Chapter Nine

Helo walked into the sick bay, coming to a halt as he took in the overcrowded room. He'd just finished a long shift, and was still dressed in his flight suit, arms tied loosely around his waist. At least half the flight crew was there, along with a group of deck hands, a couple of nurses and a few others who he didn't immediately recognise. He smiled, walking up to Cally. "Hey. What's going on?" He asked her, stepping back out of the way as a couple of people tried to get out of the crush. Each had a wad of cotton wool taped over the crook of their elbow.

"We're volunteering to be tested to help Starbuck." Cally said. "They're taking blood in the cubicles. It's being screened for a match." She shivered a little, adding "I hope they find one."

"Everyone here is volunteering?" Helo asked, a little overwhelmed by the support for his friend. "I swung by this morning to give blood, but the Doc was busy."

"Yup. A lot of people have already been and gone. Even Tigh was here!" Cally supplied, adding "Doc Cottle's trying to set up a donor bank. In case anyone else needs it. It's a big thing; the crew is really behind it."

He couldn't think of anything to say. "Wow." He said, taking another look around the room. "Does Kara know about this?"

"It was the commander's idea." Cally said. "I guess they told Starbuck."

"I don't think they did." Helo said, realising what Cottle had wanted earlier. "I'll be right back." He said, slipping out of the door. He jogged comfortably to Lee's office, knocking on the door. There was no answer and he swore quietly, knocking again. "Come on, Captain! Answer the fracking door!" He muttered, shifting impatiently. He knocked a third time, giving up when he got the same result. He changed direction, heading towards the pilot's quarters, hoping like hell they were there.

He pushed open the door, finding the room surprisingly quiet and empty, considering the shifts were changing. Scowling, he stepped in, noticing that the curtain over Lee's bunk was drawn closed. He walked over to it, saying "Captain?", before pulling it back slowly. A smile grew on his face as he took in what he was seeing. Kara was sound asleep, covers tucked over her. Lee was laid on his side, looking exhausted. His eyes were on Kara's face. The love there made Helo want to leave them alone again. Before he could move, Lee glanced up, spotting him.

"Helo?" Lee said, carefully climbing over Kara's sleeping form. "What's up?"

"Have you heard?" Helo asked directly, not wasting any time.

"I heard. Kara was mad as hell that the commander told the crew."

"She has every right to be!" Helo snapped quietly. "He shouldn't have told them without asking her first."

Lee sighed, slumping down on a nearby bench, rubbing his hands over his face slowly. "He did ask. She said no, but no-one was coming forward to give blood. He had to tell them. Only way to get any volunteers."

Helo dropped next to him. "Have you been tested?" He asked.

"Yeah. I did it this morning. You?" Lee asked.

"Not yet… I came to find out what was going on first. I'll go back soon." Helo promised, "How long will it take to find out?

"Cottle says we should have the test results back in a few days." Lee supplied. "We'll know then if there's a match."

"Then what?" Helo asked, his gut telling him it wasn't going to be nice for Kara.

"If there's a match, Kara is given drugs to suppress her immune system. Then they harvest the marrow from the donor, and give it to her. If not, Cottle will have to widen the search; try off the ship." Lee said slowly, repeating what the doctor had told him earlier.

"You love her, don't you?" Helo asked "I saw it in your face earlier."

Lee ducked his head. "I do." He paused. "I just didn't realise it until now. I can't loose her. I won't let it happen."

"Does she know?" Helo asked. There was no censure in his voice, just simple curiosity.

"I haven't told her, if that's what you mean. I think she's guessed." Lee said, feeling a little flustered. He felt colour rise along his cheeks, and ducked his head for a moment.

"You should tell her. She should know that you love her. She deserves to know." Helo said, leaving the thought that they were both thinking unsaid.

"I will… When we find out the results, good or bad, I'll tell her." Lee vowed simply.

A weak groan drew their attention to the bunk. They rushed over to it, Lee beating Helo by a mere stride. Kara lay curled up on her side, face creased into a pained frown. Her eyes moved restlessly under closed lids. She was paler than ever, the shadows under her eyes deep and dark. The bed clothes were twisted around her, clinging to her body.

"Kara?" Lee said softly, reaching out to touch her face gently. She was burning up, flushed and bathed in a cold sweat. Lee glanced at Helo, eyes wide with worry. Helo looked just as worried, eyes dark and brooding. A frown creased his face as he looked at his friend.

"You stay here with her; I'll go get the doc." Helo said simply, turning and running from the room before Lee could answer him. The hatch banged shut behind him, sounding like an explosion in the still room. "Be quick!" Lee whispered, fear gripping him as he took another look at the woman he loved.

Lee gently shook her, hoping to wake her. It didn't work; she was beyond his reach. He backed slowly away from her, heading into the shower room to get a cold cloth. It took him mere seconds to fetch one, but it felt like hours. He raced back into the bunk room, skidding to a halt by the bed. Folding the cloth, he wiped her face and neck with it gently, hoping to cool her down. She turned her face into the cloth, seeking the coolness it offered. He ran it over her wrists, then back over her face.

Leaving the cloth against the back of her neck, he took her right hand in both of his. "Don't leave me, Kara. I love you. You're not getting out of it that easily." He whispered. "I want to tell you properly. I want you to understand what I'm saying." He added in a hoarse voice. He leaned over the bunk and kissed her gently on the forehead.

Behind him, the door burst open again, admitting a group of medical personnel. They rushed over to the bed, forcing Lee out of the way as they loaded Kara onto a stretcher, tucking a pillow under her head and a warm blanket over her clothed form. They were quick and efficient, one setting up an IV while another took her temperature. They spoke quickly, using medical terms Lee was too tense to figure out. In less than five minutes, they'd left the room, leaving Lee and Helo standing mutely in the empty bunk room.