And now for the next installment - how are the past events changing the two's viewpoints?
Chapter 4 – Night Watch
Piper sat watch as the skies darkened. Unlike Finn, she didn't start at every little sound, recognizing them as the noises made by either the wind or the small movements as rock and stone shifted. Once in a while she would hear a long howl, but whether hunting cry or death wail, she couldn't tell. And didn't want to know. She had no trouble staying awake through the long hours, as the ache from her injury stabbed through her. Behind her Finn slept soundly, barely moving. At first she had heard him talking softly in his sleep, and had even leaned closer to see if she could make out what he was saying, but the words were jumbled and indistinct. Eventually he had grown silent until even his slow breathing was barely heard.
Darkness enveloped the wastelands. At first there was only black nothingness, but as her eyes adjusted she could start to make out a greenish glow. Shifting her weight, she peered out of the entrance and over the ledge. Something, whether in the rocks themselves or a plant or animal, was causing the ground to shimmer with a fluorescent light. For a while she gazed out at the gleaming, sparkling landscape, completely entranced. Finally she tired of the light show and sat back.
As Piper sat, she went over in her head what they (meaning she) could have done to make the results of the day's events have a better outcome. She shook her head as she berated herself for losing control of her heliscooter, and for panicking when they had run from the clawbeasts. She also chewed herself out for not moving when she should have, wasting precious seconds while the thornstrike bushes reset their barbs. In fact, she told herself, most of the blame for them being where they were lay strictly on her shoulders. If she hadn't been arguing with Finn, they wouldn't have fallen behind. If she had been paying attention to her surroundings, they wouldn't have been surprised by the Talon's. Granted there was nothing she could have done to prevent Finn from falling from his ride (was there anything on this planet that could?), but surely she could have intercepted him faster, before descending so deep into the wastelands. And she should have recognized the Cyclonian tactic the second they began to streak upwards and taken faster evasive action.
Piper sighed, dejected. "All my fault, this is all my fault." She whispered. "Some tactician I am. No wonder the guys don't listen."
Going over the last few hours' occurrences, she began to realize how much of their survival upon landing in the wasteland was contributed to Finn's quick responses.
He's the one that came up with the strategy of firing into the bushes, getting them to discharge so we could run through them safely before they reset. Somehow he knew the clawbeasts would stop before crossing into them. And I almost blew it by hesitating. And then he stopped that beast from leaping on me, tearing me to shreds.
She frowned as she thought of the young blond behind her. He was such a puzzle. On one hand he could be the most irritating, aggravating, annoying, irresponsible, careless child. And sometimes he could be downright dumb. Not to mention being the most cocky, self-assured, self-centered, oh-so-full of himself jerk, even though he'd scream like a girl at shadows.
And then he'd switch as if someone had turned a knob. He'd be right there, firing his weapon at anything and everything, be it Talons, Leviathans, Raptors, even firing directly at Master Cyclonis once. Not even Murk Raiders stopped him. When she had heard the story of how he had infiltrated the Murk ship and stolen the Serpegris, she was inclined to disbelieve it, but Stork had backed it up. And Stork was about as charmed by Finn's conceit as she was. He would be the last to play up Finn as something more than he was.
Even though Finn would (and did) quake with fear, he didn't let it stop him from taking action. In fact, his impulsiveness often made the difference, turning the tide when saner heads would still be scratching, trying to figure out what to do.
As she considered her teammate, Piper began to realize an epiphany. Perhaps the very trait that made Finn such a good marksman was also responsible for his personality swings and wild behavior. He didn't think when taking aim and firing at a target, just went on sheer instinct, backed up by an amazing talent and not a little luck. He went through life the same way, taking things as they came and responding to them as needed. Granted, his over blown ego caused him to over reach his bounds, but he just picked himself up, dusted himself off and after pouting for a moment or two, went happily on his way to whatever was next.
Piper looked back over her shoulder and regarded the small, slim figure. She began to recall moments in their lives together when he had taken the time to be there for her, like after they had discovered that Master Cyclonis had disguised herself in an attempt to infiltrate them and gain Piper's support. She still smiled at Finn's suggestion that they braid each other's hair.
She shifted a little and was instantly reminded of her wounds. And now this. He was incredibly gentle taking those barbs out, the way his hand rested on my leg, steadying me and giving comfort at the same time. And the way he hesitated before taking the ones out of my rump. Or asking me to check to make sure all the barbs were gone, as if he was too embarrassed to feel for them himself. Not to mention that he was willing to stay awake, let me rest some more.
