If the Shoe Fits…Part 12
Janet held the baby once they were on board the God Phoenix. She looked him over carefully. "He has a few scratches, but other than that, he seems fine. He's hungry, though…he's gumming my fingers!"
Ryu looked back and chuckled. "Sounds like my kinda kid. We missed our dinner, too!"
"We'll be back at the base soon, then the docs can look him over and we'll be able to feed him." Joe continued, taking a seat next to Ryu at the controls.
Down in sick bay, Ken hooked up an IV to give Jun some much needed hydration. Jinpei was there, sobbing hysterically by his side.
"Jinpei, why don't you go to the bridge and help them. You're not going to help Jun in the condition you're in, and I think I've got it under control. I'll call you if I need you." Ken watched the blubbering Swallow exit the room slowly.
He looked back at Jun. Her face was covered in ashes, her clothes were burnt and torn…but she still looked beautiful; she had a tranquil look about her. Ken grabbed a wet rag and gently wiped the residue off of her face.
He scanned the room for blankets, and then searched thoroughly through the cabinets and drawers. He was unable to find them, and decided not to bother the others with a minor detail like this; he'd make due.
Concerned that her clothes would infect her wounds, he ripped them off carefully. Then, he removed his wings, and used them to cover her.
I'm so sorry, Jun…why did you leave without your bracelet? Why didn't you talk to me about it…I could've helped you get through this. I've always told you not to run off on your own like that…but you never listen. So stubborn…that's something that both irritates me and attracts me to you…once you set your mind to something…there's no stopping you. I guess that's a trait that all of us have from time to time.
You know, once you asked me if I was afraid of anything…and I didn't tell you…because I was afraid it would come true. Now it has come true…I'm afraid of losing those I love…afraid of losing you… Tears formed in the Eagle's eyes and flowed down his cheeks as he studied the unconscious Swan, lost in thought.
His thoughts were interrupted when Joe appeared in the doorway, checking up on things. "Need any help down here?" The Condor leaned casually in the doorway.
Ken kept his back to the door, not wanting Joe to see his show of emotion.
"Don't worry, Ken, she's going to be alright, she's a fighter…she's been through worse before…" He tried to comfort his friend.
Ken slouched on the stool he was sitting on. "I just wish she would've come to me first…before running off like that…I could've prevented it."
"Maybe you could've…and maybe you couldn't have. Look, we're all upset about this…you're not the only one suffering. Stop with the regrets and the 'what ifs'…she needs you to help her get through this, Ken. Heck, she'll need all of us to support her right now. We can't afford to be negative. We've accomplished the mission…and now we have to move forward."
Joe's advice hit home with Ken.Joe continued speaking, "By the way, we're almost there…I'll help you get her to the docs quickly. We've called ahead, and there'll be a team of experts waiting in the landing bay for us."
Ken spun around halfway on his stool to face his second. He looked up, suddenly unashamed of his tear stained face, "Thanks for everything, Joe."
The God Phoenix docked and Ken and Joe quickly wheeled Jun to the waiting medical team. Janet whisked the baby quickly to one of the doctors, who already had a warm bottle of milk ready and waiting.
The team felt helpless as they watched the two patients being hustled away to the hospital wing.
Joe turned to the rest of the team. "It'll be a while before we know anything. Let's grab a quick bite to eat before we go after them." Everyone nodded quietly and followed him to the Cafeteria.
With Ken in the disposition he was in, Joe knew it was up to him to pick up the slack for the team. No matter what quarrels they had in the past, they were always there for each other. They could sense each other's feelings and moods…andcoveredforeach otherwhen it was needed.