I have posted two stories this time back-to-back be sure to check if you haven't read the other one.
TIME FRAME: The day before the level Quarantine Zone in Halo 2. This is assuming they had free time on their hands to build a base on Delta Halo.
Author's Note: I would like to give a shoutout to 'Flames Chaos and Wolf', reader, this is the chapter you've been waiting for. Looking forward to a review from you.
Chapter 9 Awkward Situation
Zen's eyes snapped wide open and he sat upright, regretting this by clutching his chest and winced as a sharp stab of pain crossed it.
"Zen, you need to lie down on the bed." said a voice to his right.
He looked at where the voice came from; his eyes focused for a bit and he recognized it as Nira. She placed her hands on his shoulder and laid Zen's body on the bed. Zen groaned as the pain from his chest subsided. After a few moments he asked.
"Where am I?"
"You're at our temporary base in Delta Halo." said Nira in a gentle voice.
"Delta Halo?" asked Zen.
"Zen, will explain to you everything later. Right now you need to rest." And then she stood up and headed for the door.
"I'm just going to go to Captain Keyes, to tell her that you're awake." Then she left. A few moments later the door opened again and this time Z'jo went in.
"How are you feeling Zen?" he asked, sitting down a chair.
"Just… Just tired." groaned Zen. Z'jo nodded.
"What happened anyway?" Z'jo's mandibles twitched turning into a Sangheili style of smirk.
"You don't remember?" Zen just shook his head.
"Well when you got stabbed by the energy sword, Nira went completely berserk. She killed the Sangheili that stabbed you before he even turned around. Then she carried, more like cradled, you in her arms and we immediately got you medical attention. The medical staff told us you are one lucky bastard." Zen chuckled. "Why?"
"It's because the Energy Sword that stabbed you miraculously, missed your spinal cord, heart and lungs. That's the reason you're still alive." Zen only managed to mumble "Wow."
"Well anyways, you may be wondering where we are?" asked Z'jo. Zen nodded.
"We are at Delta Halo. Apparently the Prophet did a slip space jump from New Mombasa to Delta Halo. We are now at a temporary base you guys set up."
"What else did I miss? Or better yet how long was I out?" asked Zen
"Zen, you've been knocked out cold, for 2 days." said Z'jo.
"2 days?!" exclaimed Zen.
"Yeah 2 days, you completely missed a lot of things." Zen just stared at him.
"One: is that we managed to kill the prophet of Regret but…" his expression darkened.
"But what?" asked Zen.
"We lost the Master Chief and Stahn…" his expression became even darker.
"What happened?" asked Zen even though it hurt him to know how he's Best Friend died.
"They were at the temple; as they came in a massive Covenant fleet appeared. They managed to kill the Prophet of Regret but they didn't have time to get out fast enough. One of the ships fired a plasma beam at the temple. The last we saw of them was that the Chief and Stahn jumped off a high ledge landing on the water, moments before the beam hit the temple, completely destroying it." Z'jo paused and let out a deep sigh.
"Anyways the medical team said your wounds are now completely healed, and you should rest at your quarters tonight. Since me and Zide are roommates and Johnson doesn't want a roommate you'll be sleeping with Nira." Zen blushed a little at the thought of being alone with Nira for a night. Z'jo noticed his silence and asked "Is there something wrong?"
Zen quickly snapped out and replied "No."
"Well I would just like to inform you Zen, that we just found out the location of the Library and we are scheduled to raid it tomorrow. Are you up for it?" he asked.
"Heck yeah, I wanna get out of bed." said Zen slowly sitting upright.
"Hold it Zen, today is our rest day. Take it easy and try to let your strength get back to you ok. Your clothes are over there-"he glanced at a pile of clothes neatly folded on top of a desk. –"your armor is in your quarters. If you need me I'll be at our quarters." With that he left, leaving Zen alone in the medical room.
He changed his clothes, noticing that he's chest now bore 2 distinct scars, one the Creator scar and two, a pair of two distinct scar that resembled a stab wound that got burnt a little around the edges. When he finished, putting on his T-shirt the door slid open to reveal Nira walking in.
"Well anyway where are you going." asked Nira. Zen was taken aback by the question but nevertheless responded "Cafeteria, I'm hungry."
"Well I'll take you there Zen; you look like you'll pass out at any given moment." It was true because Zen felt like he was still very tired and exhausted. But he managed to shake the drowsiness off and followed Nira out.
* * * * *
The 2 made their way down the base, heading for the cafeteria. As they ate their food they had relative chatter.
"You know Nira, you are a very easy person to talk to." complimented Zen.
"Why thank you Zen, likewise." said Nira blushing a little at the compliment.
