Into the Core: Joshua Keyes

Elizabeth Aiken

Disclaimer: I do not own "The Core" or any related characters.

Author's Note: I'm back. I apologize for taking so long to update, but here's the next chapter! This chapter will also be in the sight of everyone else, the next chapter will be this very chapter, except through the eyes of Josh.

Review Responses:

Destined To Fight the Shadow: Thank you for the review. I was like you, I was looking on the Yahoo! Search one day looking for 'Core' fan fiction, and then I found some stories on here. I'm glad you like the story so far, here's the next chapter!

Eliza17: Thank you for the review. I'm glad you like the story, here's the next chapter.

Anjyll: Thank you for the review. I'm glad you liked the chapter and what I'm doing with the story. You're just going to have to wait to see what I'm doing with Zimsky. I might be a little mean to him in this chapter. Here's the next chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 5

Iverson quickly went to the medical pod where his fallen crew member was either fighting for his life, or his life was already over. When he walked in, he saw that the suit had already been removed.

Serge was holding the oxygen mask, helping Josh to breathe better. He watched Josh breathe it in, but his breath was still uneven. Serge kept the oxygen masked, but wondered off in his thoughts and worry for his best friend.

"Come on Josh." Beck whispered.

As if Josh was answering her, his body went rigid. His eyes opened and he shot up, making him immediately exhausted. He fell back on his elbows.

"You okay?" Beck asked. "You're going to be okay." Josh nodded. "You're okay."

The rest of the crew all smiled at Josh and knew everything was going to be okay.

"Good job, good man." Zimsky said.

"I'm fine, thank you." Josh said, rocky his head back and forth in order to get rid of the dizziness in which was trying to take over him.

"Well done, well done."

Iverson patted Josh on the shoulder. "You're going to be okay." He whispered.

Josh looked over at his commander and nodded.

"We have some good news Josh." Serge said.

"Yeah?" Josh asked, glancing over at his best friend; wiping the sweat from his face.

"You saved us, but more importantly, you saved Virgil." Serge responded, grinning from ear to ear.

"That's…that's good news." Josh said, also smiling. "It's hot in here." He said, rubbing his face once again.

"Yeah, that nitro we flushed out of the cooling system, it's...it's causing things to heat up a little." Braz explained. "I'm going to go back and just make some adjustments."

"Let me help you." Iverson said, following Braz.

"I'm going to check your heartbeat, okay?" Beck stated, rubbing her wrist. Josh nodded in response, struggling slightly to keep the room in order.

"You did a stupid thing Josh." Serge said, finally speaking up.

"Yeah, but it saved our lives." Zimsky stated.

"Indeed, but it threatened his life." Serge said.

"Yes, but we're alive." Zimsky said, smirking slightly; turning his back away from Serge.

Serge sighed and tapped Zimsky on the shoulder.

He turned around.

"Yes?"

He didn't get a response, for Serge had punched him in the face, causing him to fall into the wall. His nose started to bleed.

"I've…wanted to do that since day one." Serge said, looking at the shocked faces of both Josh and Beck.

Zimsky stood up, holding his bloody nose. He shook his head at Serge and left the room, leaving the three to be alone.

"You're going to be okay." Josh, nodding once more, finally sat up fully. "You gave us a good scare though."

"Did I?" he asked, smiling and beginning to put on his missing articles of clothing. "Sorry about that."

Beck left a little later after that, probably wanting to give Serge and Josh some time alone.

"Josh, what I said earlier, about the stupid thing…" Serge began, but Josh quickly cut him off.

"No Serge, it's alright. I forgive you." Josh said, smiling at his friend.

"But it's true." Serge said smirking. Josh let out a small laugh and punched his friend in the arm. Everything was going to be alright.

Author's Note: Alright, I'm gonna end it here. The next chapter should be up soon. Review please!