Bring Me That Horizon

Chapter I: A Very Humble Beginning

By Mia 'RedWolf' LeighArc

Just before the Legacy docked in the Spaceport Cresentia, Amelia thought of her heated moment with the good doctor before the ship docked.

After the intimate hug they shared in the excitement of the escape, they separated and went to congratulate Jim Hawkins on his ingenuity. She happily offered him a referral to the Interstellar Academy. Then, she stepped away from him and stood to the side, Delbert standing beside her and gently putting a hand on her shoulder with a kind smile. She intended to excuse herself to go to her stateroom, but as she went to walk away, Delbert gently grabbed her arm.

"Are-are you going to be okay, Captain?" He whispered to her softly with a warm affection she had grown fond of. She smiled warmly and raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, Doctor. I would not have survived this bloody mess without you." She said with her expression forming into a small, embarrassed smile. Delbert was taken aback by this, having only seen her rarely embarrassed about anything.

"Actually, about that…May I speak with you privately?" Delbert gulped, and his eyes bulged. He cleared his throat a few times before he was able to form a solid sentence.

"erm, um, I-I-I don't t-think that would be a p-problem." He said shyly. He shook his head, seemingly trying to rid himself of intrusive thoughts. Little did she know, he was picturing himself (in a moment of bravery) pressing her against the wall next to the doorway to her stateroom and kissing her wildly.

He walked with her discretely to her mess of a stateroom. Glass was still strewn in small piles, and rubbish littered the floor and walls. It was a horrid comparison to how she felt emotionally with her hand held firmly in Delbert's. Never in all her years sailing the etherium did she ever think a man would make her feel so at peace, protected, longing for his attention and affection. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, her cheeks felt hot, and her breathing grew irregular. Once she got to the door of her private quarters, she stopped, trying to calm her nerves. Delbert squeezed her hand and turned to her for a moment.

"Are you sure you're?—" Delbert could say before Amelia pushed the door open, pulled him inside with a wince because of her injury, and closed the door behind them. She pushed him against the wall beside the door as forcefully as her injury allowed. She eyed him with a flirtatious air about her, waiting for him to make the next move. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

"A-Amelia…I-I-d-don't k-know if-if…" Delbert spat out before she pulled him to her with a tug of his lapels, rubbing her nose to his playfully.

"I remember everything that happened back there, you know. And I meant what I said. You indeed have wonderful eyes." She said wistfully, finding herself staring into his eyes and finding anticipation behind them.

"wait, ah-you-you do?" was all he could say as she swiftly ran a finger over the hem of his vest.

"I do, and I still owe you —a date as well…." She said, edging her way closer to him, running her fingertips lightly against his chest. Delbert's eyebrows furrowed at this declaration.

"d-d-d-date? As f-friends, you mean, right? That is what you-" Delbert stated cautiously as she muffled his words with an answer.

"Oh hush you imbecilic man…" She said in a husky voice before she slammed her lips to his in a passionate kiss. At first, Delbert was taken aback, unsure of the proper line of action. He thought of pulling away, but after a few moments, he realized that he was feeling, for the first time, the immense joy he had ever experienced. He soon lost all his nerve and reciprocated her kiss, and his lips parted to explore her eager ones with a slight groan escaping them between breaths. She moved her body closer to him, and he found himself emboldened by the action and, in turn, took a bold step forward to press her backside against the top of a nearby bookshelf. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, lifting one of her legs around his waist, and his hand gripped her thigh tightly. She giggled with delight between heavy breaths at his actions. The butterflies in her stomach flared up again, filling her whole body with a heat she didn't think was possible. She felt his evident excitement pressing against her and bit her bottom lip, curling in her boots at the sensation. The knowledge that he enjoyed being in this position with her was a massive turn-on for her. It took all she could not to let out a loud moan at the sensations she felt at that moment. Before either could say a word, a quick knock on the door and the door opening to none other than Jim Hawkins's flabbergasted expression interrupted them.

"Oh god, my eyes!" Jim shrieked at the sight. After several minutes he finally calmed down. He noticed the doc had her lipstick on his face and had to laugh nervously to himself.

"Captain, I hate to bother you, but can you spare the Doc a minute? We are approaching Cresentia and need him to steer when we dock." Jim said as he returned to the doorway, then turned around, adding, "Oh, and Doc, you have something, or should I say someone on your face." Amelia tried to control her mixed emotions at being caught as she focused on keeping her façade intact. Delbert stood there trying to cover his face but could not speak.

