A/N: I tried starting this chapter in Zane's POV. It felt…off. Not wrong, but just like something was missing. So, I've backtracked and tried covering it in Theron's. Hope you enjoy it.

Taking Down the Fortress

Theron's POV

"How long have you been together?"

Startled, I jumped slightly in my seat. "What?" I stuttered out, glancing back over my shoulder, "Ashe'dani." I was so focused on Zane, the steady beat of his heart, the fogging of the face mask with each breath he took, that I had missed her approach.

"Sorry," she said, pulling out a medical scanner and sitting down on the other side of the cot. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's ok," I replied, reaching down, I pushed a stray strand of hair off of Zane's forehead. "What was the question again?"

Smiling, she asked, "How long have you and the Commander been together?" She was looking at my hand resting on Zane's chest.

"We're that obvious?"

"To those that are actually looking, yes sir," she said, as she double checked the oxygen mask covering Zane's nose and mouth. When I asked earlier, she'd explained that the mask and supplemental oxygen were to help out his injured lung.

"With or without the five year carbonite break?" I wouldn't apologize for needing contact with Zane. I needed to reassure my frazzled nerves he was still here, still breathing, even if he was injured…again.

"Doesn't matter," she said, entering the scanner results into a datapad.

Glancing down at the still form of my lover lying between us, I said, "I knew there was something between us from the moment I met him. He took a little more convincing."

"The Major doesn't seem like a man that would be easy to persuade," she said.

"Let's just say I can be very persuasive when I put my mind to something," I replied, with a wolfish grin.

"I'm sure," she chuckled. I didn't miss the appreciate glance she sent my way. "If you don't mind my saying, you're both handsome men, sir."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Picking up a hypospray, the healer injected some medications into Zane.

"What was that?"

"Some more kolto to help with swelling," she said. "We'll be at Odessen shortly."

"Good," I said, watching Zane for any sign he was waking up but I didn't see any. After passing out the last time, he hadn't shown any signs of waking and in fact had seemed to be slipping deeper into unconsciousness. Though Ashe'dani didn't say anything, I knew she was concerned. "Did you contact Dr. Jeffre?

"Yes sir," she said, prepping Zane and the equipment for landing. "He's meeting the shuttle at the landing pad." She got a puzzled look on her face and continued, "He seemed particularly displeased when I told him of the Major's injury and he mumbled something about reckless to himself."

"Doctor Jeffre is not only our physician, but a close family friend." Jayd was the physician that treated me after a particularly bad night when I was mourning my lover's 'death.' If not for the doctor I'd probably be dead.

"Miot wanted me to let you know, he's started the post-flight landing sequences. We'll be on the ground in five minutes max," Koth said, as she joined us. Looking at Zane he asked, "How is he doing?"

Curious about that myself, I waited for Ashe'dani to answer it. "He's…a," she hesitated, "He's holding his own."

"Uh huh," I said, giving her a look that said, I knew she was leaving something unsaid.

"Honestly he is holding his own," Ashe'dani tried to reassure us, as she double checked Zane, "It's just concerning that he is so deeply unconscious."

"Ah," I said, running a shaking hand through my hair, "Exactly what I'd wondered about." I couldn't lose him again! Ever! We'd barely gotten any time together! The fates couldn't be this cruel.

Noticing my agitation, Ashe laid a gentle hand on mine, which was joined with Zane's, "Sir, don't borrow trouble yet. We have the best doctors and nurses ready to help the Commander."

"I know," I replied, clenching my hand into a fist, trying to stop the shaking. "It's just…"

"You can't help it," she finished.

"Exactly." If anything happened to Zane again, I'm not sure I'd live through it. I wasn't even sure I'd want too.

She gave me a sympathetic look, before sitting down in a nearby chair.

Immediately after landing, Miot lowered the ramp and medical personnel swarmed on board, heading straight for us. Dr. Jeffre in the lead, scanner in hand. "Theron," he said, nodding his head at me, "It goes without saying I'll do all I can for the Major."

"I know," I said, watching everyone closely, as they prepped Zane for transport to the medical bay.

Turning to Ashe'dani, who was again standing near the cot at attention, he ordered, "Give me a run down on his condition and vitals."

"Yes sir," the Twi'lek answered, descending into medical jargon that soon went over my head.

I listened with a half ear, never taking my eyes off Zane. Gods! He had to be alright. I couldn't do this again. To get him back, only to lose him again would be more than I could take!

