From the Ashes Chapter 11

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

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Danziger yelled for Julia, shocking Uly awake. The doctor ran into the tent and immediately took in the scene. She grabbed her dia-glove and ran it over Devon. Then she began to try and shock Devon's heart into beating. After several futile tries she turned to the three people hovering behind her.

"There's nothing I can do. Her organs have shut down completely. I think the stress was simply too much for her system." Julia fought to maintain an air of professional detachment but her eyes filled with tears which spilled over and ran freely down her cheeks. She had pronounced dozens of deaths in her career but none had hurt like this one.

Danziger dropped his head into his hands and sank, silently, to the ground. Alonzo stared at Devon's body, anger and confusion warring for dominance on his face. He had believed the Terrians, had been absolutely convinced that they knew what they were doing, that they wouldn't hurt Devon. Uly looked at the three adults, taking in their grief, and then closed his eyes. After a moment he spoke.

"You don't need to be sad. She's just asleep." Julia and Danziger looked at him, anguished.

"No Uly, not this time. I'm sorry, honey, but your mum is dead." Despite her best efforts, Julia's voice quavered but Uly didn't seem to notice. He walked to his mother's side and lifted her hand, holding it as he had done all night. The adults glanced at each other, uncertain as to how to deal with this. Julia shrugged and mouthed at the other two,

"Maybe we should give him a minute?" Danziger looked at Uly, standing beside his mother's dead body and then nodded his assent.

Together the defunct rescue team left the med-tent and settled on the ground outside, far enough away to give Uly some privacy but close enough to hear if he called. No-one spoke – each too wrapped up in grief and guilt to think of anything to say. Minutes passed and Danziger began to think of returning to the med-tent and bringing Uly out. He heaved himself to his feet but had only gone two steps when the tent flap was pushed open and Uly came running out. Danziger just had time to notice the look of joy on the boy's face before Devon followed her son out of the tent. Danziger stood stock still and stared. Devon was smiling widely and Danziger was convinced he had never seen anything as wonderful in his entire life. Julia pushed past him and ran her dia-glove over Devon who twirled around to make the scan easier. Julia stepped back slightly and then started laughing.

"You're alright. You're fine." Devon nodded, still smiling. Julia flung her arms around her friend.

"Welcome back, Devon." Devon hugged her back and wiped the tears from Julia's face. Alonzo took Julia's place, wrapping Devon in a fierce hug.

"Welcome back, Devon." Devon squeezed him back and then steeped away. She turned to Danziger, who hadn't moved, and her smile widened.

"No welcome back from you, Danziger?" Danziger just stared and Devon laughed out loud. She walked over to him and peered up into his face.

"Hellooo. Is anyone home?" Danziger blinked and seemed to come out of a trance. He put his hands on Devon's shoulders and pulled her into a hug.

"It's good to see you better, Adair." Devon chuckled against his chest.

"It's pretty good to be better." Danziger put his hands back on her shoulders and pushed her away slightly. He stared intently at her face.

"Are you sure you feel okay?"

"Better than okay, John. I feel perfect." Devon smiled reassuringly at him and Danziger nodded slowly. He reached out and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Devon blushed slightly and looked away, but her smile widened. Danziger seemed unaware of what he had done, still staring at Devon as if he could determine the truth of her words just by looking. He turned his attention to Julia, who was watching the exchange with a small, smug smile.

"Are you sure?"

"It worked John. Devon is perfectly healthy."

"I told you." Devon sounded a little frustrated with Danziger even though she knew he was just concerned. Uly walked over to Danziger and pulled on his hand to get his attention.

"The Terrians say it worked, too. Mum is a part of the planet now." Danziger frowned slightly – he was glad Devon appeared to be healed but he was still uncomfortable about the idea of her joining with the planet. Devon saw the concern in his eyes and hastened to assuage it.

"Don't worry, Danziger. I'm still me." Danziger continued to look at her for a few seconds and then a small smile crept across his face,

"And that's supposed to be good news, is it?" His sudden change of reaction threw Devon for a moment but then the teasing insult sank in and she slapped him on the arm.

"Hey!" Danziger grinned at her and Uly, Julia and Alonzo started laughing. Devon folded her arms in mock offence but she couldn't keep it up and quickly joined in the others' laughter.