Chapter 8: The Android, the Ambush and the Accident

Vivian walked down the corridors of the ship at a slow pace, gathering her thoughts about the entire ordeal. She couldn't stay locked in her room forever without being a bit antsy. She wrapped her arms around her chest uncomfortably. So…what would happen if Three and Sarah hit it off? Did that mean they were back to being…love interests? Is that even the right term for this sort of thing? Why not? I mean from the looks of it they were clearly together at one point. Vivian cringed at the thought of seeing Sarah stare at Three with such…admiration in her eyes. But from what Android has told her, Sarah might not even make it passed a few hours. So, isn't the best thing to be with Three until the end?

Vivian forced herself not to be jealous in this situation. It would be unthinkable to be jealous of a dying woman. Especially to someone she just met. She sighed but jumped at the sound of Sarah and Three's laugher down the hall. She looked up from the floor to see Three and Sarah walking down the opposite end towards Three's room. Instinctively, Vivian hid quietly watching them from a safe distance as they entered Three's room. Three politely offered her inside first. Vivian swallowed noticing the even a slight shred of happiness.

I wonder if he'll ever look at anyone like that… She thought about how he looked at her. Thoughts and assumptions seem to be almost unclear now about him. And more uncertainty of how she personally felt about him as well. Vivian waved it off. It's nothing. What they have can't be a thing. It's unrealistic.

She came out as soon as the coast was clear. She jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder, spinning around in almost half guarded motion.

"Whoa! Easy there, pirate girl!" Five laughed a bit in surrender. "Didn't mean to scare you."

"Five…" Vivian exhaled in relief.

"Whatcha doing out here?" Five asked looking around her. "You were just standing in the middle of the hallway."

Vivian laughed under her breath.

"Nothing…I just needed to get out of my room for a bit," Vivian smiled sweetly. Because spying on Three isn't a good enough answer. But the answer was still true.

"Why didn't you eat with us earlier?" Five asked. "Wendy makes some amazing spiced chicken!"

Vivian shifted in her place uncomfortably, folding her arms about her chest.

"Like I said I don't eat food from strangers. Call it a habit…a safe habit," Vivian smirked.

"Well you missed something great. You should let her cook for you next time," Five insisted excitedly. Vivian laughed.

"Persistent, aren't you?" Vivian raised a brow at her. "No thanks I know how to cook my own meals. Besides I already have an Android I favor."

Five's smile faded and she looked at her in thought.

"Android did seem upset earlier. Is she all right?" Five asked. Vivian shrugged.

"I'm not sure. Best way to find out is ask. Android is more of an open book of opinions and knowledge than she likes to let on," Vivian smirked winking at her. Five laughed.

"Do you know where she is?" Five asked. Vivian nodded over to the med bay.

"I'm sure she's probably in there searching some new info on Sarah's condition. Why don't you see if it'll cheer her up? She sure she would like to feel useful," Vivian motioned to her to go on with the task. Five sighed.

"You think she's that upset?" Five looked at Vivian uncomfortably. Vivian bit her lip looking towards the med bay.

"Tell you what. You go and hang out with Android and see what you can get out of her and as a reward you get to hear another pirate story. Maybe the reason I don't eat from random strangers so lightly?" Vivian urged at Five's eye level. Five beamed.

"Sure!" Five yelped almost a little too excited. Vivian winked at her, patting her shoulder.

"Good girl, I'll see you later," Vivian smiled as Five ran off to the med bay. Well if she can't help Three entirely maybe she could help Android.

She turned around continuing to make another lap around the ship to clear her thoughts.

Knock, knock, knock.

Vivian was laying on her couch, spinning a dull practice dagger around her fingers.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"It's me," Three's voice muffled behind the door. Bruce growled at the door. Vivian rolled her eyes hushing him. She sighed, looking at the door in thought. She hadn't seen him for most of the time Sarah's been awake.

"Come in," she accepted. The door opened as Three stepped into her room with slight hesitation.

"Hey…" he greeted, trying to force a smile. Vivian looked at him, still laying on her back twirling the practice dagger. He looked at the weapon and pointed at it with a reassuring smile.

