DISCLAIMER: No, I didn't write animorphs, but yeah, they do ROCK!!!
I wish to apologize for a serious MAJOR mess up in my previous chapters. Menderash!!! Duh, I know he's a human nothlit. I know I've been putting his words in thoughtspeak bubbles. Sorry okay?! I think 'Andalite' and before I know it, I'm thinking 'thoughtspeak' and 'stalk eyes' and 'tail' and 'tailblade'. So if you see any references to Menderash having a tail or stalk eyes, please, PleAsE, PLEASE; JUST IGNORE IT!!!
Okay, now that that little misunderstanding is out of the way...
Oh, one more thing!
Sorry guys if the pace of this has been slow, and the chapters long. I had to clear up a great deal o' junk in the beginning with Ax, and stuff. But now, I promise you, the story is on it's way, and the love affair is just about to begin!!!
Yes, L'Aini is engaged. No, don't worry.
Heh heh... grins evilly. She might be engaged, but she sho' ain't married, yet!!!
Heh heh heh...
*Birdie num num shoots Cupid arrow.* Screw this! *Takes out dart gun, shoots Tobias's hawk body full of lovey dovey darts. His hawk form actually looks over at L'Aini and grins in a very loopy, cartoony way. Lovey music plays in the backround. Tobias sees little hearts and andalite baby cherubs with little wings floating around her and giggling. Wind blows her fur around.*
Music: La laaaaa! La laa la laaa laa laaaaa! Laa laaa laaaaa laaaaaa! La laaaa laa laaa laaaa! Laa laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! (Music fades out slowly).
Here we goooo!
L'Aini's POV
I ran to the Rachel.
(I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!) I said, panicking.
The inspectors were probably already there!
Breathing raggedly, I practically dragged myself up the ramp, wheezing through my nose.
(Whew! Whooo!)
(Helloooo!) I called to the ship.
The door immediately opened.
It was Marco.
"Ah, you again. Hey, I know. Maybe you can explain WHAT THE HELL THESE GUYS THINK THEY'RE DOING HERE!!!"
To my shock, he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the ship. He shoved me roughly into the room.
Yes, he was definitely still in a very bad mood. Must have been that Drode thing...
I glared at him indignantly. He just pointed over behind me, further into the room.
I looked and saw three Andalite males.
I groaned inside.
The 'inspectors'!
(Ah, hello!) I called, timidly.
One of the inspectors, a very confident looking male that was about 10 or 20 years older than me, stared at the state of my fur. Another one behind him sneered. I felt embarrassed immediately. I had fallen asleep at home, and my fur was full of dust, and now sweat since I had been running. The third, a thin, small, nervous looking male noted my presence, then went back to looking about the ship.
(Uh...Hello...?) The first one I had noticed said. He was the oldest of the group. (What are you doing here...Doctor...L'Ainishikaa?)
I noted a sneer in his tone at the word 'Doctor'. I felt very annoyed now.
(Yes, actually!) I said, straightening my posture. I felt the need to reassert my authority. I was a female doctor. This snooty moron could leave if he was going to be condescending. I lifted my chin upwards.
The male behind him glared now. He could tell I wasn't going to be pushed around. The oldest simply smiled, in a very self-absorbed, detached way. As if he was amused at me.
(What are you doing here?) I asked him.
(I am doing my job...Doctor.) He hissed. (I do not feel that I owe you any explanation anyway. What are you doing here?)
(I am their Doctor.) I said, reasonably.
(Ah, yes.) He said, dismissing me. (Very well.) He turned to Prince Jake, who I noticed was sitting in the chair again. Prince Jake's fingers were drumming, a gesture I believed to be of impatience or annoyance. Perhaps both, I thought.
(Jake.) He said. I stared, shocked. How dare he just adress him like that! Prince Jake, whether he was an andalite or not, had fought bravely in the Yeerk War. He deserved our respect. I was getting quite annoyed with this twit now.
Prince Jake looked up at him, through narrowed eyes. His hands were now clasped in front of his mouth, pensively.
"Yeah?" He said, lazily.
(The name is Leetherin-Ullmas-Aroon.) He snapped. (You may call me Prince Leetherin and you will also-)
"Really? That's funny. 'Cause I'm Jake. Prince Jake to you."
Marco was smirking in the corner.
Prince...nah, never mind. Leetherin's eyes widened.
(I...I...) He was stunned. The other, timid andalite came forward.
(Prince Jake?) He said, sounding somewhat bored.
"Yep. How can I help you?"
(I have spoken with Prince Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, and I have studied his behavior. And it is quite irregular. I feel that he-)
(You came here and talked to him?!) I said. This was too much! (And while I was not present? While I was not aware?)
He looked at me, blinked. (Ah, good. Doctor. I would have liked for you to be here, but I suppose you were at home playing with your children-)
(Where she should be!) The younger one cut in, smirking.
(and I was not able to consult you.) He continued, ignoring the young fool. (Therefore, I went on without you.)
(But, I-) I began to protest.
