Well now, each one is taking a better look at the other. Keep in mind each one is just beginning to realize that there is more to the other than they once thought. So what happens next? What will occur that pushes their feelings even further...

Chapter 6 – Crisis

Finn opened his eyes as his brain tried to process the odd sound that had finally penetrated his deep sleep. Raising his head he scanned the small enclosure, checking the branches blocking the entrance – still intact – and making sure nothing was trying to crawl over the walls. He was about to go back to sleep, sure he must have been dreaming, when he heard the sound again. A low moan filled the area. At first Finn was not sure where it had come from, but as he sat up he heard it again, his ears catching its origin.

Piper.

In a flash he was kneeling beside her. He shook her gently and tried to wake her, but she wouldn't respond, only groaned louder. As he brushed her tangled hair away from her face, his hand felt the feverish skin. She was burning up. Realizing that her wounds must be infected, he thought of a way to bring down the fever, give her comfort. He ran to the entrance and started to pull away the barrier, having every intention of dashing down to the stream and soaking his shirt in it, until he realized that would leave her alone, vulnerable. Quickly coming to a decision he grabbed his crossbow, locked it to his back and then rushed over and lifted her in his arms. Her small body seemed to weigh nothing at all.

He raced down to the pond where the sweetstalks were and splashed in. Still holding her he sat down, immersing her as much as possible in the cool water. Holding her upright, he brushed his wet fingers across her hot brow and cheeks. Every so often he would moisten her dry lips. He realized that he was rocking her, trying to sooth her discomfort. And ease his own worry.

Hearing a rustle Finn jerked his head up and around, but realized it was just the wind through the dry fronds. Insects that had been silenced by his noisy intrusion were beginning to chirp and hum again, indicating that there was no danger.

He sat, debating as to whether he was doing more harm than good, if the cold water was lowering her temperature or giving her a chill.

Dang it, if I had paid more attention when Piper was giving us that lecture on first aid, I'd know what to do. And if she wasn't sick, she'd know what to do.

Wait a minute, if she wasn't sick, this wouldn't be necessary. Are you really this dumb, dummy?

Again Finn made a split-second decision, trusting to luck and instinct and his ever confident outlook. Standing up he turned around and headed back to the shelter. Upon entering he laid his friend gently down on her bed, making sure she was turned so her weight was off the damaged leg. Working fast he replaced the branches at the entrance and then placed more of the sticks on the smoldering fire, blowing on the embers until bright flame burst forth.

Turning once more to the injured girl he positioned himself so he could look at her leg in the firelight. He could tell the thigh was swollen, the fabric of her pants pulled tight. Muttering an apology, he felt the back of her leg. He couldn't really tell if the wounds were infected, not without looking at the entry points themselves. Finn grimaced, he had no choice, really. Praying to the gods, fate, storms and the stars, he started to pull Piper's pants down. Bit by bit he worked them lower, the wet fabric and the swollen thigh making it hard to slip down easily. Added to that was Finn's own embarrassment of taking such liberties with his teammate, his hands trying to undress her with as little actual contact as possible. He hoped she would never find out or his butt would be kicked straight into the Black Gorge. Better yet, she'd probably deliver him directly to Master Cyclonis with the instructions to do the worst to him.

Finally he had her right thigh completely exposed, the angry red dots obvious. And especially troubling was the hard swollen knot that indicated where the one remaining barb was still stuck deep. Finn probed the area as gently as he could. The spine had disappeared completely into the muscle above the back of her knee. Feeling around to the front, he could just make out a hard bump.

Finn sat back trying to work out what he should do next. Oh, he knew what must be done, it was the implementation that was worrisome. Even though she was unconscious, he didn't want her flailing around in agony. He had to come up with a way to hold her still so he could remove the barb and still keep her from trying to get away.

Once more the sharpshooter's personal brand of ingenuity came to the rescue. Sitting on her rump, he gripped her thighs with his. Taking a deep breath he grabbed her wounded leg and pressed his thumb hard against the back, driving the dart down, causing the tip to push out the other side. Beneath him he could feel her weak attempt to writhe away, a pain filled moan escaping from her. Reaching under her leg he grasped the emerging spine, the barbs sticking into his fingers as he removed the dart easily. As he pulled he could feel sticky fluid running out of the wound. Flinging the spine away from him, he kept the pressure on the back of her leg, hoping that any infection would be pushed out as well. Inspecting his fingers he noted that they were covered in blood. He turned her leg a little to check the exit wound and found it bleeding slightly, then noticed that there was a small puddle of sticky matter under the wound, blood mixed with something else. Wrinkling his nose, Finn grabbed a nearby stick and scraped the stuff away, then gathered the moss where it had been and tossed it into the fire.

Beneath him Piper lay silently. He pulled himself off her and looked into her face. Her eyes were still closed, her face pulled into a deep frown. Finn sighed and returned to inspecting the angry red spots that marked where the other darts had been. Only a few were raised and he scraped at them, the heads bursting and white fluid running out. A couple he needed to squeeze to remove all of the infection. Each time he made sure to let them bleed clear, rinsing the area with water from the bottle.

