CHAPTER FIVE

It was just about 0400 when Tony was roused from a deep sleep by the sound of faint whimpers and soft cries. As awareness slowly seeped in, he realized they were coming from Maya. With a sad sigh, he pushed aside the blanket and rose from the couch.

As quietly as he could, he tiptoed barefoot across the cool floor, guided by the faint yellow glow illuminating his path towards his bed where Maya lay. She was tossing and turning now, her cries intensifying and her words becoming coherent phrases and pleas. Tony hesitated momentarily, torn between not wanting to startle her and the instinct to comfort her in her distress. If she had just been dreaming, he probably would have let her be to see if it faded away. But this was a nightmare that no person should be forced to endure for any length of time.

Maya's pleas grew more desperate, her voice trembling with fear as she begged for someone not to hurt her father, not to hurt the people. Then, abruptly, she began screaming.

Ignoring any formalities or hesitation, Tony acted purely on instinct. He moved swiftly to her side, gathering her into an embrace that was firm yet gentle. While he couldn't change what had happened, he could offer her warmth and security in the midst of her nightmare. He murmured soothing words, hoping to calm her frantic state and bring her back from the grip of her fears.

If anything, she was becoming more distraught. She was obviously now overwhelmed by whatever haunting visions had taken hold of her within her horrifying nightmare. His room echoed with her desperate cries, punctuated by erratic breaths that seemed to mirror the frantic beating of her heart. She was trying to push Tony away, not aware enough to know that he was trying to help her, not harm her.

"Maya," he spoke her name in firm tone. "Maya, wake up, you're all right."

She twisted in his arms, trying to pull away and once more Tony called her name, this time louder.

"Maya!"

A scream caught in her throat as she suddenly stopped moving and slowly her blue eyes opened, revealing the slow process of realization beginning to dawn on her.

"Tony," she whispered his name as her mind struggled to recognize this kind stranger. Then, with a heartbreaking cry, she wailed, "It's not a dream."

Tony caught the look of fear that seized her blue eyes as her brutal reality once again crashed down upon her.

And then, all at once, the floodgates opened. Maya shattered completely, dissolving into a torrent of tears and inconsolable sobs. All of her emotions poured forth uncontrollably and Verdeschi's room filled with the sound of her heartbreaking cries. Each sob wracked her slender body as if trying to purge both her new reality and this nightmare from her very soul.

She was trembling uncontrollably, despite his embrace; her breath now reduced to ragged gasps. Tony gently released her from his hold, his movements quick and purposeful as he retrieved his commlock from where it lay on the table by the couch. Snatching it up, he hurried back to her side, pulling her close into his arms once more. He knew at this point he wasn't going to be able to comfort Maya on his own.

The sharp sound of Helena's commlock abruptly stirred her and John from their restless sleep. Helena, accustomed to being roused at night for emergencies, instinctively reached for the device. John rolled over to look at her, his eyes filled with concern as he waited to see what was happening. Through the small communication screen, Tony Verdeschi didn't need to utter a word; the anguish in Maya's cries transmitted all too clearly. Helena instantly became fully awake, transitioning into doctor mode almost instantaneously.

"I'll be right there," Helena quickly assured Tony, her voice laced with a mix of urgency and empathy. She hurried out of bed and grabbed John's discarded nightrobe since it was closest. As she slipped it on over her nightgown, he tiredly asked her if she needed any help.

"No," she told him as she grabbed the small medical kit that always stayed with her at night for just such emergencies. "Go back to sleep, you've got a busy morning coming soon."

She gave him a quick smile as she hurried out the door, leaving John feeling waves of empathy and concern. Despite his role as the base's commander, he did possess a compassionate soul when it came to the Alphans and Maya was now one of their own.

Helena rushed down the corridor and then swiftly entered Tony's quarters, her medical kit in hand. Immediately she set to work. The urgency of the situation sharpened her focus, and with practiced efficiency, she began preparing a small dose of sedative for the young woman. Every movement was precise and deliberate, reflecting her years of medical training and experience in high-pressure situations. As she carefully administered the hypodermic to Maya, who remained trembling and sobbing in Tony's protective embrace, she felt the weight of Tony's gaze on her.

