A/N: This chapter went in a totally unexpected direction! I hope you enjoy it. *fingers crossed*

I'd like to thank Dartyaoi for her help with this chapter.

Taking Down the Fortress

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….

Chapter 7

Theron's POV

Moving past soldiers in the hall, I made my way back to my, to our quarters. Not wanting to waste time, I returned the greetings of a few friends but kept moving. A couple of turns later, the crowds thinned and I was standing in front of the door. Typing in the code, the door swished open and I stepped inside.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly released it and leaned against the closed door, shutting my eyes for a moment. After a time, I stood and looked around the room. Everything was pretty much like I left it the day we left for the fated Star Fortress mission. I hadn't really been back to our quarters since, choosing instead to stay in the med bay with Zane. I'd come to close to losing him again, and needed to be near him.

Moving across the room, I found our armor piled on the bed. After getting some rest, Koth had stopped by to check on Zane and had taken it with him when he left, promising to clean it up and return it here for me. I'd have to thank him later. One less thing I needed to worry about.

Picking up Zane's helmet, I noticed the large indentation in the metal on the back of it, where he'd hit his head twice, during the mission. The metal was smashed in and spider web cracks spread from the center of the dent. If he hadn't been wearing it, the damage to Zane's head would have been much worse and probably fatal. As it was, he was still lucky to be alive. Holding the helmet in my hands, I rested my forehead against the cool metal and thanked all of the gods listening for my mate's life.

After a few long moments, I put it back on the bed and started for the 'fresher. I shucked my tank top and threw it into the hamper. Kicking off my boots, I pulled off each sock and shove my pants and boxer briefs off, leaving them on the floor. I turned the shower on and stepped in, letting the water sluice down my tired body. The hot water slowly began working the kinks out of my sore muscles. Tipping my head back, I got my hair wet. Picking up the bottle of shampoo, I squirted some in my hands and washed my hair and rinsed it. Next, I grabbed a washcloth and the body wash. Lathering up the wet square of fabric, I dragged it over my body, across my shoulders, down chest, and across my abs. I washed my lower body, my thighs and calves, making sure to clean away the sweat and dirt. I rinsed off the suds and stood under the stream of water for a few more minutes.

Finished, I stepped out and picked up a towel. I made quick work of drying my hair and body. Stepping back into the bedroom, I grabbed a pair a clean pair of boxer briefs from a drawer and pulled them on. From another, I found a lightweight pair of black pants and a long sleeved t-shirt. Pulling them on, I found a pair of shoes and socks. Sitting down on the desk chair, I put them on too. Glancing at the bed, I thought of putting on my jacket but nixed the idea. After grabbing something to eat, I wasn't planning on leaving Zane's side and really didn't need it, preferring comfort instead.

Standing, I looked around the room and made sure I didn't forget or need anything. Finding nothing, I headed for the door. Opening it, I stepped into the hall and let it shut and lock behind me. Walking down the hall, I headed for the mess hall. I knew Jayd was serious about getting something to eat. He wouldn't let me back into Zane's room until I sat down and had a meal. I figured better not to fight it, even if I wasn't hungry and get something to eat before heading back.

Grabbing a tray, I stepped into the line, not realizing I was hungry until the smells made my stomach rumble. Working down the buffet, I filled my plate with a couple slices of spiceloaf, noodles, stewfruit air cake for dessert and blue milk to wash it down. Looking around the small cafeteria, I noticed an empty table along one wall. Wandering over, I sat down in an empty chair, picked up my utensils, cut off a piece of the loaf and started eating. I quietly worked my way through the food, hoping no one would bother me and I could finish quickly. I wanted to get back to Zane.

"Can I join you sir?"

Sighing, I looked up and saw Samgir holding a loaded try, standing beside my table. Gesturing at an empty chair with my fork, I said, "Have a seat."

"Thank you sir," he said, putting the tray down on the table, pulling out the chair and sat down. Picking up his utensils, the young soldier began to eat, refusing to meet my eyes.

Eating silently, I waited for him to speak. After all, he asked to sit down with me not the other way around. Cutting off another piece of loaf, I forked it, brought it to my mouth and slowly began to chew. Glancing up at the other man, I waited, saying nothing.