"That's…not for you to throw at me, is it?" Three asked a little laugh in his voice. Vivian rolled her eyes sitting herself up laughing a bit.

"Even if I wanted to, it's dull and wouldn't do anything but give you a nasty bruise," Vivian scoffed, gliding her hand along the dull fake blade. Three scoffed his body relaxing a bit.

"I would think it would be more than just a bruise," Three disagreed with a smirk. "Especially with the way you hit."

Vivian rolled her eyes.

"Rub it in why don't you?" she smirked. Three chuckled in amusement, folding his arms about his chest uncomfortably.

"Um…" he started staring at the floor then back at her with uncertainty. "You got a sec?"

"Is this about Sarah?" Vivian asked lightly. Three rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah…I mean…yeah," Three replied almost as if he didn't have words to really answer the question. Vivian nodded with a slight smile as she got up.

"Sit," she insisted at the couch as she rose, walking away to close her door. Three nodded, doing what he was told, sitting on the empty space on the couch. As soon as the door sealed shut, Vivian turned to face him, arms crossing about her chest. She felt herself forcing her body to relax. But, she didn't know what to expect at this point. The whole situation with Sarah was…surprising to say the least. But…that didn't mean she was unsympathetic. How would you feel if you woke up from a coma and the person you thought you knew forgot all about the life you had with them? It seems painful.

"So?" she asked lightly. "How is she?"

Three smiled slightly but only for a second as he folded his hands over his knees.

"Well…She's uh…she's okay I guess," he began. She could see him struggling for words. Guess he was still processing the whole ordeal too.

"That's good," Vivian commented gently as she sat beside him in the small empty space on the couch. "Where is she now? Med bay?"

"Yeah well…she's sleeping right now. She… just seems so fragile you know?" Three mentioned. He looked a Vivian swallowing hard.

"Maybe but she has you to thank for being around this long," Vivian smiled comfortingly. "You should be grateful. You saved a life."

"The disease is still killing her," Three sighed, facing out in front of him. "I can't control that."

"Did Android find anything on a cure?" Vivian asked. Three scoffed shaking his head.

"No…not that I see," he admitted. "How the hell did I get into this mess?"

"Maybe because there's a human being who doesn't think you're a total ass?" Vivian reminded gently with some amusement in her tone. She reached up rubbing his closest shoulder sympathetically. Three scoffed in amusement. She laughed lightly in return.

"Is it weird that she actually enjoys talking to me. Because I think it's weird," Three thought aloud. "How does a normal girl like her fall for a guy like me? I mean…is she crazy or something on the inside?"

Vivian shook her head trying not to laugh.

"Well you do have that bad boy at heart vibe going. But I think I her scenario it might've been different," Vivian smirked. "I think she sees you have a nice soft and gooey center inside."

"Gooey?" Three repeated trying not to laugh.

"For once is it that hard to believe that there's a person who doesn't think that you're a total ass?" she asked smiling. Three shook his head taking a breath then looked at her.

"Thanks…" he breathed, putting a hand on hers as it rested on his shoulder. Vivian gripped onto him a little harder than she thought. She could see him staring at her. It was hard when he was…physically closer to her. Maybe it was just her, but she could see him processing something in his eyes. It's just a matter of what. Three realized he was staring at her and holding her hand on is shoulder, immediately clearing his throat and pulling his hand away.

"I uh, I needed a kick in the ass today. From you and Two," Three mentioned. "So…thanks."

"Did you thank Two in person yet?" Vivian raised a brow at him. Three put his hands up in surrender.

"Oh no you kidding? If I thanked her for being a hard ass she'll be doing that more frequently in the future more than I'd ever want her to," Three smirked. "No thanks."

"Well…if I have a say in any of this. I'm actually glad that you got to talk to her," Vivian admitted lightly with a smile. Three smiled back. "It's very brave of you."

"Well…I wouldn't say brave. But I'll take all the compliments I can get," Three winked smirking smugly. Vivian laughed a bit as Three eyed her.

"So, what were you saying earlier that she's not the only one thinking I'm not a total ass?" Three asked in amusement raising his brows at her. "Wouldn't be anyone I'd know, would it?"

