Stinger peered at the Jark Matter prison through the binoculars and sighed. "I think that information was bad."
"So what now?" Andy asked.
"We go back to the Orion and I tell Shou it's deserted. Then we can go back to my room." He suggestively wiggled his eyebrows at her.
She chuckled and nodded, "Alright."
He stood up from where they were hidden, then stiffened and collapsed on the ground.
Andy looked around quickly.
There was a blast of cold air, then darkness.
When she woke, she shot up quickly, searching the surroundings.
She was in a cell by herself, Stinger nowhere to be seen.
She searched the cell for any way of escape, then sat back down.
A few minutes later, she heard footsteps approaching, along with the sound of something being dragged.
She stood, ready to attack.
A malistrate appeared, his eyes lighting up as he saw her awake. "Another test subject. How nice."
He motioned to someone in the hall. Indavers appeared, dragging Stinger by the tail.
He was badly beaten, blood obscuring his features with more on his clothes. One arm was pulsing a nasty shade of green.
Andy froze, praying she could heal him.
"Get back. Or I'll kill him. It would pain me to do so, as the experiment is incomplete, but it's not like I don't have another subject.." The malistrate aimed a weird pistol at Stinger to prove he wasn't bluffing. "One of my inventions. A concentrated cold air weapon. You must know his race is deathly sensitive to the cold."
Andy moved back quietly.
The malistrate kept the gun aimed as the indavers unlocked the door. They tossed Stinger inside, an ugly crunch sounding as he landed on his right side. "Good girl. Be sure to tell me how painful it is when he dies."
He disappeared down the hall, the indavers following.
Andy knelt beside Stinger and began trying to heal him. She soon noticed poison in his bloodstream. She worked on the worst of the injuries after taking her jacket off and using it as a pillow for him. She continued working, losing track of the time.
"You need to escape…" The words were faint.
"I'm not leaving you," she said softly.
"You can't.." He arched his back, biting back a scream. After a minute, he continued. "You can't save me. You have to escape, get back to the team. Warn them so they can level this place.." He was panting breathlessly when he finished.
"I'm going to save you," she answered quietly. "Just relax."
A sudden explosion rocked the building. The ceiling groaned ominously as Stinger swore. "Leave me. I won't have both of us die. Find a place to protect yourself. Once the ceiling goes, you can escape without issue."
Andy shook her head, "I'm not leaving you."
"Dammit, I won't lose you. That's an order. Leave me and get back to the ship." He tried to curl in on himself as the pain grew worse. He tried not to make a noise, but couldn't help the whimper that escaped his lips.
She closed her eyes and focused for a moment using a type of healing jutsu she'd learned. It took the poison from the patient and transferred it to the jutsu user. She wasn't going to let Stinger die. After transferring the poison, she went back to trying to heal him, ignoring the early symptoms of the poison.
His eyes flew open. "What did you do? Andy, tell me right now! What did you do?"
"Saved you," she said quietly.
His eyes went wide. "No.. say it's not true.. Please, Andy, say you didn't.." He tried to sit up, ignoring the pain in his abdomen and chest.
She stayed silent, continuing to heal him.
He shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. "Didn't I just say I didn't want to lose you? Now we're both going to die. Or worse, I'm going to watch you.."
Another explosion sounded, the roof suddenly beginning to crack.
With the last of his strength, Stinger shoved her out of the way as the ceiling finally gave way.
Andy coughed as dust surrounded her. She tried to see where Stinger was through squinted eyes.
One outstretched hand was visible, lying still. A mound of debris covered his location.
"Stinger!" Andy cried, beginning to move debris to get to him. She struggled to lift a few pieces but eventually got him uncovered.
Pain shot through her but she worked past it and worked on healing Stinger more.
"Go.. get to Raptor. She..can neutralize.." His eyes were barely open, his breathing wet sounding.
Andy shook her head, "I'm going to stay here and keep you alive." She closed her eyes for a moment as pain struck. She then continued her task.
"I don't want you to die over a lost cause. Do I have to shoot myself?" His seiza blaster rose shakily to his head. "Climb your pretty ass out of here now!"
She gently took his arm and removed the blaster from it. "You aren't a lost cause."
"I'm not going to make it..and don't tell me otherwise. I've taken too much damage. All you're doing is prolonging the inevitable. You still have a chance, but only if you leave now. Please, Andy. I don't want to die knowing you are too." He coughed, his face a mask of pain.
