I wish I had a good excuse for this being so late. All I can offer is that my laptop stopped letting me use my word processor. Which was a lot of fun because I had papers due. Anyway, it seems to be better now. So, I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas, and I truly hope that every one of you has a Happy New Year. Even though I don't think I really deserve it, I would appreciate some feedback. Especially because there is only one more chapter left! So, enough of me talking, here's the chapter!

The Impercipient

Chapter 11: As yet disquiet clings about us

"NO!" cried Rhade. He scrambled over to Elena's side, horror washing through him at what she had done. She had saved his life at the expense of her own. Carefully, he gathered her into his arms, mindful of the injury she now bore. "No, Elena, what have you done?"

She gave a weak smile. Slowly, she raised a trembling hand to rest against his cheek. "You gave me my life back," she whispered, her words becoming slurred. "I could not let you lose yours." Her hand fell back and her eyes slid shut, much to Rhade's alarm.

"Let me tend her," demanded Trance, appearing at his side.

Isret's eyes flashed to the golden woman. He had watched the entire situation. "I thought you said you couldn't help her."

Trance shook her head. "I said there was nothing I could do to help Rhade. Elena is different; her physiology is different. There is a chance I can still save her."

Rhade reluctantly let Trance take Elena's limp form from him and rush into an adjoining room that was generally reserved for some of the worst off patients. He sat by himself for several long moments, staring at his hands that were covered in Elena's blood. He wanted to help Trance, but he didn't think he could force himself to do it; if Elena died there, he would not be able to stand it.

A crash sounded from the doorway heralding the arrival of the rest of the Andromeda's crew. Dylan and Harper slid to a halt, stunned by the sight of Rhade looking so defeated.

"Rhade?" began Dylan, clearly confused. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

Rhade shook his head. He laboriously pushed himself to his feet. He stared into the dark doorway that Trance had disappeared in. Turning, he pushed past Dylan and Harper. He deftly avoided Rommie as she came down the hall. It was clear the Nietzschean didn't want to speak to anybody.

Isret looked at the arrived group, already deducing who they were. With a great sigh, he told them what had happened.

-I-I-I-

Rhade stood outside, resting against a rock wall of a hidden quarry that many of the slaves were forced to work. Everywhere the slaves were celebrating their newfound freedom. The deposed leaders of Taher, the much feared Taher Nine, were currently being escorted under guard from their offices.

Rhade could not stand it. Everywhere around him there was joy. And all he could feel was the deep pit of despair consume him. Elena was dying and it was his fault.

"You knew this would happen," he accused, his eyes straight ahead. Trance walked silently up to him. Many did not detect her presence, but Rhade had rarely been fooled. "You knew she would give her life for mine."

Trance sighed. "I knew that something along those lines would happen. But I also knew that it couldn't be avoided."

Rhade rounded on her, his despair turning swiftly into anger. "Couldn't be avoided? Why not? Why does she have to suffer?"

"So that you learn something," replied Trance evenly. She watched his expression change before continuing. "Rhade, your Neitzschean upbringing has colored your views on life in a way that is only going to harm you in the future. You have always thought distance is important and that your feelings should not come into play. You felt that to compromise yourself in any way with an emotional attachment would only bring harm to yourself."

"And it seems that I was right wasn't I?" he snarled at her. "I love her and she lies near death because of my choices."

Trance shook her head. "She made her own choices Rhade. You have to see what good can come from what has happened."

"Fine." Rhade crossed his arms and turned to lean against the wall. "Enlighten me."

Trance raised a delicate eyebrow. "Very well. All of the slaves are freed. The corrupt Taher Nine are no more. And Elena has realized that there is hope in her life."

"A life that will soon be over," replied Rhade bitterly, refusing to believe that things would be alright.

Trance frowned. "You are not listening to me. You will not believe that some things truly work out for the better." She paused and then blinked serenely. "Maybe there is someone else that you will listen to."

Rhade growled. "The only person that I would listen to right now would be Elena and she is rather indisposed at the moment."

"Oh, I'm quite available actually."

Rhade spun around, mouth hung open in surprise. Behind him stood Elena, looking deathly pale, but smiling. She was hunched over slightly, an arm wrapped around her middle, but she was there and she was very much alive.

Rhade rushed forward and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her fiercely, all the while being mindful of her injury. She gasped slightly and he pulled away, concern on his face. "Did I hurt you?" he asked anxiously, resting a hand lightly on her stomach.

Elena smiled. "No, no, I'm fine. A little sore, but I think that I will be alright."

Rhade closed his eyes and drew her close to him again. "You should never have done that; you should never have given your life for mine."

"No, Telemachus, listen to me." Elena pulled away from him to look at his face. "I do not want to hear you blame yourself for what happened. I have no regrets about what I did. You have given me so much in so short a time. I could not bear to see you die when there was something that I could do."

"But you could not know that you would survive."

"I did not need to know that I would survive. What you have given me made the decision easy. For once in my life, I was happy and all of it was because of you."

"But–"

"Telemachus!" Elena laughed and covered his mouth with her hand. "Let it lie. It is over with. I am here. There is no more slavery on Taher. Things are now the way that they should be."

Elena slowly lowered her hand from his face to reveal the smile that had now appeared across his lips. "I will let it lie for now. But I hope you never do something like that again."

An impish grin crossed Elena's face. "Don't get shot again and it won't."

Despite himself, Rhade laughed.

-I-I-I-

TBC

-I-I-I-

Once again, I am supremely sorry for the wait and I will try and get this last chapter out as quickly as possible. I will also include the poem The Impercipient at the end that I have been basing the chapter titles off of. Please leave me some feedback and I will see you next time!