Water laps at her entire body, submerge under its depths. Toes and fingers poke out beneath the surface of the lake, miniscule waves echoing outward from their motions. A sigh escapes pruned lips, eyes opening to the hot sun that lies overhead. Daniels at last had her cabin by the lake. It may have taken months to build but it was well worth the wait. Having Walter's aid only expedited the process, deepening her bond with the synthetic. Was it evolving into something more? Not entirely sure, she decides to take it day by day, unsure of what it will result in. Didn't matter. Tennessee was finally acting like himself, his laughs coupled with giggles of a woman she hears. They were faint however, murky water encapsulating ears in a muted world.

Probably getting laid helps, she laughs inwardly, smile stretching at the thought.

Lifting up her chin, she takes a peek at Walter who sits on the rocky shore, intensely engaged in conversation, the brunette curly hair girl laughing at what he says. The ginger kitten appears content in her lap, fur rising in little tuffs as he purrs, tail swishing back and forth. Origae-6 was the paradise they were destined for, not the hell they encountered in their voyage.

This feels too good to be true…what's wrong with this picture? Whole body tensing, she decides to swim to shore, arms languid as she strokes her way forward.

Why can't I go faster, what's wrong with my body? The worry festers like a wound, quickening as she reaches them.

Feet touch the slimy depths of the lake, propelling herself as fast as humanly possible. Gasps wrecking her lungs, she kneels on the sand as water laps at her. Walter comes over, worried. He crouches right next to her, checking her pulse. His hand is warm against her neck, a comforting contrast to her cold soaked body. Words come out, she can't hear them. The girl joins the two, worried as well. She speaks, not hearing her either. A sinking feeling accompanies her, heart dropping to the pit of her stomach. Head hitting the sand in a dull thud, Walter and the girl try to resuscitate her. It's too late. Droplets of liquid explode as the creature reaches for her from the water's depths, screeching. He desperately grabs one hand, girl grasping the other. They pull hard, strain evident, veins popping out from the effort.

Nails peel back flesh, tiny rivers of blood pooling on the lake's surface. Her anchors to the world above disappear, liquid filling lungs. Air is lost, the creature shoving its hand through her, into her, taking her heart. She sees the organ implode in its fist, ever present smile taunting. David stands by his creation, stroking it affectionally. He speaks too but she can't understand what he says. Consciousness fades rapidly, eyes rolling to the surface. Jacob stand there aflame, melting. Flesh sloshes as it hits water, sinking slowly towards her, veiling Daniels in viscera. His voice comes to her crystal clear as if he was right next to her.

"Shit's really hit the fan. I'm so sorry. Listen, because I don't have much time. David is not the only threat to the Covenant. There's something alien here, deadly. They're gonna start hunting you guys down."

Jacob's exposed Adam's apple bobs, the pink bulbous protrusion shining brightly as he does so. Eyeballs sink out of his sockets, bobbing like a fishing hook. She finds herself laughing, pain intensifying.

This whole situation is so fucking fucked up.

"Walter is on his way-

"You're a liar!", she screeches, arms feebly reaching for him. And he's dead, David killed him!

He shakes his head, a sad smile taking hold.

"That's where you're wrong. They're helping him"

"Who, who's helping him!?"

"Eliz-

Cut off, a loud voice overshadows her deceased husband's.

"Wake up, come on darlin, wake up!"

Tee?

Reality takes hold, eyes shooting open at her friend's voice. A tent hangs above, humid air drifting through open flaps. The pilot sits in a chair next to her cot, nearly crying, tears ready to come out. He breathes a sigh of relief, taking his head into trembling hands. In all the years she's known him, she's never seen him this vulnerable. Fingers part to look at her, voice quivering.

"Jesus, you scared me shitless. Thought you were having a seizure." Feet rock him back and forth, a nervous tick of his.

"Where…where am I?"

The taste of copper is strong, tongue coated in blood. Eyes are crusty, having trouble focusing on her surroundings.

"Med-tent. Walter found you in the colonist's cryo chamber. Why were you there, you said you had to use the ladies room?"

Not sure how to respond, she tilts away from him, gulping.

"I can't…I can't say.

"What the fuck does that mean!?"

Anger flares, squeezing tightly at the bedsheets. All alone, he can't help her. Not unless she wants to risk his life.

No way, not letting that bastard take my only friend.

"Damnit Dani, answer me! What's going on, you look at Walter like he's a monster. You've been acting weird lately!" He's silent, waiting for her response. The silence continues.

"Find, you don't have to tell me right now. I will get my answers, I'll make sure of that."

