Chapter 6: Aftermath

Aly supposed her luck would run out some time. But not in this way. She had found herself back on Earth after the teleportation stream released her, and she had returned to the Ace immediately, immensely relieved and eager to report what she had found out —

— only to be notified that the team had just, had only just infiltrated Metigor's ship to look for her, and she had to maintain radio silence while waiting for them to come back. Then, out of nowhere, a new ship – a small fighter jet – had entered the system, and started firing at Metigor's ship.

And it was ignoring her.

"I repeat, there are Rangers on board, cease fire." Aly repeated into the broadcast to the fighter jet. It showed no sign of slowing down.

"Damn it! Who the hell is this?"

"The fighter is not affiliated to any official database." VIKI replied, "Origins unknown."

It was firing on Metigor, so they should be on the same side. But why wouldn't it listen to her and try to avoid killing Rangers by mistake?

There was a muted chime. "VIKI, we're out." Shawn's voice reported, "Come get us."

She sighed in relief as VIKI changed the ship's course to pick the team up. She stared at the fighter's location on the map, and decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.

"Attention," she broadcasted to the fighter jet, "we have Rangers exiting the ship from the loading bay area. Please avoid firing the area and provide cover if you can."

And just in time – Metigor's ship finally started firing back. Aly scrambled increase the ship's shield strength to maximum, and noted with curiosity that the fighter was indeed providing cover for the retreating team.

"The Rangers have reached the hanger bay." VIKI announced minutes later, and Aly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Aly, are you on the bridge?" Xadrin asked through the comm urgently.

"Yes, I'm sorry — "

"Tell the fighter to cease fire and follow us."

"Trust me, I tried —"

"Tell him we have survivors of Santor on board and he better not kill any of them!" Xadrin snapped, and cut off the line.

Santor, the slain city. Jen, from Eltare. Things were starting to click. Aly repeated Xadrin's instruction – in slightly more polite terms – and turned the Ace around.

Abruptly, the fighter complied, and followed them in their retreat.

As they did, Aly felt glad that her luck was still with her. Metigor did not pursue. They did it.

"Incoming transmission from the fighter." VIKI announced suddenly.

"This is Kyril from Eltare." A male voice came through the line, "Permission to board."

Eltare? Aly thought, and before she could react, VIKI informed her that Xadrin had granted the permission. Perhaps they know each other.

"VIKI, where are the others now?"

"They are at the medical bay. All three of them have sustained injuries."

Aly felt her heart sank. This was all because of her. Her stupid idea to not inform them about her little investigation. As she stood to make her way to the med bay, she shivered again. She still felt cold and exhausted to the bone, even though the environmental settings here on the Ace were better than Metigor's ship. But it did not matter. She needed to check on the teammates she nearly got killed. She needed to make up for it somehow.

Xadrin was fumbling with the new exoskeleton-like leg support that VIKI issued to her when an armored hand came into view.

"Let me help," Aly said, crouching down and taking over the straps. She looked pale and tired, but at least she was moving about.

Xadrin sighed in relief, but pointed out, "What are you wearing?"

"Yeah, that looks really weird." Shawn commented from the next bed, where he was tending to Cody's shoulder burn.

Aly looked down at the silver armor she was wearing, and sighed, tying up the final straps. "Long story. I-"

"Xadrin." Kyril strode into the room. His brown hair was shaggier than she remembered, though his straight nose and green eyes were a startling reminder of the girl she had left behind on Metigor's ship.

He covered the grounds in a few big strides, and was in front of her in seconds, pushing aside Aly, who had just gotten up to look at the newcomer.

He grabbed Xadrin by the shoulders, his green eyes wild, "What do you mean there are survivors of Santor?"

Xadrin remembered her cousin, and her prone form on the corridors of the ship. She felt tears building up. "Jen is alive. I met her on the ship-"

The grip on her shoulders tightened. "Where is she now?"

Xadrin took a moment to admit it. "She is under Metigor's control. She's still on the ship —"

"You left her… on that ship?" Kyril repeated slowly, his voice dangerously quiet.

"You know there is no cure —" Kyril shoved her hard, and Xadrin slammed backwards onto the bed. She blinked at the ceiling for a moment as something rustled at the other end. Wiping away her tears hastily, she scrambled back up.