(Now. I suppose you could give me your medical notes? Your observations on Aximili?)
I looked down at my handsize portable computer. (Well...I...)
(Ah, I see you have them there. Give them to me, please.)
I stared at him, then looked down at them again. I had written them before I had seen the Drode. Before I had witnessed the Ellimist.
It went something along the lines of
(AXIMILI-ESGARROUTH-ISTHILL IS INSANE! HE NEEDS MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY! HE ATTACKED ME! STRUCK ME ACROSS THE FACE! HE IS A DANGER TO HIMSELF, AND EVERYONE AROUND HIM!!!)
I couldn't let him see this!
(I...I...I don't have them.) I lied.
He stared at me. Blinked again. (I will only ask this one more time. Give them over to me, Doctor.)
(It...I don't have them!) I insisted. I looked over at Tobias with one stalk eye. He looked sadly at me. He was in human morph.
(Didn't you hear him!) Leetherin roared. (HAND IT OVER NOW, YOU SILLY FEMALE!)
I stared, shocked at his behavior.
He glared at me furiously. Then his tail twitched!
And knocked my computer right out of my hand!
I stared, shocked. I cradled my hand, which hurt now. I stared at him. Everyone else was dead silent. Jake watched, looking someone confused, stunned.
He picked it up.
(Ah, here you go, Doctor Sardis.) He said, emphasizing 'Doctor'.
I felt my face flush as I stood there and did nothing. I looked down, embarrassed.
I noticed Marco look at me, then glaring over at Leetherin. I didn't know who he was angrier at; me for doing nothing, or Leetherin for striking at me.
I felt so humiliated. And my humiliation deepened as Sardis looked through my computer!
He actually accidently opened an old message from Hanike! Aaaah!
(Hello, love!) His cheery voice resounded from the ship. (Just missing those bright, beautiful eyes of yours, and those lovely long legs, and that tail-) Sardis mercifully, annoyed, ended the transmission.
I turned absolutely purple, my eyes squeezed shut. Marco was trying, politely, desparately, not to smirk. He gained control after a while.
The young andalite smirked out loud, not bothering to hold it in.
I was so glad I wasn't human! If I had been, hot tears of embarrassment would have been going down my cheeks right then.
He finally accessed my comments, after going through nearly all of my personal files!
I could see Tobias looking like he wanted to comfort me. I prayed to the stars that he wouldn't!
That would have been the ultimate embarrassment! Right in front of Leetherin!
And I felt like screaming as my comments came out. Loud. On the ship. Bouncing, echoing off the metal walls, back at me.
My own, crazed, angry raging.
Aximili looked sadly at me. I looked in his eyes, then looked down in shame.
HE STRUCK ME! RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE!
I cringed at those words.
Leetherin's head whipped around suspiciously, his main eyes on Aximili. Aximili looked down in shame.
Marco was glaring at me now. I kept all my eyes from looking in his.
I noticed Menderash glaring at me too, shaking his head.
My main eyes looked up to see both Leetherin, and Sardis looking at me. Leetherin's eyes were wide, almost smiling, as though he'd just found treasure. Sardis had narrowed eyes. As if curious as to why I would hide this...annoyed. The young male looked warily at Aximili, backing away now.
Sardis shut off the recording, right in the middle of one of my sentences. He looked bored at it one last time, then tossed it carelessly to me with one hand. I fumbled and caught it, with both my hands, and the flat of my tail blade.
(You DARED hide that evidence from the board-) Leetherin began; his eyes angry, wide and accusing.
Sardis cut him off. (You will not hide things like that anymore from us, is that understood, Doctor?) He said, in that bored voice of his. Not commanding. Just knowing that I would agree.
I slowly bobbed my eyestalks. (Yes, Doctor Sardis.) Not looking him in the eyes.
My humiliation was fading now. I was mostly afraid of the Animorphs' anger now.
Prince Jake was still sitting, relaxed. Aximili was looking nervously at everyone, especially the inspectors; mostly Sardis, for Sardis was the one to fear.
Prince Jake was smiling slowly. Then he began to chuckle.
"Hmm. Hmm hmm!" He was trying not to, but soon he was laughing.
They stared at him, confused. What was he laughing about?! What could he possibly have to laugh about?!
He smiled, calming down, and wiped tears from his eyes. "Whoo! Oh, me! Heh heh!" He grinned. "That was funny; when that happened." He began to chuckle again. "He knocked her absolutely over! Oh!"
I felt embarrassed again. But not as awful as it had been over Sardis. This was beginning to make me smile a little.
He smiled and looked apologetically at the inspectors; mainly a surprised Sardis. "I'm sorry guys! I just..." He chuckled some more.
He turned and looked at me. "I'm sorry, Doctor L'Aini." He said, genuinely. I looked in his eyes and I could see he meant it. It also felt as if he was apologizing for the day as a whole. For everything that had happened to me since I first walked onto the Rachel.
