Of Clichés and Tropes

Chapter 5- Epilogue

Sakura heard something, drawing her out of sleep. She opened her eyes.

She heard Jaal moaning in his sleep. "No...no...no..."

She sat up and ran to his bed. Lexi heard as well for she was up and there too.

Sakura shook Jaal by the shoulders. "Jaal! Wake up!"

Jaal awoke with a startle, his eyes darting around, and tried to sit up.

Sakura and Lexi gently laid him back down.

The Pathfinder had a look of concern on her face. "Are you okay? You appeared to be struggling against something...saying no' over and over."

Jaal was still shaking. "Stars…a horrible nightmare, about that that thing." His voice was shaky. "It had killed everyone on the ship. And it was coming for me...there was no escape..."

Sakura took his hand into hers, cupping his cheek with her other hand and rubbing it gently with her thumb. "You're okay, you're with us. And we're light years from that planet."

Lexi nodded once. "We'll be arriving at Jaadeen, Havarl soon."

Jaal sighed. "Thank you darling one, for looking after me."

Sakura smiled. "Anything for you, my love."

Heading to and landing at the Savi Tovaan medical center's landing pad went without incident.

Liam was heard outside in the hallway. "In here." He walked into the med-bay and stepped aside of the doorway.

Sahuna walked into the room.

She was followed by another female Angara who went to Lexi. "Doctor Lexi, good to see you."

Lexi turned her attention to the Angara. "Doctor Mashraal Tovaan, glad you're here." She told the Angara about what happened and what needed tending to.

Sahuna had walked to Jaal's side. "Jaal, how are you feeling?"

Jaal opened his eyes, he had been resting them. "Mother." He sat up slowly. "I will be better, once they get the stuff in my body out."

She hugged him tightly, tears escaped her eyes. "I am glad you're safe and here." She released her embrace and turned to the Pathfinder. "Is everything okay?"

Sakura sighed. "They will be." She thought of the planet and what could happen if someone were to send a team there. "Though that planet...I wouldn't ever send anyone there...there's horrors there that I can't..."

Liam continued for the Pathfinder. "I would recommend no one heads to that planet, ask Kallo for the coordinates. The reason is because..." A shiver in his voice. "...there's some kind of...demon or something there. It took punishment enough to take down a squad of Krogan, and yet kept going. I believe the only way to kill it is with orbital bombardment, but even with that wouldn't be so sure, even with the Jardaan's ships." He paused. "And what's worse, the Pathfinder told me that thing was on a rampage, had racked up a sizable body count."

Sahuna spoke. "Stars...I'll forward that warning and the coordinates, so no one has to go through facing something...that monstrous."

Liam nodded once. "Good idea. That place might as well be Planet Weird orbiting the Strange Star in the Strange System."

Savi Tovaan medical center room 117

Sakura Ryder awoke on the cot to the morning sunlight pouring through the window.

The Savi Tovaan Medical Center, was founded about one hundred years ago by the first settlers of Jaadeen. The interior had a similar design to Aya's structural designs- white and light blue.

Sakura sat up on the cot, and turned to stand up on the floor. She looked at the medical bed near her.

Jaal was sleeping soundly. He was given the antidotes the day before. He was now in a white shirt and matching pants, the medical center's clothes that patients wear.

On the other side, on another cot, Sahuna Ama Darav slept.

The Pathfinder walked to the window and looked out it into the courtyard, named 'Darri's Courtyard' in honor of Darri Tovaan. He lived up until fifty years ago, when he lost his life treating the injured up until the Kett had pushed through a daar's defenses on another Angaran world. She didn't know which one, but since she didn't hear about it, it might have been completely taken over by the Kett.

The courtyard was paved in stone, and there was a central fountain, with trees and plants along the edges. Benches also were around the courtyard. A place for patients to relax, and to get sun.

With it being early, there were very few people in the courtyard.

Sakura heard Jaal. "Good morning, darling one."

The pathfinder turned to face Jaal. She walked to his bed. "Good morning. How are you feeling?"

Jaal smiled. "Feeling a lot better."

Sakura did likewise. "Glad to hear." She sighed, tears in her eyes. "You worry me sometimes. Getting shot at by Akksul, the Battle of Meridian. And now this..."

Jaal sat up, and stood up on his feet to hug the Pathfinder tightly

Sakura hugged the Angara tightly.

Jaal's tone was soft and quiet. "I am so sorry...darling one. I am still here."

Sakura looked to his blue eyes and gently cupped his cheek. "I love you."

Jaal sighed. "I love you too."

She kissed him tenderly on his lips.

A/N- Hope it was an enjoyable read!

Wanted to post this on a Friday the 13th .

A bit of trivia- this fic had been in my documents folder for some time, a year or two, give or take. Originally it was going to be one chapter, but grew too long. But I decided I was going to do it this time! And added more stuff as well.