"You aren't the medic here, I am. I know how much damage you have and what I can fix. You aren't going to die if you just shut up and let me keep working," she answered. "It's my job as a medic to keep the team alive, that includes you. Plus, I just refuse to let you die." She continued working.
"I..should write you up.." He slurred as his eyes closed.
She chuckled painfully. She got him about halfway healed before she began swaying. She continued though, moving off her knees to sit. She leaned on a piece of debris, her eyes struggling to stay open. She pushed her energy into him, pain making her arch her back.
His eyes remained closed, his breathing growing fainter.
"Stay with me," she said quietly. Forcing energy as fast as she could, she finally got him stabilized after a few more minutes. She held his hand, unsure if her dizziness was from the use of energy or the poison. She weakly continued transferring energy, now not even focusing on specific injuries.
"Why are you still here?" He asked weakly.
"I'm helping keep you alive.." she said, eyes barely open.
"Tell..the truth."
"I...love you.." she whispered, her vision starting to dim.
He looked startled, his hand reaching for her cheek.
She leaned closer to him a bit before completely passing out.
He pushed himself up, cradling her close. "You love me huh?" He said softly.
The malistrate soon appeared, holding the gun up and pointing it at Stinger. "Looks like you'll be dying soon anyway, but just to make sure." He fired.
Stinger's eyes went wide as the blast of freezing air hit him. He inhaled sharply, feeling his heart contract with a rush of pain. He struggled to not drop Andy, barely managing to lay her down before his eyes closed. He toppled onto his side next to her and lay still.
Andy woke slightly, looking over at Stinger. She reached out to him, freezing when she realized how cold he felt. She held onto him tightly, sobbing until she began blacking out again. "Maybe I'll get to see you soon, Stinger.." she whispered then fell over.
"She does not look good."
"She was poisoned, Naga. She will recover though. I've given her the antidote and it's working."
Andy weakly opened her eyes, confused as to how she got there alive.
"Andy? How do you feel?" Raptor appeared in her line of sight.
"Where is he?"
Raptor shook her head. "You are not leaving this bed for at least a week. We will handle.." Her voice broke and she looked away.
"I need to see him.. Please."
Raptor moved to a covered bed, drawing the sheet down to expose Stinger's pale face.
Andy weakly pushed herself up, grabbing her kyutama off the table and going to him. "Please.." she whispered to the small globe.
"Andy." Raptor put a hand on her arm. "He froze. You did all you could. Now you need to rest."
She shook her head, "You don't understand.. he died before and this brought him back.."
"Probably a fluke." The android tried to push her back to her bed.
Andy sobbed, trying to fight Raptor but failing. Soon though, she stopped when she saw the kyutama start glowing.
Stinger was soon surrounded by light, inhaling sharply and then settling down.
Raptor stared in disbelief.
Andy gave a relieved sigh before swaying and almost falling.
The android quickly recovered, grabbing Andy. "Back to bed now."
She nodded slowly, moving to the bed and laying down. She looked over at Stinger, watching him as she fell asleep.
Raptor shook her head as she checked Stinger. He was asleep, his injuries almost completely gone. She splinted his broken arm, then sat down again.
Andy slept peacefully for a while before starting to cry in her sleep. Memories of the deaths of her loved ones, including Stinger, tormented her.
Raptor quickly injected her with a sedative. As Andy quieted, Stinger began calling her name. He was becoming quickly agitated and Raptor quickly sedated him as well. She sighed, watching both patients sleep.
Andy woke slowly, feeling groggy from the sedative. She looked around tiredly.
"How are you feeling?" Tet watched her quietly.
"Tired but a bit better."
He looked over at Stinger. "How the hell did you bring him back? When we found you, he was ice cold and stiff."
"My kyutama.. it's the second time it's saved him.."
"Seriously? Wonder what's up with that one. Nobody else's has done anything similar."
"Well, it's from Eshana which is a healing planet.. maybe it has something to do with that?"
He looked thoughtful. "True. I should probably let you sleep."
Andy nodded slowly, "Alright." She closed her eyes and fell back to sleep.
Tet sighed, standing and leaving the infirmary.
Next time Andy woke, she was more awake. She sat up slowly.
