Me: It's been so looong since I've updated anything really. Well here's another chapter. Keep in mind, it's been forever since I've seen ZCC.
Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids or the characters.
Karl looked at all the medical equipment that covered the woman they'd found in the strange winged machine. It had been four days since she'd been recovered and she hadn't so much as batted an eyelid. His duties had lessened over the last 96 hours and he'd usually find himself sitting next to the woman watching her and wondering just how she got there. Despite the fact that she couldn't talk given her situation, the silence was companionable. Karl sighed. Much had changed over the last few weeks.
Van and Fiona had up and left. Irvine was still around, but only because Moonbay was driving the Ultrasaurus. Rob Herman had returned to the Republic with his mother and Thomas well….. He was no longer head over heels in love with Fiona but was completely ga-ga over a friend of the family's daughter that he hadn't seen in over a decade. Thomas's jaw had practically hit the floor when he'd seen her. Karl's younger brother had transferred another base so he could be closer to her. When the two brothers last talked, Thomas told him that he and Elise were talking. Apparently she hadn't really forgiven Thomas for throwing up in her hat and not telling her about it until after she put it on.
It was lonely at the top, Karl had known that for years now. He couldn't have a proper conversation with anyone lower than his rank because they treated him differently, like he wasn't one of them, he was better. Karl missed the days when he'd just been starting out. True, the work was somewhat harder, but what he really missed was the companionship. He could talk to and associate with practically everyone but he rose up the ranks too fast, leaving his friends behind. Those that managed to come up with him really didn't stay friends. The Army was a competitive career, there's always someone who can take your job if you slip up once. One mistake and your kissing someone else's arse.
Karl looked out the window, watching as the outside world passed slowly. He was used to the giant zoid's movements now. Even it's cries were calming in when he would lay awake or when he'd be serving night shift. They weren't due to reach the nearest base for another weeks or so. Once they got there, plans had been made to celebrate Christmas. Everyone was coming.
A small noise from the bed made him turn. The woman had just shifted and groaned in her sleep. Karl took his hand in his and squeezed it gently. He looked at her hand. It was so small and frail looking. Now that he came to think of it, her whole body looked like that. Good things come in small packages. Karl lifted her left hand and put it against his right one, comparing sizes. He laughed gently. Her hands were barely half the size of his.
"I'll kick your arse if you tell me I have small hands" a voice said weakly. Karl visibly jumped a foot in the air when he heard her. He watched as two beautiful amethyst eyes opened.
Deirdre blinked once, then twice. The light hurt her eyes and she still felt groggy. She looked at the man sitting next to her. Sandy blonde hair, bright green eyes, a grey uniform. She'd seen him before but where. She groaned again and painfully rubbed the back of her head and neck.
"How do you feel?". Deirdre flinched. His voice sounded so loud.
"Like I've been hit by a truck" she replied and it was true. Her body felt stiff all over and just moving a muscle hurt. She felt something warm enclosed around her left hand and look over to it.
"Could I have my hand back please?". God, did she sound that bad. The man placed her hand gently on the bed and stood up.
"I'll go and inform the doctor's that you've woken up" Karl said grabbing his hat off the table next to the bed and nodded his head slightly.
"You go do that" Deirdre replied and watched as he walked towards the door. He paused, a grin on his face.
"What are you smiling at?"
"You have small hands" Karl laughed as he saw her left eye twitch a couple of times. He laughed harder as he walked out the door, listening to her yelling after him.
"Mark my words, I'll kick your arse and I'll do it when you least suspect it!"
Me: I hope you like it. I know it's short but it's the best I can do at the moment. I have about 9 assignments. I write 1. When I can, and 2 because it relaxes me. R and R.