Tony's eyes tracked Russell's every move. Dark eyes that were filled with anxiety and apprehension.

Though she couldn't see his face directly, Helena could sense his deep concern emanating from the way that he held Maya close, as if trying to shield her from further harm. His quarters were heavy with unspoken worry while Helena's hands were a beacon of calm amidst the tension.

"Tony, it's a very small dose," she reassured him, her voice gentle but firm. "I'm unfamiliar with Maya's physiology, so I'm erring on the side of caution."

Tony merely nodded; his jaw set in determination as he continued to hold Maya securely. His eyes, dark with fatigue and anxiety, never wavered from Helena's actions. The connection between them was palpable—an unspoken understanding of the gravity of the moment and the trust placed in Helena's expertise.

Helena's focus never faltered as she finished administering the sedative. She observed Maya closely, looking for any immediate reactions. The trembling began to ease slightly, and Maya's breathing started to slow, the sedative beginning its work.

Tony continued to cradle Maya in his arms, gently rocking her back and forth in an effort to soothe her trembling form. Helena met his gaze briefly, offering a small, encouraging nod.

"It should take effect in a few minutes," she said softly, hoping to provide some comfort.

The minutes stretched out, each one feeling longer than the last, as they waited for the sedative to fully calm Maya. Tony continued to rock her gently, his whispered words of comfort barely audible but filled with heartfelt emotion. Helena remained by their side, her presence a steady anchor in the storm of emotions swirling around them.

Gradually, Maya's breathing slowed, the sharpness of her sobs giving way to quiet gasps. Rising from where she had sat on the edge of Tony's bed, Helena briefly stepped away to get a dampened washcloth from the bathroom. Returning to Tony's side, she handed him the cloth without a word. Tony gently wiped away the tears that streaked Maya's face, his touch gentle and reassuring.

Maya, visibly exhausted, remained silent, her body finally succumbing to the effects of the sedative. Sensing her growing calm, Tony guided her back down onto the pillow, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead with tenderness.

"We're right here, Maya. It's safe to go back to sleep," Tony murmured soothingly, his voice a comforting presence in the quiet room.

A few more tears trickled down Maya's cheeks as her eyelids drooped heavily. Tony continued to dab her face with the damp cloth, his gestures tender and caring.

Acting on instinct, Tony leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Maya's forehead. "We'll be right here," he whispered softly, his voice barely above a murmur.

Moments later, Maya drifted off to sleep, her breathing steady and peaceful once more. Tony and Helena exchanged a relieved glance, their worry momentarily eased.

"Whew," Tony breathed out softly, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room.

Helena reached out and patted Tony's hand reassuringly. "You handled that very well," she quietly praised him. "The first nightmare after such trauma and loss can be the most difficult and you dealt remarkably well."

"I wonder how long she'll sleep," Tony pondered aloud, his gaze fixed on Maya's serene face and seeming not to have caught Russell's words.

"It's hard to say without knowing her physiology more in depth," Helena admitted. "My guess would be around five hours, given the circumstances. We're making educated guesses tonight, Tony. I'm sorry."

As she studied the younger man's face, Helena noticed the exhaustion etched in his dark eyes.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly, shifting her concern towards his well-being now that Maya had fallen asleep.

Tony nodded slowly, a small smile playing on his lips. "I will be. Right now, I'd settle for some sedation myself," he tried to joke lightly, though his fatigue was significantly apparent.

Helena chuckled softly in agreement. "I think we all could use some rest. Why don't you try to get some more sleep?"

Tony's attention remained fixed on Maya, his protective instincts still in full force.

"Yeah, you too," he replied quietly, his voice filled with a mixture of exhaustion and determination as Helena gathered up her medical kit and quietly exited the room, leaving Tony to keep a watchful vigil on the Psychon.