I need you

Amelia came running out onto the deck, trying to figure out what had just created a bang so large that It knocked her off her feet.

"What the devil?" Amelia scanned the crew until her eyes locked with the doctor. Fear was obvious in his eyes, which she was used to, but this fear was much different. This chilled her to the bone.

" The star Pelusa its gone supernova". Adrenaline coursed through her veins. Amelia was yet to lose someone on her ship, and she'd be damned if today was the day a spacers soul joined the stars that wasn't hers. How easy it would be to join her beloved Christopher. But as she looked at the doctor, she knew he was depending on her to get him and the crew to safety.

What happened next was a blur. She was so desperate to survive that time passed by so quickly. Not only did the star go supernova but it devolved into a black hole. Thanks to her good doctor they were unable to escape relatively unscathed. Euphoria spread through her body.

"Captain! That… oh, my goodness. That was… that was absolutely… that was the most" Delbert's stammering of obvious amazement that she had just managed to steer them all to safety was flattering. It was a good job Amelia had was good at hiding her emotions.

"Oh, tish-tosh. Actually, doctor your astronomical advice was most helpful". A pale blush spread over his cheeks, amazed that the captain actually had something nice to say about him without a trace of mockery in it.

" thankyou very much. I have a lot of help to offer anatomically… amanomonically… astronomically" Delbert slapped him self in annoyance. Getting tongue-tied around the captain was a frequent occurrence and was especially annoying when they seemed to occur as sexual slurs. He just couldn't help himself. She was so beautiful. He had never seen eyes like hers, like emeralds glistening in the light every time the light catches them at just the right angle. Don't even get him started on her hair, the way it blows in the wind entrances him. Who would've thought that a woman who once infuriated him beyond belief could have this effect on him?

Delbert had been in love once, or so he thought. His wife left him for another man three years ago. So, when he discovered he had feelings for the captain he was unsure as to whether he should do anything about it and due to his nervous disposition, he decided to not do anything about it.

"Well, I must congratulate you, Mr Silver. It seems your cabin boy did a bang-up job with those lifelines. All hands accounted for Mr Arrow? Mr Arrow?" Amelia's eyes scanned the crew not seeing the familiar face of the man she had known most of her life.

"I'm afraid Mr Arrow has been lost. His lifeline was not secured" Scroop stated as he walked towards the captain, carrying the lost man's hat.

Grief filled Amelia's eyes as she looked upon the hat that once sat upon her father figures head. All she wanted to do was crumble then and there in front of the crew. But she knew if she wanted this crew to carry on obeying her, especially now Arrow was gone, she would have to put up a tough act.

"Mr Arrow was a…ahem. Fine spacer… finer than most of us could ever hope to be… but he knew the risks, as do we all. Resume your posts. We Carry on." With that Amelia took the hat and walked away slowly to her office, tears clouding her vision.

She heard hurried footsteps behind her. If it was Mr Hawkins, she would lose it so she too, hurried her pace. She felt a hand grab her wrist and turned to look into the chocolate orbs of the Doctor.

"Please remove your hand doctor. I wish to be alone right now" Tears threatened to spill over, if she didn't get into her stateroom fast, he would see her cry and that wasn't something she wanted. Although him holding her through this tough time was something, she wanted dearly she knew they couldn't.

"Captain please, I just want to make sure okay. You shouldn't be alone right now. Its not healthy" Delbert saw the tears fill her eyes and knew she couldn't hold back her emotions any longer.

He slowly moved past her and opened the stateroom door for her and ushered her in.

Once Amelia set foot in there, she saw red. Rage filled her vision.

"This is all your fault. If you didn't find that treasure map and pick this disgusting, untrustworthy crew, Arrow would still be alive. His blood is on Mr Hawkins hands. Nothing you say or do will change that. He was one of the only things that I had keeping me sane doing this job and he's gone." With that Amelia picked up a picture of her and Arrow on her graduation day and flung it against the wall, screaming whilst she did so.

