffered it that way, he reminded himself. He didn't know anything about the unwelcome guest. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, even for a minute. Still, he couldn't expect her to stay in th dull, boring and cramped cabin for five more days
Sighing in resignation, he gestured toward the panel.
" Come on. Let's get someting to eat. "
" But my supplies - "
" Either you eat with me or you don't eat at all. " he interrupted firmly. " And if you'll cooperate pilgrim, I'll do something for you. " he stepped behind her, urging her forward towards the panel.
" Nani? " she stumbled slightly, then regained her balance. He noticed her limp appeared more pronounced today.
" I've decide to let you use the computer. But - " Li held up his hand as she gasped and whirled around, pleased amazement shining on her face transforming her emerald eyes into shinning crystals.
Li paused for a breath of a moment and then continued trying to ignore her eyes and their colour.
" But only for reading and games, to keep you occupied for the rest of the trip. Nothing else. "
" Oh. " she breathed, her eyes glowing with excitement.
" Will I be able to link to the Information Access Retrieval files? "
Her childlike joy cemented his decision.
" I don't mind if you want to delve into IAR. Maybe you could do research for me. "
" I would! Oh, I would. Can I use the computer right now? "
" Meal first. " he grasped her shoulders, turning her and walking them both through the panel.
A few minutes later, watching her eager expression as she nibbled at her more, more guilt nagged him. He had the knowledge to make her life easier. She didn't need to suffer seizures. Within very short time, he could research her disorder and compound the appropriate preventative.
Panic raced through him. Spirit, anything but the lab. Until now, he'd successfully avoided it and, for the most part, the memories it dredged up. Unitl Sakura had boarded the ship. Until her seizures had forced him into the lab, once again to face his failures.
Stop it! he told himself sharply. Drawing a deep breath, he reeled in his emotions. Three seasons lay between him and the demons, three empty seasons. . . . He should be able to control his reactions now.
Formulating a medication didn't require any great skill. H e could do it easily. Besides, if he halted Sakura's seizures, then he wouldn't have to enter the lab again. He would do it, immediately after the meal. Decided, Li sat back in his chair. Oblivious to his inner turmoil or his covert observation, Sakura slipped the rest of her bread into her pocket.
Shaking his head, Li repressed a smile. Odd, but he suddenly felt more lighthearted than he had in three seasons.
To be Continued. . . .
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BW2 Plz review! I having a lot of difficulties with my floppy drive on my precious computer at the moment, and much to my disdain, frustration and mortification, I think it is sadly passing on into computer heaven. sob And you have no idea how hard it is to get it up and running so I can save these precious stories for you. And as it is looking at the moment, this might be my last story [ possibly last chapter ] for a long, long time . . . so please make it worth all my while and make me happy on this sad occasion. . .
