One Thing - Chapter 13


bloodredcherry: I know. But I take all the credit for my errors. Plese continue reading, it does get better.

MistakenLove: Thank you! Sadly, there is only one more flashback left for this part. But it's a good one. It had my dear Galen in it.

Cardeia: Again your words inspire me! Your words are so kind. I remember them even whole mucking through this part of this tale.


Slipping back into the tiny hut, Teagan was relieved to see the infant feeding. This was a good sign. Good that he may be gaining strength, though his mother looked so tired, so weak. Teagan didn't doubt that she had neglected herself in order to help her baby.

Deciding to give them some privacy, Teagan went outside to where the men were camped. She was surprised to see her pallet laid out, much like the night before.

She didn't realize that Tristan was the only one next to the fire.

"How are they?" He asked as he handed her a cup of ale.

She sank to her pallet. "I'm not sure. The baby is feeding, which is good. Gina looks bad." She was so tired, her eyes started to close. It was then that she realized that is was so quiet. Too quiet.

Her eyes popped open. "Where is Lancelot?"

"He went to find out what was going on with the girl. What we can do for them."

Teagan nodded letting her eyes fully close this time. At least he was doing something useful. Maybe they could find a way for them to come back to the fort. Though she didn't have much hope for that.

Soon, she let sleep claim her. It had been a long few days. What a way to spend your days off.

0o0o0o

"You know, as Bors would say, what a bloody mess."

"Aye, that he would." Tristan agreed.

Lancelot shook his head in frustration. "I haven't the faintest idea what to do. Wat says he won't take her back. And that the kid could rot for all he cares. He says that it's our problem and that we should be the ones to fix it."

Again, Tristan agreed. "It is."

"No. It's Galahad's problem. He should fix it." Lancelot was doing his best to hold his temper. And failing. This whole situation was so damned frustrating.

Tristan, however, was still calm. "But we need to do something. Is there anyone who will take the child?"

"No, Tris. I've been to everyone."

Tristan stood up, stretching as he did so. He quietly walked to where Teagan lay, still sleeping. Looking down at her, it hit him how beautiful he thought she was. Her hair lying around her in a mess of curls. Her eyelashes forming crescents on her pale cheeks.

Looking down at her, he let this picture of her burn into his memory.

Looking down at her, he made the decision for them all.

"We take them with us."

Behind him, Lancelot groaned.

0o0o0o

In the back of her mind, Teagan could hear a baby cry. Trying to push the sound out of her head, she settled back further into her furs. She lay there listening, wondering why he was crying for so long.

Groaning, she got up, shivering when the cold night hit her skin. Another bloody morning where she had been awakened. What she wouldn't give to be able to wake up on her own.

She was as quiet as possible making her way to the hut.

She was stopped by low voice. "Where are you going?"

Teagan turned, facing Tristan. "To check on that baby. Do you ever sleep?"

"Yes."

Shanking her head, she entered the hut and quickly crossed to Gina and her son. He was crying fully now, though still weak. Gina was not moving.

Worried, Teagan placed her hand on Gina's chest, to check her breathing. It was not moving. She then felt her neck for a pulse. There was none, though she was still warm.

"Damn." Teagan muttered under her breath.

Quickly, she unlaced Gina's blouse, exposing her breast. Guiding the baby to it, she helped him attach. She held the infant there, praying that Gina's body was still producing, could still feed this child, if only for one more time.

She heard the door to the hut open, but didn't lookup. She knew that it was either Lancelot or Tristan.

And right now, she didn't want to admit to Lancelot that he had been right. There was no way to save them all.

But, it was Tristan. And as quiet as he was, he couldn't hide his sharp intake of breath at what he saw. He saw Teagan stiffen, but not turn around.

Teagan was holding the baby close to Gina, trying to help him eat. From where he stood, Tristan could tell that Gina was not alive. That she had died sometime in the night.

He didn't say anything as he placed his hand on Teagan's shoulder. As she looked up at him, his breath caught again.

Her blue eyes held sadness. And pain and fear. He saw her blue eyes glittered with tears, but that held such anger. Her face was pale and her mouth was set in a grim line.

Kneeling down, he felt for himself Gina's neck. Sure enough, she was dead. For the briefest of moments, his heart went out to the baby.

"What am I going to do now?" She whispered, her voice hitching with a sob.

Tristan couldn't help himself, he drew her against him, her cheek coming to rest on his heart. "WE will figure something out."


A/N: Sorry this one's so bad. The next probably won't be much better. But, stick through this, my favorite chapters are coming up at about 15. I think. Please keep reading!