"Very well, James. Thank you. Doctor, we shall - talk more about this matter later. " She said matter-of-factly, closing the door. She turned to Delbert, who was smiling and stifling a laugh himself. He dusted himself off and momentarily took hold of her hand, leaving a kiss on the back of her gloved hand. Amelia had to try not to blush at the simple display. A thought came to her with a raised brow narrowed in Delbert's direction. Realizing what Jim meant by his added comment to the doctor, she smirked. Wiping the lipstick off his face with a finger, she let out a small laugh. They saw each other in a new light. They smiled at each other; she noted the same smile they shared in BEN's cave on Treasure Planet.

"You know…you shouldn't have lied to that bloody robot, Doctor." She said, toying with his cravat. He looked at her, puzzled at first, then the realization kicked in.

"Oh-oh, that…I-I- was just trying to be diplomatic." He said with a shy smile, hoping she didn't take note of his face growing red quickly. Instead, Amelia gazed at him playfully, running a finger along his jaw.

"So, is that true, or were you merely lying to yourself?" She said softly. Delbert went to say something, but the words never came out. He only smiled and blushed in response.

"That's what I thought." She said with a shy smile.

"We have much to discuss, you and I." She said, taking in his warm gaze as he softly caressed her face with the back of his hand. He rubbed his nose against hers, a sign of affection for both their species.

"I suppose we do. I guess we will have to continue this conversation later." He said in a low voice. She winked at him and let out a soft laugh.

Amelia sighed to herself as she went to step off the ship and down the gangplank, but Delbert stopped her. He insisted on carrying her, an offer she vehemently refused. She remembered all too well what had happened back on Treasure Planet. She smiled warmly at him, making sure nobody was watching, and allowed him to help her, pulling her closer as they walked towards the hospital transport that had just arrived. A few paramedics (called by a fearful, over-protective Sarah Hawkins) came up the gangplank to where they were carrying a gurney. One of the medics looked at Delbert and insisted he let the men take Amelia on the gurney instead, which annoyed Amelia.

"No, gents, that won't be necessary; I'll be fine on my own," Amelia said coolly as the medics nearly shoved poor Delbert out of the way. This annoyed her even more than their presence, but when she went to lunge at them, she fell relatively short when she lost the grip of her feet beneath her, falling forward. Good thing Delbert was there to catch her.

"Captain…" he said forcefully, catching her in his arms.

She hated to admit it, but he had such an endearing, gentle way with her, and she found herself admiring that quality in a man. She tried to push the fond thoughts of him from her head but found herself blushing when the fire of Delbert's gaze met hers. She shook her head at the thought, feeling her Captain façade return.

The first man noticed the fond look in her eye for the nerdy man before her before she reverted to her usual persona and looked to question the man before him.

"Are you a friend or family, sir?" the medic asked.

"I don't see how that is relevant; we just returned from a dangerous mission and the one way the captain will-" But poor Delbert was interrupted.

"Are you a friend or family, sir? If you're not a family member, you must follow us in your vehicle." the medic repeated firmer this time so they could be on their way. Delbert thought momentarily and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"A-a- a close friend...I s-suppose." He said, not fully realizing his words. Amelia rolled her eyes and let out a small sigh as the medic "attempted" to pry her from her comfort zone.

"He is a kind, caring man, but he must do something about that nervous bumbling!" Amelia thought to herself with a smile. She concluded, " I should help to spare him from further embarrassment. But I really must do something about these neophytes! And to think they call themselves medical personnel. "

"Don't mind his bubbling; he's my husband...and I would prefer to go to the hospital with him by my side." saying the word "prefer" a bit more sternly than usual. After Amelia finally understood the medics, she gave a wink to the Doctor, turning back to him with a smile. He blushed slightly and cleared his throat. Throwing her arms around his neck, Amelia fully allowed and expected Delbert to pick her up like she weighed nothing more than a rag doll. As much as it was an annoyance the first time, he did so on Treasure Planet; his kind and sometimes forceful demeanor when caring for and protecting her was becoming rather charming. A slight moment passed when Delbert snapped back into the reality of the situation and picked her up, all the while seeming to wake from the shock of Amelia's forwardness and blushed when she whispered to him, "Come along dear, I want to go home, but as you insist, I suppose we shall have to make a stop at the nearest hospital."

Later at the hospital, Amelia lay uncomfortably against the hard pillows. She looked over to where Delbert was and smiled; he was fast asleep in the chair beside her, his hand laying uncomfortably across her bed and his head next to her. She couldn't help but laugh.

"He played the part well. I suppose pretending to be my husband exhausted him," she said quietly, thinking about what the hospital staff might be thinking.