Piper felt a rush of affection for her blond teammate. She shook her head as she told herself that yes, he could be an idiot sometimes. But she wouldn't trade him in. Besides, who would she argue with?
As the night wore on, Piper began to have difficulty in keeping awake. She almost – almost – wished that something would attack, just so she would be able to wake up. She kept peering out of the cavern to the east, hoping to see some kind of lightening. Surely dawn was not far away.
Admitting defeat, she gave up and turned to Finn. She needed stimulation or she was going to fall over. She turned and reached out, grabbing him by the shoulder and shaking him awake.
"Mmmm, no, hmm, jus a lil more…mmm." Finn mumbled.
Piper shoved at him. Finn sat up and looked at her, his face completely confused.
"So much for being ready at a moment's notice. If I had relied on you, we'd be dinner." Piper remarked, but her words were softened by her smile.
He blinked and then his eyes opened wide. "Sorry." He sheepishly apologized. "Say, speaking about dinner, how about handing over those cookies you've been holding out on."
It was Piper's turn to look guilty, as she had completely forgotten about their small stash of food. She quickly grabbed the little bag. Reaching in, she pulled out one of the cookies and handed it to Finn. "Make it last, cause that's all you're gonna get. We don't know when the next meal is going to be, so we've got to stretch these out."
Finn sulked as he looked at the tiny round morsel. "Geez, might as well not have anything at all."
"Well, if you feel that way, you could give it back."
Finn regarded her with a look that said 'yeah right' and popped the whole thing in his mouth. He made a point of chewing longer than was necessary and swallowed with an audible gulp. Sighing deeply, he leaned back and patted his stomach. "Ahhh, filling and nutritious."
Piper didn't bother to reply, only handed him the water bottle.
"I suppose I'm to take the tiniest of sips, right?"
"Only if you don't want to be thirsty later. And remember, half of that water is mine. Don't think I won't beat the crud out of you if you try to take more than your share." Piper replied, her voice serious but her tawny eyes smiled.
Finn regarded the girl in front of him with mock horror. "Piper…I…I can't believe you'd actually think that I, Finn, would stoop so low, why…I…Well, I'm just shocked, that's what I am."
She looked back at him with her own 'yeah right' expression. Finn took a small sip from the bottle and wiping the mouth off with his sleeve, handed it back. "Yeah, well, I'll be watching you too, see." He said jokingly.
Both of them looked up as a long howl split the night, nearer than any before. Finn aimed his crossbow at the entrance and motioned Piper to stay where she was. Silently he moved out until he was crouching on the ledge. He peered over and at first could see nothing, but then his eyes spotted movement as something dark moved down below, its shape making a black spot against the green glow. He watched as it seemed to be moving back and forth, following some sort of invisible trail. He gasped as he saw smaller shapes suddenly leap out and away, the larger shape giving a snort and chasing after. Part of him wanted the prey to get away safe, and another part of him acknowledged the truth that if the hunted was caught, the hunter wouldn't search for more quarry – like them. Relaxing his grip on his crossbow, Finn scooted back to the relative safety of the cave. Catching Piper's eye he gave a shake of his head and shrugged.
They sat in silence for a while, staring out the entrance, lost in their own thoughts. Piper gradually noticed that her partner was beginning to fidget. Glancing over at him, she could see he was entering a most dangerous stage. He was becoming bored. She waited, wondering what he would come up with to alleviate his lack of stimulation. She didn't have long to speculate.
"Hey, Piper, since it seems like it's taking forever for the sun to come up, what do you say we play a game to pass the time?"
"Well, I suppose. What do you have in mind?"
"How about, I spy something – green."
"Uh, phosphorescence?"
"If that means that greeny, glowy stuff out there, yup. Your turn."
Piper sighed with irritation. "Finn. The only thing we can make out is rocks, darkness and 'greeny, glowy stuff'."
"Oh come on, where's your imagination? You can do better than that. Go on, just try once."
"Ok, I spy a blond numskull."
Finn looked at her blankly. "Sorry Piper, I don't see anything like that."
Piper gave a lazy wave of her arm, pretending to backhand him. Finn snorted with laughter.
"My turn to pick the game." Piper announced.
"Great, let me guess, 'name the obscure philosopher' or better yet, 'if I was a crystal, what color would I be'."
"Finn!!!"
"Fine, fine, whatever."
"Grrr, sometimes…Alright. I went to the market and bought an apple."