Vivian scoffed in amusement at his expression.

"You think you can get an answer so easily by giving me a look?" Vivian raised a brow at him.

"Hey! A little confidence can go a long way," Three joked.

He scooted himself closer, wrapping an arm along the back of the couch. "But if I had to guess…"

Vivian hesitated as he came closer. She eyed him, her mind trying to keep anything under wraps. He leaned forward with a confident smug smirk on his face.

"I'd say that the answer has to be someone in this room," he purred eyeing her. Vivian swallowed hard, turning a bit red.

"Is that so?" she asked almost a little too quietly. Three looked up at the ceiling casually.

"Or you know I could be wrong and secretly it could be the dog," Three stated matter-of-factly. Bruce growled on cue, making Three jump and stare at the canine who wagged his tail. "Okay…maybe not the dog."

Vivian looked at Bruce, rolling her eyes as she stood up.

"Bruce come…" she ordered, going to the door, opening it up. Bruce immediately ran off the bed and out the door. "Go get some food."

She closed the door behind him, noticing Three making his way towards her.

"So…" she breathed, folding her arms across her chest. "What now?"

"Well we could enjoy the privacy…" Three smirked. "Now that the mutt has gone to get a bite to eat."

Vivian hesitated as he stood hovering over her. She felt her body, back up slightly as he eyed her.

"Oh, come on. I could use a little break from all the hustling. Besides you can't say you haven't thought it right?" Three purred, beckoning lightly, reaching one hand around her waist and another lingering to the back of her neck. Vivian shuddered, closing her eyes just a bit.

"Three," she breathed hesitantly. She couldn't process anything. Three eyed her as he rubbed the back of her neck slightly.

"Don't make me think about anything right now. I don't want to…" Three whispered her, his fingers trying to pull her in slightly. "Come on you told me you like the chase."

"Three…you're not…thinking clearly," Vivian stated silently. Three was leaning in a bit but she put a hand on his chest, stopping him as he was mere inches from her.

"What about Sarah?" she breathed. Three eyes closed slightly, sighing in frustration.

"What about Sarah?" he repeated. He was more strained then growling. Almost like he was beating himself up at the name.

"Her story and life with you is hard to embrace. But…maybe it's something you need," Vivian explained lightly. Three sighed, leaning his forehead against hers, closing his eyes.

"I'm not the person she wants me to be," Three whispered anxiously.

"Sticking around with me isn't going to make her relationship and feelings for you disappear," Vivian backed off slightly. Three swallowed hard his expression serious as he sighed, backing off.

He nodded in acceptance, putting his hands in his pocket.

"She just wants you Three…she just wants Marcus," Vivian added lightly, wrapping her arms around her chest.

"What if I can't give her that?" Three asked looking almost pained at her.

"She cares about you no matter what," Vivian reminded. "If she didn't she would've found a way off this ship as soon as you didn't recognize her.

"But how do I…just accept that?" Three asked frustrated, rubbing the back of his neck. "I barely know this woman and she's giving off feelings that she="

He hesitated at the last word. But Vivian knew what he was thinking

"She's good for you…make your time with her precious," Vivian sighed, sitting herself on the bed as he stood there in front of her. "You don't know what kind of time she has left."

"But what about-?"

"We just met Three," Vivian reminded.

"Yeah well, I just met her too," Three scoffed.

"But you have a history and you can make a future with someone normal," Vivian insisted lightly. Three looked at her confused as she tried to remain stern without being aggressive.

"Are you telling me to try with a complete stranger?" he asked.

"You forget that I am too," Vivian reminded. Three swallowed. "The difference is you don't have a pirate warlord hovering over you for the rest of your life."

Three scoffs.

"Jesus…what is it with you women?" he scoffed slightly amused. Vivian shook her head.

"It is not my decision on if you stay with her. I just think you'd be an idiot not at least trying with her. Especially when she shows such admiration for you," Vivian sighed. "But I will not let you make a mistake with me while she's here and still alive."

Three sighed then nodded in acceptance.