Putting down his fork, Samgir closed his eyes and took a deep breath, visibly preparing himself to speak. "I would like to apologize."

"For?" I prompted, curious. While visiting in the med bay, Koth had mentioned that Admiral Aygo had ripped the kid a new one, up one side and down the other.

"For my behavior and attitude while on the mission to the Star Fortress," he explained.

"How so?" I wasn't sure he even meant it and I wasn't letting him off the hook that easy. He'd been insulting but more importantly, he got Zane hurt and I wasn't sure I could forgive that.

After taking a steadying breath, "During the mission," he started, "I should have done a better job of having the Commander's back, following his lead, if I had he may not have been injured."

"No if's there soldier," I told him, "If you had listened to the Major he wouldn't be in the medical bay right now."

"Yes sir," he sullenly said, looking away, he stabbed the meat loaf on his plate. Stalling he took a bite and chewed slowly, before answering, "I wanted to impress the Major." Pushing his food around his plate, he continued, "I've followed his career since I was a kid."

I snorted at the 'kid' comment, Samgir was still very young in my eyes, but managed to keep the stern face and let him finish his explanation.

"Looked up to him, I wanted to be just like him. You, know save the Republic!" That wasn't hard to believe. For a number of years, the Republic media made Zane seem almost larger than life. A lot of young boys had looked up to him. "I couldn't believe my luck, when Admiral Aygo gave me the mission, a chance to work with Zane Starwarrior! I tried to take lead, get in the thick of battle and show him what I could do but he kept holding me back, and giving me advice, like I didn't know anything!"

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, feeling my anger start to simmer again. This punk kid almost got Zane killed. I swallowed hard on the pain welling up in my chest at the thought of my partner's death. He almost caused me to lose Zane again…to be alone again. Unfortunately, Samgir kept right on talking.

"And then he tries to steal the kill on the final boss and gets himself hurt!" Samgir said and I saw red. "I'd always heard about what a excellent soldier the Major was. What crap!" Unfortunately, he didn't notice my rage and kept right on talking. "Everyone is trying to blame me for the Major's injury, it's not my fault the old man didn't get out of the way!" he condemned himself.

"Then we get back to the ship and I realize he's with you anyway! What a waste!"

Before the idiot kid uttered the final word my control snapped and I dove over the table at him and knocking us to the floor. Using our momentum against him, we rolled and I ended up on top of the younger man. Pulling back my fist, I punched Samgir on the face. A second blow quickly followed the first and a third caused his nose to start bleeding.

The sight of his blood seemed to spur Samgir into action. He blocked my next punch, twisted, and dislodged me from atop him. Rolling away, Samgir put some distance between us and we got to our feet.

The onlookers had all formed a loose circle around us, some cheering, a few whispering and others exchanging bets.

"What was that for?" He growled, touching his bloody nose.

Gritting my teeth, I answered, "Do you want to rethink what you said about Za..the Commander or do I need to make you rethink what you said!" My hands were balled up in fists at my sides.

Snorting in disdain at my comment, "I was trying to insult you but if I took down the old man a peg or two that works too." Wiping the blood on his pants, he raised his fists and said, "If you think you got what it takes, bring it!"

Charging Samgir, the fight was on. We exchanged body blows and head shots. I may have drawn first blood, but the younger man soon bloodied my lower and another blackened my left eye. I managed a couple of heavy hits to his ribs, which had to bruise a few at the very least.

Just as I grabbed the soldier's collar, preparing to knee him in the face I heard a shout and footsteps.

"Sam! What the frack!"

Just as my knee connected, I felt hands grab me, yanking me away from Samgir and whipping me around. As I was turning, I thought I saw a human female with blue hair run out of the room. I hoped she was going for help.

Coming around, I swung on the person holding my other arm, landing a blow to his face. I kept moving, trying to move away from my attackers. I ducked and dodged the first few blows, until a large, dark haired human drove his fist into my midsection, driving the air from lungs. I never saw the next hit coming. Someone came up behind me and brought a metal chair down on my back, driving me to my knees. Before I could recover, I felt hands grab both of my arms and yank them behind my back. I struggled and tried to get away but it was useless.

"Hit him!"

Samgir was in front of me, a grin on his face as he pulled back his fist and punched me in the gut. He hit me a second and a third time, his goons holding me up when my legs went out from under me, keeping me from crumpling to the ground.

