Author: Milady Dragon
Disclaimer: they aren't mine; I just love them like they are…
Rating: PG-13
Author's notes: To everyone who has reviewed: thanks bunches! You have all been wonderful! And to those who have read but not reviewed: thanks to you, as well. I appreciate it very much!
Chapter Nine
Devon watched closely as John confronted his "visitor." It was very hard, standing back and letting him do what he had to do. However, above everything else she considered herself his friend, and sometimes friends supported each other by just being near by.
She had to admit, she was very curious to know what the cat-girl – she'd fallen into his habit of calling her that – was saying. Devon didn't fool herself, though; she doubted she would handle what John Danziger was going through right now. It was difficult enough for her deal with second-hand…although she suspected it had more to do with seeing him in pain than it had with her own strength.
So she acted as a "sentinel," ready to go to his aid if he needed it…
And, suddenly, he did.
Devon sprinted forward the moment she saw John go down. She was by his side in seconds, grabbing his shoulders and pulling his unresisting body against her own. God, he was so cold…she called his name; he didn't respond. His eyes were fixed straight ahead, the pupils contracted to pinpoints. His lips had gone a ghastly shade of blue.
Later on, Devon would admit that she panicked. For a split second, she truly thought he was dead. She wanted to scream for Julia, but she knew intellectually that the doctor would be on her way. After all, they'd discussed this contingency before leaving camp, and Julia would have been ready.
Indeed, she heard the sound of the Dune Rail coming closer. Devon hugged John closer, hoping to bring some heat back into his body. Hold on, she prayed. Help is coming…
Then Julia was kneeling beside them, running her diaglove over Danziger's unmoving form. "Damn," she breathed. She turned toward Alonzo, who had been the one driving. "Get me some blankets, quick!" she ordered, falling into doctor mode after her little curse-word slip.
"What is it?" Devon had to know.
Julia continued with her examination. "His basal temperature is way down. How is this possible…?"
Devon didn't know, nor did she care at that moment. Alonzo rushed over, carrying several blankets that Julia must have had the foresight to pack, along with her medical equipment. "Theta waves are nearly tripled; heart rate is down…he's in shock." She dug around in the bag of supplies Alonzo had thoughtfully brought along when he brought the blankets.
Between the two of them, Devon and Alonzo managed to get the unconscious Danziger wrapped in three of the blankets. Julia wielded her injector with skill; Devon didn't bother asking what was in the hypo. She was just glad to see that John's lips were regaining their normal color.
"Dad!" True had arrived.
Alonzo held his arm out, to keep her from getting into Julia's way. "Take it easy, kiddo," he admonished gently. "Let Julia work, okay?"
"But she said he was okay!" She sounded reproachful.
"He was," the pilot answered.
True visibly swallowed the retort that must have been fighting to come out.
Devon kept her arms wrapped around the unconscious mechanic. His eyes had fluttered closed, and he looked as if he was only sleeping now. She was very relieved; his staring had unnerved her somewhat.
I didn't think this would happen, she thought angrily. She'd believed that, by confronting this "ghost," John might get the answers they'd needed.
Devon was feeling guilty. She didn't want to admit it, but she had to. She was the leader; it had been her decision to come this way, despite Danziger's concerns. All right, it had finally come down to the group vote, but if she'd just listened to him in the first place then there wouldn't have been one.
She wasn't used to second-guessing herself like this. In the course of her career on the Stations she'd failed many times, but she'd never felt like this before. She'd never made a decision that had so obviously put another person's health – and life – in such danger before. Of course, it could be argued that this entire expedition had put the lives of hundreds at risk, but to be honest they'd been abstract numbers to her. The payoff had outweighed any possible costs in her mind.
Devon had run her life – and the lives of those around her – like she'd run her business: with an iron hand and the will to succeed. When Uly had been diagnosed with the Syndrome, she'd fallen back on those tried and true methods in order to find a cure for him. She'd tackled the problem head-on, throwing money at it until they'd ended up here, on G889. And damn the consequences.
Well, here she was, holding one of those consequences in her arms. John hadn't chosen to be here; neither had about half the people surrounding her now. The reality of it hit her like a slap in the face. John Danziger was here because of her. Her dream.
Her nightmare.
"He's stabilized," Julia reported, leaning back on her calves.
Thank God, Devon thought, relieved. Looks like I'm not going to get him killed today, either. "Should we set up camp, or can he be moved?" she asked.
"We can jury-rig a stretcher," Alonzo volunteered.
"I…don't see a problem," Julia answered.
"Maybe we should turn back," Magus suggested, worriedly.
"It's a little late for that, isn't it?" Morgan put in.
Devon looked at him, more than a little surprised. She would have expected Morgan to agree with hightailing it back to the mountains. "Morgan's right," she said reluctantly.
"This isn't the time to be discussing this," Julia snapped. "Let's get John off the ground and more comfortable, then we can bring the subject back up, okay?"
"What does a guy have to do to get some sleep around here?" came a groggy voice from Devon's lap.
"John?" She was aware that she was grinning like a maniac, but she didn't care. She did refrain from hugging the air from his lungs, though.
"Who else would it be, Adair?" he managed to sound aggrieved.
"Dad!" True peeked over Devon's shoulder.
"Hey, don't worry. Gonna be okay."
Famous last words, was Devon's silent response.
"You're riding the rest of the day, John," Julia ordered.
"Won't hear any argument from me." While his words were slurred, Danziger's voice was getting a little stronger. "Although, kinda like the view from down here."
Devon looked down at him, rolling her eyes. "No doubt, you're going to be fine." She would have slapped him, but it was against her nature to hit someone when they were down.