"All right fine. I will see what I can do with her before I make any rash decisions," he rolled his eyes slightly annoyed... "I'll see if Sarah's up. Maybe I can get her to walk around again."

Vivian nodded as he opened her door. Three stood there for a moment, sighing then turned his head towards her.

"Hey…" he started, forcing Vivian to look up. "I…uh…I owe you one."

Vivian nodded silently as he walked out, leaving her alone in the emptiness of her room. She wasn't going to be the one who tore a relationship that could've been apart. Especially with someone as… loving as Sarah.

The next day was rather quiet. Three was trying to spend more time with Sarah as she finally woke up. The others were scattered about the ship doing their own business. Vivian walked into the mess noticing One taking in some newly cooked food Wendy just prepared. She was still wearing her cooking apron and serving One his tray.

"There you are, enjoy!" Wendy beamed. One grinned at the prepared food on his plate, taking in the dish as Vivian headed to the fridge.

"Hey Viv. You want some soup? It's good," One reassured, showing his tray. Vivian shook her head politely.

"No thanks," she answered. "I'll stick to the standard."

"Do you not like the meals I've prepared?" Wendy asked. "If you desire I can make something more to what you are accustomed."

Vivian filled her tray with food, grabbing fresh water into a cup and looked sternly at Wendy.

"No offense to you darling but as I said earlier. I don't eat from strangers," Vivian reminded.

"But it's good. I doubt you'll get something like this for a while," One smirked. Six walked in taking in a whiff of the food.

"Ooo, something smells good," he beamed. "What's on the menu?"

Four was close behind him.

"Wendy served us some lunch," One beamed. Vivian looked at him oddly. Why was he praising this android? Almost anyone could cook.

"I wanted to make you something special so…" Wendy smirked. One eyed her winking and a lightbulb clicked in Vivian's mind.

"How's it going captain?" Six asked politely as he grabbed his own tray of Wendy's food. Vivian snapped out of thought. He looked down at her tray. "You not eating?"

Vivian set down her tray back in the fridge.

"I think I just lost my appetite," she whispered. Six looked at her funny.

"Something up?" he asked politely.

"Yeah be careful with the soup. You have no idea what kind of things Wendy's hands have been in," Vivian half-joked as she closed the fridge door and headed out of the mess. "What's with her?" One asked.

"No idea," Six replied as she left.

Vivian's pace quickened down the hallway until she heard loud, heavy steps coming towards her. She stopped for a moment, noticing Three appear on the opposite end of the hallway with Sarah sprawled unconscious in his arms.

"Oh my God what happened?" Vivian asked hastily making her way over to him. Three looked up panicked.

"I don't know, she just collapsed. I'm heading to the med bay," Three exhaled, rushing towards the med bay with Vivian at his heels.

Five was there examining the results of Android's stats as Three placed Sarah gently on the exam table.

"Three! What happened to Sarah?" Five asked, horrified at Sarah's state.

Vivian made sure she was comfortable as Three tried to examine Sarah's face. Vivian grabbed Sarah's wrist.

"She still has a pulse," Vivian reassured.

"And she's still breathing. Where's Android?" Three asked desperately.

"She's at the bridge, I'll go see if I-"

"Three are you there?" Two's voice appeared on the coms.

"Two? Yeah, I'm here. Kind of busy at the moment," he breathed.

"We're locked in the mess. The doors won't open. I don't know what's going on," Two insisted. "Is Five with you?"

"Yeah, she's here," Three replied.

Suddenly a screeching sound appeared on the speakers.

"Good evening crew of the Raza," a voice announced over the speakers. "This is Cyrus King and I have a little gift for you.

"The hell?" Three whispered.

"I gave you this Entertainment Android in hopes of revenge for you killing the entirety of my crew by burning them alive," the voice continued.

"Probably deserved it," Three growled. Vivian swallowed.

"So, I'm doing my crew a favor. The Raza has locked it's coordinates to the nearest star, where you'll be burned alive slowly. Have a nice evening."

The speakers screeched off. Vivian swallowed hard.

"What do we do?" she asked.