"What do you want to do now?" asked Nira.
"I don't know honestly." replied Zen.
"Wanna get some sleep?"
"Yeah why not." agreed Zen.
A few minutes later they arrived at their quarters and Zen sat on the lower bunk whilst Nira removed her armor to her under clothes. Zen saw for the first time Nira, without her armor. She was had a slim figure and was very fit. Zen had to admit to himself she looked good, no not good but hot. Zen was engrossed at his thoughts that he didn't notice Nira was staring at him whilst he was staring at her.
"What are you staring at?" asked Nira. Zen immediately went out of the trance.
"Nothing." and Nira sat next to him. There bodies inches away from each other.
Out of the blue Zen asked "Hey Nira, did I talk while I was asleep." Zen looked at her and she noticed her turned deep shade of purple.
"What? What did I say?" asked Zen curiously.
She was silent for a few seconds like she was debating whether to tell Zen what she heard. Then she let out a sigh and began.
"Well…" she began. "You said…"
"I said what."
"You said… my name." said Nira.
"Oh." was only Zen could muster to reply. He blushed a little at the thought of himself murmuring the word 'Nira' in his sleep.
"And there's more." mumbled Nira.
"Really?" asked Zen.
"After you said my name you went quiet for a while then you said…" she trailed off.
"I said what." said Zen with a little bit of panic in his voice. What could he had possible said to make Nira, seem reluctant to tell him. Whatever it may be it can't be that bad can't it?
"After saying my name you said… I… Love…You…" Zen's jaw dropped. It was definitely bad. When he thought he couldn't just blush more he blushed even harder. The two literally stood still for a few seconds; still trying to get over the shock, that Zen just confessed his love for Nira; without him even knowing it.
Then there was a knock on the door and it opened. Zide peered in and he spoke.
"Hey Nira I just wanted to ask if Zen…" Zide trailed off as he noticed the tension in the room.
"What in the forerunners are you two staring at." asked Zide curiously.
"Nothing." said the 2 simultaneously. Zide shrugged.
"Well anyways, Zen, Captain Keyes wanted to ask if you were feeling better enough, to join the mission for tomorrow, the one involving the Library." he asked.
"Yeah I am feeling better." said Zen in bored tone.
"Ok… I'll tell her that." said Zide with a curious tone. He then left closing the door behind him.
"This is awkward." murmured Zen. Then Nira stood up and started walking toward the door.
"I… I need to go." but before she could walk any further,
"Nira wait." said Zen standing up and taking her arm.
She reflexively jerked her arm away from her, but the force of her jerk was too much for Zen. Zen lost his balance (Being that he still didn't have all his strength) and grabbed Nira's shoulders, resulting to that the 2 of them fell on the floor.
The door opened all of a sudden to reveal Sergeant Johnson standing in the doorway smoking a cigarette. He looked down and saw Zen and Nira. His expression changed from bored to his eyes widening. He opened his mouth but no sound came out. At this time Zen looked down and his eyes widened and he's face literally went red. He was lying on top of Nira; their bodies were pressed together. Nira's feet were spread open making Zen's crotch lay flat on top of her crotch.
Johnson finally regaining his composure shook his head and said "I'll come back tomorrow." and closed the door.
"Wait it's not what you think!" said Zen as the door closed.
'Aww… Man.' thought Zen to himself. Zen immediately scrambled to his feet and helped Nira up. He was about to turn to the door when he felt the Sangheili's strong arms grab him on his shoulder and turn him around.
"Zen's its ok." said Nira before Zen could start rambling about how sorry he was for what happened.
To Zen's surprise Nira held his chin making Zen stared directly at the Sangheili.
"I…" she said struggling with her words. "I love you too." she said then gave him a bear hug.
The 2 held each other in a tight embrace as they confessed there love for one another. It was made very clear that these 2 were meant to be together.
"Ok…" said Nira releasing Zen from the embrace. "Time to get some sleep."
"Yeah." said Zen in agreement, still a little bit fazed.
Nira slipped under the covers of the bed while Zen climbed to the top of the bunk.
Zen lowered his hand over the bunk. Nira stretched out his arm and they squeezed each other's hand.
"I'm glad I was the one that found you on Cairo Station." said Nira. "I remember the look on your face when you first saw me." Zen sighed and replied "Yeah."
They released their hands and laid back in their beds, the exhaustion and stress of being in an awkward situation and confessing their love for one another slowly turned into a memory as they drifted deeper into sleep; just before Nira entered fully into sleep she felt a warm presence slip under the covers with her. She realized it was Zen. He held her tightly and she wrapped an arm around his body and laid her long neck over his on the pillow. Then they both drifted away together.
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