Chapter 59
AN: Thank you everyone for your reviews! Please keep reading and reviewing! J
The next three hours seemed to fly by in a whirlwind of activity. However, to Luke, each minute seemed like an hour. More than anything he wanted to be with Ari. He kept fearing that he would be called to the Med Bay to be told the news that she had gotten worse, or that she was even dead.
Finally, the meeting was starting to reach its end. The Rebels were all restless and exhausted.
"…and Commander Luke Skywalker," Leia trailed off, causing Luke to look at her in confusion. What was she saying?
Wedge was looking embarrassed as well and it quickly dawned on Luke. She was introducing them as the two Rebels who had recently received ranks. The crowd applauded with a few shouts to congratulate the two men.
"Oh and one more thing," Leia spoke up as the din slowly started to die down. "With Lieutenant Narabe and Adler unable to perform their duties, I would like to ask for volunteers to temporarily replace them." Her brown eyes scanned the crowd, where no one could meet her gaze. Not even Luke, who was feeling a bit guilty. He felt responsibly for causing Ari to become too irrational and go out without a partner. He even felt slightly guilty for beating up Cal, though he deserved that and more.
Sighing heavily, Leia spoke again. "I know all of you are working as much as you can…" She paused. "I would like to ask to speak to Commander Skywalker and Captain Solo on this issue. Meeting dismissed."
As all the Rebels filed out, clearly tired, Luke slipped through the crowd. However, he was trying to move against the stream of others.
Finally, he got to Leia, who was speaking to Han and Chewie.
"I'm sure that you need people, but me and Luke?"
"Captain, everyone else is already overworked. Until Cal and Ari are better, we need your assistance."
"We? Or you?" Han's good-natured smirk appeared.
Deciding to end this banter before it got too heated, Luke spoke up. "Leia, Han, Chewie," he greeted them with a small nod to each of them
"Luke," Han gave him a nod of acknowledgement in return while Chewie gave a low growled greeting.
"Luke," Leia gave him a small smile. "I am guessing you are surprised as well."
"Well, yes," Luke admitted.
"As I was just explaining to Han, I need both of you to do patrol until Cal and Ari are better. As much as it pains me to say this…" she looked pointedly at Han, "You two are the best for the job."
Han's smirk grew a bit more. "Is that so?"
"Yes, until Ari and Cal are better," Leia's eyes met his, tone serious.
"So when do we start?" Luke asked, once again stopping them from having a small feud.
"Tomorrow. We will go over what is needed to be done, as well as giving both of you the coordinates at breakfast."
Han and Luke both nodded, and Luke had to fight himself to keep from running to get to Ari. She had been on his mind all night. "Is that all?" he asked.
Leia nodded. "Have a good night."
The words were barely out of her mouth before Luke was dashing out of the room and down the hall for the medical bay.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
When he entered the darkened room, it took time for Luke's eyes to adjust. Ari was still lying in the cot, eyes closed. However, she seemed to be doing a bit better. Her teeth no longer chattered, and the shivers that ran down her spine, shaking her entire being, were not as constant.
It was hard to think of this as a sign that Ari was getting better though. In fact, to Luke, it seemed to be a sign that she was getting worse. Her skin was still flushed, even more than before and her still form was a bit more disturbing than when she had been at least shaking.
"Ari?" he spoke up quietly, sitting beside her. He didn't know what sort of answer he was hoping for, but he never received one. However, Luke was thankful to see that she was still breathing, able to see the slight rise and fall of the blankets around her.
Sighing, unable to do anything, he took one of her hands in his. He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles gently, watching her face for some sign of acknowledgement. There was no change, though. It worried Luke as he held her cold, limp hand in both of his.
"I can't lose you, Ari. I can't," he whispered. "You're the only family I have left now. So you have to get better."
Perhaps it was something in the speech or just hearing Luke's voice, but Luke could have sworn he felt Ari's hand move in his, and he glanced up at her, surprised.
She was still asleep though, hair fanned around her face, which was lacking the calm expression that should have been there. Luke gave her hand a small squeeze, hoping she would at least feel that and respond. However, there was no answering movement, and Luke had to wonder if perhaps he was just thinking he had felt it.
Shaking his head at himself, he tucked the blankets around Ari again, and then turned to leave. Hearing a small whimper, he paused, whipping his head around.
Ari was curled up a bit more, clearly disturbed by something in her sleep. Another sad sound escaped, and Ari moved slightly, as if by curling herself up more, she would be alright.
Heart breaking at seeing this, Luke went back to her. He sat beside her, hesitant about touching her, since her back was to him. Luke wasn't too certain what to do and he hated that feeling.
A small whimper escaped again, this time sounding more like a sob. Hating how he was unable to do much, Luke carefully laid down next to her. While he didn't know much about helping people when they were sick. However, he knew he could at least help calm her down. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he pulled her closer to him. "Shh…it's ok…" he whispered to her, as his other hand brushed over her silky hair. He found motion of comforting. Not just to her, since she no longer was making sounds, but it was helping him stay calm. She would pull through this. She had to.
The motions became almost mechanical, but Luke continued, even after her breathing had slowed slightly, becoming regular as deep sleep overtook her.
Eventually, Luke started to doze off, arm still around her. However, his other hand slowly lowered as his eyes started to close. Even though he knew he should move to go to his room to sleep, he didn't want to leave her. So he stayed there, holding her. "Sweet dreams, Ari…" he murmured as sleep finally overtook him.