The sharpshooter sighed, but recited her choice and added his own. They went back and forth until they hit the m's. Finn sat there trying to recall just what 'h' was. What was really embarrassing was that he had chosen 'h'. He closed his eyes and tried to remember. Nothing. "A..a..heliscooter." he blurted out and looked over at his partner, hoping maybe she wouldn't recall. No such luck as she smirked superiorly at him.
"Wrong! It was herbivore and wherever you came up with a word like that, I'll never know. No wonder you couldn't remember it."
He pulled up one side of his lip and waggled his head and shoulders from side to side. "Yeah, whatever. Think you're soooo smart." And just to finish the point, he stuck his tongue out at her.
Piper rolled her eyes and turned away. She suddenly realized that during their game, the sky outside was finally getting lighter. She could see the wisps of clouds drifting by. "Look, morning. A few more minutes and it'll be light enough to see by." She made a move to stand up. And found her leg had stiffened during the night.
Finn was instantly at her side, his hands under her arms as he both supported her and lifted her up. Gradually she placed more and more weight on her injured leg, until she was able to stand on both.
"Well?" Finn asked.
"Stiff, sore as all heck, but better than it was. Might be a little slow going at first, but I think as I move it'll loosen up."
He slowly released her, prepared to steady her if she seemed at all about to fall. Piper swayed a bit and held onto her staff, using it to brace herself and slowly moved out onto the rocky ledge, Finn beside her. Stopping, she motioned for him to proceed in front of her. Bit by bit, little by little they climbed the rocky stair, which were beginning to get both steeper and narrower.
Eventually they reached the point where there was no more to the ledge, at least not enough to walk on and they scanned the wall around them to see if they could scope out a route that would take them up. Finally Finn, telling Piper to wait there, descended back down to see if there was any other way, or if they'd gone as far as they could. He was gone long enough for Piper to be concerned and then she saw his blond head appear. As soon as he saw her, he beckoned her to join him, his voice calling out and asking if she could make it on her own or if she needed him up there. She waved that she was ok and began to descend.
Piper followed Finn as he led her to a small ridge. The rocks were knobby and made good hand and foot holds.
"This time you go first." He said.
She looked at him speculatively. "You really think you could catch me if one of the rocks or my leg gives way?"
Finn scowled. "Just go." He growled and gave her a gentle shove.
Up they climbed. It seemed as if for every route that led upwards, they had to take two or three back trips to get to it. Still, when they reached a small ledge just perfect for sitting on, they could tell they were much higher than they had been that morning.
Sweating, grimy, covered in rock dust, their hair plastered to neck and forehead, the two sat on the ledge, panting and puffing. One good thing, sitting this high up meant that there was a breeze and their lungs were no longer filled with the noxious fumes. Wordlessly they handed the water bottle back and forth, careful to take only the slightest sip, even though they both wanted to guzzle the whole thing. Piper brought out the cookie bag again and once more they ate one apiece. This time Finn ate in teeny bites, letting the fragment sit on his tongue until it dissolved.
Piper's leg was on fire, and she would gladly have taking it off and flung it into the wastelands if she could. The one remaining barb felt as if a white hot knife was stabbing her with every movement. As she sat she repeatedly kneaded her thigh with her right hand. Sitting next to her, Finn couldn't help but notice the pain she was in, even though she was doing everything to keep from letting it show.
Dang it, why does she have to be so stubborn? There were plenty of places we could have stopped to rest, but she just kept on climbing. Knew I should have put my foot down. I don't know if it's a control thing or if she doesn't want to worry me, but she should have said something. I mean, if you're in pain, say so. Maybe I can't do anything about it, but I can let her know I sympathize. And she calls me irritating.
Finn leaned towards Piper until his shoulder contacted hers, just a light touch, to let her know he was there, nearby, ready to give comfort, support, to be a friend. For a long moment she seemed not to notice, and then finally leaned back. Finn glanced at her from the corner of his eye and saw she was watching him the same way. They both began to smile at the same time. Piper slid a bit further down and tilted her head against him. Finn shifted his position a bit and worked his arm up and around her back, hugging her to him.
"Sleep, if you want to. I know I'm bushed. It's not as if we have to climb this stupid rock in one day." He softly said.
Piper sighed, wanting nothing more in the world than to fade into black. "Maybe…just for a little bit. I won't go to sleep, but I think I'll close my eyes, rest a while."
"Take as long as you like, I'm not going anywhere." Finn remarked and sat there looking out into the low clouds. He could feel her relax against him and he tightened his arm a little, just to make sure she wouldn't slip if she changed position. Leaning his head back he told himself that he'd just close his eyes for a moment, too.