Raptor moved to her side. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, a bit."
"The poison has exited your system and your injuries are healing nicely. You'll probably be tired for some time though." She clasped her hands. "I've informed Spada that I won't be coming for a few weeks."
"Why? You should go see him."
"You won't be full strength and you shouldn't have to run things alone."
"I'll be alright," Andy answered.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, go have fun. I'll manage things here."
Raptor sighed then nodded. "Good luck."
Andy gave her a small smile, "Thanks."
The door opened to admit Kiba.
"Nice to see you awake."
Andy smiled and nodded.
"How's Stinger?"
Andy looked over at the scorpion a moment before pushing herself up and moving to him. She held her hands up and scanned him over. "He's doing alright. Looks like his arm is still healing but everything else seems fine."
"Good. Was afraid Tet would end up Commander." He flashed a grin, showing fangs.
Andy chuckled, "That would be interesting."
"You would think so cause you're almost as reckless."
"Am not!" Andy argued.
"Then explain why you had poison in your system and Stinger only had traces?"
Andy looked down, "Alright, I might be a little reckless. But I was just trying to heal him."
"You almost died, Andy. That's more than a little reckless." Kiba sat down and looked at her. "I've been informed of your relationship, and while your reaction is completely natural, you can't go doing that everytime. As a fellow warrior, there are times when you have to accept the sacrifice of others and let it push you through to victory."
Andy raised an eyebrow, "I'm a healer.. Even if it wasn't Stinger, I may have done it anyway. As a healer, it's my job to make sure the others survive to keep fighting."
"A healer, yes. Not a God. Wasn't that one of the first things you told me?" He sighed.
"Yeah, true.." Andy looked down, "I don't know why I agreed to do this.. I haven't healed anyone since my family died. I wasn't able to save them, so I guess I am trying to make up for it, not wanting to let anyone else die."
"A noble desire. And you have healed several of us, including me. Don't be so hard on yourself."
Andy nodded slowly.
"Sorry." He ran a hand through his hair. "Who am I to lecture you?"
"You're fine," Andy looked up at him with a small smile. "I probably need to be lectured."
He chuckled, then produced his wings. "I know you want to touch them."
Andy raised an eyebrow again, "I do. They're just so pretty."
He turned slightly to give access. "Go ahead."
Andy reached out slowly, placing a hand gently on one wing and petting it.
He grinned. "Soft, isn't it?"
She nodded before pulling her hand away.
"What's wrong?"
She shook her head, "Nothing. Thank you."
He shrugged, then looked over as Stinger groaned.
Andy looked over at the scorpion worriedly.
His eyes opened and a look of surprise crossed his face. "I'm alive?"
"Thanks to the Iruka kyutama," Andy answered quietly.
He looked at her. "Are you alright? The poison!"
"Raptor took care of it. She said I'll just be extra tired for a while."
He breathed a sigh of relief and a quiet "thank the gods". He attempted to sit up, jostling the splint and he hissed in pain.
Andy winced as she watched him, "Your arm isn't healed all the way yet. I haven't had a chance to heal you either, since Raptor just left."
"Don't wear yourself out, sweetheart." He gave up, laying back down and cradling his arm. "I'll deal with the pain. I've had worse."
Andy sighed before lifting her hands up and starting to push blue light into his arm.
"What did I just say?"
Andy shrugged, "A bit of healing won't wear me out."
Something flashed over his face too fast for her to identify, but he remained silent.
Kiba stood from her bedside. "I'll be on the bridge if you need me."
Andy looked back and smiled, "Alright. Let me know if you need anything."
He nodded and left.
Stinger stared at the blanket covering him, his mind racing.
Andy continued healing him for a few minutes before asking, "How does that feel?"
He jumped at her voice, having zoned out. "Sorry. What did you say?"
"How's the arm feel?"
He carefully tested it before taking off the splint. "Feels good. I'll still be careful, but it doesn't hurt anymore. You should rest."
Andy sighed and nodded, heading over to her bed. "Let me know if you need anything. Raptor's gone to visit Spada so I'm in charge of the infirmary."
He nodded before pushing himself out of the bed.
She sat down, leaning back against the pillows and staring up at the ceiling.