"A Felinid married to a Canid, honestly, what they must be thinking right now." She finally said aloud. She smiled as he rustled but stayed asleep. Amelia was now in an amused mood and ready for some fun. She brushed Delbert's hand while taking it into her own, but was greeted with nothing again, so she pulled herself closer to him and kissed his cheek, finally waking poor Delbert from taking an aptly role-reversing "cat" nap. He saw Amelia's face beat red when he opened his eyes and one phrase:

"Can I help you?" He said to her without thinking of his surroundings. He remembered and smiled at her before falling and going back to sleep. Amelia chuckled aloud and snuggled up to him the best she could. Closing her eyes, she could only see visions of her excellent doctor.

A while later, a doctor came to talk to Amelia after Delbert stepped out for a bite.

"But there's nothing wrong with my organs, just a minor injury, that's all!" She said, shouting at the distraught doctor.

"Miss, the records say you had a few broken ribs and a minor bicep muscle tear. We will need to do more tests and an X-ray to be sure. We'll have to keep you hospitalized for at least a week."

"A WEEK! I don't have that kind of time! Are you crazy? You can't keep me here that long!"

"Ma'am, there's no reason to raise your voice." He said, trying to calm her down.

"There's nothing on this blasted heap that a good cup of tea and perhaps a bit of rest won't fix." Amelia's voice echoed throughout the room and partially through the hallways as she shouted again.

"You should relax, read a good book and let Mr. Doppler take care of you." Amelia had the grace to blush at the thought of him caring even more for her. Then, again separating herself from her pleasant thoughts, she spat a reply.

"I'm fine, I told you already. I didn't even want to come here- And for your information, his correct title is Doctor Doppler. So I will not tell you again..."

"I apologize for the misunderstanding, ma'am; I'll send a nurse in to see you if you need anything."

Amelia was still venting her frustrations when she sat back against her pillows, shut her eyes, and began picturing things that came to mind, objects in the room, whatever she could think of. Her thoughts, of course, always come back to her bubbling Doctor Doppler. Amelia is not only an exemplary spacer, but she also could remember images so profoundly that it could make time stand still... This was one of the reasons why she refused to speak about her father, or Arrow, for that matter. She missed them, of course, but she was lonely. Only a few men cared enough or were too intimidated to spend quality time with her. One thought kept coming to mind despite her best efforts to deny it. However, she would never admit it out loud. She hated feeling alone, and Delbert Doppler was one man who made her feel safe and protected in his company. Amelia sighed, realizing how difficult it would be not to think of the bumbling, gentle man she had begun growing fond of the past few months.

Later that day, once he was sure that Amelia was asleep, Delbert finally decided to head home and get some rest. He had hardly realized that he had spent so many hours sleeping beside Amelia in her hospital bed that day. The next day he was sure to discuss an alternative care plan for Amelia with her primary doctor. He we confident that the hospital would want to be rid of her after a week, and it would be easier to visit her if she was staying with…a friend perhaps, a close friend even. He smiled, thinking of the Captain's possible reactions to suggesting something as such; he was already anticipating the witty quips she may come up with.

"Just couldn't get enough of my company, Doctor?" she thought with a slight chuckle.

"To be quite honest," he continued,"…no, I can't…" he drew his bath, and after removing his silken robe and matching slippers, he slid into the warm bathtub. The day had finally caught up with him, he had realized. He sat there briefly, enjoying the embrace of a good book. The smell of dinner filled his senses, so he placed a bookmark in his book and opened the bathtub drain, letting the now lukewarm water disappear down the drain beneath him. This left him empty, but he didn't think much about it.

After Delbert exited the bathtub, he stared long and hard into the mirror. He hadn't just stood there in a long time. His mind began to wander freely, fighting to stay confined to the bloodless frame staring back at him. Pleased with the visions of Amelia and the time he spent with her erupted into the room and hurdled over every thought about that loving embrace back on the Legacy and the effects of its splendor. Doppler knew that he had enjoyed that delicate moment, and the mere chance to hold such a treasure in his arms for even a moment was a pure miracle. Mixed emotions began stirring inside of him. He leaned back in recollection of that magical moment, the way he followed her moments as if his own shadow were tracking her down. He liked the thought of her finally depending on him, but then he realized something was missing: "But how does she feel about me?" He thought to himself. "Has she just been toying with me this whole time, or is the feeling I have around her real?" The answer just wasn't there. In his heart, he knew that he would have to find out before he could lose her. Oh, how brave she made him feel while he held her close, like he was ready and willing to take on the world-no matter the consequences.

"But how could she ever understand how she makes me feel?" So he thought as he went into the hallway while he walked downstairs all alone.

"Delbert, are you coming down?" Sarah called from downstairs. "Your food is getting cold."

"I'll be right there, Sarah," Delbert replied exhaustedly. While Delbert came down the main staircase that spirals and circles, he had a lonely, dismal look and reached the dining room. He sat staring blankly at his plate for the longest time.

The next day, Delbert, Sarah, and Jim went to the hospital hoping to visit Amelia, but when he arrived, she was in a deep sleep again. The doctor walked by as Delbert walked in the direction of her room.