"Who's the tough guy now?" Samgir asked.

Lifting my head, I looked the soldier in the eyes and responded, "Not you," and spitting a glob of blood and spit at his feet.

"Mother fucker!" shouted the other man, readying to hit me again, like the coward he was.

"Theron!" Koth shouted, pushing his way through the crowd, his crew and Tora on his heels. Shoving Samgir, he said, "Let him go!"

"This isn't your business Vortena."

"You made it my fight when you ganged up on my friend, three against one."

"Your funeral," Samgir growled. "Get them!"

Not wasting his advantage, Koth charged Samgir, wrapped his arms around his torso and drove him into a nearby table, breaking two legs and up ending it. This cued both side, and the fight turned into an all-out brawl.

Releasing their grip on me, the pair of goons restraining me went to their leader's aid. My legs buckled out from under me, and I went to my knees and tried to catch my breath. After a minute, I struggled to my feet, holding my ribs, surveying the chaos around me. Both sides were fighting around me; neither side seemed to have an advantage. Tables were upended, chairs turned over and numerous pieces broken. Bottles and food littered the floor.

Just as I found Koth and Samgir and started toward them, I heard a voice in an Imperial accent, "That is enough!"

Without warning, an incredibly strong force wave rolled across the room, knocking combatants apart and powerfully throwing people around the room. I was catapulted back and off my feet, flying uncontrollably through the air. I cried out in pain, when I a metal chair with a broken leg brought my body to an abrupt stop.

Pain ripped through my torso as the metal chair leg tore through the muscles of my back. It went into my lower left side and came out just under my belly button. Shocked, I looked down at the table leg poking out of my torn shirt. "Frack," I groaned, breathless.

Blood seeped from the horrific wound. Reaching up with a trembling hand, I moaned in pain, as I tried to press my palm against it and stem the flow of blood. My shirt was quickly soaked and the blood continued to ooze from between my fingers. The pressure did nothing to slow the loss. I was terrified I'd bleed out here on the floor before anyone noticed what happened to me.

Unable to draw a breath and desperate to free myself before I died down here, I tried to move away from the chair. Agony overwhelmed the fiber of my very being, I felt like I was being torn apart. Darkness was crowding out my vision. I quit moving and let my body hang on the chair leg, as the searing pain wracked my body.

After a few moments, I started to feel very cold and the pain receded slightly. Opening my eyes, I looked for someone, anyone to help me. Catching sight of a familiar pair of brown boots and pants, it was all I could do to whisper, "Koth."

"Theron?" he said, looking around.

Summoning my strength, I said softly, "Here."

Glancing around him, Koth searched for me, shouting "Gods! Theron!" when he found me.

He dropped to his knees next to me, in a pool of my blood. Reaching out a hand, Koth pressed his hand against mine, attempting to apply more pressure to the profusely bleeding wound. "What happened?" he asked.

"Thrown," I choked out, unable to catch my breath. The chair leg was putting pressure on my lungs and I couldn't breathe. Taking gasping little breaths, I panted out, "Thrown….back…landed…chair."

"Theron!" a voice said sharply. Without moving my head, I looked up and saw Lana standing in front of me, a shocked look of horror on her face.

I was slipping into shock, as the blood loss took its toll on my failing body. I was quickly losing the battle, my hold on this life slipping away. My vision was starting to darken at the edges and I realized I only had a few moments of consciousness left.

"Koth," I said, breathily.

"Just hold on Theron," he said, panic clear on his face, both hands pressed against the injury. "Someone get help now!"

Gathering my flagging energy I said again, "Koth."

"What is it Theron?' leaning closer to me.

"Tell Zane," I started but had to stop, unable to breath.

"You can tell him yourself later," Koth said, urgently, "Just hold on."

"Tell him," I said again, licking my dry lips. "I love him."

Finally losing the battle against the darkness, I quit fighting it and released my hold on consciousness slipping into the abyss.

"Theron! Theron," a voice shouted, as I drifted, "Gods! Hold on Theron! Don't to this!" but it was already too late….

TBC

*Runs and hides from irate readers*

I know…another cliffie! I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. I hope you enjoyed it! As always, reblogs, reviews and comments are greatly appreciated.