A/N: Real life has definitely intruded lately. My Mom had back surgery and is still in the hospital recovering. She'll get better but I've had to look after her. Between that, work and family, I've had little time for writing. When I did have the time, I seriously lacked motivation and I've gotten little writing done. I just can't seem to focus on one "voice." It almost feels like my characters are all yelling at me at once and it's all a jumble of white noise. Hopefully, it will pass and I can get some work done.

Taking Down the Fortress

Chapter 6

Theron's POV

"NO! Not Zane! Not Zane!"

"Theron."

"No!" I said, "Not Zane…NOT ZANE!"

"Theron!"

"NO!" I shouted, bolting upright on the small cot.

My sweat soaked tank top was sticking to my heaving chest, as I panted and tried to catch my breath. My eyes frantically searched out the kolto tank and Zane floating inside. No alarms were going off and he looked to be healing.

"He's fine Theron," the voice reassured me, "Zane is ok."

Swinging my legs over the edge of the cot, I sat up and rested my elbows on my knees. "Thank the maker," I whispered, burying my face in my trembling hands.

I'm not sure what I'd do if I lost him now. I didn't handle his "death" well the first time around. Pretty sure, I wouldn't do any better a second. Without Jace, I know I wouldn't be here, enjoying this second chance. I'd be dead. My father saved me and gave me support when I desperately needed it.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Shaking my head, as I ran my hands through my wet hair, I said, "Not really."

Sitting down in the chair next to my cot, he said, "Well, let me put it this way, tell me what happened?"

"Just a nightmare Doc," I said, trying to dodge the question. I really didn't want to think about my reoccurring nightmare, let alone talk about it.

"Theron," Jayd said, "You woke up screaming, you're soaked and you're still shaking," he observed. "That wasn't 'just' anything. Now tell me about it or," he tried, pulling out the big gun, "I'll holo your Dad."

"Fuck Jayd," I said, falling back on the bed. "Don't do that. He's got too much going on as is. He doesn't need to worry about me."

My father was doing all he could to hold the imploding Republic Military together and defend the Republic on multiple fronts with the Sith Empire and the Eternal Empire. It was a losing battle but Jace wouldn't give up without a fight. He didn't care who he angered if it saved lives and that terrified me. We had started hearing whispers from sources inside the government about people who opposed Saresh disappearing without a trace. I was afraid Jace would cross her and he'd disappear too.

"Talk to them lately?" the doctor asked.

"A week ago or so," I answered.

"How are they doing?"

"Busy." The look on his face told me he wasn't pleased with my one word answer. He was my doctor but he was foremost a family friend. "Singlehandedly holding the military together takes up a lot of Dad's time but he still manages to be there for the boys and Hayle. Not sure how he does it but he says he wouldn't miss a minute of it for the all the stars in the universe."

Before I was discharged from the medical center after my overdose, Jace was trying to figure out how to ask Hayle out for dinner. She surprised him by beating him to the punch. She asked him out first. One date lead to a second and a third and a whirlwind courtship soon followed. Eventually they were married in a small ceremony for family and close friends only.

The pair were fond of saying they were given a second chance at love in each other. They'd never forget their first loves but they'd forged two lost souls together and found a new love that was every bit as beautiful. At least that's how Hayle explained it, Jace was blunter without the flowery language but the gist was the same. He loved her with all his heart.

With a smile, the doctor said, "How far along is Hayle?"

"Eight months and ready for this pregnancy to be over."

"I'll bet if she spends are days chasing two little boys."

It was a shock for the newlyweds when a few months after their wedding, Hayle found out she was pregnant. They hadn't been using protection but figured at Jace's age the chances of him fathering a child were pretty slim. He walked around in giddy shock for days after finding out they were expecting. Who could blame him? In just a few short years, he went from Coruscant's most eligible bachelor to a happily married man with a son, grandson and a child on the way.

And now they were expecting a second child together. Life had changed dramatically in such a short span of time.

"They're hoping for a girl," I said, "to round out the family."

"They didn't find out the sex of the baby?"

"No," I shook my head, "Jace wanted to know, so they could prepare but Hayle wanted to be surprised."

"So they waited," the doctor commented with a smile.

"Yeah," I agreed, grinning, "she's got Dad wrapped around her finger, it's great." The image of the heroic soldier doing the bidding of the small nurse was hilarious.

The doctor nodded his understanding but with a smile said, "Now, back to the subject at hand, your nightmare."

Sighing, I rubbed my temples before answering. "It was about Zane."

"I figured that," Jayd said, sitting back in the chair waiting for me to continue.

"Something happened to Zane," I started to explain, "He was in the kolto tank and an alarm started going off. Lights were flashing and people started running into the room. I got pushed into a corner, out of the way."

Watching me intently, Jayd nodded and gestured for me to continue.

Again, my eyes sought out the large kolto tank sitting just a few feet away, looking for reassurance. Inside the tank Zane, still unconscious, was floating peacefully in the greenish fluid.

"All I could was watch as," my voice hitched and trailed off. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I forced myself to keep going, "As Zane died in that tank."

"Theron..." Jayd said, concerned. He sat forward in his chair, and added, "I promise, Zane is healing."

"I know," I said my eyes darted to the tank again and back at the doctor, "But it was so damn real." My hand was shaking badly when I tried to run it through my hair and let it drop back into my lap, "All I could was watch as he slipped away again. In my head I kept chanting, Not Zane, Not Zane, not Zane…."

I wouldn't survive the pain of losing him a second time. I barely survived it the first time and if it weren't for Jace I wouldn't have. My father supported me through the worst times of my life and I loved him for it.

"I can't do it again," I whispered, staring down at my hands. I knew with a doubt, if I lost Zane a second time, it would kill me too.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and Jayd, "Theron."

Shaking my head, I continued to study my joined hands and refused to look up at the doctor.

"Theron," he said again, this time his voice tinged with an edge of command.

My grief and worry were overwhelming. Zane's injuries combined with the nightmare were stirring up feelings I didn't want to deal with. I was just emotionally drained and rung out. Giving in I finally looked up, "Doc," I acknowledged the other man.

"Zane is healing, he'll be fine," the doctor said, "hold tight to that."

I nodded but didn't say anything.

Squeezing my shoulder in support, he said, "Now, you should go get cleaned up and get something to eat." Not wanting to leave my mate, I started to protest but the doctor cut me off with a look, "I've got work to do here."

A spike of concern shot through me. It took a second, before I could rein in my emotions and say, "You said he was healing." It had been a long few days but it was worth it as Zane slowly recovered.

"He is," Jayd answered, immediately, "Very well in fact. I need to prep him for removal from the tank."

I sighed in relief. "Thank the gods."

Motioning to the door, "Go," with a grin he added, "You stink."

"Hey," I sputtered in protest. I was sweaty and sticky after my dream but I didn't stink...I think. Grabbing my tank top, I pulled it away from my skin and tried to sniff myself. Ok, maybe I did smell, a little bit. Grumbling I stood and started towards the door. "You'll stay with him?" I asked, as I grabbed the handle.

"Of course," the doctor said, pulling out and data pad and keying it on. "And Theron," he continued, "Take your time, shower, clean clothes and food."

Shaking my head, I quipped, "Yes Dad," as I opened the door and stepped out.

As I closed the door, I heard the doctor shoot back, "Yeah…no. You can keep giving Jace all the grey hair, thanks."

I chuckled and closed the door, feeling lighter than I had in days. I started down the corridor towards our rooms. Things were slowly getting back to normal…or as normal as they got for Zane and I….

TBC

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