Aly and Shawn had put themselves in between her and Kyril. Cody, sitting on the next bed, had used his good hand to restrain Kyril from the shoulder.

Kyril stood numbly, his eyes wet. "Xander kept trying to convince me that she was dead. It took a long time for me to… and now you're saying that she's been alive this whole time?"

"I didn't know, Ky." Xadrin's heart went out to him. They had grown up together, trained together. If it weren't for the Santor massacre, he would have been her teammate back on Eltare. And Kyril's parents would still be on speaking terms with her own parents, and they would have their monthly gatherings, and Jen would be pestering her for free rides to nearby planets. That was how things were supposed to turn out.

"Are you Jen's brother?" Aly suddenly asked. "I spoke to her."

Kyril's attention snapped to Aly, and he grabbed her roughly by the shoulders. "What did she say?"

"She…" Suddenly Aly swayed a little, her hand holding her left side. Kyril let go in surprise, and Aly fell forward.

"Aly!" Shawn caught her as Xadrin hopped off the bed. Her leg throbbed in protest, but Aly's unfocused eyes and pained expression worried her more.

"Just… dizzy." Aly muttered.

Without a word, Kyril pushed off Shawn's hands, and picked Aly up, carrying her to the examination table at the other end of the med bay. Xadrin and Shawn followed.

By the time she limped over, Kyril had already run the med scanner over her, and was frowning at the readings. "Help me take off that armor."

He moved to hold her up by the shoulders, and Shawn went to the other side to unclasp the armor from the back. When it was done, Xadrin helped remove the armor from the front, feeling her hand slip in something wet as she did. She took a look at her hand just as Shawn gasped. Her eyes widened.

It was blood. As they threw the armor aside, Xadrin saw with a chill that Aly's t-shirt was soaked through, most of it with what seemed like sweat, and almost half of it with the unmistakable stain of blood. The source of it was a wound by her side, where it was still bleeding through what seemed like a very rough field bandage. Aly started shivering.

"Damn it, why didn't you say something?" Shawn chided as the three of them got to work. He passed the tray VIKI just prepared over to the bed, and Kyril started cutting through her stained shirt and the useless bandage.

Aly was still shaking in cold. "Wanted to make sure… you guys are okay." She stuttered amid her shakes, her hand grabbing Xadrin's and her eyes struggling to focus on hers. "It's… it's all my fault."

Xadrin gave her hand a firm squeeze. "Shhh. It's not your fault, all right?" She went to brush a few strands of hair from Aly's face, and realized with a start that she was burning up.

"Ky, give me the scanner."

As she read it, her eyes widened. Why didn't she think of this before? Metigor must have used his venom on all the people he kidnapped. They should have checked for this the minute Aly came back. It was so obvious, how could she have missed this? Rangers were thankfully immune to Metigor's mind-control, but that did not mean that the poison did not affect them.

And then there was the dehydration and the dangerously low blood sugar. "Aly, when did you last eat?" She asked as she took the anti-serum and prepared to inject Aly with it.

"Di-dinner." She muttered, her eyes closed. For a moment, Xadrin thought they lost her, but realized it wasn't the case when she grimaced at the injection.

"Just now?" Shawn asked from where he was cleaning the blood off her body while Kyril stitched her wound.

"Last… night."

Xadrin cursed under her breath. Her body was already working overtime to fight off the poison; it needed even more energy than usual. She glanced over at the tray, and realized what the cup of thick looking liquid VIKI prescribed must be for.

Together with Shawn, they painstakingly tried to feed Aly the liquid while she drifted in and out of consciousness. It felt like a long time before she finished it, and she had to shoo the guys out while she pulled a fresh set of clothes over Aly and tucked her into the bed opposite Cody's.

When she was finally done, she slumped down on the bed next to Cody, too exhausted to think.

Kyril appeared in front of her. She looked up at him tiredly.

His face was unreadable, as if there was some internal struggle raging within. "Get some rest," he finally said, and turned to Cody and Shawn, who looked as tired as she was. "All of you. I will stay and stand on watch – if you let me."

Cody and Shawn both turned to her, as she was the only one who really knew him. She nodded. He was still family.

Kyril gave her a curt nod, and stalked off.

Rakan dropped into a chair the moment he entered the command room. Xander and the rest followed suit as they entered. It was probably early morning now. It had been a long day.