"We need to get Sarah somewhere safe. Then we'll deal with the rest," Three breathed as he picked Sarah up in his arms. "Follow me."

Vivian and Five rushed at his heels. As they arrived in the cargo bay, they gathered Sarah into her stasis pod.

"Three, I need you to find a way to shut down the ship's engines," Two ordered in his ear. "It should buy us some time."

"Wait-" Five began but Three put a finger to his lips as he settled Sarah into her pod.

"You got it, shut down the engines," Three agreed. "You guys going to be okay in the mess."

"We'll figure a way out," Two reassured. Three muted his com and mouthed "turn off your coms" to Five.

Five did so hastily.

"You don't know how to shut off the engines," Five mentioned.

"Yes, but Wendy doesn't know that," Three breathed.

"You're creating a diversion," Five concluded.

"Exactly," Three agreed. "Get to the bridge, get Android and see if we can stop this thing."

He looked at Vivian.

"You be her body guard," Three instructed. Vivian hesitated then nodding, grabbing her pistol.

"What about you?" she asked, loading it.

"I'll make sure she doesn't get near either one of you," Three replied, cocking his gun. "Now go, we're running out of time."

Five started her way out of the cargo bay. Vivian hesitated at Three. Three swallowed, nodding out towards Five.

"Go…I'll be fine," Three reassured. Vivian nodded, following Five closely at her heels gun at the ready. She wasn't going to allow another ship to burn again.

Five and Vivian made it to the bridge. Android was laying on the floor, eyes black and lifeless.

"Android!" Five yelped, bending down to help. Vivian knelt beside her.

"Looks like our friend Wendy got to her first," Vivian growled. She looked at Five hastily. "Come on, we have to figure out how to stop this thing."

Vivian got up examining the bridge controls.

"Well isn't this a pretty picture…" she stated sarcastically. Five walked along beside her.

"We should probably get the others out of the mess first. Three's going to need some backup," Five mentioned as she went to another section of the various panels of the ship. She started typing quickly, the code flashing between one step to the next.

"And here…we…go!" Five grinned.

"Five, we're out. We're heading for your position. What's your status?" Two asked through the coms. Five started working on the navigation system.

"The ship is locked, I won't be able to cut through it," Five mentioned.

"Standby, we'll be there ASAP," Two ordered. Five nodded looking at Vivian worriedly.

"You think there's a way to bypass this thing?"

"Here's to hoping," Vivian swallowed. "I'm not looking forward to seeing another burned ship."

"What happens if we can't do it?" Five hastily typing again and again but still getting the blinking Access Denied glowing across the screen. Vivian swallowed as Five looked anxiously at her.

"What the pirates say. Abandon ship or die with the ship," Vivian whispered as she looked at the star.

Minutes went by but it felt like hours until Two and One finally approached the bridge. Vivian looked around.

"Where are the others?" Vivian asked. Two approached the main console.

"They were giving Three some back up with Wendy. Apparently, that bitch is a little bit more than we thought when it comes to fighting," Two growled.

"We've tried everything. Nothing seems to override this thing," Vivian motioned to the console. Two growled as another Access Denied hit the console.

"Damn it. Looks like it's some kind of code lock. Three, did Wendy's head still intact?" Two asked.

"Yeah…" Three's voice came out over the coms.

"Bring it here, I might be able to hack into her mainframe," Two ordered.

"You got it," Three agreed.

"You doing all right over there big guy?" Vivian asked over the speakers. Three smirked taking a breath.

"Yeah…piece of cake," he breathed. Two looked at Vivian rolling her eyes at her before smiling.

"Of course it was," Two whispered in disbelief.

"How about you? Is Five all right?" Three asked.

"She's in one piece. Can't say so much about Android," Vivian mentioned.

"Well other than Android. Knew I can count on ya," Three smirked as he and Six looked down at Wendy's headless body.

"As much as I'd love to celebrate, we still have our ship heading towards the star," Two broke up the chatter. "Three, you and Six space the body. Immediately."

"You got it doll face," Three commented, turning off his coms.

Four within a few minutes trotted in with Wendy's head. Vivian looked at it and cringed looking at Four's sword.