Amelia's knees buckled and she fell to the floor, Delbert running over and catching her just in time. He held her as she sobbed, knowing she didn't mean any of the words she just said.

"I'm sorry Doctor Doppler. I didn't mean it. Please accept my apology and forget what I said" Amelia said turning to face the doctor tears silently falling down.

"It's quite alright, Captain. Anger is to be exsexted... err… expected whilst going through grief" Delbert threw his head back and sighed. Having her pretty much in his lap was making him go crazy. He heard a soft chuckle and looked down to see her smiling, causing him to smile as well.

" If you don't mind me asking, how did you meet Mr Arrow?" Amelia took a deep breath and looked down, unsure as to whether she thought she was able to tell the story.

"It was a long time ago. He was my fathers first mate and his best friend. I come from a long line of spacers, but they were all men. Women were supposed to do feminine jobs like sew or cook. My father wanted me to be a dancer. Anyway, Arrow has known me since I was a young kit and always had my back. I grew up playing pirates and captains with my brothers and loved the stars. My mother would read me spacing books when I went to bed, which infuriated my father. He would say that she was filling my head with manly thoughts, thoughts that would corrupt a young lady. As I grew up, I knew I wanted to be a captain. Arrow warned me saying that I had a choice. I could either stay and carry on being a member of my family or I could go and live my dream. He said he would support me either was as he knew if I left to be a spacer my father would disown me. I made my choice. My father was furious when I got accepted into the interstellar academy and went to hit me. Arrow caught his hand and saved me. He took me away from that house that day and left behind his friendship with my father. Arrow may have lost a friendship, but he gained a daughter." Amelia finished her story soft sobs wracking her body.

Delbert held her delicate frame close to him. He was furious at the life Amelia had grown up in, distraught that she had known so much pain at a young life. He couldn't imagine not having the supportive family that he has today. The family that helped shape him and fund him enabling him to complete his dreams.

Amelia rested her head against his chest and listened to his heart beating, feeling strangely comforted by it hearing the steady thump, knowing that Delbert was alive and well. Who knows how long they spent on the floor in each other's arms.

"I'm terribly sorry captain but I have a cramp" Delbert chuckled. Amelia quickly got up and moved towards the window and brushed some glass off from the window that smashed. She took a seat and looked out to the etherium, bringing a knee up to her chest.

"Amelia. When we're alone, please, call me Amelia." She said, turning around to see his reaction. A soft blush spread across his cheeks and a soft smile appeared.

"I think I can manage that. And please. Call me Delbert." A smirk appeared on her face. This was heading in a good direction. One Amelia wasn't sure if it was wise to pursue but knew she wanted to. Delbert knew that this conversation was over and now would be an appropriate time to leave Amelia

"Are you going to be alright on your own Amelia or would you like me to stay a little longer?" Delbert knew which one he wanted to do but didn't know if it would be a good idea. Surely a captain and a financer could not be together romantically, and with Amelia being a spacer could he handle having her leave for so long for her missions. Another matter to consider was that on the days that she may be home he might not be there as he may be on another planet giving a lecture. It just couldn't work out between them unless both were serious. You're being foolish Delbert. She probably wouldn't want to be with you anyway, he thought to himself.

" I think I will be alright now Delbert. Thank you for sitting with me. It was greatly appreciated. I needed a friend." Amelia walked over to Delbert and lightly pressed her nose to his, which was known to be a sign of affection among their species.

Delbert stammered, blushed and then smiled. With that Delbert took his leave, chuckling softly at what had just occurred, amazed that this stunning felinad had shown some interest in him.

Thanks for reading guys. A slightly bigger chapter than what I normally write and I know Amelia seems overly soft this chapter and that her back story seems a bit rushed. I imagine her being quite vulnerable to losing Arrow despite her strong façade. I will be doing flashback scenes later on to do with her earlier years so that people can see how I interpret her background to be. I don't know how far after the treasure planet voyage I should go so if you guys have a preference please let me know. Please leave a review so that I know if people are enjoying my story