Finn pulled his mouth to one side, pondering his next move. He had opened all the infected spots on her thigh but knew that her rump had been hit. Taking a deep breath he took hold of the edge of her panties between thumb and forefinger. Lifting the edge up and back, he hesitantly pushed his shaking finger along the smooth flesh of her buttock. He was studiously avoiding looking down. He found only one spot that was raised and took care of it. Letting go of the elastic Finn sat back and heaved a heavy sigh, glad that that was over. He poured more of the water over his fingers and wiped them into the moss, again gathering up the handful and throwing it into the fire.

Reaching forward he began to work her pants back up, an inch at a time. He had to turn her body over to pull them back into place. He kept his eyes averted and his teeth gritted. As he made the final adjustments to her clothes he felt a sense of relief. He hoped he'd never have to pull a girl's pants down again.

Finn stopped as he realized what he had just said. He, the consummate ladies man, constantly trying to get a girl, any girl to notice him had just wished not to touch a girl.

Well, this is different; this is Piper, not some babe-ette. Yes, she's a girl, but she's a friend. Thinking of her that way would be….sick. Like going after a sister or something. Ewww. Besides, it's not as if she'd be interested, especially in somebody like me. She can barely stand to be in the same room with me sometimes, especially when I'm being extra annoying. And I've never noticed her to go all gaga eyed over a guy, except maybe that idiot Domiwick. And that was only because he was some kind of expert on something she was interested in. Come to think of it, I've never noticed her take any interest in any guy, girl friend wise. Guess she's too much into her crystals and maps and books. And while I'm on the subject, I've never noticed any guy take a look at her either. Not that she isn't kinda pretty and all, but if she's not putting out any vibes for us guys to pick up on, we ain't gonna notice. And what guy is going to want someone three times better than he is? And smarter? And who could kick his butt with her Sky Fu moves?

Finn shook his head. He could not imagine Piper all cooing and simpering around some guy, taking second seat to him just to stroke his fragile ego. Still, she did seem to change into a whole 'nother creature when 'Lark' had showed up, becoming giggly and silly. He wasn't at all sure what he would make of it if Piper suddenly showed affection towards some male. He could hear Stork now, muttering about some dire disease, predicting untold doom. Junko'd probably smile and shrug, figuring it would be a good thing and that people were meant to be together. Aerrow – he wasn't sure how Aerrow would take it either, probably frown in confusion, wondering how this would affect the team.

Jerking himself out of his reflection he realized that Piper was beginning to shiver. He added more fuel to the fire and looked at the dwindling wood with dismay. He debated once again about leaving her alone while he gathered more branches, but decided against it. Even though they had left the wasteland below, they weren't out of danger yet.

Dismantling the barrier once more, he piled the branches near him so he could easily keep the fire going. Gently gathering Piper's body into his lap, he held her to him, his hands rubbing up and down her arms, trying to warm her. Her breathing was ragged and he could feel her heart racing. Even though he had cleaned out the wounds, her body was still fighting the infection.

As Finn cradled Piper in his arms he slowly grew aware of the fact that for the first time in his life, he was actually holding a girl. Even though he kept telling himself that this was Piper, not an actual real chick, he couldn't help but notice how she fit against him. How she nestled into his lap, with her legs draped over his thigh. The way the curve of her torso pressed against his chest. An odd tingle went up his spine as Piper instinctively snuggled closer, placing her face in the crook of his neck. He held her stiffly, almost afraid to breath. Both his mind and body were being assaulted by strange sensations. His hands still rubbed up and down her arms, but now they also took note of the shape of those arms, the feel of muscle and bone structure. His chest was aware of the motion of her breathing and began to counter mirror it, breathing in when she breathed out, out when in. He could smell the sweat and dirt on her, along with a whiff of her soap, the shampoo she used. His face was being tickled by strands of her dark hair and her breath whispered at his throat.

He was suddenly overcome with a strong urge to kiss her. To just bend his head down and press his lips to wherever was closest.

Finn's emotions were in a turmoil. A part of him acknowledged his feelings as a manifestation of the concern he felt for her, mixed with friendship. But another part of him tried but failed to suppress the ever rising sense of affection, fondness, even…

Whoa, whoa! This is Piper! Spark it down, Sparky. What the heck's gotten into you? You hold a girl in your lap and suddenly she's the one? Like that's ever going to happen. We'd kill each other. Granted sometimes I push it, be a little more sarcastic than I should, but she doesn't hold back either. Besides, we have nothing in common with the other. I could care less who discovered what, and she hasn't a clue what good music is. No. You're tired, worried about her, you're on edge. Settle down, jeez. Me and Piper, yeah right.

Finn settled back against the wall, shifting the sleeping girl in his arms a little. He laid a hand on her forehead, noting that although her fever didn't seem to have gone down any, it also didn't seem to have gotten any higher. Finn tossed a few more branches on the dying fire. He sternly told himself that he was going to keep watch the rest of the night.