"Mr.-Doctor Doppler? So nice to see you again." The man spoke kindly.

"Oh yes, it's good to see you too. Tell me, how is she doing?"

"Not to worry, your wife has been doing considerably better today. We are considering sending her home if that's okay with you. She must avoid rigorous activity for at least a week and shouldn't be sailing for two months until her wounds heal. We believe it will be better to let her heal in the comfort of her home and that she will be more accepting of care if a loved one is monitoring her care. But, of course, if something should go wrong. In the meantime, she is more than welcome back here."

"I was just thinking about that last night; how ironic!" Delbert blurted without thinking. He looked back to where Jim and Sarah were standing, hoping that he hadn't heard the doctor referring to Amelia as his "wife." he didn't feel like explaining at the moment, but the smug smile on Jim's face gave him the impression that his fears would soon be realized. He motioned over to them to wait another moment while he continued to converse with the doctor. The two men looked through the window of her room and saw that she had woken up again. Her eyes found the sight of Delbert through the window and flashed a look of affection that only Delbert could see thank goodness.

"Well, it looks like your wife just woke up again. You may enter if you wish." Once this was announced, Sarah and Jim stood and followed toward the door, but Delbert suggested they find some warm drinks for everyone. He insisted on the beautiful gesture and refused to take "No" as an answer. This ensured that they cleverly left him and the Captain alone together. He opened the door slowly, not to startle the Captain, and stepped inside.

"Doctor, so good to see you today. I had feared you wouldn't be stopping by today after caring for me so much these past few days." Amelia said with a sly smile, "She has been driving me mad!" He said to himself with a soft huff as he pulled out a small bouquet he was hiding the whole time in his jacket.

Amelia sat, staring at him in delight.

"Why…thank you Doctor…No man had ever brought me flowers before…well, except my father once when I graduated from the academy."

Delbert didn't know what to say; his mind was riddled with worry about the poor bloke assigned as Amelia's doctor for the time being. He wondered how a beautiful woman like herself had never been given flowers. He looked deeply into her eye, forgetting he was supposed to say anything. Words became an unnecessary thing in the presence of Captain Amelia. Maybe it was that though she looked tired from the injury and cooped up in a cold hospital all this time, Amelia was holding his hand tightly. He enjoyed the feeling and couldn't get enough of it. Amelia noticed the glint in his eyes and thought to ask him about it. In a groggy voice, she asked,

"Doctor, is there something on your mind?" Delbert was a bit surprised by her question but thought carefully about how much he wanted to say and how much he shared with her about his feelings.

"You captain, I-I I've been thinking about you lately. Are you feeling any better?" Amelia smiled at him as he lay his hand down next to hers and smiled at her shyly confident.

"I'm much better now that you're here. It gets so lonely sitting in a hospital bed by yourself." He had to mere courtesy to blush.

She smiled slyly in return and touched her small knuckles to his cheek; he half-dazedly closed his eyes momentarily. He flinched at her touch and then opened his eyes to find the same feeling coming back this time; the glint in her eyes was even more noticeable than ever before. Delbert brought her hand to his lips, leaving a simple kiss to be a gentleman. His display took Amelia aback, but a wicked smile crossed her lips. A flirtatious look from his lady love encouraged him to give her a "real" kiss.

"You know, before we were so rudely interrupted by Silver's ludicrous crew back on Treasure Planet…If we had not been captured…Oh, Doctor, I want you to kiss me already." She mused to herself

This stopped him dead in his tracks. Delbert seemed nervous; he had been on only a few dates in a long time. His love life also hadn't involved much "making out," as the kids said today. The most he'd done in the past 20 years was kiss a girl on the cheek. So, he figured the only thing to do was follow her lead. As it came closer to their lips meeting, Sarah & Jim finally returned with the coffee. Startled, they sat back sharply, both embarrassed. Delbert again tried to remain calm as he went to sit and fell on the floor. Everyone laughed so hard that he had to act like nothing happened.

"Dammit!" He thought, unaware that Amelia was thinking the same thing then.

"What took so long? If-if I might ask." Delbert said with a false confidence, albeit irritated by the intrusion.

"We got lost, sorry," Sarah said with a small smile, snickering.

"So, how did everything go?" Sarah added with a twinge of unneeded curiosity.

"Just fine, thanks," Amelia said coolly. She first looked at Sarah and Jim, noticing their skeptical expression, and then Delbert, looking frightened that they might figure things out. How dreadful, although they both probably already knew. Several moments of silence went by before anyone spoke.

"Well anyway, here's your tea Captain, and Delbert," Sarah said with a wink, "here's your coffee," Sarah said calmly. She sat in a comfortable chair and spoke kindly, "So, Captain, when do you get to go home?