Stinger resisted the urge to run, walking quickly out of the infirmary. He contemplated going to his office, then shook his head and headed for his room. He entered, laying down on the bed. He cursed, then clutched the pillow Andy had been using close as he inhaled the scent of her shampoo. He fell asleep holding it tight, tears streaking his cheeks.
After a while of dozing, Andy pushed herself up and headed to the kitchen, slowly working on putting some food together. She thought about what Kiba said, but didn't know if she could think like him. Saving people was what she did. Even if she wasn't dating Stinger, she'd have done it. Even if it was Kiba or someone else, she likely would have taken the poison. Being a healer meant putting others health and safety above her own. She took a deep breath and pushed the thoughts from her head as she finished cooking, sitting down with a bowl and beginning to eat as she blankly stared out the window at the stars.
Tet and Kiba came in with Naga. They looked at her, then quietly got food of their own and sat away at the other table.
She continued to stare out the window even after her food was done.
"Andy? Are you alright?" Tet asked quietly.
She looked up at him for a moment before nodding, "Yeah, just staring at the stars." She began to get up and go wash her bowl. "Probably still out of it a bit from the tiredness."
"You should get some sleep. Everything's quiet right now."
"Alright," she nodded and headed out of the kitchen.
The three exchanged worried looks but just sighed.
Andy headed to her room, curling up and falling to sleep quickly.
Stinger woke, releasing the pillow and wiping his face. He took a deep breath, then tapped in Hammy's comm code.
"Hey, Stinger," Hammy answered.
"Hey. Can you talk?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"How bad would it be if I sent your sister home?"
"Is she okay?"
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "She's recovering from a hard mission. I think it might be more relaxing if she was home."
Hammy sighed, "According to her friends, she only stayed here a week after our family was killed. In that week she barely talked to anyone. I doubt she'd stay here long if you did send her. She probably would just go off on her own again."
Stinger cursed under his breath. "Couldn't you lock her in the house?"
Hammy chuckled, "Yeah, right." She was quiet a moment before asking, "What's really going on, Stinger? Is she not getting along with the team?"
"She confessed she loved me after removing poison from me.. I don't want her dying because of me. I want her safe and that means not with me."
Hammy sighed, "She's going to get into trouble wherever she goes. At least you guys can keep an eye on her." She was quiet for a minute as she thought, "Are you sure you're not just afraid of being with her?"
He dropped his eyes. "Hammy, she refused to leave me when the mission went bad. She removed the poison against my orders. She refused to escape when there was an opportunity. I don't think she is thinking straight when we're together and I don't want her dying because she's distracted."
"While she might be distracted, healers here don't tend to leave the wounded on the field, no matter what shape they're in. But I guess I'll talk to her."
"Don't tell her we spoke. I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember the confession because she was super out of it from the poison. Don't want to bring it up."
"Alright. But I'm only doing this because you asked me to. I think you and her would be good together."
"She shouldn't feel she has to be with me because of some misplaced guilt on her part."
"She probably just sees you are a good person and actually likes you."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "You know I'm not a good person."
"Yes you are. You're the only one who doesn't see it."
He snorted. "You should know better. But I don't feel like arguing."
Hammy rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I'll talk to her."
"Thank you. I'll let you go."
"Oh, one last thing. If she loves you now, even if I can convince her to leave, I doubt her feelings will stop."
He scowled. "If she's away from me, maybe she'll find someone better."
Hammy rolled her eyes once again before hanging up.
Andy woke to her comm ringing. She was surprised when Hammy's voice came through.
An hour later, she was packing her stuff into a bag. Hammy was right, she was taking out more Jark Matter when she was on her own. Maybe if she could take them out for good, Stinger wouldn't have to worry anymore. If she could keep them off the kyurangers tail, he wouldn't get hurt either.
She headed to the bay, climbing into her voyager and taking off without a goodbye, knowing they would convince her to stay.
"Stinger? Andy's voyager just launched." Tet's voice was quiet.
"Let her go. We have other things to do." Stinger closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them. "Any Jark Matter in the vicinity?"
"Targran is a hour away. The government hasn't gotten the message yet." Tet replied.
"Let's go overthrow them then."
Tet set course and they disappeared into warp.
The next few weeks, reports came in of the turquoise ranger fighting off Jark Matter, taking down planets full of troops. Finally though, the reports stopped coming in as if she'd just vanished.