I couldn't help but smile at this surprisingly kind Prince. I felt as if he was my only friend in there at that moment. I smiled and blushed. (It...it's really alright...Prince Jake.) I said, emphasizing the 'Prince', and looking out the corner of my eyes at Leetherin. He was glaring, his eyes wide with disbelief. He was positively quivering with anger. Pure rage and malice.
And it was hilarious to me! Why?!
I smiled and shook my head at him.
I swept my eyes over back to Prince Jake, and as I did, I caught Tobias's eyes. He smiled at me, the smile slowly forming into a grin.
I blushed and looked down. Then looked him in the eyes and fully smiled back again.
Sardis spoke, breaking the moment of peace.
(The evidence here is quite plain. Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill attacked Doctor L'Anishikaa, and although why she hid this from me and the other inspectors as well is a mystery to me, I also know that I do not really care. Prince Aximili is dangerous, despite whatever your sympathetic feelings for him may be-) He said this to me, turning his main eyes to look directly at me know.
I glared furiously. Oooh! How dare he suggest that there was something between me and Aximili!
(-he will be much better off being taken care of.)
"In a nut house." Marco finished bitterly.
There was absolute dead silence while Marco and I tried to hold in our anger and Aximili looked nervously at everyone. Almost pleading.
Prince Jake cleared his throat and spoke. "Well. That's...very interesting." I smiled, as I could already tell he didn't care at all. "But I don't really see what that has to do with anything."
Sardis blinked a few times, confused. Very, very irritated.
(Well it's quite simple, ) He spoke as if he were talking to a child. (Aximili needs to be in a mental hospital so he can be looked after and taken care of and so he won't endanger others, like he did Doctor L'Aini.)
Prince Jake smiled. Almost amused at Sardis's tone.
"Why do you think that?"
Sardis rubbed his forehead. (Because...Aximili is disillusioned. He is convinced that he has someone in his head, living inside of him. Now, unless he is infested with a Yeerk, which I have not been informed of, I suggest you let us take him with us.) His tone was now quite dangerous.
Aximili slowly began to rise on all four hooves, his eyes looking, panicked, around.
My eyes went wide as I saw the young male reach for a shredder on a sling that I hadn't even noticed. Marco was standing tensely now; he had seen the young male move for his weapon too.
Tension filled the air. I found it difficult to breathe almost.
Prince Jake looked up at Sardis and smiled icily.
"Well, I tell you what I'm going to do. You are going to get off this ship."
(You've made a wise choice.) Sardis said.
"Without Ax."
Silence.
(I beg your pardon?) He said. Leetherin's eyes were wide and he was quivering with rage again.
"You have it. Now leave."
Sardis blinked. He said nothing. Leetherin roared.
(WHAT?! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO YOU'RE MESSING WITH?)
I notice Marco smile at that.
(DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHOSE PLANET YOU'RE ON?!)
"As I recall," Prince Jake said, butting in. "and please, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but the Rachel is property of America. As in Earth."
Sardis looked bored again. He sighed. Leetherin smiled superiorly.
(Your ship is now on the Andalite home wo-)
"Yes. My ship."
I could have cheered for him right then and there.
I decided I liked Prince Jake. I smiled. No, I beamed.
Tobias was grinning too. He looked cockily at the 'inspectors'.
"I'd love to invite you to stay for dinner." Prince Jake droned on lazily. "But I don't know if you have a human morph."
The young soldier sneered. (I have a wife to get home to.) To my shock he looked at me and sent me a very lustful, depraving look.
I glared back at him, then looked away, almost shivering in revulsion.
Thank the STARS I wasn't his wife! Ugh! How...common!
(You will regret this!) Leetherin said.
Eager to avoid conflicts- and having another thing to worry about!- I stepped forward, arms out, hands up, in a gesture of supplication.
(Please!) I said. (Let us avoid trouble.)
(WEll!) Leetherin said, (I'm glad to see you've come to your senses!)
(I was going to propose that Aximili stay here-)
(WHAT?!)
(-and I could continue to be his doctor and see to him every day that he is on the planet. If his condition worsens, I would consent to his immediate removal to a hospital.)
Leetherin sneered. (Don't be ridiculous!)
(If he gets worse.) I said slowly. (You may take him. I think that removing him from his friends and the people he trusts and obviously needs right now, may only worsen his condition.) I looked to Sardis. (Don't you think so Doctor Sardis?)
Sardis blinked. (Well...I...supposed.) He half smiled and said. (Yes! Yes, why not? Well. I'm leaving now, Leetherin, if that will be all.) He sounded almost relieved.
(WHAT?! That will not be all!) He raged.
(Yes.) Sardis said, looking him in the eyes with his stalk eyes. (It will, Prince Leetherin.)
I got the feeling that he was saying more to him privately. Leetherin's eyes fell on me, and a smile slowly spread across his face. Sardis then walked out of the room and off and out of the Rachel.
Leetherin walked out as well. (Very well, Prince Jake.) He sneered on the 'Prince'. (But I warn you,) He stopped and looked Prince Jake directly in the eyes. (if this...this...mental case, leaves this ship, I will be all over him. Is that understood?)