"Well, I was told to stay here at least for a week earlier. Not something I am likely to take well, wouldn't you say, Doctor?" Delbert merely smiled as a familiar feeling reached his features. Some moments he was passed without so much as a sound. Finally, Delbert spoke briefly to change the subject quickly.

"Yes, well, on that note, I spoke to the doctor earlier, and he mentioned that you appear to be well enough to be released to go home because you have someone to monitor your care. So I will speak to you about staying in my home for now. I'm sure having someone to care for you would benefit you." Delbert stated matter-of-factly.

"You shouldn't fuss over me, doctor; you've done so much for me already. I'm sure you're growing tired of me already."

"Now, captain, what kind of a doctor would I be if I left you here to fend for yourself against the hospital staff?" He quipped with a warm smile. Amelia had the grace "The kind with a doctorate in Astrophysics." She said with an eyebrow raised and a smile.

"Well…er…true, but Captain, you said yourself how lonely you've been." He whispered to her. Amelia stopped dead in her tracks. She didn't know Sarah well enough to want her to know so much upon first meeting. She furrowed her eyebrows at him. She might have to have a word with him later about that.

"Well, doctor, if you insist that you can handle the likes of me, I suppose I should have no choice. So now all we must do is wait until the blasted doctor allows me to."

Sarah looked in Amelia's direction.

"How would you like to have dinner with us when you leave this dump?" Amelia smiled at the woman's words and replied

"Why, I would love to," Amelia said, prepared for anything. Jim leaned towards Delbert with a snickering look on his face. "Did you hear that? She said she'd love to." Jim whispered in Delbert's ear.

"Yes, right then, I guess that means I'll have to get some sleep," Delbert said with revelry in his eyes though he tried to hide it. He stood there next to Amelia, not looking away from her gaze.

"Why don't you go home?" He said, addressing Sarah and Jim but not turning in their direction. Amelia needed to figure out whom he was talking to, so she replied angrily. "Well, I'd like to, but I can't, at least not until they clear me to leave. You should know that by now, doctor." She glared at him after that. He began to get slightly frazzled. "But-oh- I wasn't talking to you, Captain."

"Oh, I'm sorry, do go on." She replied with a warm smile.

"I was finished." Ignoring Amelia's previous sentiment but still giving Sarah a look, he wanted them to leave. Sarah noticed and quickly started out of the room, holding back roars of laughter.

"Oh, that reminds me, don't you have to pack for the academy or something, son?" Sarah said again in a tone that wasn't meant to be a question. "Whoa? What are you talking about? School isn't starting 'til September; it's the middle of August." Jim said, confused.

"Well, if you start now, maybe you'll have everything ready by then."

"But mom-" Jim said with a teenage sigh.

"Let's go, son. You should get some rest, young man." Sarah was desperately trying to get her son to go back home, although he vaguely understood why until she pulled him by the ear and towards the door.

"It was lovely meeting you, captain," Sarah said sweetly, shuffling her son out of the room.

"You can call me Amelia," she said politely.

"Well, goodbye, Amelia," Sarah said, shaking her hand. She walked over, placed a hand on Delbert's shoulder, and spoke again. "We'll wait for you outside, Delbert." She said sweetly.

"Wha, Whe- Oh great, not again," Delbert mumbled. He couldn't believe they had left him to his shaky romantic defenses…again. But, on the other hand, he thought they would never go.

"Let's give them a moment." Sarah mused as she and Jim finally got out the door.

"Why are we leaving so quickly? Is something going on aside from his feelings for her that he doesn't want us to know about?" Jim asked, half laughing.

"Delbert is falling the Captain, no doubt...I may be old, as you call it, but I'm not blind. I can see the way he looks at her." So Sarah thought as she tried to cover her amusement.

"Yeah, I know. They had plenty of awkward moments during the voyage to write a romance book!" He mumbled. Sarah just smiled. It was nice to see Delbert find someone; she couldn't remember the last time she saw him so happy.

"You'll see, son. It will be amusing as she stays with us at Delbert's place."

"Fine with me, just as long as they finally finish with it and get a room..." Jim said. Sarah had to laugh at that. They both shared a short outburst of chuckling and jokingly pushing each other back and forth. Delbert already knew it would be coming; they must stay with him temporarily until the Benbow is up and running again. He wanted to know if Amelia was up to having their first "date" with guests at his house. He had hoped to set them up a romantic evening for them to enjoy in the first place, but with prying eyes among them, would it be worth the risk? Would that still be a date, then? Was she the type of woman to need or want that much privacy on the first date? He scolded himself for that thought and shook his head. He wasn't sure what she was going to say. He gave her a slightly worried look which she disregarded by accepting his offer.