"Wait Tee-

Standing, he walks stiffly away from her, more hot air blowing in as he leaves. Suffocation consumes, breaths shallow. The machine monitoring her heart beat spikes to 160, the insistent beeps furthering feelings of panic. Broken wrist, concussion, it was too overwhelming. Nausea hits like a punch to the stomach, turning on her side to retch the meager contents her stomach had to offer. The bile is sour, coating her moth in a thin film of muck. Daniels groans, head flopping on the side of the cot. Her neck strains as her head threatens to hit ground.

This sucks, this fucking sucks. Dead husband haunting me, telling me everything is going to shit. And Walter…

Walter with his soft smile, sympathetic gaze, security. God, how she longed for his company. Everything would work out if he were here. But he wasn't. Hell awaited the remaining souls of the Covenant, only she could save them, however slim those margins may be.

Have to make this work. Know there's a synthetic specialist recorded in the ship's database, maybe I could talk to them?

Rolling her head back onto the pillow, she brainstorms for any possible way to disable David. The insistent sounds of an animal however keeps her from musing. Poking out from beneath her cot, she recognizes the kitten, the very same one she saw before in the cryo-chamber. It looks at her inquisitively, vivid jade green eyes studying the human. Paws the ground, circling several times around before sitting down. Daniels feels her body slightly relax, reaching for the pet. Fur feels soft against the rough callouses on her palm, the animal purring in delight. Touching the tag that hangs from the kitten's neck, she finds his name there printed in bold letters. A strained smile pushes dread aside briefly as she showers him in affection, rubbing soft pointed ears.

"You're pretty damn cute. Jonesy is a good name for you."

He hasn't smoked pot in years. It hits him in a rush, mind fogged to the brim. Leaves his mouth slowly, drawn out longer than necessary. This was a need, not a want on Tennessee's part. Alcohol was his go to, but on special occasions, weed hit just the right spot. Daniels being in a coma for nearly a week justifies his actions he thinks. The joint burns brightly in his hazed view, a smoldering amber that glows brightly, dissipating just as quickly. Eyes were bloodshot, lids swollen red. He closes them, his friend's look of terror haunting him. She feared Walter, that much he noticed. Why though? Another drag takes him further into his thoughts, replaying anything unordinary that occurred the past two weeks. The synthetic did pay daily visits to her each night, a pattern he noticed since waking from hypersleep. Said she needed medication daily for the heart arrhythmia she developed during her time in stasis. Plausible enough, but he had a similar medical condition and didn't receive nearly the same amount of attentiveness she was getting.

Pretty weird if you ask me. Always known he was close to her, especially after Jacob's death. This…this feels different, I dunno.

Walter still acted as he normally did. There was a new odd look to him as of late, appearing cleaner, sharper than he used to. Vanity? He was a synthetic for fuck's sake, a newer make that didn't hold the same principals as the obsolete David 8's. His hair was a different color now, blonde. Grown out, combed to one side, exactly like the old models. Pausing, he tries to steady himself, the odd comparison unnerving the pilot. His hand brings the joint shakily to dry cracked lips, the medicinal herb nearly gone. Reaches for another in his pocket, Maggie's lighter is brought out to commemorate his drug addled ponderings. Quickly, a hand snatches the joint from his lips, brought instead to the mouth of the smartass teen girl who grins as she puffs on his weed.

"God damnit kid, did you have to do that!?"

She laughs, coughing.

"Yeah, I mean you looked so lonely over here, I figured you could use some company."

Blood pressure rising, he tries to snatch back what is his, she's too fast for him however, dancing out of his range.

"I'm not in the mood for your bullshit right now. And before you ask, the captain is still out of commission. You gotta wait a bit longer before you get your answers about what happened to your parents."

At hearing his words, she falls silent, a crestfallen look taking over. Tennessee wavers a bit, not wanting to hurt her. He was hurting enough as is, no need to bring her down too.

"Aw, shit. Look, she woke up not that long ago. Give her another day or two, she'll be able to help you then."

She looks at him, skepticism taking hold. Puffs on the joint some more, handing it back to him reluctantly.

"Wasn't gonna ask you about my parents. I'm looking for my cat, Jonesy. Have you seen him?"

"No, I haven't seen you cat kid. Sure he's around, keep looking."

Annoyance laces her features, jogging off in search of her pet.

"Thanks a lot old man, you're a real help."

"The name is Tennessee you little shit!"

She retorts with a smirk, giving him a one finger salute.

"Name's Ellen, remember that! Not kid or little shit!"

Oh, I'll remember you all right. You're on my shit list now kid.

Author's note: Sorry for the late update, I've been lazy, that's all. lol