"We might have to think about taking shifts." Brecian muttered as he massaged the bridge of his nose. "The attacks have been getting more frequent, and at weird timings."

"And at unexpected locations." Nirra commented, leaning back in her chair. "They've been getting too close without warning. What the hell is Defense doing?"

Xander sighed. He had been wondering the same thing. It seemed like he had to pay a visit to the Council tomorrow.

"They are probably –"

"Incoming transmission from the Ace."

They paused, looking at each other in surprise. Xadrin's plan would not take place until the next day. Why would she contact them now?

"Play it."

They shifted in their seats as the big screen at the end of the room blinked to life. Xadrin's face appeared on it seconds later. Someone gasped.

Xadrin blinked at them in surprise. "Xander! Guys – what are you all doing at the base? Isn't it very late?" But the corners of her mouth were quirking into a smile at the sight of the team. It had been a while.

"Xaddie," Meryl said tensely, "Tell us all that blood is not yours."

Xadrin looked down at herself, as if noticing the blood stains on her uniform for the first time. Xander grimaced, wondering if she knew that there were streaks of blood on her face and forehead as well. She looked haggard, and her eyes were bloodshot.

She was quiet for a moment before she replied, "I wish it was."

"We don't." Rakan said quickly.

"And you look horrible." Brecian added.

She managed to grin a little. "Well, it's always nice to get compliments." She paused. "I miss you."

Xander felt a movement to his right, and he reached out to give Meryl's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Same here." Nirra said with a smile. "Are you all right? Why did you call us at the base when you don't think we'd be around?"

Xadrin's face was serious again. "I'm fine. My team –" she swallowed, "my team is not. Blasted, I almost got everybody killed!" she blurted, running a hand through her hair in frustration, avoiding their eyes.

Xander felt his heart went out to her. "Xaddie, I'm sure you did what you think was right. Now, tell us one thing at a time."

Xadrin took a deep breath, and faced them again. "No, that's not important. I'll ask VIKI to send over the logs to you later for the full story. I have important news."

Xander exchanged a glance with Brecian.

"There are survivors from Santor." She said to collective gasps in the room. Then she smiled bitterly, "Jen is alive."

Xander felt his heart skip. Jen, bubbly young Jen who would trail the team around the training grounds, begging for free rides to visit nearby planets. She must be what, sixteen years old now?

"We sent Ky to help," Brecian said after a moment of shocked silence.

Xadrin nodded sadly. "He did. But I don't know if he'll ever forgive me," she looked down, resting her head on her hand tiredly. "I left Jen on Metigor's ship."

"You what?"

"She's been poisoned." Xadrin muttered, and Xander's heart sank at what that meant. "And that's another piece of news—" she straightened up, "Metigor managed to upgrade the poison somehow. It made the victims super strong. Jen almost broke my leg with one kick."

Rakan cursed. "You said you were fine!"

"It's just a fracture."

"Just a fracture-"

"One of my teammates almost bled out before we knew," Xadrin snapped, "and now her whole body's burning up because of Metigor's poison. Another was hit by Metigor's grade-nine when he saved me. So yes, in comparison, I am doing very well."

In the stunned silence that followed, Xander noted Xadrin's too-bright eyes, and knew that she was not angry with anyone but herself.

"Sweetie, it's not your fault." Meryl said gently. "You couldn't have seen what was coming."

"Then it must be my blasted incompetence," She muttered, and Xander widened his eyes in shock. He did not remember her ever using such words on herself. "I was wrong right from the beginning, before I left Eltare.

"Metigor had never stolen the ship to begin with," she said, meeting his eyes, "It had always been his. The ship was a full-fledged battleship, with advanced weaponry and even teleportation cloaking."

"But we ran the checks as well," Brecian was frowning, "It has all the paperwork and track record."

Xadrin nodded grimly. "Exactly. That's the bad news – he must have planned this for a long time. And his ship may not be the only one. If he managed to hide his battleship so near to our base, then you can bet that there are others around, either at our base or other planet's. You need to investigate, and warn the others."

Xander caught Nirra's eyes, and knew that she must also be thinking about her comment earlier regarding the unexpected attacks.

"And the captain — " Xadrin grimaced as she recalled the captain whom she thought she owed an apology to for losing his ship, "he's too suspicious now. You need to find him, he could be a spy."

Xander nodded. "We will."

