A/N. Hey folks! Sorry I didn't get this chapter up yesterday; work got the better of me and I didn't get chance to post it. Hope you enjoy and thank you for all the feedback. It helps make the story better! J

Chapter Five

Lee shifted his weight, leaning his hip against the bed. His back was aching, and his feet didn't feel much better. He knew his aches were trivial compared to Kara's problems, but that didn't take them away. He stretched as best he could without letting up on the pressure over Kara's biopsy wound. He was fairly sure Kara was sleeping; he'd felt her breathing pattern shift, becoming more deep and even. To be sure, he leaned forward a little, saying "Kara?" softly, eyes on her face.

She sighed so quietly that it was like a memory, burying her head further into the pillow. He smiled tiredly, glad that she was resting. Lee flipped her gown down, covering most of her bare back. She sighed again, more contentedly this time. He sighed too, rubbing his face with his spare hand. It had been a very, very long day and it was nowhere near over.

Doctor Cottle came back into the room, "Commander was wanted in CIC. He's put the deputy CAG in charge until tomorrow; he wants you to rest." He said gruffly. Changing topic, he asked "How's out patient doing?"

"She's asleep." Lee offered, stepping back from the bed to let the doctor in. Lee moved around the bed, marvelling at how peaceful she looked in repose. Sleep took the strain away from her face, making her look younger, and somehow, much more innocent. He liked the change, wishing it could happen while she was awake.

Cottle pulled the gauze pad off her wound, examining it carefully. He seemed satisfied by what he saw. "Bleeding's stopped fully, that's good." He said, more to himself than to Lee. Lee winced a little, looking at the growing bruise. He hoped it looked worse than it felt.

From his lab coat pocket, Doctor Cottle took out a small, sealed pouch. He laid it on the bed while he pulled on a pair of surgical gloves. Tearing it open, he pulled out a dressing, which he stuck carefully over the small wound. It looked strange, bright white against Kara's creamy skin. Cottle checked the IV, and finding it mostly empty, replaced it with a bag of saline.

"We'll have her results back by tomorrow." Cottle said, taking off his gloves. He walked to the end of the bed, making notes on Kara's chart with a pen he'd taken from his pocket. "Once they're back, we can get started on her treatment proper."

"Can I stay with her?" Lee asked.

"I don't see why not. Just don't disturb her." Cottle said, giving Lee a long look before leaving the room.

He didn't close the door behind himself. Lee pulled the covers up to Kara's shoulder, keeping her warm. She turned over on to her front, an arm thrown up above her head. Lee settled himself in the chair, stretching out as best he could. Beside him, Kara shifted in her sleep, searching for a comfortable position. She tossed and turned for a few minutes more. Lee watched her, finding his eyes suddenly meeting her sleepy, annoyed eyes.

"Want me to go?" He asked, with a gentle, crooked smile. He knew she hated trying to sleep with someone watching her. She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. What she was about to ask him went against everything in her, but she needed it so very badly.

"Lay down with me?" She asked in a small voice, not looking at him. Felt her cheeks heat when he stared at her, not moving. "Never mind…" She murmured, starting to roll over.

He mentally winced; she had misread his reaction totally. He slipped out of his tunic, laying it over the back of the chair. "I thought you'd never ask." He said, warmly, a gentle smile on his face as he looked at her. "What's wrong?" He asked, noticing the hesitant look on her face.

"I have to pee…" She said softly.

"Oh… Okay." He said, just as softly. "I'll get the nurse."

"Thanks Lee." She said, sitting up as he left the room. She felt okay, and carefully swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She didn't dare stand on her own. A different nurse came in, flanked by Lee. She was pushing a wheelchair, and part of Kara wanted to argue that she didn't need it. All thoughts of argument went out of her head as she tried to stand for the first time in over twenty hours. Her knees were weak, legs shaky as they took her weight. She was absurdly grateful when Lee took her arm, steadying her for the few steps it took to reach the wheelchair. The nurse hung Kara's IV bag on a stand on the wheelchair, pushing her briskly out of the room.

"Lee, pass my sweats, please." She asked, sick of the stupid gown. He passed her them. They where her thin cotton ones, perfect for sleeping in.

Her trip to the bathroom only took a few minutes. She walked around in the bathroom for a minute or so, stretching her legs. The strength seemed to be returning to them slowly as she exercised, even as she felt herself tire. Returning back to the room, she found Lee standing by the bed, tidying the pillows and covers. She got back in with the nurse's help.

He toed his shoes off, tucking them under the chair that held his coat. He laid down behind her, scooting forward so their bodies just touched. The part of herself that she called Starbuck wanted to smack him for what he'd just said. Wanted to get up out of that bed, and pretend that there was nothing wrong with her. No disease taking her life away from her; no chance that she might be dying. Go back to her normal life, no matter how screwed up it had been.

The part of her called Kara welcomed his warmth against her back, acknowledged that it had been far too long since she let anyone hold her the way he was holding her now. It felt right, and that was all that mattered. She lent back into him, knowing she'd forgive him any sin if he just held her like that a little bit longer. It felt so darn good. She trusted him implicitly, and that counted for a lot right now.

She shifted slightly, the dull ache in her hip making her uncomfortable. She ended up on her back, leaning against him, head resting on Lee's chest. Both of them covered by the blankets; Lee had pulled them over himself when he laid down. She could hear his heart beat, loud and clear in the quiet room. Could feel every breath he took. She wondered how many breaths she had left and all of a sudden, found herself crying silently. She never knew what made him notice her tears.

Her shoulders shook as sobs wracked her body. He didn't say a word, simply gathered her up in his arms and held her until she could speak. She felt that if he let her go, she'd shatter in to a million shards that no-one would be able to put back together. She was scared, so badly scared that if she thought about it, she felt her gut clench with fear. Felt her breathing pick up speed, to the point where she was almost hyperventilating. She hated the feeling, hated the strength it stole from her. If she could just hold on, she'd be alright.

"Gods, Lee… I'm scared." She admitted quietly. "I don't want to die." Facing death in a viper cockpit was very different to facing death in a sterile hospital room, she found. She always considered herself physically brave, to the point of recklessness, but when she needed that bravery, it had deserted her.

"You're not going to die, Kara." Lee said firmly, "You're one of the strongest people I know."

She sniffed, catching her breath as her sobs died down slowly. "I don't feel that strong." She admitted, "I want this to be over." She let her eyes drift closed. They fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes. She moved her head slightly and opened her eyes. When she spoke, he had to lean forward to hear what she was saying.

"I didn't think I'd die like this." She said it softly, but he still heard her.

"Don't say that. You are not going to die. You're going to live until you're an old, old lady." he said, even though he knew it might not be true. Anything could happen. They were still at war. Any of them could die out in space, flying the vipers. It wasn't a comforting thought, and worried that she could somehow sense how morbid his thoughts had become, he dragged his mind back to the present.

"Doc Cottle says your results will be back tomorrow." He told her, wondering what her reacting would be. She shrugged slightly, to tired to worry now.

"That's good." She murmured. She felt exhausted; she couldn't recall ever being this tired before, even in the first days of the war. She felt a little breathless, another effect of her illness. She smiled wan smile as he placed the gentlest of kisses on her forehead, just where her hair started. He stroked a hand through her hair, soothing her until she gave into her exhaustion and slept. Lee forced himself to stay away, feeling the need to watch over her. He stayed awake long into the night, keeping her demons at bay.