CHAPTER 41

Zareb and Willy had been out ice fishing. They had managed to get quite a good catch, (using a few unsavoury techniques involving grenades) so they decided to have a communal spit roast out the front of Scooters. Mordecai carried Montayva through the town centre, after demanding that they let her attend along with everyone else. She had become quite fed up of being holed up in the headquarters, and convinced Mordecai that some sun and fresh air would aide her recovery. Lillith awaited them, in an out-of-the-way position where she had secured two seats for the younger siren. Brick and Salvador where stoking up the fires, and a few of the other towns folk where beginning to gather. Mordecai placed Montayva on one chair, and pulled the other one around to prop her leg up with. He then seated himself on the ground beside her, as if keeping guard. He wasn't the type for public mingling, he had only come to keep an eye on Montayva, and make sure she didn't over do things.

The younger siren was enjoying soaking up the Pandoran afternoon sun, and it was quite a nice day outside. Mordecai continued to sit beside her, hardly moving, hardly speaking. His only purpose was to be there for his siren, should she need him.
And it wasn't long before she did. A the smell of the roasting fish grew stronger, Montayva began to feel a sense of unease. She reached out, and placed a hand on Mordecais shoulder, wakening him from his trance.

'Are you ok? You're looking very pale' He studied her face, and touched her forehead. 'Hot too'

'I think it would be best if I head back' She stated, and he instantly began to worry again. Without asking twice, Mordecai scooped her up once again and headed for the pushed the front door open with his foot, startling Tannis, who was working away on more experiments. He went for the stairs, when Montayva pulled him up.

'No' she said 'The bathroom' She pointed, before pressing her hand to her mouth. Mordecai suddenly realised she felt ill, and hastily made his way through. He had no sooner set her on the floor, and she fell to her knees, grasping the toilet bowl. Mordecai sighed as she heaved relentlessly.
There wasn't alot he could do for her in this state. He walked to the bench seat on the far wall, and sat as he waited for her to finish. It seemed to take a lifetime for her vomiting to cease, when he finally heard the toilet flush. He peeked precariously around the corner or the cubicle. Montayva was very green looking, and sweating badly.

'Yuck' she slumped, feeling awfully woeful for herself.

'Aw, baby' he couched down beside her, and pulled her into his embrace, 'You really are beginning to worry me' He didn't need to say it, she could already feel it.

'To tell you the truth, I'm beginning to worry myself' She admitted reluctantly.

'I will get Dr Zed. Might have something to do with the insta-healths he's been giving you?' Mordecai was all out of ideas. He helped the siren to her feet.

'I think I need a shower' She said as he went to lead her from the bathroom.

'Will you be ok will I get the doctor?' He hated to leave her, but Mordecai didn't want to delay any longer.

'Doctor? Why do you need the doctor?' Lillith had burst in, after noticing Montayva gone.

'Lil, keep an eye on her. She's not too well' Mordecai rushed out the door, not wasting time. Montayva hobbled towards the bench, and explained to Lillith what had just happened. Lillith helped the girl out of her clothes, and into the shower.

'I am beginning to worry it has something to do with all the energy I have been giving you guys.' Montayva explained while Mordecai was absent.

'Do you think so? Kinda like, your siren powers have depleted?' Lillith fervently hoped it wasn't the case. But the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.

'Not completely depleted. I mean, I can still pick up on someones mood easily enough, its just my phase energy' She explained as Lillith handed her a towel. 'I feel so drained. So tired. No wonder my body isn't healing like it should.' Montayva had never experienced anything like this, so she really had no clue as to what was happening. But she had never exerted so much of her siren powers before either.

'It makes sense.' Lillith agreed 'Back when I first met Maya, and I phased Sanctuary up here, I depleted my energy quite often. But the Eridium helped me with that problem'

'I dont know if Eridium would work for me though, being a born siren. The only thing that I have been told that will enhance our powers, is that of another sirens' Montayva told Lillith of the little knowledge she had known of being a siren.

'Well, lets just hope its only temporary!'

Montayva was back up on the couch, and Dr Zed stood before her, rubbing his chin in thought. '

Could be her body reacting to the insta-healths. Might be that you overdosed her a tad. Never seen a reaction like this one though.' Mordecai had fetched Montayva a bucket, as she began to feel ill again. 'Her wound is healing though. Not as fast as a siren normally would. But give it time. I dont think she is in any real danger at this point in time.' He shrugged, finishing his diagnosis.

As Lillith saw the doctor out, Montayva lay down on the sofa.

'I hate feeling nauseas' Mordecai sat as well, allowing her to lay her head on his lap.

'Wish there was something I could do for you' He muttered, stroking her hair.

'There is' she replied softly 'And you're doing it'