"One more thing," Xadrin added, her eyes looking at something else as she tried to remember something, "I'll ask VIKI to send you the ship logs from the day I left Eltare. Shawn said that there are at least a few hundred prisoners on board Metigor's ship."

Meryl gaped, "Hundreds?"

Xadrin nodded, meeting their eyes once more. "Most of them should be survivors of Santor like Jen. Metigor had made several stops in different galaxies before he settled on Earth. I didn't understand what he was doing, but now I think he might be picking up the prisoners from where he hid them all these years."

"And you think there could be more of them there." Brecian said.

Xadrin nodded, "Aly spent a whole day sneaking around his ship. I expect we'll know more when she wakes up." She looked down, and Xander realized that this must be the teammate who almost bled out.

"That's very important intel, Xaddie." Xander told her firmly, "You did a great job. Stop blaming yourself."

Xadrin shook her head, insisting softly, "But there were so many things that I got wrong! I feel so stupid—"

"Hey, we get things wrong too, all right?" Rakan said, his voice stern, "You just have to do your best. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, that's the only stupid thing you're doing."

Xadrin managed to chuckle at that, and she quickly wiped her eyes dry.

"Did you manage to get some rest since the battle?" Nirra asked.

"I tried," Xadrin muttered, "But I felt like I need to let you all know this as soon as possible."

"That's good," Brecian replied, "Now it's done. Go get some rest."

She nodded, but she lingered on the line, staring at them for a few more moments.

"We love you," Meryl said with a smile, giving voice to all their feelings.

"Me too." Xadrin smiled, and turned to Xander, "I'll call mom and dad tomorrow – well, tonight, technically, on my side. On yours —"

"I get it." Xander said before she confused herself further. She was obviously exhausted. "Go to bed."

With one last nod, the link went dead. For a few moments, they just stared at the screen, trying to digest all this.

"She looks horrible." Nirra repeated Brecian's earlier comment. "I wish we could be there for her."

"I think we all feel the same." Meryl said, patting the other girl's shoulder.

Xander looked around at the team. He had always known that Xadrin was never just his younger sister, but the team's as well. And perhaps they were all too eager to see her just as a younger sister, like him.

"She's a grown up now," he said, getting everyone's attention. "She's making her own choices outside of our influences. I just know she will come out of this much stronger."

"If she doesn't get herself killed, that is." Rakan muttered.

"We have to trust that she won't." Xander said firmly. "Now, we have work to do…"

Cody tried to stretch his stiff back slowly as he walked, grimacing when his shoulder complain.

"You should have stayed in bed." Shawn commented, watching him carefully as he walked beside him.

He shook his head. "I need to stretch my legs, man. Feeling damn stiff."

The two of them were heading towards the mess hall for an early lunch, even though VIKI was perfectly capable of serving lunch in the med bay. There were just too many questions on his mind, and he felt the need to move to calm the restlessness within. Also, he didn't want to disturb Aly, who was still having a high fever. Xadrin had volunteered to stay on watch, though Cody thought her leg must have been bothering her as well.

When they reached the mess hall, they halted. Kyril was eating at one of four tables, and he barely looked up as they entered and headed towards the kitchen. Cody exchanged glances with Shawn, who shrugged.

"May we join you?" He asked when both he and Shawn retrieved their trays.

Kyril looked pointedly at the other empty tables, but eventually said, "If you wish."

Cody put his tray on the table and settled down, noting that Shawn did so in a louder manner. "I don't think we've been properly introduced," he started, and extended his hand, "I'm Cody."

Kyril stared at his offered hand for a moment, and shook it after a second too long.

"I'm Shawn," he nodded curtly, not bothering with the handshake.

Cody took a bite of his sandwich, and wondered what he got Shawn and himself into. Kyril made no move to start any conversation. In fact, he made no move to show that he acknowledged their presence at all. He just kept eating.

"Well, I'm curious – how did you know Xadrin? " Cody started with the obvious question, "You two seem to go way back."

Kyril glared at him. "We are cousins."

Cody made no effort to hide his surprise. But then he remembered what Xadrin said the other day after the training - One of our younger cousins was in that city – and he remembered what happened at the med bay last night. And everything fell into place.

"I'm sorry to hear about your sister-"

"She is not dead," Kyril interrupted with another glare, "do not speak of her as if she is."