"Well, this has been interesting, hasn't it?" Amelia said with a mischievous grin as she sipped her tea. Delbert was very annoyed at Sarah's behavior but acknowledged the feeling he knew remained. Amelia was the most important person to him right now, even though he didn't fully realize why at the time.

"Yes, it has." He said, thinking hard about whether he should stay and risk the possibility of something happening between them or leave and lie awake throughout the night. It was hard to choose, but he finally concluded that he should go home and return the following day.

"I guess this means I should be going," Delbert said with reluctance in his free spirit.

"Oh, and we were having so much fun," Amelia remarked sarcastically, biting her bottom lip mischievously, knowing all too well what things of that nature do to poor Delbert. He tried to get up and leave, but she pulled him back to her to give him a loving embrace that would warm his heart more than anything he had ever known. She snuggled into his chest fiercely for a minute. He kissed the top of her head, and she began purring. She let go reluctantly but smiled at him.

"I will miss you, Doctor." She said with surprising disarray in her voice. She seemed disappointed and hoped he would stay...or maybe she was still delirious. This was all very new to her, but it would be something she would have to get used to feeling. Delbert was stunned beyond words when she said it. He was caught, and he stumbled while walking closer to the door. He turned to her once more.

"Feel free to call me Delbert." He insisted.

"Goodnight, Captain." He said with a heavy heart.

"Please, doctor, call me Amelia." He briefly heard the Captain say with a big smile.

Finally, with the truth ringing, he turned toward the door.

"Goodnight—Cap-, err…Amelia." He said slowly as he walked through the doorway tiredly but managed to see the depression on her face. She began to try to say goodbye one last time, but the words were savored as the last drop of the warm, bitter tea sensation left her lips. When she put down her teacup, Delbert was gone.

"Goodnight, Delbert," she said after he left, testing his name to her lips. Though Amelia hoped that he would come back and stay with her, nothing stopped him from making the difficult decision he already made. He stopped dead outside the door, possible second thoughts residing in him. He quickly turned back and saw Amelia alone through the glass window. Was he mad? Here he was in the company of a beautiful woman, acting like a shy 15–year-old! So many thoughts scurried there as he spotted Jim and Sarah waiting for him, causing a long journey home in silence. His heart was aching. What was happening to him? As he walked down the long roadway to the carriage, he felt a deep resentment building up inside of him because of his decision, regardless of whether he thought it was right. He thought about going back and staying by her side until she fell asleep, but he knew it would make the situation even more strange to him.

"What's wrong with me?" He wondered to himself as they walked to the carriage and rode home.

Sometime later that evening, Sarah bombarded Delbert with questions about what went on between him and the Captain at the hospital that day.

"So…what happened?" Sarah said with a suspecting grin as the three weary travelers entered the door. Delbert didn't say much but was honest and truthful with his friend.

"Well?" She said, still curious.

"Nothing happened, Sarah. Now if you don't mind, I need some rest." He said with a sigh heading to his bedroom. He turned around and gave her a reassuring look that it was true. She glanced at him, surprised. He never was much of a social person, especially regarding women. She didn't understand. He opened his bedroom door and closed it right behind him. Sarah had tried to say something, but the door closed. She wanted to open it, but it seemed locked so she couldn't get in. Her despair filled the hallway, and she began feeling shunned by her dear friend.

"Good night Delbert." She said with concern and remorse for his feelings.

"Good night Sarah." He returned from behind the door. "This is going to be a long night' he thought as he attempted to sleep. When he finally got to sleep, he had an odd dream.

Delbert and Amelia were alone in B.E.N.'s hideout, and Delbert had just gotten the captain to sleep. As he was exasperated, he fell asleep himself. In an hour, he woke up to find Silver holding a flintlock to Amelia's head and threatening to kill her if he didn't find out where Jim was. Delbert appeared to be an enormously proud man. He would fight for her if he must, but when Silver stated it was time to keep his end of the bargain, Silver purposefully twisted Amelia's bad shoulder. Delbert got truly angry, he offered himself in her place, but the blasted pirates (and Amelia herself) declined the offer. Silver set the last laser bullet into position, preparing for the inevitable. Delbert lunged at Silver; (a fact that surprised both he and Amelia)) but he heard the shot going straight into Amelia's brain, killing her instantly. Heartbroken and stark, raving mad for vengeance, he removed a dagger from the waist of one of the pirates, plunging it into Silver's heart with his bare hands. He rushed over to his companion's side. Blood covered everything left of her, along with the dead bodies of four children; three kittens and one puppy that looked exactly like him and Amelia.

Delbert couldn't believe the dream he just had, and the trauma hadn't yet invested in his head, but he wasn't sure what it meant. He sat up, wiping away the beads of sweat rolling down his face. What was happening to him? He knew it would be a long night before the morning if only he had lasted that long.

