Hi everyone! I know I've taken longer to post. Was a bit depressed this past week and just lost my motivation. but I'm back and I hope you like this chapter!

Thank you all for the kind worded reviews, favorites and follows!

Kelly chewed on her lower lip as she looked out the window of one of the private rooms of the infirmary. Ed rested behind her.

His temperature was still a little high, but his heart rate and all other vitals seemed stable.

Talla and Gordon entered the room.

"How is he?" Gordon asked. His usual humorous demeanor was no where to be found, and this troubled Kelly just as much as the situation did. Because it meant that this was all very much real.

"Stable," she replied, turning to them. Talla approached her, cautiously. "The Doctor has some news about the tests that came back, she's waiting on one more," The head of security informed her.

"Yes? And?"

"The creature is called a Capurth. The dart that comes out of it is a defense mechanism. They are mainly herbivores, so they wouldn't eat us, and actually, don't even have teeth that could really do much damage... however they have a month mating season, and tend to create nests for the eggs in one main area, for protection. Each egg gets a spot, and the fathers usually protect them when the mother is gather food..."

"We must have stumbled close enough to the nesting ground," Kelly realized.

Talla nodded. "The stinger that shot out would bring the threat down and they would all attack at once. If the victim escapes, the venom apparently creates a sort of ongoing strong virus..."

"How long?"

"About a week," Claire answered, entering the room... "provided the victim's immune system is strong enough to keep fighting, and have the proper care. Make sure the body has fluids, temperature doesn't get too high for too long, monitor the heart rate..."

"Is there any antidote? Cure? Medicine to help, anything?" Kelly searched Claire's face.

Claire dropped her gaze to the floor. "There are studies that showed the creatures saliva is used to create a dose that could help the body fight the venom. Apparently it's what helps the creature balance out it's own system."

Kelly took in the information. "And no one would happen to have a vile of the saliva they could send over?"

Claire's blank face told her all she needed to know.

Kelly side and looked at Ed, who seemed peaceful, before turning away again.

"Kelly," Claire said carefully. "I know this is a tough decision..."

Kelly looked out into the stars, as if searching for her answer.

"My choices are either let him fight it out and hope that he is strong enough, or we risk at least two more of our crew to take go back, and attack a creature who is just trying to guard it's young..." she turned back to Claire. "How do we even get the saliva without killing any more of them? We get close enough and it's going to shoot at us."

"They only produce one stinger at a time, it has to take time to replace itself."

"So once shot, it's almost helpless?"

Claire nodded.

Kelly shrugged and raised her eyebrows at the thought.

"That's something at least...maybe by wearing a suit?" Gordon asked. "I'll pilot down..."

"I'm not fully sure the stinger wouldn't get through. And you need to be ready to fly back up. " Claire suddenly had a thought. "Isaac wouldn't be effected by them..."

"We can't send him alone out onto the planet though, if he were to be overwhelmed," Kelly said. "I'll have to go with him."

"You can't go," Talla protested. "If something DOES happen, you'll be needed here."

Kelly started to protest, but Gordon placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's best," he confirmed.

"Don't go."

They turned at the voice.

Ed was awake in the bed. He shifted to sit up.

"We have to try," Kelly countered.

"I could fight it on my own," Ed assured her.

"You declare your dying every time you have the sniffles," Kelly rolled her eyes at him. She then repeated, "we have to try."

Ed took a moment to think, then swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"Then I'll go."

"Are you crazy?" Kelly asked him, approaching him.

"I think you know that answer," he said with a reassuring smirk.

Claire came around to his other side. "Captain, this isn't a smart idea."

"But sometimes those are my best ones," he defended. "Look, I'm feeling ok now..."

"Because we are regulating your system, and, for now, the virus appears to be dormant. But, believe me, Captain. That will change and it will start up again, just as bad, if not worse, than before."

"So we have a small window," Ed confirmed. "I already have the virus. Another stinger can't double it, correct?"

Claire looked from him to the others. "No, technically it could not."

"Why risk someone else then? If it's me and Isaac, then there are two of us to stun a creature, collect its saliva and get back. He can't be shot, and I already have been. I'll wear a suit, but if a needle gets through, it won't matter..." Ed looked at each of them.

"Dammit," Gordon relented. "It makes sense."

"It does," Kelly agreed, her lips lining.

"It's settled then." Ed nodded.

"We didn't say that," Kelly started.

"I'm still Captain," he pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

Kelly glanced at Claire.

"We'll have to prepare immediately," Claire told her. "Before the virus starts up again."

There wasn't time to truly weigh the situation.

"Gordon, ready a pod. I'll call Isaac." Kelly said.

Everyone started to move out of the room. Kelly turned back to Ed. "Are you sure about this?"

Ed gave her a half smile. "No, but I'm never sure about nearly anything. I still

manage though."

Kelly huffed.

"That's comforting."

*O*

Isaac and Gordon were readying the pod, as Kelly checked their supplies.

Claire gave Ed some last minute medicine.

"This should help, but you'll only have so much time before the virus will start to kick back up. Especially without the fluids helping to regulate your temperature and flushing your system."

Ed nodded and slugged back the medicine and made a face. "That tastes awful."

"They say it's 'cherry' flavored."

"They lied."

Kelly started off and back into the bay, but stopped, turning to Gordon.

"Bring him back," she said to him.

Gordon studies her for a moment, debating whether or not to crack a joke, but he couldn't think fast enough, and he just nodded.

Kelly walked onto the ramp, as Ed was walking up. She stopped and looked at him.

"The suit is set up," she informed him, formally.

"Everything will be alright," he assured her.

She looked at him and sighed. "It better be. Be safe."

With that she stepped out and beside Claire, as the ramp closed up and the pod lifted and left into space.

Both woman stood in silence just watching, nervous to voice any confidence of the mission ahead.

Thanks again for reading! I will really try to keep the time between chapters shorter!

let me know what you think!