Prince Jake merely smiled. "Yes. I understand perfectly. Thank you for dropping by Prince Leetherin. Do come again."
( Oh.) He smiled icily. (I will, Prince Jake. I will be most glad too.) He then looked me in the eyes. I looked back at him, steadily. (And so will Dr. Sardis.)
He walked out, and as he passed by me, he looked down at me, in the eyes again and said
(I warn you Dr L'Ainishikaa. If he leaves this ship, I will be all over him. He will be arrested. And so will you. You are now responsible for him.) He said this privately; to me only.
I sighed and lowered my head. Damn! I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved in this. Now it would be my neck. And I had Yani to think of.
I looked up and the young male walked out by me, following his prince. He looked me up and down and snickered. His tail lightly grazed my flank as he left the ship. I felt a shiver of disgust go through me. Then I tried to hold back a wave of rage. Laughing, he walked out of the Rachel, down the ramp, and into the afternoon. Out of my life.
(Thank the stars.) I whispered in my head. I let go of my rage and felt sweet release.
I noticed Tobias looking disgustedly after the young soldier. He smiled gently at me. An, 'are you alright?' smile.
I felt itchy where his tail had stroked me. Ugh. I resisted the urge to scratch.
Though the others had noticed Leetherin privately speaking to me, they hadn't noticed the soldier's caress. Except, Tobias of course.
I felt like vomiting up my grass. This day was too much. I wanted to go home and sleep. Just sleep, and not be touched by anyone, or anything for the rest of the day.
Except maybe, Hanike.
The thought of his sweetness made me feel warm in my hearts and I couldn't help but smile. By the moons! He was so much like...
I felt pain in my hearts.
Like Kascherm.
(No.) I said aloud.
"What?" Marco said. He had been talking to Prince Jake the past few minutes. I had been zoning out and hadn't noticed them.
(Nothing.) I said.
The others talked furiously about what had happened. Prince Jake nodding and looking tense and worried. I looked over and saw Jean hugging Aximili gently. He was rubbing his forehead and looking tired.
Tobias came over to me.
"Hey." He said.
(Oh. Hello.) I replied.
"I was just thinking, you know. It was really generous of you to do that for Ax. Very brave."
( And very stupid!) I replied, angry with myself. ( I've just thrown away my entire career!)
"Why?!" He said, looking very worried and sorry now. "Are you getting fired or something?!"
(What? Oh. No, no.) I sighed. (It's just that Leetherin is going to make my life a black hole if Aximili so much as breathes odd now!)
"Sorry." His big, brown eyes were so sad.
I felt a little strange around him now, for some reason.
(It...it's alright. It's not your fault. You don't have to apologize!)
"Well...I just..." He smiled. "I was just wondering, you know, how this is going to interfere with our plans."
I stared at him for a few seconds, not understanding. (Our plans? What plans?)
He sighed and rolled his eyes. "You know! Estrid!"
(What?) Alright, now I was very, very confused!
"Estrid!" He said, then lowered voice sheepishly. "You know! The certain someone from Ax's past I mentioned earlier!"
(Oh!) I laughed. (Oh, yes, alright! I'm sorry, I just...) I sighed. (I'm...)
(Exhausted.) He guessed.
I laughed. (We've had this conversation before haven't we?)
He grinned. Laughed softly. (Yeah, you're right. We have.)
(Well.) I said. (I need to go.)
"What about Estrid?"
I sighed. (What's her full name?)
He thought for a moment. "Estrid-Corrill-Darrath." He said at last and smiled at his ability to remember.
I smiled too. Then it hit me. (Whoa! Wait! Is that THE Estrid-Corrill- Darrath? As in, the one who created a virus?!)
He smiled, winced a little. "Yyyyeah...so?"
(Hmmm.) I said. (I don't know.)
"Oh please, come on! For Ax?" He looked pleadingly again with those luminous brown eyes. Oh! He had me right there. I looked over at Aximili, still sitting on the floor, looking quite suicidal. (Besides, you already said you'd do this!) Tobias said.
I looked back at Tobias. His hands were still together in a gesture of supplication.
(Oh, alright!)
"Yesss!" He said and grinned. He moved his fists through the air, I guessed it was a gesture of victory.
(But I've got other duties, and now with Aximili as my permanent patient, it's going to be even more!)
"I'll help you!" He said gladly.
I started to leave. He whispered. "Hey wait! Psst! Doctor!"
I turned and glared at him. (What?!)
"How will you find her?"
I shrugged. (She's probably in the records. That should work. And if not, I'll just ask around.)
He grinned. "Thanks."
(You're welcome.)
"No, really. I mean it. Thank you." He smiled; an almost dazzling smile- for a human, anyway.
I looked into those eyes again. I felt a strange little flutter rippling through my hearts. I smiled, blushing a little.
(And I mean what I say. You're very, very welcome.)
And with that, blushing. I left.