Back at the hospital, Amelia grew restless for someone to talk to, so she got out her book "Space Wars" By Giorgio Trinidad. Her head collided with the pillow a while later as she nodded off. Discovering the truth of her subconscious, she developed feelings for Delbert a great deal. That was when she would finally get to sleep through the night. Her every thought focused on an eccentric scientist with whom she had a future date. The coincidence was that later that month was her 36th birthday. She had yet to have a good birthday since the year she left for the academy. Every year after that seemed like a vanilla cupcake with a candle on top given to her by Arrow. He had also usually scrounged to afford her a small but thoughtful gift. But now that she was a friend of Delbert, Jim, and his mother, she felt like she might be capable of opening herself…again, but with Arrow's ceremony coming up, the least I can say is it surely didn't help matters.

As the morning sang over the horizon, the beams of light cascaded through the window of Delbert's room. He winced at the thought of sunrise, but he remembered business to attend to this morn. As he rummaged through his clothing for something to wear, he thought to himself,

"Delbert, you can do this. You can be calm and reserved today. Then again, it is your first date...well, I Forgot how many YEARS it's been. Just act natural; you'll be fine." Delbert still felt uneasy about the situation and the dream he had. It must have been a sign of things to come. For a moment, he forgot what he was doing. He snuck out of his room and down to the stables, excitedly harnessed Delilah, and headed for the hospital. When he reached the room, he stopped momentarily when he heard voices coming in his direction.

"Well, hello, handsome. You must be the 'male friend' my niece mentioned in her letter." So said Mildred Mayflower, the older Felinid woman with light gray hair and similar colored fur to Amelia but black tiger stripes along her forehead, shoulders & hips, and deep purple eyes. She saw him going to Amelia's door & her eyes lit up like the etherium itself. Delbert could tell where Amelia got that talent for showing emotion in her eyes came from. She wore a shoulderless peasant blouse and a long flowing skirt with simple black heels to finish the ensemble.

Her husband Philip was a male Felinid with slicked back salt & pepper colored hair, deep blue eyes, and cream fur with white around his mouth & chin, around his chest and down his stomach, and from his forearms to his hands. He wore an intelligent long-sleeved shirt with rolled sleeves, a simple waistcoat and matching trousers, and a bowler hat with brown wing-tipped shoes. He looked embarrassed as Delbert turned to face her, not knowing what to say.

"Who me? I think you have me mistaken for someone else, ma'am." Delbert said politely, but shocked and confused. He was slightly hurt that Amelia would have any other male friends than him. He shook off this thought with a slight turning of his head in either direction.

"Oh, and a gentleman too, dear." She whispered to her husband though he didn't care.

"Mildred, please!" He urged his wife, shaking his head. Amelia strode slowly through the doorway to the restroom, still in pain from the stitches on her left side. Delbert lost his breath for a second at the sight of her, causing him to look incredibly nervous, although he still felt a sensation in his heart to see her in pain.

"Aunt Mildred, for the last time, would you stop flirting with my friends!" Amelia blushed slightly under her apparent fatigue & frustration at being bested by her aunt.

"Good morning, Doctor...Delbert, sorry." Amelia finally got out pleasantly, while Delbert remained silent the whole time.

"Well, Kitty Darling, it's not every day that my only niece finds male friends. But this one seems to be a keeper." said the chipper voice of Aunt Mildred.

"How many times have I told you never to call me that? I can bloody hear you." Amelia said as a warning. Mildred just chuckled at the shared banter.

"That's the point. So…Is this your boyfriend, dear?" Amelia nearly dropped her bag, and her jaw dropped before she got so angry that she looked like she was about to blow up like a volcano. Delbert stood, trying desperately not to blush, but knew well enough not to say anything.

"AUNT MILLE! He is not my boyfriend!" Amelia declared valiantly. Her aunt gave her a shocked, sly glance.

"Tish Tosh, sweetie. Calm down, and you don't have to be so defensive. He can hear you, by the way." Mildred retorted with a raised brow, ready for another verbal spar with her niece. Amelia cried angrily as she fumed over her aunt's mischievousness with embarrassed perspiration on her brow. She was edgy because it was her birthday soon, and Arrow was not around to celebrate it. His burial ceremony held by the academy was in a week, and she was nervous about going. She might be asked to say a few words, and honestly, what is there to say that wraps up the life and sacrifice of such an excellent spacer? She wanted to invite Delbert to join her for support, but she wasn't sure what he would say.