"We're not, all right?" Shawn snapped, "We're just trying to be polite. You don't have to-" Cody had signalled for him to stop.

"I apologize if that's what it sounds like," he said, putting down his sandwich. "We'll try to get her back. Her, and everyone else Metigor captured."

Kyril studied him. "Do you even know what it will take?"

"No." He answered honestly. "But we'll give it our best shot."

Kyril gave him another unreadable look, and nodded curtly. He stood up, returned the tray, and left the room without another word.

"What the hell, man." Shawn muttered.

"Things must be hard on him."

"Yeah, but that doesn't give him a license to be an asshole."

Cody did not feel like arguing with Shawn today, even though he disagreed with him. Kyril did help them out yesterday, first by providing cover for their escape, and later at the med bay. He looked like he could be trusted, even if he was aloof and cold.

Cody turned his attention back to his lunch. It was likely to be another long day ahead. Better take it one step at a time.

Xadrin removed the now-warm cloth from Aly's forehead, and used it to wipe away the few drops of sweat from her face. She was still burning up. Despite VIKI's reassurances that it was expected to last at least a whole day, it was still distressing to see her drifting in and out of consciousness, at times delirious, and at times crying out at imagined horrors.

She turned to rinse the cloth in cold water, only to have Ky take the cloth away from her.

"Let me." He said simply, and took over.

Xadrin sat down wordlessly on the chair next to Aly's bed, nursing her sore leg tentatively. She watched Ky as he rinsed the cloth, and laid it gently on Aly's forehead.

He caught her eye as he turned around, and leaned back against Aly's bed. For the longest time, he did not say a word. But his eyes told her enough – of his pain, his anger, of his hope.

"I have to get her back." He finally said. "I need your help."

She tried to hide her surprise — Ky was never known as someone who would ask for help, even before the whole Santor incident. She nodded, "Of course. She's like my sister too—"

"Don't say that." He snapped. "Don't say that when you believed your brother the first time he said they were all dead. You've given up on her years before I did —" he stopped, as if the truth that he, too, had moved on hurts.

"We've tried everything we could," Xadrin said softly. "You know we did."

Ky glared at her, his eyes bright. "Apparently that wasn't enough."

Xadrin looked away. He was right. The image of Jen haunted her – her too thin face and frame, the tiredness that made her look much older than her years.

"What happened to her?" Ky asked suddenly, and Xadrin realized that he was looking at Aly, and not referring to his sister.

"I know about as much as you do." She admitted, "She was captured the night before, when she tried to investigate some disappearances. We don't know what happened after that – we infiltrated Metigor's ship to look for her, but when we were forced to retreat, she was already back on the Ace."

"She said she talked to Jen."

Xadrin tried to recall what Shawn told her and Cody. "Seems like she did. She woke up in the same cell as Jen, and they talked for a while before Aly made her escape attempt."

Ky was quiet for a few minutes. She did not feel like talking, either.

"How do you think she is doing? Jen, I mean." Ky asked, still staring at Aly. "I can't… I can't imagine what it must be like… for five years…" his voice broke, and his fists curled very tightly.

Xadrin did not have an answer. Fate had a cruel sense of humor. It was hard enough to accept that Jen was dead, but now it seemed like being alive had been a much worse fate for her.

Cody found Xadrin asleep on the chair next to Aly's bed, leaning backwards with her arms crossed. He noticed her jacket on the bed she slept on last night, and went to retrieve it.

She woke when he draped the jacket over her, her eyes groggy.

He sighed. "It's gonna be more comfortable on the bed."

She yawned. "What time is it?"

"Just a few hours to dinner. You've been here for a while. Let me help."

She stretched, and gave him a good look. "How's your shoulder?"

He remembered just in time not to shrug. "Better. VIKI's drugs are nasty, but they sure work quickly."

"Yeah? I wish I can say the same." Xadrin muttered, and suddenly pointed a finger at the nearest camera. "VIKI, don't start. I know you're going to point out how the two of us didn't start at the same stage."

She waited a few moments, and then seemed satisfied with the silence. "Thank you."

Cody grinned. It was interesting to watch the two speak — or not speak, sometimes. "Come on, if you get on the bed you can still catch a nap before dinner."

She smiled, and accepted his offered hand as she got up. When she was sitting on the bed she met him in the eyes. "Thank you."