I would talk to him tomorrow morning. After I found something tonight.
I wish to apologize for a serious MAJOR mess up in my previous chapters. Menderash!!! Duh, I know he's a human nothlit. I know I've been putting his words in thoughtspeak bubbles. Sorry okay?! I think 'Andalite' and before I know it, I'm thinking 'thoughtspeak' and 'stalk eyes' and 'tail' and 'tailblade'. So if you see any references to Menderash having a tail or stalk eyes, please, PleAsE, PLEASE; JUST IGNORE IT!!!
Okay, now that that little misunderstanding is out of the way...
Oh, one more thing!
Sorry guys if the pace of this has been slow, and the chapters long. I had to clear up a great deal o' junk in the beginning with Ax, and stuff. But now, I promise you, the story is on it's way, and the love affair is just about to begin!!!
Yes, L'Aini is engaged. No, don't worry.
Heh heh... grins evilly. She might be engaged, but she sho' ain't married, yet!!!
Heh heh heh...
*Birdie num num shoots Cupid arrow.* Screw this! *Takes out dart gun, shoots Tobias's hawk body full of lovey dovey darts. His hawk form actually looks over at L'Aini and grins in a very loopy, cartoony way. Lovey music plays in the backround. Tobias sees little hearts and andalite baby cherubs with little wings floating around her and giggling. Wind blows her fur around.*
Music: La laaaaa! La laa la laaa laa laaaaa! Laa laaa laaaaa laaaaaa! La laaaa laa laaa laaaa! Laa laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! (Music fades out slowly).
Here we goooo!
L'Aini's POV
I ran to the Rachel.
(I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!) I said, panicking.
The inspectors were probably already there!
Breathing raggedly, I practically dragged myself up the ramp, wheezing through my nose.
(Whew! Whooo!)
(Helloooo!) I called to the ship.
The door immediately opened.
It was Marco.
"Ah, you again. Hey, I know. Maybe you can explain WHAT THE HELL THESE GUYS THINK THEY'RE DOING HERE!!!"
To my shock, he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the ship. He shoved me roughly into the room.
Yes, he was definitely still in a very bad mood. Must have been that Drode thing...
I glared at him indignantly. He just pointed over behind me, further into the room.
I looked and saw three Andalite males.
I groaned inside.
The 'inspectors'!
(Ah, hello!) I called, timidly.
One of the inspectors, a very confident looking male that was about 10 or 20 years older than me, stared at the state of my fur. Another one behind him sneered. I felt embarrassed immediately. I had fallen asleep at home, and my fur was full of dust, and now sweat since I had been running. The third, a thin, small, nervous looking male noted my presence, then went back to looking about the ship.
(Uh...Hello...?) The first one I had noticed said. He was the oldest of the group. (What are you doing here...Doctor...L'Ainishikaa?)
I noted a sneer in his tone at the word 'Doctor'. I felt very annoyed now.
(Yes, actually!) I said, straightening my posture. I felt the need to reassert my authority. I was a female doctor. This snooty moron could leave if he was going to be condescending. I lifted my chin upwards.
The male behind him glared now. He could tell I wasn't going to be pushed around. The oldest simply smiled, in a very self-absorbed, detached way. As if he was amused at me.
(What are you doing here?) I asked him.
(I am doing my job...Doctor.) He hissed. (I do not feel that I owe you any explanation anyway. What are you doing here?)
(I am their Doctor.) I said, reasonably.
(Ah, yes.) He said, dismissing me. (Very well.) He turned to Prince Jake, who I noticed was sitting in the chair again. Prince Jake's fingers were drumming, a gesture I believed to be of impatience or annoyance. Perhaps both, I thought.
(Jake.) He said. I stared, shocked. How dare he just adress him like that! Prince Jake, whether he was an andalite or not, had fought bravely in the Yeerk War. He deserved our respect. I was getting quite annoyed with this twit now.
Prince Jake looked up at him, through narrowed eyes. His hands were now clasped in front of his mouth, pensively.
"Yeah?" He said, lazily.
(The name is Leetherin-Ullmas-Aroon.) He snapped. (You may call me Prince Leetherin and you will also-)
"Really? That's funny. 'Cause I'm Jake. Prince Jake to you."
Marco was smirking in the corner.
Prince...nah, never mind. Leetherin's eyes widened.
(I...I...) He was stunned. The other, timid andalite came forward.
(Prince Jake?) He said, sounding somewhat bored.
"Yep. How can I help you?"
(I have spoken with Prince Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, and I have studied his behavior. And it is quite irregular. I feel that he-)
(You came here and talked to him?!) I said. This was too much! (And while I was not present? While I was not aware?)
He looked at me, blinked. (Ah, good. Doctor. I would have liked for you to be here, but I suppose you were at home playing with your children-)
(Where she should be!) The younger one cut in, smirking.
(and I was not able to consult you.) He continued, ignoring the young fool. (Therefore, I went on without you.)
(But, I-) I began to protest.
(Now. I suppose you could give me your medical notes? Your observations on Aximili?)