"I am NOT defensive!" Amelia fumed as Delbert tried to step forward to make sense of what was going on, but he tended to get things confused. Amelia hated that her aunt's wit rivaled her own. She sometimes wonders if that's where she got it from. Granted, she has always been very grateful for her aunt, and she took her in when Amelia's mother died all those times her father was away on voyages. This helped her also get close to her cousin Aurora, Mildred's daughter. They got along great, much like sisters, but Amelia thought of her as more of a niece. The bond was much stronger than that of her older brothers, Steven, Michael & Nathan, who were all too busy with their own lives to stay in touch. Over the years, she got used to their lack of effort and got on with her life. At least Aunt Millie cared enough to stay in close contact with her. Well, mostly…

"Oh, and young man," Aunt Mille said, turning to Delbert with a bright-arsed look. Delbert just tried to remain as calm as could be.

"The hospital was under the impression you were Amelia's husband, but not to worry, I remedied that oversight. She will be well cared for when we take her home to recover." She said with a wink. Delbert could tell now where she got her wit and commanding presence from.

"It must run in the family." Delbert thought to himself. Amelia paled at this news, and her anger started boiling.

"Why can't I stay with him?" Amelia declared in an angry tone. Aunt Mille just chuckled and shook her head.

"Oh dear child, don't you realize it's hospital protocol to only release patients to relatives? If you had married this man legally, that would be one thing, but without a marriage certificate, I'm afraid I'm your best option. Please don't be cross with me. I'm just following the rules. I still abide by the rules and don't take matters into my own hands to get my desired results…. So much unlike SOMEONE in this family," Aunt Millie said matter-of-factly in her accented speech. Amelia held her head in her hands and sighed. How she HATED hospitals and their so-called 'protocol.'

"Don't worry, dear. We can invite him to the house soon for supper. I want to get to know him better." Aunt Mille said with a wicked grin. Delbert decided that Amelia got her wits from this side of the family. Amelia walked off in the direction of their carriage, fuming outwardly. Delbert was going to go after her but chose to give her space when Aunt Millie tapped him on the shoulder.

"I meant what I said about coming over for supper sometime. You're always welcome to visit her. She seems rather fond of you, and that's not something I've seen in a long time." He smiled and tried to hide the reddening in his cheeks as they said their goodbyes.

"It was a pleasure to meet you both. Please…take good care of her." He pleaded. Aunt Millie nodded sweetly and smiled to herself at the gentleman before her. Indeed, it seemed he was smitten with Amelia as much as she was with him.

"This was going to be fun to watch unfold," Aunt Mille thought as she and Phillip collected Amelia's things and took them to the carriage. Delbert walked with them to say his goodbyes as well.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye, for now, Amelia." He said with much disappointment facing her beside the carriage. She also had her head down, noticing the smirk on her Aunt's face from the corner of her eye.

"I suppose so. I will miss you, Delbert." She said softly, feeling torn in two by her emotions.

"And I you, Amelia. Please don't hesitate to keep in touch. Goodnight," He said as he slipped her a piece of paper with his address and Halo phone number. She put it immediately in her pocket for the time being to keep it safe from prying eyes for one, as well as for later use. She knew her aunt had a Halo phone in the office, but it wouldn't provide any privacy. She smiled awkwardly, not wanting to show too much affection for him in front of her aunt. She settled for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"I most certainly will, Delbert. Goodnight." She said with sadness written on her face. They all got in the carriage, and Delbert waved as they drove away toward her Aunt's place. The day she got considerably worse after they went home. The first thing to bring her grief was her aunt's constant questions about the voyage and more about her dear Delbert than she cared to tell. This left her in quite a cranky, irritated mood. However, then Amelia concocted a plan. She climbed into the old treehouse in the backyard and decided to stay the night up there. Nobody would ever miss her, and she was already feeling much better thanks to the pain pills she was prescribed. So she stayed out there for a few hours, enjoying the solitude. The treehouse is so high up, giving her a feeling of euphoria being so close to the etherium. Her cousin was Aurora Mayflower: with cream fur with white accents like her father and black tiger stripes like her mother, and the same dazzling purple eyes. Aurora was in her second year in school then, so she had no problem checking on her cousin when Aunt Millie was particularly effervescent. This time, she had a message for Amelia from Aunt Millie.

"Amelia, you should come down. Mom feels bad for teasing you & badgering you with questions. She said she's sorry, Dinner's ready, so we better get down before mom kicks our arses." Aurora said in her accent smartly with a laugh. Amelia merely chuckled and came downstairs. They ate dinner silently as Amelia had no mood to deal with more ridicule than she'd already suffered. That night, as she drifted to sleep in her room, she dreamt of her dear and wonderful Doctor Doppler. She held her pillow close, imagining he was there with her. Little did she know that Delbert had done the same every night since he saw her last how he had hoped to be holding her in his arms instead of his pillow.