Stinger scowled, pacing the floor of the office. Where could she have disappeared to? Had she been injured? Captured? Worse, had she been killed? He froze, his heart hammering in his chest. He tried to stave off the oncoming panic attack as his comm pinged.
"Stinger, we've gotten a report of a female prisoner matching Andy in the prison on Bracchius." Kiba's voice was tight.
"Get us there now."
Andy looked up slowly when she heard the cell door open. The man was quiet, like always. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for whatever pain was coming today. She was pretty sure she had broken ribs from a beating a few days before. She knew she was covered in bruises too. She winced when she saw the man pull out a whip. She tried to stay strong, but by the end of it, she was whimpering in pain.
There was a sudden scream from her jailer before he fell to the ground, his stomach violently torn open. Stinger kicked the body aside as he knelt beside her.
She looked up weakly, confusion crossing her face.
"Imagine finding you here." He tried to joke, his eyes worried.
She struggled to push herself up to her feet.
"Hey, take it easy." He tried to pick her up and froze at her look.
"I'm fine," she answered. "Thanks for the rescue though."
"You're not fine. Will you please let me take care of you in the infirmary?"
She sighed, "I guess."
His face dropped, but he quickly turned it into a mask of impassiveness. "You don't have to stay. I'll just patch you up and you can go."
Andy nodded slowly.
He aided her to his voyager. "Would you rather be in yours?"
"I don't know if I can fly right now," she admitted quietly.
"Alright." He got her inside, taking flight and making his way to the bay. He got her into the infirmary and began cleaning her injuries.
Her eyes were closed when she asked quietly, "Are you mad at me for leaving?"
"Why? I told you at the beginning you could leave at any time." He didn't meet her eyes, wrapping gauze around a laceration on one arm.
She shrugged slightly.
"I'm sorry." He dropped his hands.
"For what?" She opened an eye and looked at him.
"I called Hammy and asked her to talk to you after the mission."
She was quiet for a moment before asking, "Did you want me to leave?"
"I wanted you safe. But obviously, that idea failed."
Andy stared at him in confusion for a minute.
"I wanted you home with Hammy, so you could recover."
Andy sighed, "I'm not going back there. What was wrong with me healing here?"
"What do you remember about our last mission?"
"You were poisoned and injured.. I partially healed you and took the poison.. not a ton after that other than trying to heal you more."
"So you don't remember our last conversation at all?" He raised his eyes to her face.
She shook her head slowly.
After a few moments, he nodded. "Alright. If you still want to leave, you can."
She stared at him for a moment with confused eyes, "What did we talk about?"
He shook his head. "Not important."
She frowned but didn't push it. "I might rest in my room a bit before I leave. Just have to get the bag from my voyager."
"I'll have Kiba deliver it. It's nice to see you. I got worried when you disappeared from reports."
"You were paying attention to those?"
"Of course. How do you think we found you the first time?"
She nodded slowly before trying to push herself up.
He made a movement toward her, then stopped.
She managed to get up then walked out of the infirmary.
Stinger forced his emotions down, then made his way to the bridge. After giving Kiba instructions, he went to his room. He collapsed on the bed in tears.
Kiba knocked on her door.
Andy slowly moved to it, giving him a smile when she opened it.
He returned it, handing her the bag. "Glad to see you back."
"Not sure I'm staying, but thanks."
"You are too cruel. But then again, Stinger was a bit of an ass by not being truthful in the first place."
She frowned before sighing. "I don't know, I just feel like I can take down more Jark by myself than with the group."
"So it was a 'I love you, but can't live with you' type confession. Gotcha." Kiba began to leave.
Her eyes narrowed, "What are you talking about?"
Kiba stopped walking. "You confessed to loving Stinger when you two were trapped." His eyes went wide. "You don't remember...Ah hell. Stinger's going to kill me."
"I did?" She said quietly.
"Yeah. He told me after he got drunk one night and I had to carry him to his room. He kept asking me why you loved a murderer."
Andy took a deep breath, "And right after I admitted that, he wanted me to leave.."
Kiba nodded. "I'm not privy to his background, but I can still see serious self esteem issues in him."
"So it wasn't because I scared him away..?"
"I think he believes he shouldn't be loved. So he tried to send you away. He was probably hoping you wouldn't ever remember your confession and thus find someone on your planet. Don't think he was prepared for you not going home."
Andy nodded slowly, "So what do I do?"