I looked down at my handsize portable computer. (Well...I...)
(Ah, I see you have them there. Give them to me, please.)
I stared at him, then looked down at them again. I had written them before I had seen the Drode. Before I had witnessed the Ellimist.
It went something along the lines of
(AXIMILI-ESGARROUTH-ISTHILL IS INSANE! HE NEEDS MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY! HE ATTACKED ME! STRUCK ME ACROSS THE FACE! HE IS A DANGER TO HIMSELF, AND EVERYONE AROUND HIM!!!)
I couldn't let him see this!
(I...I...I don't have them.) I lied.
He stared at me. Blinked again. (I will only ask this one more time. Give them over to me, Doctor.)
(It...I don't have them!) I insisted. I looked over at Tobias with one stalk eye. He looked sadly at me. He was in human morph.
(Didn't you hear him!) Leetherin roared. (HAND IT OVER NOW, YOU SILLY FEMALE!)
I stared, shocked at his behavior.
He glared at me furiously. Then his tail twitched!
And knocked my computer right out of my hand!
I stared, shocked. I cradled my hand, which hurt now. I stared at him. Everyone else was dead silent. Jake watched, looking someone confused, stunned.
He picked it up.
(Ah, here you go, Doctor Sardis.) He said, emphasizing 'Doctor'.
I felt my face flush as I stood there and did nothing. I looked down, embarrassed.
I noticed Marco look at me, then glaring over at Leetherin. I didn't know who he was angrier at; me for doing nothing, or Leetherin for striking at me.
I felt so humiliated. And my humiliation deepened as Sardis looked through my computer!
He actually accidently opened an old message from Hanike! Aaaah!
(Hello, love!) His cheery voice resounded from the ship. (Just missing those bright, beautiful eyes of yours, and those lovely long legs, and that tail-) Sardis mercifully, annoyed, ended the transmission.
I turned absolutely purple, my eyes squeezed shut. Marco was trying, politely, desparately, not to smirk. He gained control after a while.
The young andalite smirked out loud, not bothering to hold it in.
I was so glad I wasn't human! If I had been, hot tears of embarrassment would have been going down my cheeks right then.
He finally accessed my comments, after going through nearly all of my personal files!
I could see Tobias looking like he wanted to comfort me. I prayed to the stars that he wouldn't!
That would have been the ultimate embarrassment! Right in front of Leetherin!
And I felt like screaming as my comments came out. Loud. On the ship. Bouncing, echoing off the metal walls, back at me.
My own, crazed, angry raging.
Aximili looked sadly at me. I looked in his eyes, then looked down in shame.
HE STRUCK ME! RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE!
I cringed at those words.
Leetherin's head whipped around suspiciously, his main eyes on Aximili. Aximili looked down in shame.
Marco was glaring at me now. I kept all my eyes from looking in his.
I noticed Menderash glaring at me too, shaking his head.
My main eyes looked up to see both Leetherin, and Sardis looking at me. Leetherin's eyes were wide, almost smiling, as though he'd just found treasure. Sardis had narrowed eyes. As if curious as to why I would hide this...annoyed. The young male looked warily at Aximili, backing away now.
Sardis shut off the recording, right in the middle of one of my sentences. He looked bored at it one last time, then tossed it carelessly to me with one hand. I fumbled and caught it, with both my hands, and the flat of my tail blade.
(You DARED hide that evidence from the board-) Leetherin began; his eyes angry, wide and accusing.
Sardis cut him off. (You will not hide things like that anymore from us, is that understood, Doctor?) He said, in that bored voice of his. Not commanding. Just knowing that I would agree.
I slowly bobbed my eyestalks. (Yes, Doctor Sardis.) Not looking him in the eyes.
My humiliation was fading now. I was mostly afraid of the Animorphs' anger now.
Prince Jake was still sitting, relaxed. Aximili was looking nervously at everyone, especially the inspectors; mostly Sardis, for Sardis was the one to fear.
Prince Jake was smiling slowly. Then he began to chuckle.
"Hmm. Hmm hmm!" He was trying not to, but soon he was laughing.
They stared at him, confused. What was he laughing about?! What could he possibly have to laugh about?!
He smiled, calming down, and wiped tears from his eyes. "Whoo! Oh, me! Heh heh!" He grinned. "That was funny; when that happened." He began to chuckle again. "He knocked her absolutely over! Oh!"
I felt embarrassed again. But not as awful as it had been over Sardis. This was beginning to make me smile a little.
He smiled and looked apologetically at the inspectors; mainly a surprised Sardis. "I'm sorry guys! I just..." He chuckled some more.
He turned and looked at me. "I'm sorry, Doctor L'Aini." He said, genuinely. I looked in his eyes and I could see he meant it. It also felt as if he was apologizing for the day as a whole. For everything that had happened to me since I first walked onto the Rachel.