"Nice clean cut…" Vivian commented. Four nodded slowly in thanks. Two plugged Wendy's head into the system.

"Now let's see what this bitch still has in her brain," Two growled lightly looking through the code. "It has to be something within the last hour."

"That's a lot of code…" One commented.

"Just need to find something abnormal. Something noticeable," Two mentioned.

"Uh guys…Wendy's body came alive somehow," Three's voice warned over the coms. Vivian looked down at the half-closed eyes of Wendy's head.

"Well…that's not good," Vivian commented.

"Must be from re-activating her head," Two answered.

"What could it hurt? It's not like she can see us," Three laughed over the coms. Suddenly a loud thump was heard over the speakers. "Nope, she can still see us!"

Vivian's body tensed.

"How much longer?" Vivian asked almost desperately.

"Only a few more seconds. I'm almost there," Two replied.

"Anytime now you can shut it off," Six's strained voice appeared on the speakers.

"They're getting hurt you have to shut her down," Vivian urged.

"And…got it!" Two announced, hitting a few buttons, seeing the Access Granted flash along the screens.

The ship powered down for a moment then flashed back on.

"I'm diving into FTL," Two announced. "You guys okay down here?"

"Yeah…another second we might not have though…" Six's voice appeared.

Two turned off the speakers tossing Wendy's head over to Four.

"Space that with the body. I don't want that bitch anywhere near us again…"

Vivian walked down the corridors spotting Six. She trotted up to him casually.

"Six!" she greeted. "You okay?"

"Could've been worse. If we didn't shut her down in time, Wendy's grip would've been the death of me," Six scoffed, showing a large bruise forming around his throat. Vivian checked it putting a hand along the injury. He hissed.

"You might want to head to the med bay. Get some pain relief or some pain relief or something. Just be warned, Android is recovering on the medical table so don't let it spook you," Vivian stated, pulling her hand back.

Six smiled.

"Thanks," he breathed.

She sighed, looking behind him.

"Wasn't Three with you?" she asked.

"He was…but he said he had to go check on something," Six motioned behind him. Vivian swallowed at the thought. Sarah...

She nodded to him in thanks, brushing passed him.

"Feel better all right? Get some rest. You'll need it if you want to recover properly," she added as she headed towards the cargo bay. Six waved her off with a small smile on his face.

Vivian headed towards the cargo bay, near the massive doors where they found Sarah. She swallowed hard when she saw Three exiting the doors leaving One behind him staring into room. His jaw twisted.

"Three are you-?" Vivian began but he grunted.

"No, I'm not okay…" Three replied strained as he walked passed her and exited the room. Vivian furrowed her brows looking blankly out in front of her. One slowly turned, his head down in shame and sympathy.

Vivian swallowed hard staring at where Sarah's pod would've been, slowly making her way towards the doo as One slowly walked passed her as if she wasn't even there. Vivian turned her head as he passed but still made her way to Sarah's stasis pod. She held her breath when the powered lights didn't seem to show…

She walked slowly over to the pod, hovering over her angelically peaceful face. She touched the glass feeling the chill, no sign of steady rhythm it normally shows when the power is on. Sarah wasn't breathing, the lights were distinguished. No hum of power. She was gone…

Vivian's hand rested on the glass as she sat on the side, her hand balling up into a fist and stretching out again. She saw hand prints…too big to be hers. She rested hers along the evidence of what Three's touch was one the glass. He knew she was gone too…

She swallowed hard, resting her hand along the glass where he put his.

"This wasn't supposed to happen," she whispered to the lifeless body. Her eyes watered in tears. "You were supposed to live and be safe with him."

She leaned down resting her forehead against the glass. The tears landed, shimmering with little light from above.

"I'm so sorry…" she whispered to the lifeless body. Her eyes watered in tears. "You were supposed to be his saving grace…You were supposed to be with him…not me."

She sobbed along the glass gripping onto the invisible boundary. What else could she do for the woman who saved his life? For a moment, she wished that if Sarah's love was truly for Three, that she would've lived instead of her…because she couldn't match the sacrifices Sarah made for him. As much as she wanted to…