He shook his head. "Completely up to you. You can forget what I just told you and go on with whatever you had planned. You could confront Stinger on his stupidity. Or do nothing at all. Though, if you do confront him, don't mention me, okyu?"
She gave a small smile and nodded.
"I better get back to the bridge." He gave her a wave as he disappeared down the hall.
Andy took a deep breath then headed down and knocked on Stinger's door.
Several moments passed before it was opened. Stinger's eyes were red, his face blotchy. He stiffened slightly as he saw her. "Are you leaving now? Try not to get captured again, okyu?" He moved to close the door again.
"I came to apologize."
"For what?" His voice shook as he tried to sound indifferent. "For needing rescue? We've all been there."
"Apparently I told you I love you.. and then you tried to push me away. Which means I obviously overstepped my bounds and freaked you out." She sighed. "I totally understand if you don't feel the same. So anyway, I'm sorry." She turned and began to walk away.
"Andy!" He ran after her, grabbing one wrist. "It's my fault, not yours."
She looked up at him, trying to blink away the tears in her eyes.
Tears ran down his cheeks as he released her. "Feel the same? Sweetheart, I was in love before that mission. I didn't want to scare you off the team. I freaked out because I am not worth loving or dying for. The mission made it clear that if I didn't make you leave, you would probably die trying to save me. Just like Champ..and my brother did. I'd lose it if that happened. I was almost relieved that you didn't remember, then realized it had been the universe's practical joke."
"You might not think you're worth love or saving, but I think you are," she said quietly.
"Why? I'm.." His voice broke and he tried to compose himself. "I'm a murderer. Who would love a murderer?"
"I don't think you're a murderer," she said softly. "But even if you were, I'd love you anyway."
"You should find someone from your planet. Or any other planet. Hell, you could have your pick of the team. Not me."
Andy stared at him for a moment before slapping him. "You love me, I love you, I think that means we're supposed to be together. Quit trying to push me away."
His crying turned into full sobbing. "You'll die! Everyone I love dies because of me!" He sank to his knees, his head touching the floor as he shook from the force of his grief.
Andy knelt down and wrapped her arms around him, "Look, everyone is going to die eventually. I will die. That doesn't mean you are going to cause it. And even still, I'd rather die trying to save you than to lose you."
"You shouldn't throw your life away." His voice was quiet as he lay exhausted in her lap.
"Saving you wouldn't be throwing my life away. You're worth it. And I'm going to spend every single day trying to convince you you're worth being loved."
"You sure like impossible tasks." Tet's voice spoke behind her. "Glad to know I won the bet though."
Andy rolled her eyes at him.
"You are so asking for a brig stay." Stinger sat up and sent him an annoyed look.
Tet grinned. "You're a softie, cousin. Just admit it."
Andy chuckled slightly before wiping at her eyes.
Stinger turned his glare on her, but couldn't hold it. His eyes went soft as he met hers.
She smiled softly before pulling Stinger in for a kiss.
Tet averted his eyes as Stinger clung to her, his kiss desperate and needy.
When they parted, they were both breathing heavily. Andy smiled at him before whispering, "I love you."
His eyes began to well up again as he returned the sentiment.
"When you two are done, it's time for his medicine." Tet waved a syringe at them, to which Stinger groaned.
"I can take care of it myself."
"Sure you can. Just like you can tell a girl you love her without running away. In your room, let's go."
"What's the medicine for?"
"He caught some kind of bug while you were gone. He's over the worst of it, but he isn't completely well. Wouldn't let us go alone to rescue you like a dumbass, so he missed his dose of antibiotics."
Andy nodded and helped Stinger to his feet.
He winced and held his head. "Alright. I may be a dumbass. Just give me the damn medicine and go watch the bridge."
Tet approached them, but handed the syringe to Andy. "You take care of dumbass."
Andy nodded and wrapped an arm around Stinger, leading him to his room.
"Sorry about all this." His voice was quiet.
"It's alright," she gave a small smile. "Sorry I slapped you."
"I deserved it." He doubled over, almost making her fall. His breathing was strained, his eyes squeezed shut.
She got him to his bed, injecting the medicine into his arm. When she was done with that, she pushed a bit of energy into him to help with any pain.
A few moments later, his face relaxed into sleep.
She moved to sit beside him, running a hand through his hair before dozing off.