I couldn't help but smile at this surprisingly kind Prince. I felt as if he was my only friend in there at that moment. I smiled and blushed. (It...it's really alright...Prince Jake.) I said, emphasizing the 'Prince', and looking out the corner of my eyes at Leetherin. He was glaring, his eyes wide with disbelief. He was positively quivering with anger. Pure rage and malice.
And it was hilarious to me! Why?!
I smiled and shook my head at him.
I swept my eyes over back to Prince Jake, and as I did, I caught Tobias's eyes. He smiled at me, the smile slowly forming into a grin.
I blushed and looked down. Then looked him in the eyes and fully smiled back again.
Sardis spoke, breaking the moment of peace.
(The evidence here is quite plain. Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill attacked Doctor L'Anishikaa, and although why she hid this from me and the other inspectors as well is a mystery to me, I also know that I do not really care. Prince Aximili is dangerous, despite whatever your sympathetic feelings for him may be-) He said this to me, turning his main eyes to look directly at me know.
I glared furiously. Oooh! How dare he suggest that there was something between me and Aximili!
(-he will be much better off being taken care of.)
"In a nut house." Marco finished bitterly.
There was absolute dead silence while Marco and I tried to hold in our anger and Aximili looked nervously at everyone. Almost pleading.
Prince Jake cleared his throat and spoke. "Well. That's...very interesting." I smiled, as I could already tell he didn't care at all. "But I don't really see what that has to do with anything."
Sardis blinked a few times, confused. Very, very irritated.
(Well it's quite simple, ) He spoke as if he were talking to a child. (Aximili needs to be in a mental hospital so he can be looked after and taken care of and so he won't endanger others, like he did Doctor L'Aini.)
Prince Jake smiled. Almost amused at Sardis's tone.
"Why do you think that?"
Sardis rubbed his forehead. (Because...Aximili is disillusioned. He is convinced that he has someone in his head, living inside of him. Now, unless he is infested with a Yeerk, which I have not been informed of, I suggest you let us take him with us.) His tone was now quite dangerous.
Aximili slowly began to rise on all four hooves, his eyes looking, panicked, around.
My eyes went wide as I saw the young male reach for a shredder on a sling that I hadn't even noticed. Marco was standing tensely now; he had seen the young male move for his weapon too.
Tension filled the air. I found it difficult to breathe almost.
Prince Jake looked up at Sardis and smiled icily.
"Well, I tell you what I'm going to do. You are going to get off this ship."
(You've made a wise choice.) Sardis said.
"Without Ax."
Silence.
(I beg your pardon?) He said. Leetherin's eyes were wide and he was quivering with rage again.
"You have it. Now leave."
Sardis blinked. He said nothing. Leetherin roared.
(WHAT?! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO YOU'RE MESSING WITH?)
I notice Marco smile at that.
(DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHOSE PLANET YOU'RE ON?!)
"As I recall," Prince Jake said, butting in. "and please, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but the Rachel is property of America. As in Earth."
Sardis looked bored again. He sighed. Leetherin smiled superiorly.
(Your ship is now on the Andalite home wo-)
"Yes. My ship."
I could have cheered for him right then and there.
I decided I liked Prince Jake. I smiled. No, I beamed.
Tobias was grinning too. He looked cockily at the 'inspectors'.
"I'd love to invite you to stay for dinner." Prince Jake droned on lazily. "But I don't know if you have a human morph."
The young soldier sneered. (I have a wife to get home to.) To my shock he looked at me and sent me a very lustful, depraving look.
I glared back at him, then looked away, almost shivering in revulsion.
Thank the STARS I wasn't his wife! Ugh! How...common!
(You will regret this!) Leetherin said.
Eager to avoid conflicts- and having another thing to worry about!- I stepped forward, arms out, hands up, in a gesture of supplication.
(Please!) I said. (Let us avoid trouble.)
(WEll!) Leetherin said, (I'm glad to see you've come to your senses!)
(I was going to propose that Aximili stay here-)
(WHAT?!)
(-and I could continue to be his doctor and see to him every day that he is on the planet. If his condition worsens, I would consent to his immediate removal to a hospital.)
Leetherin sneered. (Don't be ridiculous!)
(If he gets worse.) I said slowly. (You may take him. I think that removing him from his friends and the people he trusts and obviously needs right now, may only worsen his condition.) I looked to Sardis. (Don't you think so Doctor Sardis?)
Sardis blinked. (Well...I...supposed.) He half smiled and said. (Yes! Yes, why not? Well. I'm leaving now, Leetherin, if that will be all.) He sounded almost relieved.
(WHAT?! That will not be all!) He raged.
(Yes.) Sardis said, looking him in the eyes with his stalk eyes. (It will, Prince Leetherin.)
I got the feeling that he was saying more to him privately. Leetherin's eyes fell on me, and a smile slowly spread across his face. Sardis then walked out of the room and off and out of the Rachel.
Leetherin walked out as well. (Very well, Prince Jake.) He sneered on the 'Prince'. (But I warn you,) He stopped and looked Prince Jake directly in the eyes. (if this...this...mental case, leaves this ship, I will be all over him. Is that understood?)