"Theron?" asked Jayd, his concern evident as he grasped my shoulder. "You ok?"

"Yes fine, just lost in my thoughts. Did I miss something?"

"We're ready to take Major Starwarrior to the med bay," the doctor explained. "Are you coming with us?"

"Yes," I said quickly standing and joining the group.

"Let's go," the doctor ordered his medical personnel.

They guided the stretcher down the ship's ramp and across the landing bay, at a good pace, taking care not to jar or jostle their patient. Scanners were run over his body and results were shouted back and forth. Plans were formulated on the spot for treatment.

"Anything I need to know about the Major's medical history that may not be in his records?" the doctor asked me, as we hurried down a corridor.

"I'm not sure," I said, still holding Zane's free hand as we moved. "He suffered carbonite poisoning while in the damnable Eternal Empire's custody."

Nodding, Doctor Jeffre jotted it down on a datapad, "Anything else?"

Sighing I added, "While they were escaping Asylum, Zane and Arcann fought. The bastard ran him through with his lightsaber."

Shocked registered on Jayd's face, "And he lived?"

"Somehow," I said, "Though I'm not clear on the how." Shaking my head to clear it, I added, "Anyway, you'll see the scars."

Again, Doctor Jeffre noted it in his pad, "What medical treatment did he receive for that?"

We rounded the last corner and I could see the med bay at the end of the hall. "Again, I don't know really. If I hadn't seen the scars I'm not sure if I'd even know about it."

"What?" my friend was outraged on my behalf.

"In his defense Zane never really got a chance to tell me before I saw the scars."

"I understand that," he angrily said, "but you should have been immediately informed after it happened! At worst, someone should have holo'd you as treatment started!" he continued, stabbing a note into the now abused pad. "It violates all ethical standards not to notify a patient's medical proxy. All decisions on his care are yours!"

"I know that," I said with a small smile, "When I found out, I pretty much said the same to Zane," I was pretty sure Lana and her doctors would be hearing about this lapse.

Shaking his head, Jayd muttered something about doing some digging and ethics but I didn't hear the whole thing. "If he was run through, I'd guess that there was significant damage to his lungs." He continued to type into his pad, "While I'm at it, I'll fix any previous damage to his chest."

Reaching the doorway, Doctor Jeffre took a deep breath and put a hand on my shoulder, stopping me. "I'm sorry Theron. You'll have to wait out here."

The thought of being separated from my injured lover, caused my panic and tension to skyrocket. Trying to negotiate a way to stay with him, "I'll stay out of the way," meeting the doctor's eyes, "You won't even know I'm there." I did NOT want to be separated from Zane! Not now! Not again!

"I'm sorry Theron," he said, direct me out. "You'll have to wait out here."

"But Jayd," I protested, trying to get past him. I could see Zane just over the doctor's shoulder. They were carefully removing Zane's dislocated arm from the sling.

"No," he firmly said, motioning to a nearby waiting area. "You have to wait out here."

"I'll stay with him," I heard Koth say from behind me. I hadn't even noticed that the other man had followed us.

"You don't have to," I started. I knew the pilot had to be tired after the mission.

"I know I don't have to," he reassured me, "I want too."

"Thanks."

"No problem," he said, "We should let the doc get to work."

"Yeah," I said, still not liking this one bit.

"I'm not going to say don't worry," Jayd said, as he turned to leave, "But Theron," catching my eyes, "I got this. I'll take excellent care of him." I nodded an acknowledgement and the other man went to work.

Walking into the little sitting room I stood, looking out the window. My worry and frustration at the situation boiled over and I pulled back my fist, readying to punch the glass.

"Theron!"

I stopped with my fist pulled back, ready to deliver the blow.

"Don't punch that glass!"

Chagrined, I lowered my hand. Looking at the doctor, I lied, "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Yeah right," he said, "All of you Malcom men are alike!"

I laughed at that. "I'll let him know you said that."

"Do," he said, as the door shut behind him.

"What was that about?" Koth asked, from a seat in a chair along the wall. "Your last name is Shan."

"But my father's is a Malcom, and Doc knows both of us," I explained.

Seeing the Zakulan's puzzled expression, I sighed. "It's a long story."

"We got the time."

He was right. Sitting down next to him, I started to explain my twisted family history...

TBC

Note: Hope you enjoyed it! Reviews are greatly appreciated!