"No worries, it was-"

"I mean back at the ship," she said, nodding at his shoulder. "That should have been mine."

He raised his eyebrows. "That's a funny way to put it. It shouldn't have been anyone's. You would have done the same for me – which, actually you did. The first day at the park, remember?"

She was surprised for a moment, and then chuckled. "I never asked you to pay me back."

"You should have written that down," he grinned at her. She was beautiful when she smiled.

She looked down pointedly at her hands, and Cody realized with a start that he had not let go. So he did it quickly, suddenly feeling a bit warm.

"Erm…"

"Do you regret becoming a Ranger?" She suddenly asked. When Cody looked at her in surprise, he saw that her eyes were troubled. She directed a glance at Aly behind him. "I know none of you signed up for this —"

"We did." Cody corrected her gently. "We knew it wasn't going to be easy. What were the words Aly used —'probably a lot of trouble, a lot of dangerous situations', she said."

"I don't think she knew what exactly that meant." Xadrin muttered, and Cody realized with a start that she was feeling guilty, for whatever silly reason she was thinking of.

"Probably not. She took a leap of faith – like we all did. We just have to deal with whatever's coming. There's no point in regretting."

Xadrin suddenly chuckled. "No point in regretting. No point in being angry at the truth. You don't seem to see a point in many things."

Cody gave her a wide grin, happy that she remembered his words. "There isn't. There are only a few important things in life. There is no point to the rest."

"A few important things such as…?"

You, Cody felt the sudden urge to say as he stared into her playful eyes. He caught himself. "People. What you believe in."

She nodded in mock approval. "Very deep."

"And sleep." He added, pointing at her bed. She grinned back at him, and he felt his heart leapt.

"See you soon," he said, tucking her in.

When he turned away from the bed, he felt his heart pounding. No, that was not supposed to happen. He was so going to get into a whole lot of trouble.

Aly had never woken up feeling so exhausted. Or thirsty. Or hungry. She sighed inwardly, wanting desperately to go back to sleep. But her mouth felt paper dry, and her stomach was growling. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes.

She wasn't in her dorm. The bright lights and grey ceiling felt somewhat familiar, she must be —

"Here, drink this." A straw was thrust to her lips, and she drank hungrily. It wasn't water, but some sort of slightly sweet drink. It was wonderful.

She squinted at the figure beside her bed. The lights behind him or her were too bright for her to make out the person, so she tried to get up — and found that she couldn't. Never mind the dull ache on her side, it felt like she didn't have an ounce of strength left, and that scared her.

"Stay still," The person said, and Aly realized that he wasn't anyone from the team. He fumbled with something by the side of the bed, and the top half of the bed rose slowly, putting her into a sort of sitting position.

Aly shivered when parts of her covers fell off. She remembered now – Metigor's labyrinthine ship, the bone-deep chill. It felt like a long time ago.

As the man tucked her covers back properly, she noted the shaggy hair, the flash of green eyes meeting hers. "You're Jen's brother." She stated, her voice a mere whisper that surprised her.

He nodded. "My name is Kyril." He said, and reached out to something else at the foot of her bed. Seconds later, he produced a tall glass of something thick, like smoothie. He brought the straw near her. "Drink this. VIKI's orders."

She wanted to laugh, but the glass of smoothie was too tempting. She drank hungrily, and was sucking at the bottom of the glass before she knew it. She leaned back on the bed with a sigh.

"Thank you." She said, and was glad to find that she sounded better. "Why are you on feeding duty?"

The corner of his mouth quirked into the ghost of a smile. "Because it is early morning your time, but still evening in my time."

He was from Eltare, that's right. She tried to do the math in her head, but gave up a second later. She felt as if something was physically pressing down on her brain.

"How long have I —" she yawned, "been asleep?"

"A full day," he said, "and a little more."

That should have been shocking, but she didn't really feel it. There was something he had wanted to ask her, wasn't it?

"Jen." She said, looking away from him to recall the pair of bright, determined eyes. Her image seemed to retreat further and further away. "She still cares."

Kyril seemed to sit up straighter. "What do you mean?"

"She said…" she paused to take another breath, "You told her ... good things can only come from those who cares." She fumbled around with her hand, and felt his fingers closed around hers. Somehow, she felt that she had to deliver this message.

"She still cares…" She finished, and felt herself letting go.