Prince Jake merely smiled. "Yes. I understand perfectly. Thank you for dropping by Prince Leetherin. Do come again."
( Oh.) He smiled icily. (I will, Prince Jake. I will be most glad too.) He then looked me in the eyes. I looked back at him, steadily. (And so will Dr. Sardis.)
He walked out, and as he passed by me, he looked down at me, in the eyes again and said
(I warn you Dr L'Ainishikaa. If he leaves this ship, I will be all over him. He will be arrested. And so will you. You are now responsible for him.) He said this privately; to me only.
I sighed and lowered my head. Damn! I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved in this. Now it would be my neck. And I had Yani to think of.
I looked up and the young male walked out by me, following his prince. He looked me up and down and snickered. His tail lightly grazed my flank as he left the ship. I felt a shiver of disgust go through me. Then I tried to hold back a wave of rage. Laughing, he walked out of the Rachel, down the ramp, and into the afternoon. Out of my life.
(Thank the stars.) I whispered in my head. I let go of my rage and felt sweet release.
I noticed Tobias looking disgustedly after the young soldier. He smiled gently at me. An, 'are you alright?' smile.
I felt itchy where his tail had stroked me. Ugh. I resisted the urge to scratch.
Though the others had noticed Leetherin privately speaking to me, they hadn't noticed the soldier's caress. Except, Tobias of course.
I felt like vomiting up my grass. This day was too much. I wanted to go home and sleep. Just sleep, and not be touched by anyone, or anything for the rest of the day.
Except maybe, Hanike.
The thought of his sweetness made me feel warm in my hearts and I couldn't help but smile. By the moons! He was so much like...
I felt pain in my hearts.
Like Kascherm.
(No.) I said aloud.
"What?" Marco said. He had been talking to Prince Jake the past few minutes. I had been zoning out and hadn't noticed them.
(Nothing.) I said.
The others talked furiously about what had happened. Prince Jake nodding and looking tense and worried. I looked over and saw Jean hugging Aximili gently. He was rubbing his forehead and looking tired.
Tobias came over to me.
"Hey." He said.
(Oh. Hello.) I replied.
"I was just thinking, you know. It was really generous of you to do that for Ax. Very brave."
( And very stupid!) I replied, angry with myself. ( I've just thrown away my entire career!)
"Why?!" He said, looking very worried and sorry now. "Are you getting fired or something?!"
(What? Oh. No, no.) I sighed. (It's just that Leetherin is going to make my life a black hole if Aximili so much as breathes odd now!)
"Sorry." His big, brown eyes were so sad.
I felt a little strange around him now, for some reason.
(It...it's alright. It's not your fault. You don't have to apologize!)
"Well...I just..." He smiled. "I was just wondering, you know, how this is going to interfere with our plans."
I stared at him for a few seconds, not understanding. (Our plans? What plans?)
He sighed and rolled his eyes. "You know! Estrid!"
(What?) Alright, now I was very, very confused!
"Estrid!" He said, then lowered voice sheepishly. "You know! The certain someone from Ax's past I mentioned earlier!"
(Oh!) I laughed. (Oh, yes, alright! I'm sorry, I just...) I sighed. (I'm...)
(Exhausted.) He guessed.
I laughed. (We've had this conversation before haven't we?)
He grinned. Laughed softly. (Yeah, you're right. We have.)
(Well.) I said. (I need to go.)
"What about Estrid?"
I sighed. (What's her full name?)
He thought for a moment. "Estrid-Corrill-Darrath." He said at last and smiled at his ability to remember.
I smiled too. Then it hit me. (Whoa! Wait! Is that THE Estrid-Corrill- Darrath? As in, the one who created a virus?!)
He smiled, winced a little. "Yyyyeah...so?"
(Hmmm.) I said. (I don't know.)
"Oh please, come on! For Ax?" He looked pleadingly again with those luminous brown eyes. Oh! He had me right there. I looked over at Aximili, still sitting on the floor, looking quite suicidal. (Besides, you already said you'd do this!) Tobias said.
I looked back at Tobias. His hands were still together in a gesture of supplication.
(Oh, alright!)
"Yesss!" He said and grinned. He moved his fists through the air, I guessed it was a gesture of victory.
(But I've got other duties, and now with Aximili as my permanent patient, it's going to be even more!)
"I'll help you!" He said gladly.
I started to leave. He whispered. "Hey wait! Psst! Doctor!"
I turned and glared at him. (What?!)
"How will you find her?"
I shrugged. (She's probably in the records. That should work. And if not, I'll just ask around.)
He grinned. "Thanks."
(You're welcome.)
"No, really. I mean it. Thank you." He smiled; an almost dazzling smile- for a human, anyway.
I looked into those eyes again. I felt a strange little flutter rippling through my hearts. I smiled, blushing a little.
(And I mean what I say. You're very, very welcome.)
And with that, blushing. I left.
I would talk to him tomorrow morning. After I found something tonight.